another breaking heart

If your dog can't walk, and is 18, it's probably time.  You have already done everything you could, plus you have given her a "forever" home, something that many dogs never get.  I know how hard this is for you, but asking her to suffer so that you aren't as crushed by the loss is not ok.  But, you already know that.  Don't worry - you really will meet again at the Rainbow Bridge.  <<>>

That is a decision that is so very hard to make.  I held onto my first irish Setter to long and let him suffer more than he should have becuase I couldn't give him up.  Once i made the decision and it was done I swore i would never let another dog get so bad.  I had to make the same decision almost 13 years later with my mext Irish.  He was 12 1/2 and developed bone cancer in rear leg.  We had 10 wonderful weeks from day of diagnosis until we found it had spread to shoulder.  We were fishing one day and the next i found it had spread and I let him go tthat day, no suffering, no misery.  He enjoyed life to the end, chasing crabs, swimming, trying to catch shore birds, eating any and everything he wanted every day of those 10 weeks.
 
I know your pain and trust your vet.    I am so sorry you have to make this decision and hope that you can recover once your beloved dog is gone, either thru the vet's hand or thru God's hand.

jk2, look into your eyes and she'll tell you.  Give her permission to go...that may be all that she's waiting for.  She knows this will be hard for you and you need to let her know that it's OK to go and that you'll be ok.
 
And, you will be ok, because we'll be here to support you, and remind you that she's whole and healthy again and running free at the bridge.

I believe we make them a promise.  I will protect you from harm and share my life with you.  WHen the time comes I will ease you on the best way I can.  I personally believe it is better to be one day too early, than one day too late.  Getting ready to face this myself with Baylor who's spine is deteriorating.

You've shared so much throughout the years.. you know each other well.  She loves you and trusts you to do what's right.You will know when/if it's time to help her go. My thoughts are with you.

im checking in before i leave and want to thank you all so much for responding so quickly.  So hard, but with support, i'll do what is needed..... I just want her ok...thanks again..jk2

I'm so sorry jk2, what a horrible hard thing to have to go thru.. unfortunately many of us have or will have to go thru it ourselves.  Gee, she is 18,,,what a wonderful life you have given her,,,and now you must give her freedom. lease find eace with yourself for knowing you did what you could to help her and she will love you even more for that.
 

Thanks again to all!!  And, well, we may have a few month repreve.  I'll explane.  I took her in to vet, who i love and trust, and here's what we decided.  We gave her an intervenious steroid.  I know that's normaly a bad thing, and would shorten life, but in my girls case, it "may" extend her life if only a few months.  AND...  she has just taken 5 steps which is the first steps 'at all' in 5 days, so im hoping this will give her reliefe and i can spoil her and then go through this all in a few months again..      If it gives her good quality for now, which it has been known to do, then i'll be happy for her, but if by monday, she's not doing well, i mean very well, then i'll do the next step with a good concious.  We also went through 'the process' or the 'steps' together of what we have in store if this dosnt work.  I know this is awful, but as they did the needle today, and i held her sweet head, i sorta pretended it was "it".  Vet said it is what "it" is nearly exactly, and it was very sweet and kind, so i am more at ease with that too. Well, you guys are the best,,,,dog lovers sure have good hearts.. Thanks again...

I am happy to hear that you don't have to make this decision now.  When the time comes, difficult as it will be, you will do the right thing for your dog.