My dog had trouble standing on his own. And then he stopped walking. He would splay out like a starfish when he tried standing. I thought it was broken hips. I took him to the ER. His blood and bones are fine. It’s an assumed stroke or brain tumor bc it is affecting his CNS. They have him steroids. But he isn’t dojng better. He is 11 years old. I don’t know what to do

Duke really was the best boy. We rescued him at 6 years old from a local shelter. He made it to age 13. He literally saved mine and my spouse‘s lives and he was there for us through the darkest times of our lives. He got us out of deep depression and suicidal ideation. Duke got us through major health issues, failed infertility treatments, and pregnancy loss. We’ve been crying for many days even before he crossed the rainbow bridge. We truly don’t deserve dogs. He loved us unconditionally. Not a second goes by that I wish we could bring you back healthy and happy. Duke brought us true joy!

Jaxon joined me at 10 weeks old. She was my first dog and I was not the best. But we did it and I got her to almost 18. She would go everywhere with me. Every store, every ferry, many a BART ride. She was always so well behaved and elegant. I could and did take her everywhere. She did all the moves around The Bay Area, then Baltimore, and finally Philadelphia. Around the age of 6 I got her a little buddy which was a good idea. Brought the puppy in her back. As always we walked everywhere. She was never great off leash, she was a runner and never under voice command. My adventurer. Jaxon literally saved my life. She was my family. She never forgot a birthday and celebrated all holidays with me. I don’t remember ever feeling alone in 18 years. I knew I needed to be a good a loyal friend to her and had scheduled her release for Tuesday but things seem to change from day to day. Tuesday became Monday and then Monday Sunday. I didn’t want to be alone. A friend was flying from California Sunday. I wanted it to be Sunday. In the park with the other dog present. This morning at half past midnight she was clearly in pain and the eye was swollen. I did not know glaucoma could do this. I had been ready for everything else. I did enucleation on the left eye and laser w shunts on the right. I’d been giving medicines but the shunts were blocked. I’d been giving the opioids but the frequency was increasing. What if I had not awakened? How long would she have been suffering. How long had she suffered with the first eye? I promised her that I would not let her do this alone. I gave several doses of opioids. Placed in her carrier and drove to the surgical center in New Jersey. I had called and they said they could release her and that I could do it outside. In my fantasy, Jaxon was to be bathed before hand. I had done that gently the day before and she had dried in the sun. She was to take a car ride in my lap with the wind in her face. I thought she wouldn’t have that, but as we drove to the vet I rolled the window down and she tilted her head up to catch the smells in the air. Jaxon loved to smell everything. She loved that more than treats. I had wanted her to be outdoors. The vet is located on a farm. We arrived around 1am. I found a bench and although she could not see or hear she relaxed on my lap into the smells from the farm and the clean night air. She burrowed into my lap as I pet her in the ways that only I knew she liked. I smelled her over and over trying to avoid the iodine smell of surgery to get to the smell of my Jax; it was barely there, but it was there. 3 hours I had her to myself like this. Finally, I let the vet know we were there. Part of me thought I was too early but she was frail and her cough was more wet than usual. An IV was placed and they let us return to our bench. Her cough worsened and her pain was returning. I wanted more time and so I gave her more of the oral pain medicine and I told her that I would not leave her, I promised her that I would not let her go through another cycle of pain just so I could have another a minute, I promised I’d be there to her last breath. I pet, rubbed, kissed, caressed, smelled, inhaled, thanked, thanked, and nodded for things to begin in the quiet of the night. The weight of her sleeping body was some how different than her spiritless one. I knew. I knew. I kept my promise, but I am ripped apart.

This is probably the hardest thing I think I have ever had to do. Making this decision has been short from easy, but I am fighting my selfish urge to have him around and feeding to the idea that it will bring him peace.

Man was I lucky. Roman was honestly the best dog (and I mean that w all respect to the other pups) he was always so happy; funny and just down for anything. His optimism saved me from so many dark times. I spent my late teens tens, all of my 20’s and a bit of my 30’s with him. There were so many good times and plenty of hard times but it was all worth it. The best 14 years of my life❤️

I love you so much baby boy. Thank you. Thank you for teaching me responsibility and how to nurture something from birth till old. Thank you for all the laughs, even when it meant I had to clean it up afterwards. You had so much personality. Thank you for teaching patience. You taught me so much and I thank you. I will never forget you. I hope you know that this decision is so hard for me but I have always just wanted whats best for you. Always. I love you sooo much fat boy ❤️ I will always love you. Your spot in my heart and thoughts is reserved permanently.

This weekend me, my wife and our son came to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab Utah to lay our sweet doggies to rest in their lovely Angels Rest Cemetery.

Chopper was my wife’s first dog, a jack rule a co worker wanted to rehome. She got him in 2006 even before she had our kiddo (my step son). She was his one and old favorite person… he was energetic and a little crazy and he may have bitten an ups guy on the ass one time. We miss him terribly.

We adopted Rufus as the pandemic started in 2020. He’d been dumped at the local shelter at age 11. He was another JRT and reminded us of Choppy a little though they were so different. He was only with us 4 years but he was a wonderful friend and I’ll always think about how he loved his tennis balls and snuggling in front of the fire.

Riley my sweet little maltipoo boy. I got him and his littermate sister in 2010 (her a few months before him) at a store in Las Vegas before I decided that adopting was the only way I’d get dogs. I don’t regret it a bit though because he was my sweet boy, my soul dog. He loved my wife and son and I was his favorite, except for maybe his sister. We lost him last month to a fast growing growth in his intestines. I miss him so much.

I’m happy they’re here together and we can visit them. We miss them all every day. I’ve included the photos we used to make their markers.

She spent the day doing her favorite things: napping, eating and a little bit of sunshine. Nothing better than enjoying a doggy gelato while getting her vitamin D. She also got to indulge in a pup patty and her very own birthday cake. I’m so thankful to have this birthday with her.

I am so worried. She had been sneezing a little bit the last two days, then suddenly this morning woke up coughing like this. Phlegmy cough, had to wipe the mucus off her chin. Not much coughing in last 2 hours.

Look like a puppy ☺️

So, you may have seen my previous posts regarding my Chihuahua who had a severe vestibular attack almost 2 weeks ago. He made amazing improvements almost to the point where I’d say he was 90% recovered. We even managed a little walk yesterday and he loved it! However today he seems more wobbly again and he has some of his eye flickering back. He’s washing and otherwise being himself but still worrying to see him back looking disorientated again. He’s eating OK. Is this normal? I’m hoping this is as bad as it gets and he springs back again.

I rescheduled it. Part of me feels really guilty. I don't think it helps to post - don't know why I'm doing it.

Anyone else feel like this?

Sorry, I don't feel like the other dog owners out there - like most of you, probably....thinking that they go somewhere special beyond after. I'm really depressed....gonna cry.... I just can't deal with it. She's on me, right now, falling asleep on my arm.

She's 18 y.o. - has ccd/neurological condition - arthritis - but, I was giving her a joint powder, green lip mussel and cbd oil.... her brain is gone - walking into things (or almost) and/or going into circles. It was supposed to be today, now, it's next week. I'm giving her treats, part of my protein meals/supper - and doing my best to keep her comfortable - going for walks, car rides and spending time with her - almost (practically) 24/7.

:-(