CANADA
CALIFORNIA
U.S.A.I just received a heart breaking message from a stranger with a sick dog. J.S. is struggling with a very difficult decision and I’m hoping some of my animal-loving friends can lend some support. Here is the note…
“My first dog,at only 8,was diagnosed with a terminal illness that 2 vets said there was nothing to do. A small dog should live twice that. He too was a rescue. He wasnt supposed to live thru Jan 2013 & here we are April 7. I’m on disability for treatment resistant depression and anxiety, so I’m terrified about how I’ll react and whether this will devastate me beyond repair. Very isolated so he’s really been a friend and for the first time in my life learned about unconditional love. Not working,I’ve spentore time with my pet than most. His belly is full of fluids and vets day trying to drain it would be expensive,temporary,require anesthesia and risk puncturing an organ. Logically I know its not my fault yet feel guilty .. Everyone’s told me Ive done what I can,rescued this dog, gave him a loving life. He’s not able to digest protein so he’s lost muscle & nutrients..weaker and losing fur. The fluid however is increasing his weight and he looks like he’s 15 months pregnant. I fear hell explode. Feel helpless ..don’t know when or if to put him down or how to tell if he’d suffering. Have to think he’s at least uncomfortable…but he’s still eating, likes to go for a walk and occasionally wags his tail..so ewhat to do…I will freak out anyway…can’t imahine taking him to be killed. OR putting him in a trash bag to be cremated
.waking up and finding him listless. Told putting him to sleep — really murder—is an act of love..yet my existing in misery in physical and emotional doesn’t deserve the same as a canine. Go figure. JS”
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(April 8th) Below is the beautiful poem sent by Sue…
JS, please let us hear back from you. Are you doing okay? How can we help?
You have me in tears! You are not killing him/her. You are helping them die. When thy are suffering from this disease it is a kindness that you do for them. It hurts soooooooo very bad but to see such a beautiful companion suffer, hurts that much more. Eventually, this dog will tell you when it’s time for him/her to go and you will know. Our Teka couldn’t even get up anymore. When I touched her belly she screamed in pain. I am still crying J.S. She will always be our special angel. You are weighing on my mind right now. I am so sorry for you. Dont put your dog down. They will let you know when they are ready. And then you will know. God Bless Your J.S. and your beautiful love bun.
J.S. My heart goes out to you. Our first dog, Sheba, had a splenetic tumor and was given only months to live. Then, Teka was diagnosed with the same horrible tumor and I told this wonderful site about her disease and everyone prayed for her. She died 7 months later. I told the vets NO MORE Shots!!!!! It is our belief that all these stupid shots are killing our dogs. If you see the crap on TV with all the side effects????? COME ON!! Our Beautiful dogs do not need to be over vaccinated ? DO they? I believe your beautiful dog has a splenetic tumor. Sheba used to blow up too! It means that they are bleeding internally. She used to always eat rocks for minerals. Anemia. White ears and white tongue. So sad and such a painful disease for them. then our Teka died of the same disease! Our hearts go out to you! They are our children and we don’t want to see them suffer. God Bless Your DoG. All of our love!!!!
J.S. I was given an awesome poem when Teka died and I think it may help you… I hope you find peace. All my love, Sue (the poem is posted above)
JS,
We are a bunch of animal lovers here and it breaks my heart to hear what you and your doggie are going through. I wish I knew what to tell you to do that would make this situation better. I do believe some the advice given here is really good.
As Heather suggested, some places are willing to help with credit, and some will allow you to make small payments. I would really check into that option, and they may even be able to give you more advice and tips on things that you can do.
I know it’s heart breaking to see your animal that is like your child become ill and you have no idea what to do. I would personally choose not to put any of my animals down until I knew for sure that, that was the last option.
I wish you lucks of luck and success! My prayers are with you! Please let us know how things go with it.
JS, it’s hard making a decision about your pet when they become ill and they say nothing can be done to help them. I myself have a hard time on what I should do to make things better for the pet. I have learned though life ends and our pets have very short lives, so they need all the love and attention in the world. Heather’s right if you are willing to let your pet live the rest of his life like he is you have to be responsible to do what you can to make him comfortable. My sister had a dog that had congestive heart and she had to give her a water pill to remove fluids off of her body, so they are things that can be done. My dogs have all passed in my presents and it’s hard to see that when they do pass, so ask yourself do you want to put your dog through anymore pain and to put yourself through seeing what he goes through day in and day out. That’s what I would think and I still couldn’t bring myself to put down my pet. I dealt with the outcome at the end. You have given this pet love and affection that he probably would have never had if you didn’t rescue him. Continue to be there for him…
Hi there. I work as a vet tech and do rescue. Where are you located? You can send me a private message if you want to talk. (pickles1667@aol.com) Do you know the name of the disease he has? Yes, your dog will need to have the fluid drained from the abdomen. If you do not your dogs organs can be damaged with the pressure and the lungs can be squished and make it so it can not breathe.
If you can not afford the care you can apply for care credit money and clinics should know about it and be able to direct you. If your dogs stomach is that distended you need to go ASAP to the vet.
Hi JS,
It’s an awful thing to go through, having to deal with a sick pet. I recently had to make the decision for my best friend & doggie soul-mate. He was ill for a while with internal issues, and while he would also occasionally rally and put up a brave face, it was clear that he was suffering & and there was nothing the vet could do. There are a lot of resources on the internet to help you make and deal with your decision. http://dogtime.com/when-to-say-good-bye.html was one that helped me know that it was truly time. My heart goes out to you.
AV