[Shangrala]

It's so hard.
Rescued my 2 Rotweiller girls from being destroyed 11+ years ago.

"Chips" was a year old then.
She was found by the CHP (California Highway Patrol), on the freeway during road construction dodging all the cars flying past her. I felt that her name was appropriate...lol...(in appreciation for what they've done for her).
Started out just fostering her during her recovery from being spayed at the shelter, but we connected so instantaneously, that I knew immediately that she was meant to be my girl. She's so large, that most mistake her for a male.
She's my gentle giant. Protective of only me. Moans and cries when I'm not at home with her. Constantly under my feet. Doesn't let me out of her sight. Folllows me everywhere. A constant OBVIOUS obstacle...and I LOVE THAT! Definately a one-person dog, (has protected me from attacks by hub a couple times). She is my Moo.

"Baby" was 6 months old then.
She was one of 6 in a litter, with their momma, all abandoned and left for dead in someone's backyard. They were scheduled for disposal only 2 days after they were brought to pound. Hub n sis went to rescue one of the pups late the night before. He brought a lovely lil social butterfly home.
I couldn't think of a name for this puppy right away, so called her "baby dog" for the time being.....hense her name, Baby. And it so fits her.
She loves everyone. Would be a fantastic therapy dog. Playful. Puppylike personality. She never outgrew her puppy face...lol. Thought for certain she'd last forever. She is my Baby Cakes.

Rotweillers average life span is 8 to 12 years. I knew this when I adopted them.
They are both now reaching the age, (have reached..ugh), where it's time to think about letting go. OMG!

Baby has recently come down ill. Began to seriously bloat. Took her into vet. Her liver is enlarged, or tumor in liver. Either way, I simply cannot afford the thousands of dollar vet bills for surgery just to prolong her life another year....IF that! I have her on meds which absorb the fluid that's accumulating around the exterior of her stomach. It's brought her back to normal. Is all comfy again, (regarding her bloating, anyway), but still has major liver issues.
Vet suggested that I have bloodwork done (another $130 bucks), to determine if it is "just" enlarged liver or tumor, (either way, incurable without surgery...mayyyyybe).

Chips has been showing some lasting effects of her joint decomposure, of both front and back legs. Her size is so massive (not fat....just large framed..I haveta tip-toe over her to clear her back when stepping across over her....lol), that it is wearing down her joints. Though she doesn't show any sign of pain, she definately struggles to walk....well, she hobbles...and she's far too large for me to lift, (outweighs me by 30 lbs).

Sigh. Tears flow even at the thought of letting go.

I've had many pets in my past...also, of course, having to let them go when their time came, as well. But...for some reason, I'm having extreme difficulty over the thot of letting these 2 girls of mine go....even though I know it's what's best for them.....Especially Chips....OMG....that thought makes me break down sobbing endlessly.

My dilemma:
I'll be moving out of state soon, (the last week of this month). Divorcing. Taking dot with me....a complete restart of a new life.
I am at a seriously difficult emotional crossroads here.
I can't decide.....if I should let my girls go now, (I'd have them both put to rest same time...UGH), before the move....Or, take them with, (which I originally had planned before I discovered this illness with Baby just last week).
Taking them with....sure, they'd be included and would love that, but..at what cost?..I mean, am I only prolonging THEIR suffering by hanging on?
Is this fair of me TO hang on? Would I be premature to let them go now?

Gawd! I am NO good when it comes to heartache...Simple as that..and I know this about myself. But, I don't want my girls to be suffering...yet, I just can't seem to let em go.......UGHHHHHHHhh! This is killing me! I'm sitting here now, moarning their passing, and they aren't even gone....yet!

Help?

Thanks so much~

Shangrala

[Rachie]

I know what you are going thru, when i was younger i had a rotweiller his name was rocky. When he was nearing 12yrs old he started to get sick. He had artritus and i think he also had cancer. He was covered in lumps which the vet said some could be cancerous. The vet gave us the option of putting him down but we just couldnt do it. The vet gave us medicine to give him to help try and ease the pain. Towards the end of his life he couldnt move it was so sad. I fed him most nights and made sure i put his food close enough so he didnt have to move and then wrapped him up in his big blanket to keep him warm and made sure everynite i gave him a hug and said i love u. It was so sad the morning we woke to find he had passed i dont think its selfish of you to not put them down, me personally would rather let them pass on their own time then do it for them. You're dogs will know when its their time to go. I hope you are feeling ok, its so sad to lose a friend thats been around so long. You and your beautiful dogs are in my thoughts

much love, Rachelle

[Shangrala]

Thank you so much, Rachelle....This means alot to me.
The meds I've been giving Baby have helped her tremendously...but her liver is still bad, and will continue to worsen....It's just a matter of time. At least now she isn't bloated like a goat anymore, and isn't whimpering and crying....Gawd...it breaks my heart to hear her suffer.

She's even acting like her usual puppy-like behavior again...I so love that...annoying as all hell...but a VERY welcomed neusance, to say the least.

Thanks again

Shangrala

[Zen888]

If your dog(s) have a terminal illness or are in severe discomfort and have lived a long good life, I think that the most humane thing to do would to let them go peacefully. If there is medicine to prolong their lives I would try it. Do you have pet health insurance?

[lynn P.]

Hi Shangrala.
I'm a pet owner myself - that's my dog as a puppy on my profile, she's a year, 4 months old now. I've also had cats and other dogs as a child. If your dogs are in pain then the humane thing to do would be euthanasia. If you can afford to give them meds to keep her comfortable, then do that for now. A freind of mine had to put down her 12 yr old boxer yesterday and today she was crying on the phone. A pet owner always understands how our pets are members of the family. I remember before I had my girls, I had this beautiful persian black cat. Unfortunately because he was purebred, he inherited a genetic heart defect. At 3 in the morning we had to rush him to emergency because he was struggling to breath and foaming at the mouth. He was suffering and there was no cure so we had to put him down. My husband held him and I wasn't strong enough to be in the room. We didn't want him put in a mass burial so we brought him home in a blanket and buried him at 4:30 am., in our rose garden at home.
It's probably so hard for you to let go because your dogs have helped you through difficult changes in your life. If their pain can't be managed then it's okay to let them go. If it can be managed then let them live. Take care and I know it's hard.