This panting

[Annette47]

Hang in on for a few days may actually get us back. The vet said he thinks she's really groggy from the all the medicine so to back off the tramadol from 3 to 2 pills. He also said he th I 's a few days of the prednisone with change this sleepiness.

Lunchtime you are right. This is not on my terms. This is about her and it's my responsibility to do what's best for her. Thank you for saying that.

Let me back up....I got home this afternoon to her laying in the same spot but after I got her up she steadied herself and walked. She went out to poop and pee. She ate the treats I gave her. She wagged her tail and smiled. She then laid down by where my husband was sitting and then got up on her own. Two times to follow me!! I was beside myself with joy. I know it's not going to be fixed. But I know for today I do not have to make the call. I asked her if she wanted to go sniffing at the park and she gave me that excited face and her ears went forward and she gave me a head tilt. Oh my goodness what a dog does to one's soul.

So after talking with the vet he suggested range of motion exercises for the swollen leg and backing off the tramadol to see of less forgiveness helps in getting her to get up. He said to give it a few days.
Thank you all for posting, all of your thoughts are a comfort to me and helpful. I think I'm going to give this another day or two. Boy to see her so happy is truly a blessing.

Dogs live in the moment - all she knows is how she feels NOW, not what is coming. So all you can do is make sure whatever moments she has left are good ones. (((HUGS))) I’ve been in the day-to-day place and it’s hard.

[MontananDakota]

First let me say I'm typing g on my kindle so it wants to call lucytude lunchtime. I'm sorry.


Thanks Annette for reminding me of that. It is an excellent way to gauge this daily. I appreciate it.

This is so so hard as you all know.

[SunDance]

It sounds like there's still a good bit of "fight in the dog". Fingers crossed that she continues to show signs of enjoying her life, having less pain, etc. Enjoy every moment.

[outrag]

I'm glad you can relax, at least for a moment, and enjoy Dakota. I've been there, like so many of us, where we think it's the worst case scenario and it comes back in our favor (even if it's temporary), and the relief is tangible. I hope she stabilizes and gives you great moments for a while...

BTW, I looked up the in home services I spoke to a couple years ago (for Tanner) and all the rates have skyrocketed, so your response is accurate....The home hospice and euthanasia business is definitely a niche market that is growing and the recent prices are reflective of that...I do believe, however, it is very much worth it if you can plan for it (i.e. non-emergent).

Bob

[MontananDakota]

It sounds like there's still a good bit of "fight in the dog". Fingers crossed that she continues to show signs of enjoying her life, having less pain, etc. Enjoy every moment.

every single moment. I just had the girls out to pee. It was hard getting Dakota out. I have a one step out door then a landing and then 2 steps down to the walkwAy. It was hard. I can't imagine every trip being this way....I'm not complaining I'm just wish I g there were no steps. When I asked her if she wanted to sniff around she perked up again. She didnt walk much though. We came back in she got a drink and snacks and is laying next to me. She lays down awkwardly now. I sat on the steps while she stood there and I listened to the crickets and thought about how nice it would be to be able to take her to the park tomorrow and the tears sting. I cannot imagine there not being another walk in the park with her. This p art was different with Montana because he had no trouble walking. This...This is her life to go for walks and sit in the grass with me while I pet her and listen to the birds. I was so happy this evening but reality is coming back. There just is not much time left with her and I don't want this to be an immediate emergency situation where I have to leave work early in tears or something you know? This is too private and that happened to me with Montana.
I'm just still in shock.

[Mollysmomma]

Tears sprang right to my eyes when you described how Dakota's ears went forward.....I know exactly just how sweet they look when they do that, as my 13 yr old Molly will do sometimes when I talk to her, or mention some of her favorite words.....My heart goes out to you! I'm so sorry for all you are going through with your precious girl! And I know that any day it can be me & Molly....thank goodness we have this place to come to where other people understand! Sending along many hugs, prayers, & positive thoughts that the vet can help Dakota so she & you can have more precious time together!

[Berna]

The swelling could be due to inflammation, Cookie's leg was also swollen, x-rays showed inflammation. He may have hurt his leg and I didn't notice, and his arthritis acted up.

I am so happy to hear Dakota is doing better! Definitely try the exercises. These are helping Cookie a lot.

ETA: notice how swollen his left leg is

[MontananDakota]

Guys help. I made the appointment. And I am second guessing myself. She can't really get up by herself but yet she can stand when I get her up. I don't think she could make it through a walk in the park. It hurts her to lay down and when she's on the the tramadol she's in a stupor kind of even though I cut it back. I feel like in order to control her pain she needs to be on it all the time and it makes her sleep. Is that a good life? I know this will not get better. It will only get worse and that means more pain.
I don't want to be too late and I don't want to be too soon. I never expected it to be this difficult. I love her so much.

[Annette47]

Guys help. I made the appointment. And I am second guessing myself. She can't really get up by herself but yet she can stand when I get her up. I don't think she could make it through a walk in the park. It hurts her to lay down and when she's on the the tramadol she's in a stupor kind of even though I cut it back. I feel like in order to control her pain she needs to be on it all the time and it makes her sleep. Is that a good life? I know this will not get better. It will only get worse and that means more pain.
I don't want to be too late and I don't want to be too soon. I never expected it to be this difficult. I love her so much.

I’m so sorry you’ve reached this point, but given the mass is not something that is going to magically go away, it seems to be a question of how is her quality of life now, and if she is in that much pain, I think you’re doing the right thing. I hate for you that you need to make this decision .... I hate for ALL of us that we need to do this, but it’s part of loving them.

[kimbersmom]

Oh, I'm so very sorry. Wise board members always say, Better a day early than a day late. It sounds like Dakota is still full of love, but life is not loving her back. Hugs to you all.