Heart breaking & heart wrenching

mahhi22 · 09-12-2011, 11:04 PM

My beloved 11 year old Dakota is losing his ability to walk again. It first happened in February of this year. On MRI he was found to have multiple herniated discs. The surgeon recommended operating on the two that were adjacent to each other & most likely causing the problem. He said operating on all of them would have been too big of an operation. To proceed w/ surgery was a tough decision. I thought about putting Dakota down then as I knew it would be a matter of time before the other discs started causing problems. But I opted for surgery. Dakota regained his ability to walk & I’ve been able to enjoy & love on him that much longer.

Although now the time I’ve dreaded has come. He’s able to stand up & walk some. But his back legs are very weak. He frequently topples over, has a difficulty righting himself & drags himself to get to where he wants to be. Other than mobility he’s alert, lively, engaging & enjoys eating. He doesn’t appear to be in pain. Meds seem to be taking care of that.

It breaks my heart to see my beautiful boy struggling like this. I'm so torn as to if it's time or not. Yesterday I was ready to make "the" appointment. Today I’m not ready to give up on him. Tomorrow, who knows???

Stosh · 09-13-2011, 09:39 AM

I'm so sorry this time has come. Dakota trusts you with his happiness, well-being and his life and knows you'll do what's best for him.

Lilie · 09-13-2011, 09:43 AM

Big hugs to you!

Josie/Zeus · 09-13-2011, 09:44 AM

His eyes will tell you when he's ready. I am so sorry.

Hugs.

kiya · 09-13-2011, 09:51 AM

I am so sorry you have to go thru this, I truely understand. My heart goes out to you.

1sttimeforgsd · 09-13-2011, 10:54 AM

So sorry that you have such a heavy decision to make about your sweet handsome boy Dakota. It is never easy and the more times you do it it never gets easier. My heart goes out to you at this time, I will keep you in my prayers.

mahhi22 · 09-13-2011, 11:40 AM

Thank you everyone for the kind words & support. Dakota pretty gave me the sign that it's time this morning. He was incontinent of poop in the house & refused to eat his breakfast. Refusing to eat is huge since he loves his food. We have "the" appointment this afternoon.

Josie/Zeus · 09-13-2011, 11:44 AM

((((hugs)))))

DnP · 09-13-2011, 11:54 AM

From one owner of a GSD named Dakota to another owner...my heart goes out for you. I made that same decision for my Dakota nearly 5 years ago. It's a hard one...

We'll be thinking about you this afternoon and zooming you good thoughts and lots of cyber hugs...

myshepharley · 09-13-2011, 03:41 PM

My heart goes out to you. My husband and I had to make the same decision for the exact same reason just a few months ago. It is terribly hard, but I do believe they let you know when they have had enough. Nothing can stop the pain but time will ease that pain. Thinking of you this afternoon. RIP Dakota

09-12-2011, 11:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
mahhi22 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: W WA Posts: 475	Heart breaking & heart wrenching My beloved 11 year old Dakota is losing his ability to walk again. It first happened in February of this year. On MRI he was found to have multiple herniated discs. The surgeon recommended operating on the two that were adjacent to each other & most likely causing the problem. He said operating on all of them would have been too big of an operation. To proceed w/ surgery was a tough decision. I thought about putting Dakota down then as I knew it would be a matter of time before the other discs started causing problems. But I opted for surgery. Dakota regained his ability to walk & I’ve been able to enjoy & love on him that much longer. Although now the time I’ve dreaded has come. He’s able to stand up & walk some. But his back legs are very weak. He frequently topples over, has a difficulty righting himself & drags himself to get to where he wants to be. Other than mobility he’s alert, lively, engaging & enjoys eating. He doesn’t appear to be in pain. Meds seem to be taking care of that. It breaks my heart to see my beautiful boy struggling like this. I'm so torn as to if it's time or not. Yesterday I was ready to make "the" appointment. Today I’m not ready to give up on him. Tomorrow, who knows??? __________________ Rumi vom Haus Barrett 8/24/2010 BRAT, HCT, CGC Dakota GSD rescue 7/1/00 - 9/15/11 CGC, RA, CD Gunnar GSD/greyhound rescue 1995-2005 Kodi GSD/husky rescue 1991-2004 Cleo, pug and Happy, mutt from childhood

