My beloved dog of almost 15 years (who was estimated to be 2 1/2 when we got her, is winding down
. She is having increasing difficulty controlling her hindquarters, as well as being stiff, etc. The vet has her on painkillers but is estimating weeks, not months,until her quality of life is gone.
I am struggling to not mourn her passing before she is gone--I got in that mode last summer and she got depressed. Mycurrent worry is howto prepare my toddlers (2 1/2 boy/girl twins) and what to tell them. I had another dog pass away after surgery last spring after an unexpected diagnosis of cancer. We brought Mouse homefrom surgery, they knew she was in pain and to stay away from her area. She developed pneumonia was rehospitalized and then we let her pass the next day after she spent the night on a respirator. The kids were told she got very,very sick and died.I cried a lot so they understood I was sad.
They accepted Mouse's death surprisingly well. What I think I worry about is how to help them say a proper goodbye to Gracie if we have to help her across the bridge, and what to tell them if she passes in her sleep? Gracie has not been too close to them--she preferred her quiet life of retirement before the kids. Nonetheless,she is inside much of theday/all night and it is clear to them that she is very loved by me and my hubby. We do have a newer dog (another adult rescue Catherine) who is muchmore interested in kids.
It hasbeen incredibly hard for me to see her slowly decline. I am sure worrying how my kids will handle is easier than worrying about me, or my husband,who is a nurse and had a very hard time seeing Mouse get her final injection to kill her. Mouse was crematedand sits on a shelf by the door. Gracie too will be cremated.
Thank you in advance for your advise, and for any prayers that Gracie stay comfortable and know that she is loved until the day (still a ways away?) that she is ready to go.
Agnes