An emptiness around our house today, like someone ripped our hearts out. 15 years of devotion to him and him to us. He knew every moment of the day, when we worked, when he ate, when he would get a snack, when he would get a walk. He was amazing also in his trust with us. Completely blind since July of 2021 he never hesitated to climb stairs or even run down the block with me. Look at the photo below. Easter Sunday 2023. A dog with no eyes who can fetch a ball based on the sound of bells inside and a dog who trusted my wife and I with his life to keep him free of harm to run down the block with me and trust I will not let him be harmed.
I would not have traded these experiences with him for anything else in the world.
Heart Failure is one of the worst ways a dog can die. Not sure if you read all my posts through. August 2023 we were told he has progressive heart valve disease. (Heart Failure) Dr estimated 6 months to a year. He made it 14 months.
He was prescribed VETMEDIN at the time in August 2023. An FDA approved drug for his condition. 3 days after he started taking it, it was like night and day that he improved to the point like he wasnt sick anymore.
The DR told us, it will only be for a while, 6 to 12 months later the drug would not be effective anymore, he was right. About a month (6 weeks) ago, he started coughing now and then during the night, also seemed confused at times, but still was always looking for our comfort. We thought it was nearing the time. We took him back to the doctor to make sure we were correct. The Dr said that if we put him to forever asleep at this point he could not disagree with that decision. We were told he was at stage 5 out of 6 in heart failure and then corrected himself and said actually a bit more above 5 and in-between the two. He was tossing and turning at night, another sign of difficulty breathing, wasnt as eager for my wife to take him for his nighttime walks, stuff like that.
So wanting to be sure, we waited, made sure he was still comfy, he still had energy at times to play tug of war etc but then would sleep away the entire day, meaning get tired quickly. Last month and more so two weeks there was a sudden decline in his quality of life, in the sense that the coughing and choking was coming back, infrequently but on the increase. Also was losing the desire to seek me out in my office after breakfast, something he has done forever and would fall asleep right near his food bowl where he ate.
Not wanting to make him suffer we decided it was time. No medicine could help him any longer and if you research the topic, heart failure is a horrible painful way for a dog to die if you let it go that way. He literally will start drowning in his own fluid as his heart cant pump enough blood, also organs get starved for O2.
I hope this helps you with a decision. Below, our blind dog, Easter Sunday 2023 how is this for trust? Galloping down the block with no sight) Then August 2023 diagnosed with heart failure.
We feel like our hearts have been ripped out.
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