09-13-2011, 09:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
Lilie Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 6,290	Big hugs to you! __________________ Hondo Von Dopplet L Bauernhof "Hondo"- GSD Lilie's Tug McGraw "Tug" - Golden Retriever Maggie - Mini Dachshund (Rescue) Lonestar - Texas Blue Lacy Funyon, Ashe, Soot - Barn Cats Scooter /1/2 Arabian, Shadow, Katie / APHA

09-13-2011, 09:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
Josie/Zeus Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: DFW TX Posts: 1,846	His eyes will tell you when he's ready. I am so sorry. Hugs. __________________ Alta Tollhaus "Koda" 3/18/11 currently training in PSA Rest in Peace my boys Zeus 2000-2009 Odin 2010-2011

09-13-2011, 09:51 AM	#5 (permalink)
kiya Elite Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 1,913	I am so sorry you have to go thru this, I truely understand. My heart goes out to you. __________________ Carolyn Apache - Shiloh Shepherd 12/15/02 Kiya - Shiloh Shepherd 5/15/04 Lakota - WGSD 1/13/10

09-13-2011, 10:54 AM	#6 (permalink)
1sttimeforgsd Crowned Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: West Virginia Posts: 4,897	So sorry that you have such a heavy decision to make about your sweet handsome boy Dakota. It is never easy and the more times you do it it never gets easier. My heart goes out to you at this time, I will keep you in my prayers. __________________ karen, mom to: ace-gsd (bi-color) 6/14/2010 mandy-yellow lab 1/31/2009 baby-terrier mix 11/25/2000

09-13-2011, 09:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
Stosh Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: tyler texas Posts: 8,434	I'm so sorry this time has come. Dakota trusts you with his happiness, well-being and his life and knows you'll do what's best for him.

09-13-2011, 11:40 AM	#7 (permalink)
mahhi22 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: W WA Posts: 475	Thank you everyone for the kind words & support. Dakota pretty gave me the sign that it's time this morning. He was incontinent of poop in the house & refused to eat his breakfast. Refusing to eat is huge since he loves his food. We have "the" appointment this afternoon. __________________ Rumi vom Haus Barrett 8/24/2010 BRAT, HCT, CGC Dakota GSD rescue 7/1/00 - 9/15/11 CGC, RA, CD Gunnar GSD/greyhound rescue 1995-2005 Kodi GSD/husky rescue 1991-2004 Cleo, pug and Happy, mutt from childhood

09-13-2011, 11:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
Josie/Zeus Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: DFW TX Posts: 1,846	((((hugs))))) __________________ Alta Tollhaus "Koda" 3/18/11 currently training in PSA Rest in Peace my boys Zeus 2000-2009 Odin 2010-2011

09-13-2011, 11:54 AM	#9 (permalink)
DnP Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,248	From one owner of a GSD named Dakota to another owner...my heart goes out for you. I made that same decision for my Dakota nearly 5 years ago. It's a hard one... We'll be thinking about you this afternoon and zooming you good thoughts and lots of cyber hugs... __________________ Diana Mom of Brightstar's Phoenix In loving memory of Dakota 1/93 - 10/2006 He seemed neither old nor young. His strength lay in his eyes. They look as old as the hills, and as young and as wild. I've never tired of looking into them.-John Muir

09-13-2011, 03:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
myshepharley Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 194	My heart goes out to you. My husband and I had to make the same decision for the exact same reason just a few months ago. It is terribly hard, but I do believe they let you know when they have had enough. Nothing can stop the pain but time will ease that pain. Thinking of you this afternoon. RIP Dakota __________________ Harley GSD DOB 05/14/2007

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