Yesterday was not a good day to die.

[ironwrought]

Last evening, when Billy showed no interest in the food I put out for him, I knew we were going back to the emergency hospital.  Under the circumstances, and given the visual cues, I knew it was pneumonia.  That's with totally putting aside the 10 or so times that morning he'd been regurgitating water and saliva, which undoubtedly either is a cause

Comments

[rminct]

Awww, such a sweet looking fellow. I agree, convenience is not a good reason to terminate the life of a friend.

[ironwrought]

Unlike me, he hasn't had an ill-tempered moment in his life. Sometimes I think he got a raw deal, stuck with me.

[virtualmom]

You are right--it is just a reprieve, but in my experience there's nothing that makes you cherish each moment more. Give Billy a pat for me and know that you both are in my thoughts.

[ironwrought]

I apologize for not responding to your inquiries about Billy. I've had the most difficult time talking about him. It's part superstition, and part that I still am not prepared for the soon-coming inevitable conclusion.

I'm clinging to some hope that he'll pass in his sleep here at home in one of his beds, but I also fear that's not to be. While it is inevitable that the recurring pneumonia would take him eventually, I think the neurological problem is going to rob him of the use of his right hind leg within a few months, and I don't know what I'll do then. But for now, I just pray that the current pneumonia passes and that we have at least a few relatively uneventful weeks. My neighbor down the hall, who lost her dog late last year remarked to me the other day how Billy still seems to enjoy his life, unlike her dog's end days. I think that played a big role in my inability to accept that this was his time. I know I'm not just seeing what I want to see. Other people see it too. I think he's getting better, but I'm sure I did

[virtualmom]

I think you did the right thing, too. No one knows your dog better than you. I had wished that Katie would just go in her sleep, too, but it didn't happen that way. Having a vet come to the house was second best, because she was still in her own bed and didn't have the stress of going to the vet. Hugs to you both.

[rock_star_dave]

Aww, I'm so sorry to hear that. :(

I hope he gets better soon. <3