My baby only has a week or two

I am so, so sorry for these very hard circumstances you find yourself in.  It is doubly hard, I think, to lose a fur child so young. I'm sorry treatments weren't successful, but I'm sure he his much more at ease being at home with all of you now.  There will be others along soon who have great advice for you and we will be here for you as people who understand just how deep a loss this will be.
 
I had read and have come to believe that our animals understand and cope with death better then they do an unexplained absence.  Our first cat and dog both passed at home -our kitty due to a sudden illness and we weren't actually at home and our dog was put to sleep in our home with all of us around her at by our vet. Our other pets were allowed and encouraged to sniff the body and know that they were gone.  When our kitty passed, the other cat sniffed her and looked startled and then backed away. It was clear he knew that was not his beloved sister any more. He did mourn, walking around the house crying out in loneliness that first night, but I know he knew he had not been abandoned nor was she lost. He wanted extra attention for weeks afterwards, but was pretty ok. And our dog who had been with the cat for 14 years seemed to accept it and understand it despite their having been very, very close.  When we had to have our Jesse released from her failing body, the cats knew she was going.  That morning we all hung out together on the bed and Iggy, who had always been a little cautious of Jess because her sight was bad and he feared being stepped on, came and laid down right beside her to comfort her and I know there are other members who have similar stories of their animals sensing the impending passing and comforting one another. The process of putting her to sleep was very peaceful, she was in my husband's lap and she was calm and at ease. The cats were nearby and as soon as she was gone I brought them closer. Iggy sniffed her paw and looked up at all of us with a questioning little mew - the vet said to him, "Yes, she's gone," and he walked over to me for some comfort.  Benito watched from a distance, but I know he understood it all and knew his "dog-mom" was gone.  It wasn't easy, but it was right and although they missed her, the kitty boyz knew she was gone from this place.
 
I think your other dogs will sense your boy is losing his battle and will be leaving them. And if he passes at home, they will understand and you will all mourn, but you will have each other to hold on to.
 
I wish you comfort in the days ahead.  Keep us posted.

I am so sorry! How hard this is, I can't imagine.   But I am so happy that you are able to bring your baby home for the last few loving days left.   I think you will focus on making him happy, and your other dogs will share in that. I guess you need to just try to stay on that thought,,,because its so good that you are doing this,,he will sense every bit of love you have for him. THAT is a positive thing.

I agree with Lisa and Dyan's sentiments over the future loss of your fur child. The others will know and come to understand his departure.
 
I also had a similar experience with a fur child who was in the process of crossing over to the Rainbow Bridge. Each of my fur kids, said their good-byes to Jessie. They knew before I did. It truly was amazing to watch each one go to her individually and say their piece.  After Jessie passed over, my crew did show signs of mild depression but delt with the absence of Jessie. The only one I had to comfort and coax to eat was her bonded mate, (friend) She too snapped out of it within a week and was back to herself again.
 
My heart goes out to you and your family having to deal with this loss, especially at such an early age.
 
Sending you and your family my prayers, peace and comfort in your time of need.

Thank you all for your support and sympathy. Our vet gave us her home number to call incase it was after hours when he begins to deteriorate because we wouldn't want anyone else to put him to sleep. I heard about bringing the other dogs with us to the vet's office when it was time but I never thought about her doing it at our home. I think it is a great idea and I will definitely ask her if she will do it. But I am concerned that we may wait too long or put him down too early. We were told that we would know when it was time but it is still hard to comprehend. He is doing well right now but he is loosing muscle mass due to the prednisone. I feel that as long as he is wagging his tail that he feels ok. I kow this might sound stupid but can he feel alone or scared. I am worried that he will feel this way and be mad at us. I am glad there is a place I can come to vent becuase it is so hard to talk to people about this without crying. I will keep ya'll posted on how he is doing. We are just taking it one day at a time and giving him what ever he wants. That includes licking me until my skin is raw. (he loves to lick) I am trying to find a picture that is small enough to post so you can see why we love him so much.
I wish the best to your families and your fur children. People always tell me that he is just a dog but my three dogs and three cats are my children and they are irreplaceable.
Have a great day!!
 

here is my baby

I'm so sorry.  Take a lot of pictures and always display them everywhere.  Remember the good times and keep his favorite toy somewhere special.

I wish the best to your families and your fur children. People always tell me that he is just a dog but my three dogs and three cats are my children and they are irreplaceable.
Have a great day!!

 
  He looks like a real sweetheart. No one here thinks of their dog as "just a dog"; to us they are family. You will know when it's time; he will tell you when he doesn't feel like fighting anymore; you will see it in his eyes and his attitude. As long as he has you and your husband close by he shouldn't feel scared or lonely. Have you heard of " the bridge" ?
                     [linkhttp://forum.dog.com/asp/tt.asp?forumid=9]http://forum.dog.com/asp/tt.asp?forumid=9[/link]
 
  You should tell him about it; he will have lots of friends there to play with while he waits for you to join him someday. Sending lots of love and prayers your way.

Awalker -- someone above said to tell your 'kid' about Rainbow Bridge.  Please do.  Discuss death -- it will help you AND the dog.  Also tell him your "dilemma". 
 
