[Otter63]

We are going to miss her. The vet said her kidneys have shut down and we will have to put her down.

She doesn't seem to be in pain so we are going to wait a day or two.

[Sabrina]

I am so sorry that Misha is so poorly. I wish you strength over the next few days.

[Travelinglady]

I'm sorry.

[gayleggg]

I'm so sorry about Misha.

[AlwaysTomorrow]

I'm so sorry about Misha. I know how close your pets get to you. We love them as family when they live, and we mourn them as family when they die. My dog's my best friend, it'll kill me when he goes. But I unshakeably believe that living things are more than just flesh and bone. If we really want to, we'll see them again. Count on it.

[Citrine]

Im so sorry, shes a beautiful girl.

[Otter63]

Thank you for the replies. She really is a pretty baby. I'm going to miss her <3 This is a hard business knowing when to take her in.

She's clearly not well and failing, but it's hard because she still wags her tail and she is eating. I don't think she is in pain, but I don't know for sure. She didn't jump up to bark at the neighbor kid when he came to the door so that was telling.

I think our other dog is going to miss Misha too. Bell taught Misha how to play again, and Misha taught Bell how to growl.

[spondiferous]

This post brought tears to my eyes. Strength and light to you, Otter.

[MollyGroove]

I'm so sorry for your loss. losing a pet sucks the big one. breaks your heart every time. I lost my best friend of all time last fall

[Otter63]

She is still with us. The vet said if she wasn't eating (she wasn't when we took her) that she would not make it a week.

When she stopped eating her dry food we gave her canned food. Then we got her to eat canned soup. She stopped eating that and now she's eating cooked chicken thighs. I see signs that she's going to stop eating that too.

As long as she eats she seems almost normal (although she has gotten very thin). My husband talks like maybe she will be okay, but I'm much less optimistic.

We will just keep doing what we can. The not really knowing what to expect is making me nuts.

[lizardlady]

Otter, I'm so sorry about Misha.

To me it's a positive sign that she is still eating. For what it's worth I had a cat with kidney failure that lived for months on a special diet.

[Otter63]

Thank you lizard lady and all of you for the support. It has been very helpful to share with you all.

My husband took her in this morning. It was time. I'm glad my husband was able to take her. He petted her while they gave her the shot, and I don't think I could have done that.

I still have a dog to love, but it will be so weird to walk Bell by herself. Soon I'll be walking her when it's dark out. I always felt so safe when I had Misha with me because she had that Shepherd protector thing and she would have torn into anyone who might have tried to hurt me (arthritis be damned!). Bell is the sweetest dog I've known and she hasn't an ounce of protector in her, lol.

I do think she will miss Misha. Is there anything can be done to help her? Well apart from getting another dog. My husband may wear me down at some point, but I really think we are best set up for just one dog (tiny backyard, financially, etc)

Rest in peace Misha. You were a crazy old dog. You fit in well in this family that will miss you much!

[lizardlady]

Otter, I don't know if you are able to do this. Some times it helps the remaining pet to see and sniff the body of the pet that's died. It's like it helps them realize what happened to their friend.

Giving Bell some extra loving will also help.

((Otter63)),

I am so sorry to hear about Misha. She was very lucky to have been loved so much by you and it sounds like you were very lucky to have her as well. I lost my first (and who will always be my favorite) cat to acute kidney failure. It's terrible to watch their bodies fail and feel so helpless. You certainly did all you could for her, and I am sure she knows how much she was (and still is) loved.

I imagine Bell will go through a mourning period. She might have less energy or seem slightly agitated when she can't find Misha. I would think this would be normal; however, you might want to ask your vet how to best handle it. I don't know if there are any other dogs the two of them played with...if so, that might be helpful for her as well. I would think any socialization will keep her happy and healthy.

Take time to take care of yourself as well as you process your feelings of loss...I know I am still getting over losing my two cats, and it's been years. Hugs to you and your family.

[Otter63]

Lizard lady,

Seems like that would have been good, but, ya, can't really do that. She will get extra love though.

Lost key,

I may try to get a play date going with the neighbor dog, and if this nice weather holds up I can take her to the dog park.

This is hitting my husband harder than me. He used to go on runs with her when she was younger, and they just had a really special bond. I will miss her a lot too. I always enjoyed the cacophony of barking when my husband came home. It will be too quiet.

[eskielover]

I know what you are going through....I have lost 2 of my eskies in the last year.....I still have 3 of my babies.....but my mommy eskie (Destiny) & my little girl Celia (who was always my buddy & went everywhere with me.....then Leo joined her along with Tawny when I left my husband & moved here)....my eskies are what keep me going & allow me to feel real love in my life.......they all have been my special babies & each has a special place in my heart. I was giving Celia baby food with a syringe along with fluids the last few weeks of her life....as she wasn't in pain until the end.......wouldn't let her suffer & she let me know when it was time.

My heart feels for what you are going through....there is nothing like the love of our puppies....I have loved my cats when I had them....but my eskie dogs were all the more wonderful close emotional ties with me

[Otter63]

Thank you for your support, eskielover. I'm sorry about your babies. We do miss them. My middle name is Celia