My cable pup, who turns 16 this month, had a stroke last night. Poor pup can barely walk now, leans to one side. Shakes his head and damn near falls down. Drinks a little bit of water. Can't really walk more than a few feet. Call him and he goes the other way. Appitite is severly diminished. Heavy, labored panting at times. Clear drool just drips from his mouth though that has slowed considerably.
He is in no pain that we can tell. I have to take him down the few steps for him to go outside, but he did make it back up the steps once. All he does is lie but seems to be somewhat alert. This is really hard on my daughter, he is the only dog she has ever known and been around since before she was born. In reality it is really hard on all of us. He is truly a member of this family. My wife and I discussed what our course of action should be this morning, and We decided to give him until monday to see just how he does between now and then. I mean at 16 years old he has had one helluva ride, but I can't see keeping him going and his quality of life completely diminished as it is now.
A brief history to let you know his past. About 10-11 years ago he had heart worm. Bad. Vet gave him less than a 30/70 chance of surviving the treatment. It was recommended I have him put down. Long story short, I decided for him to be treated. Almost $800 later my pound puppy came home a new dog. He had been a cable pup up to that point since I rescued him from a shelter & certain death, about 5 years. After the heart worm, I naturally retired him from cable which was hard for both of us. At that point the family totally ruined him (in a good way) by spoiling the crap out of him. Since then I have always joked how they ruined him, but that never made me love him any less.
So now, he has been showing signs of aging, slowed down (unless food was involved which then he acted like a 6 month old pup!) and could easily be found having senior moments by just standing there and staring at the wall, but would snap out of it readily enough when spoken to. He was getting arthritis as he would slip occasionally coming up the 3 steps on the deck from being put out. Not often mind you but the frequency has slowly increased.
Back to the present, my heart is heavy knowing what I am selfishly putting off doing. I think he will need to be put down. While I can't afford to pay large sums of money for the vet to keep him goin for what, 6 months IF I'm (he) lucky with him being so old to begin with, I don't think it would be right even if I could. As I said, his quality of life is dan near nill right now. This is an extremely hard decision to make and an even harder act to follow thru on as I am sure many of you know.
However, after reading up on the net about dogs and strokes I have read some positive things like after a few weeks, dogs have been known to improve immensly. Unfortunately though none have been dogs as old as mine. I know he is a mutt, a beautiful chow/husky mix, but I love the hell out of him. He has frustrated the piss out of me more times than I care to remember, but he has provided me with such friendship, and the finest companion a dog could ever be to a man and his family. I think what hurts most is the fact that he knows I saved him from certain death 15 years ago and he has rewarded me daily with his love since. I literally saved him the day before he was to be put down in the shelter, as he was thought to be an unadoptable dog @ 1 year old. Now, I have to take him to his death. What a complete circle in this dogs (and dawgs) life.
This has been very difficult to write, and much has been written thru tear filled eyes. Yes, I am a pussy. I am crying at the thought of what I feel must be done as the ultimate and final act of kindness I can show my best friend. To not let him suffer. He deserves better.
Thanks for reading my sob story. I will update this when something happens, one way or the other.
