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I haven't been posting on the boards for a stretch. . . I'm sure you all know how life gets in the way.

Since many of my posts come across as a whine, why change the pattern?

Don't know how many remember me posting about my sweet Rod (Staffordshire Bull Terrier) a while back, and the ongoing health issues he has been struggling with. Always with a happy, positive attitude (his, not mine!) - which is typical of his breed. He turned 14 last month. I knew going into the Holidays the he was slipping, but refused to consider it. That is, couldn't consider it.

Last night he fell off the couch while trying to get down (he has been unsteady on his feet for a while) with a very hard landing on my hardwood floor. Usually I help him down, but either I was not quick enough or I didn't realize he was going to do it (he often spends a lot of time circling on the couch, looking for a comfy spot). He seemed a bit shaken afterwards, but otherwise alright.

This morning I think he may have had a stroke, and I see that he has also injured his left eye. Either injured it then or at sometime before or sometime after the fall. He is having a bit of trouble walking (I rigged up a harness to assist) this morning as he is unsteady on his feet. Right now he is sleeping comfortably, after eating breakfast and drinking a bit. I owned and bred this boy's mother; he was born in my kitchen into my hands and has lived with me all of his days.

His history is my history. My dogs are a very big part of my life.

I don't quite know what to do. I am pretty much beside myself, but trying to hold it together (yeah, right - basically, I cannot stop weeping). It being Sunday, the nearest vet that I can take him to is in another town about an hour's drive away. Not sure that a long drive or a vet visit would help my boy in any way, if what I think is happening is happening. If a stroke, a long car ride would accomplish nothing, and may even be detrimental. I have had other dogs that have suffered strokes, so I am pretty sure I know the signs. However, if he seems to be in any pain at all when he wakes up, off to the vet we will go.

I live alone, I have no friends nor family in the city where I live. Posting on various boards - mostly this one - helps to keep me sane.

I have been off work for the Holidays (the office was closed for the duration) and am due back at work tomorrow, where I am scheduled to have a "review" meeting with the personnel department first thing in the morning. This "review" is due to the fact that I objected to being required to attend large inter-departmental meetings in large venues that have no sound system. I am hearing impaired, so I mostly can't hear what is being said.

Looks like I will need to call in and cancel this "review" meeting, which may mean my job. But I don't really give a sh**.

Never rains but it pours.

So, what do you think? Should I head out on the hour drive to the nearest vet? Or wait until morning to see my regular vet, five minutes away?

Anne

Aww-sorry to hear about your sweet dog. Mine too is getting older and starting to develop more health issues. It is hard. You know your dog better than anyone, so only you can make that call. If you don't think that he is suffering, you should probably take him to his own vet, as they know him. I am headed to the vet in the morning for Maggie, part lab, part wonderful. Give him a big hug and keep an eye on him as I know you will. Unfortunately, they don't live as long as we do which stinks but is what it is. Hang in there!

Big, big hugs to you. It's so hard to say what is right. If he's not in pain, then maybe wait. Tips, my last dog, had many mini strokes until the day he kept having one after another. Yes, that was a holiday, and I knew he needed out of that agony. Even though it took a few hours to get with my vet where I was, my vet and one of his techs met me at the office where I held Tips while he was let of of his pain. Only you will know, and I'm sure you will, if it's come to that time.

Again, more hugs to you. It's so very hard to see our beloved fur babies go downhill or suffer in anyway.

They said it all....((((((HUGS))))))

Awww! Poor baby! And you too! Tough decisions but as you know, you need to do what is best for him. Good luck and let us know how he is doing.

Thanks to all that responded. It really does help to share our sorrow.

I ended up finding an emergency vet near to where I live (aside to Beth: why do these things always seem to happen on weekends or holidays?).

The news was not good, which I knew, but I did get drops for his injured eye. Vet thinks it might be an eye tumor, I'm still going with injury: a severe bump to the eye when he fell. In any case, I now have drops to alleviate his discomfort, whatever the cause.

He is a bit better this afternoon - vet thought his walking issues mostly have to do with his breathing difficulties (which have been ongoing for quite some time) I'm still going with a mini-stroke, mainly because this morning he could barely walk, this afternoon he is very much improved and able to walk on his own.

Nothing against the vet, mind you - (I liked him!) the vet can only diagnose what he sees in the (very) few minutes the patient is in front of him, I live with this dog 24/7. Well, not totally 24/7, because I am still working - but I observe him a lot more than any vet is able to. In any case, I am glad that I took him in, it puts my mind at ease and with the drops it makes him a bit more comfortable.

I know the time is close, but the time is not yet. He is still drinking and happy to get his dinner, and even played with the ball a (tiny) bit this afternoon.

Thanks again, guys.

Anne

Anne, my heart is sad for you. Hoping for the best as this new week unfolds. Lyn

((( Hugs ))))) (Whines are for the little irritating issues that somehow we know are bearable but....some times it is just nice to have a whine)......Our animal's health issues are a whole other world of worry and hurt and knowing the limits of what we can control.....and it helps to know that there are others that understand what our companions mean to us and the devastation we know we are facing we just don't know when.....

((( Hugs ))))) (Whines are for the little irritating issues that somehow we know are bearable but....some times it is just nice to have a whine)......Our animal's health issues are a whole other world of worry and hurt and knowing the limits of what we can control.....and it helps to know that there are others that understand what our companions mean to us and the devastation we know we are facing we just don't know when.....

Sending hugs and prayer that you and your pup are given the comfort that you need.
Velda

Anne,

How sad about your sweet Rod. As everyone has said, and as you know, we only can have out furkids for a short period of time. Be thankful that you still have a little more time with him for good-bye.

(((hugs)))

So sorry. I know what you mean about how important the dog is to you. I travel with just me and my two furbabies. I am frantic if I they have any problem, I don't know what I would do without them. Hope it goes as well as it can. - Sharon

((((hugs)))) Know what you're going through. Hardest thing is losing our furbabies. I still miss my Buddy even though I have three furkids now. After I lost Buddy I said, okay that's it, I just have one dog and that's enough. Two weeks later Baxter joined my family cause he needed a forever home, too. Then came Bailey recently. The new kids don't replace the ones we've lost, but there are so many that NEED homes and I have the room, both in my house and in my heart. Its my tribute to my previous babies.

(((((HUGS))))) and prayers.
Sandi