I may have to have my dog put down.

[Bunny]

This is Lily - she's had bladder stones and crystals for several months now. We've been trying to manage it through medication and special diets, but that doesn't appear to be working. Surgery isn't likely to fix the problem once and for all, either.

When I took her outside this morning, there was fresh snow. So when she peed I could see that it was pretty red. I called the vet, and I have to take a urine sample, but this doesn't look good.

It's probable that she'll face weeks or months of pain, bleeding in her urine, and incontinence. And no real way to cure it, or even manage it, apparently.

Crap. She's always been a great dog, and I'll feel bad if she has to be put to sleep. I dread telling my kids. Crap. :-(

[commander bunnypants]

1. so sorry

But do whats best for the doggie

Peace and Karma

CB

[MissB]

2. I am so sorry.

I know how hard it is to let go of a beloved pet. Hope it isn't as serious as it sounds.

[auntAgonist]

3. That will be such a loss for your family I'm sure..

How old is Lily? She sure looks like a lovable 'pup'.

Hang in there, you'll do what's right.

:hug:

I'm sorry that you're having to go through this.


:hug:

[CornField]

4. I'm so sorry to hear that, Bunny

We had to put our Dalmatian down last April. It was one of the most difficult decisions I ever had to make.

Here's hoping you can come to a decision that you feel comfortable with. Don't worry too much about the kids... they bounce back more quickly than the adults (in my experience).

:hug:

[BurtWorm]

5. Poor bubbele!

She looks like a real sweetie. I wish you and your puppydog and your family well.

[RubyDuby in GA]

6. I am so terribly sorry

It hurt like hell to have to put my Ruby down two years ago, but she was in so much pain and it was for her. To keep her alive would have been beyond selfish.

You'll miss her dreadfully, but she won't be in pain anymore. I am so sorry :hug:

[bleedingheart]

7. So sorry Bunny...

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. I am so sorry *big hugs for you all*

[redqueen]

9. Awww bunny I'm so sorry.

I hope they can do something to help...

Good luck.

:pals:

[flvegan]

10. Bunny, I'm sorry.

It's such a terrible thing to have to decide to do. If she's going to suffer, she needs you to do what's best for her, which, though difficult, appears to be something you're ready for.

This sucks.

[villager]

11. it's terrible to go through...

I know. Best to you -- and Lily -- at this juncture in "the journey..."

[Suziq]

12. Please Don't Fall Apart . . . . .

until you hear what the vet has to say. How old is Lily? She looks like a real sweetie.

I am taking care of a paraplegic dog. My Molly's hind quarters are paralyzed and she has no control over bladder and bowel movements. At least she is not in pain. It is hard and extremely sad (I cry daily), but my husband and I manage.

I wish you the best and I am praying for a better diagnosis.


:hug:

[Mari333]

13. Hard to do, but better then letting her suffer needlessly

Ive held 2 of my dogs as I let them go..(((hugs))) I sang to them and held when they went...
One thing that helped my kids at the time..had the cremated remains kept for the kids to have a ritual, put them where their beloved dog could be a part of their lives..maybe a garden or flowerbed, just to teach the kids that death begets life in another form, that endings are always beginnings..just a thought...

[RebelOne]

14. So, so sorry to hear that.

Is she an old dog? That's why I believe in spoiling the hell out of pets. They are not on this earth for too very long and we should make them as happy as possible while they are here. I have a Rottweiler that is really a spoiled rotten Rottie.

[dflprincess]

15. I am so sorry

I just went through this Sunday with my sister-in-law and her oldest dog (I can't have pets where I live, so I share the dogs with her). It was pretty obvious Sunday morning that poor old Boo had reached the end. He was 12 years old, diabetic, blind and that morning he could barely drag himself back into the house. His breathing became very labored and he couldn't even be tempted by food. My sister-in-law called the emergency vet about bringing him in. We got kind of lucky though, he died before we left the house. Having been along a few years ago when one of the dogs was put down, it was a relief that he went on his own time. (Even when you know it's the right thing, that last horrible trip to the vet is just too hard.)

