My baby only has a week or two

Cole is really testing us []. He up and active today. He seems a little interested in things. He is also letting me love on him.I don't know what to do!!!!!!!!!! Maybe he just had a bad day yesterday. I haven't talked to the vet yet so nothing is final. My husband wants to wait and see how he does. Maybe the antibiotics are making him feel better. I don't know. Maybe we are jumping the gun. I am glad he is having a good day. I will keep you posted.
Have a great day!!

I sure know exactly the emotional roller coaster you're on and how rough it can be. Our lab had nasal cancer and there wasn't any treatment options.  He lived about 4 months from the time of the diagnosis and he would have these horrible sneezing fits with blood everywhere.  It was frightening and heartbreaking.  Each time, I thought "this is it, it's time to say good-bye".  Then it would stop and he'd be fine.  It was exhausting and like you, we grieved so many times.  There came a day that he was showing signs that he was in pain and completely wanted to hide, and we knew it was time.  It's such a tough decision, but I honestly think that you will know for certain.  I would take it all one day at a time and not try to predict anything.  Just love him to pieces and enjoy the time together.  My thoughts are with you and hopefully it'll be a good Memorial Day weekend for you all.

I just wanted to say hello and say that I am glad Cole is having a good day.  I have been out of town and could not remember my password, but I have been reading  your updates as a guest, and either find myself crying or smiling and sometimes both.  Your pictures are beautiful, my prayers are with all of you always.

Glad he is more alert today. We went through that too with Mopsie. One day he would be sooo bad and the next better so we were torn. Hang in there, give him lots of kisses today and a great massage!!

My father died of lung cancer and when the disease was advanced he would have good days and bad days so it's probably the same with dogs; as Cathy says love him and enjoy every moment with him.

Oh gosh,,,,I feel so bad for you, your family and Cole!  How tough this is!   I am really happy he is having a good day, maybe your right, maybe he was having a bad time yesterday. We DO have good and bad days,,and when your ill, the bad days are worse I suppose.   I'm sure you are happy to be able to keep loving him and making him happy, who knows how long for!
Hang in there, my prayers are with you all!

Hello,  I'm new to the forum and really feel for you and Cole. It does make me happy to see that you are willing to do the right thing for Cole if he were to start suffering.  I work in a vets office and see people everyday that can't bear to part with their furkid even though the animal is obviously suffering.  It really breaks my heart that people can let them go on like that.
Anyway, I hope that all goes well for the two of you and I think that it's great that Cole has an owner as thoughtful and considerate as you.[]

I'm late to this but just saw it now.  I'm praying for Cole and crying too! 

As a couple of you have said, dealing with a slow decline (vs. a sudden loss) is agonizing - you described it perfectly by saying it's a roller coaster and that you grieve multiple times.  I experienced that when we lost Tonka this winter.  On certain days, we were certain we'd reached the end.  But then he'd rally, have a good day, gobble his food, greet us with a wagging tail, and we'd think, "We can't send him to the Bridge now, not when he's perky."  We'd feel relieved, but then a few days later, I'd find myself lying on the floor beside him literally all night long, listening to him cough, and I'd think, this is it.  Honestly, it is more than 4 months later, and I'm still struggling with the lasting effects of exhaustion, anxiety, and grief.  The physical and emotional toll has been severe. 
 
My heart goes out to you and your family.  It is such a sad, difficult time.  I hope that you're feeling stronger with the support from all of us who've gone through such a terrible loss.  Give your baby a special pat from me.

I still think of Tonka all the time Tracy. 

Hey everyone,
   Well Cole is doing great. For the last couple of days he has been alert and socializing. SO of course it's not time. However we did decide to cremate him when he passes. This way he will always be with us. I told some friends that if we have to evacuate again for a hurricane we are bringing him with us. This decision to cremate him has really helped me deal with Cole being ill. I was upset with the thought of burying him and then if we move he will be here all alone. I am happy with the cremation. He will still be close to use and he will "still be here".
    I have some good news but I am not sure whether or not it is a good idea. A girl at work found a puppy on the side of the road and she can't keep it. So I decided to bring her home and see how she is with the other dogs and cats. They did great. Cole is actually more active and trying to play with her. So I think it is a good thing. However I don't want it to sound rude or disrespectful to Cole but I thought it would help ease the pain when Cole passes. I also was thinking it might get him more strength. He has been more lovable and playful since late last night. I just don't want him to think we are replacing him because that is impossible.
Please let me know what you think about the cremation and the puppy. I am really happy today and I hope it stays this way for a while. HE IS DOING GREAT!!!!![][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

Glad Cole is having a good day! HURRAH!  We cremated our dog, Mopsie, when he died almost 2 years ago. We have him in a lovely dark wood urn that stays on my dresser in the bedroom. I couldn't bear the thought of burying him, especially when I knew we will be moving.
I think the puppy is a good idea! I am glad they are all getting along!
Have a fun day today!!

Im glad to hear he is doing well!  Its so hard deciding when its time.  A lady brought in her pitt bull a few weeks ago to be put down... she struggled back and forth forver about it... even there that day she didnt know what to do, so we had her on the exam table and put her little puppies all around her and she didnt even respond, so we decided to hold the puppies by her for a few minutes so they could spend a last few moments together and then I brought her into the other room where we were going to give the shot.  One of the things the lady said of the pitt was that she wouldnt stand or eat anything.  So while I waited for the vet to come back with the shot I got her some hot dogs and she stood there eating the hotdogs wagging her tail.  I sat there crying my eyes out wondering if that was right. We did put her down.... but I couldnt help but wonder...  (although it was by no means MY decision)
 
Friday a couple came in and had us go outside to put down her 16 year old lab in the back of their SUV, she didnt want him to go to the Bridge in the vet office.... I stood there petting him and talking with the owners while waiting for the vet and she was telling me how he doesnt even pick up his head and he did... he was looking all around and the lady got so upset and decided she didnt know if she was doing the right thing.  She did end up letting him go. 
 
I think that even though they will have their good moments that will make you wonder, you have to remember to look at the whole picture and decide if they would be more comfortable at the Bridge... and not concentrate on just those minutes when they look a bit better.
 
I wish you strength during this time... and Im so glad he is doing better right now, enjoy him while he stays with you... he knows how much you love him.

It has made my day to know that Cole is rallying and enjoying his remaining time a bit more again. 
 
On cremation, we did the same with the two pets we have lost and it was definitely the right choice for us - when we first lost our kitty, Franklin, and it was so sudden and such a dramatic and difficult passing, we were very, very anxious until we had her ashes back with us where she belonged.  She and Jesse, our Lab, are in matching Maple boxes with a brass name plate and a plexi picture frame and we a favorite photo of each in the frame.  I'll not pretend we stopped grieving right then and there, but it was a comfort to touch the box and express to her how much I treasured her while looking at it, or arranging her favorite toys around it.  It helped.  We sent her with one of her favorite felt stuffed catnip toys. 
 
We also took in another grey cat who needed a home a few weeks after losing her - it was hard to glance at his very similar coat and suddenly realize it was not her, but he needed us and we needed to love another kitty to honor her, not to replace her.  If it feels right to open your home to this puppy and especially since it seems to give Cole some vigor, then it is right.

 I'm so glad that Cole is feeling better.[]  I don't have any advice to offer about cremation; we always buried our pets in an area in the yard and marked their graves but it sounds like a great idea. If you love this puppy there is nothing wrong with keeping her; you are terrific pet guardians and will give her a great home.