Something like this:  "Mom doesn't want you to suffer and I already know you don't feel very good. So please tell me.  Tell me when it just plain is 'enough'.  Tell me the right time to let you go over the Bridge.  I'm just a human -- but I will listen to you."
 
They know more than you think about 'language' and your intent will shine thru.  But give him permission to 'leave' -- and he just may do it on his own.  But also ask him to let you know how he's feeling and when he's had 'enough'.  "Tell me when you just can't do it any more and we'll help you over the Bridge".  They do understand -- more than you'd think.  It will help both of you.

You know,,,I want to tell  you to take each day as it comes,,,and yet I'm sitting here crying, just thinking about you and that baby of yours. And what a sweet looking baby he is....I'm so sad for you!  I agree with you, as long has he wags his tail he is happy,,,,,its so good that you are giving him everything,,,he deserves it, and he IS happy!   I don't think he feels alone and scared, he has you and I think he feels your love.   Listen to Callie,,,talk to him and let him know, just as she says.   You never know, that two weeks might just turn into two months,,,so hang in there,,you might just have more happy times than you even think.   
My prayers are with you and that sweet black baby!

I am so sorry to read about your baby, please find comfort in knowing that once he passes to the bridge, he will not know what pain or illness is anymore.  Love him, love him with all your heart, let him know with every touch, every caress that he is loved more than anything in the world.  Sending you and your family human and canine a big hug. 

Thank you again for your prayers and love. I tell him all the time "momma loves you and never forget that". I try to stay strong but as I read your thoughful words I can't help but cry. I am a true believer that God only gives you what you can handle. Also everything happens for a reason. I may never know why he is taking Cole so early, but I know he has blessed me and my husband with 3 years of love, laughs, proud moments and lots of kisses. I have to remember him for the good times and not the pain of loosing him. But I must say this is one of the hardest things I have had to go through in my life and I am only 25. I lost my father when I was only 6 months old and it seems like everyone close to me leaves. And here I am losing another family member. I think God's goal here is to let me know that death is ok. I can't state enough how much this forum means to me. I believe the love and prayers from people I never met will help us get through this. Have a great night.

Aww, what a beautiful, sweet face!

I definitely agree about talking to him. I talk to my dogs about *everything*! They really do understand. I tell them about pills that I'm giving them (what it is and WHY they need it) and about vet visits, and about any sort of strange things that are going on in the next few days. It helps, tremendously, with their stress. Tell your boy about anything that he needs to take, and tell him about what you expect to happen. He'll understand.

Your first dog is so special. Make sure you get a pawprint. I really wish I had one of my Grace. She also left me very early (at only five months, she had no kidney function left). It was hard, but I learned so much from her! She was a very special girl, and still holds a place in my heart.

I am so sorry this is happening in your family. It has me sobbing for you. He is absolutely adorable.
I just wanted to say that now that he is home from the hospital, he is not lonely, or scared I bet. He is right where he wants to be. It will make it easier for him. I think the paw print idea is great, and I will do that soon for Trinity.
 
 "wish the best to your families and your fur children. People always tell me that he is just a dog but my three dogs and three cats are my children and they are irreplaceable".
 
I have had many animals in my time, and I am only 24 y/o. Many of them are as close to my hearts as my children. I have had to make the decision when I could no longer afford to feed them, as well as myself, and my children, I had to give them away. It was heart breaking.
I have lost only rabbits to death, and cannot imagine what is is going to be like to lose Trinity. She has been with me through things when life was unbearable. She pulled me through. She is a child to me. Nobody really understands that, but she is. She is my daughter, my friend.
 
My prayer's are with you and your family.

I'm so sorry to read your heartbreaking situation.  Here, you'll find eople who completely understand that this type of loss is just as devastating (sometimes more so) as the loss of a person.
 
We had to help our baby to the Bridge in January, and we were in a similar dilemma.  We knew he wouldn't recover from his medical issues - we were constantly analyzing whether he was still okay, or if he'd reached a point where he no longer wanted to live.  We kept telling him we wanted to help him, that it was okay for him to leave us if he was ready, and we begged him to give us a sign when he wanted to go.  But, he continued to gobble down food, stayed mobile enough to move about the yard for his potty breaks, and didn't give any indications of real pain.  He was not the same dog at all, but then none of us are the same when we're really old and in poor health.  We so wanted him to die at home, and definitely with us at his side.  We kept fearing we'd wait too long, yet we couldn't make the dreaded appointment when he seemed to make efforts to keep going.  In the end, we had to bring him to an emergency clinic one night after our normal vet's office was closed and he wasn't home when we called him.  While I'm so grateful our boy felt our hands on him and heard our voices right to his last breath, I will always feel it could've been a more peaceful end had we been at home, with a familiar vet.  It's just one of the many things I wish had been different (I'm stuck in the regret stage of my grief). 
 
One thing for sure is that this forum was a lifeline for me in the weeks and months before and following his death.  The kindness and support of strangers was overwhelming -- more than many of the people in our daily lives "off-line."  Here, your emotions and words will be heard with compassion, not with dismissal or mere politeness, like you find with some family, co-workers, neighbors, or others who don't "get" how seriously this is affecting you.
 
My heart goes out to you, your spouse and your family of pets.  Cuddle your boy as much as possible - he's one of the lucky ones who spent his life being truly loved.  Take care.