[Lilyhoney]

16. Sorry

So sorry for what you both are going thru. She is the one who is sick but you have to decide. I had to decide to put my 14 yr old cat to sleep less than a year ago. My vet came over and did it on my couch.In my arms and I watched the life fade from her sick little body. But it was rite. As sad as it is you really should involve your children and let them be there for Lily when she goes. I have a 2 yr old Pointer/Lab mix named Lily and I love her so much it hurts. I hope to have a long healthy life with her. We have Lily on the B.A.R.F. diet and hope that this will keep away the horrible illnesses that commercial dogfoods bring on. Please consider this diet for your next family companion. Again I am sorry.

[JimmyJazz]

17. I'm sorry to hear that, Bunny

:hug:

[NoSheep]

18. So sorry to hear this sad news.

:hug: I think I took these things better as a child than I do now as an adult.

[CornField]

19. This was given to me when we put our dog down

Where Good Dogs Are Buried
by Ben Hur Lampman

...For if the dog be well remembered, if sometimes he leaps through your dreams actual as life, eyes kindling, laughing, begging, it matters not where that dog sleeps. On a hill where the wind is unrebuked and the trees are roaring, or beside a stream he knew in puppyhood, or somewhere in the flatness of a pastureland where most exhilarating cattle graze. It is one to the dog, and all one to you, and nothing is gained and nothing lost... if memory lives. But there is one best place to bury a dog.

If you bury him in this spot, he will come to you when you call... come to you over the grim, dim frontiers of death, and down the well-remembered path and to your side again. And though you call a dozen living dogs to heel, they shall not growl at him nor resent his coming, for he belongs there.

People may scoff at you, who see no lightest blade of grass bent by his foot-fall, who hear no whimper... people who may never really have had a dog. Smile at them... for you shall know something that his hidden from them.

The one best place to bury a good dog is in the heart of his master.

[livetohike]

20. Try this website at Yahoo Groups

it's http://groups.yahoo.com/group/K9KIDNEYS

A great group of people. I posted quite a bit here a couple of years ago when my dog Ranger had kidney failure.

I hope this helps and a big :hug: for you and Lily.

[hollywood926]

21. that is terrible...

what an agonizing decision for you to have to make. I'm really sorry. :-(

[woo me with science]

22. i am so sorry

i hope you can find peace in knowing you'll make the best decision for her.

[progmom]

23. I am really really sorry.

The loss of a dog is devastating. :hug:

[Lavender Brown]

24. I'm sorry, Bunny

:hug: What a sweet dog.

[Bunny]

25. Back from the vet with an update:

The good news is that there is no blood or crystals currently in Lily's urine. I do not know what I saw in the snow this morning, but it didn't come from her urine. The vet suggested I check her lady regions to see if perhaps she has a polyp or something. I'm not sure if this is something I care to do - I think the vet should maybe do that.

The bad news is that her bladder condition is permanent, and we can only hope to maintain her through special food and medications. She's eight years old, and the day will come when these aren't going to work any more. And then a decision will have to be made. Hopefully it won't be for a while yet - I was really panicked earlier, thinking that maybe that day had come.

Thanks so much for the kind words - you're all so very nice. :hug:

[Debi]

26. Yeah!

Well, at least yeah that she's still w/you ! :bounce:

[sugarmags]

27. I'm so sorry that your dog is sick.

I had to put our sweet Casey dog to sleep in August 2004 because she had bladder cancer. She was diagnosed in April and made it 4 months. She was incontinent, and had the urge to pee every half hour or so, and then when she did go, nothing came out. We took her to specialists and there was nothing to help her. Just keep her comfortable.

She still had spirit in her and loved to swim in the lake even with how bad she must have been feeling.

I know what you're going through. Stay strong. If the time does come to let her go, you'll know. It'll be hard, but you'll know.

Casey's page
http://caseydog.blogspot.com

[joeybee12]

28. That's great news! She has such a sweet face!

Good luck and keep us posted!

[Left Is Write]

29. I'm sorry.

:(

[kodi]

30. my heart goes out to you and lily.

strange how life is that sometimes when you love something the best thing you can do to show the love is the worst.

i count the days left for my 12 year old kuvasz named kodi as precious time.

[koneko]

31. I'm so sorry to hear that

All the best wishes to you & sweet Lily.