I have had Dusty since he was a baby. He is a beautiful 15 year old ##er Spanial. I took him in 2 days ago to get his teeth cleaned and after running a few tests due to weight loss, it turns out he has kidney failure. They have him on fluids right now to see how far gone he is, but they say it looks pretty bad. We find out Friday if he will be around for much longer. I just came back from visiting him and he looks so sad and very weak, it just broke my heart. They say there is really nothing more they can do for him and if it turns out he still has partial function of his kidneys then they will release him so he can come home and spend the rest of his life with us, otherwise they will be putting him to sleep. My question is... how do you know if it's time? I know he wants to come home and be with us again, yet am I being selfish by trying to do so? I really don't want him hurting anymore... he surely dosen't deserve that. He is such a wonderful boy and the thought of saying goodbye is just killing me! I don't want tomorrow to get here! How do you say goodbye to your best friend of so many years? We also have a 13 year old ##er who has been looking for him everywhere. I feel so lost and confused right now and my friends really don't understand the connection I've made with my pal, so that's what finds me here. I guess I just needed to vent and know someone understands my pain. We will see what tomorrow brings... until then, thanks for listening.

DustyLove

best i can offer is you have to do what you feel is best. your heart will tell you when it is time to make a decision. if
Dusty's quality of life is diminished to the point where he is unable to eat or drink or control functions is a good first measure. the second measure is realizing if Dusty, though his spirit seems strong, wants to continue on his current path/condition or is doing so for your sake (knowing that another loss so soon would be devastating). again, your heart, and his, will tell you when it is time to make a decision. spend some additional quality time with Dusty during his remaining days...both of you will be better for it, i am sure.

I was faced with this with my dog Megan. I had to look deep within myself. It was the hardest decison of my life but I knew in my heart that I could not keep her when she was in so much pain. She basically never got off our couch other than to go outside to do her thing. If I loved her I had to let her go. What was worse for me is that I could not get into my vet for an entire week after I made my decison. For that week I spent every spare minute with her and even made my husband sleep on the couch so that Meg could sleep with me. I cried endless tears, screamed, and was mad at the world that last week, but I HAD to do it. I went in with her and sat on the floor and cradled her head in my lap and told her how much I loved her and thanked her for sharing her life with me. It was very peaceful, and although my heart was broken I knew that I had set her free from her pain. I tried to find comfort in that (I still suffered from guilt though). We also have another dog, Molly. It's been very hard on her as well. She has wrecked a few things in the house but she seems to be coming along (as am I)

I would not wish this on my worst enemy. I hope you find the strength and courage to help Dusty through this. I'm sorry I'm not great with words like some of the others on this site, but please know that I know EXACTLY what you are going through. Give Dusty lots of love, follow your heart, and then let the tears come.

Tracey

All to many of us know what you are going through at the moment and pray to God that that decision is taken from you.
Unfortunately life is not always that kind, for me I thought I was going to hold Jude up forever until she went naturally but in the end it was just a realisation that this is the end and I have to be brave.

The only ones that can make the decision are the ones that love Dusty and somehow, for me, a quiet calm came over me I just new what was best for Jude and did it.

I will pray to God for you and send loving Healing to Dusty.

Love Sue

It is true what everyone is saying here. Your heart will tell you what needs to happen. I had to make this decision for my little guy and it was by far the hardest thing I have ever had to do. The only thing that allowed me to do it was I knew in my heart it was the best thing for him ... and you too will know in your heart what you should do. Do not let anyone talk to you into anything ... listen to your heart and you will make the right decision.

I wish you the best and I hope that Dusty is feeling better.

Hugs,
Beth

It's time when you feel brave enough to say "No more". When I made the decision for Jesse it was hard - but I don't regret it. I will not allow someone I love to die slowly and painfully if there is any way I can prevent it.

We have to be the brave ones. They give us unlimited joy - and we sometimes have to take on some pain. Equal trade.

I hope you come to a decision that is right for you.

All you guys have been so wonderful "Thank You" so much! Now for the good news... I just left the Vet's office and the tests show that Dusty still has partial kidney function, so he is coming home tomorrow. Couldn't ask for a better Valentine's Day! I spoke with the doctor and told her that I am prepared to put my baby to sleep, if he is just suffering, but she assured me that Dusty is a fighter and is showing a strong will to live and she said he is not in pain (he is just not ready to go). I will have to administer 3 shots a day to keep him strong and he will be placed on special food as well. Of course the down side is that this only gives us anywhere from 6-9 months with our boy, but we'll take anything we can get. She assured me if this was her dog, this is what she would do as well. I know the day will come when once again I will be faced with the same problem but I would never let Dusty suffer in anyway and once I see the signs, I will put on my brave face and send him off knowing I did the very best I could to give him a long happy life, free of pain and suffering. Thank you all again for being there for me when I needed you the most. I will keep you guys posted on Dusty's progress.

DustyLove

Hallelujah to some good news, i am so pleased for you and Dusty.

Good luck and enjoy

Love Sue

Oh, what happy news! Give Dusty the biggest hugs and kisses.

Our cat Electra lived many years, comfortably, after her kidneys went bad. She did have to have special diets and etc... and she never really gained the weight back she had lost...

I think if she had not gotten sick, I never would've bonded with Electra. She was Tim's cat. But after she was diagnosed... I cried so hard. And I worked all her remaining years on being bonded with her....

The day did eventually come when we had to make that awful decision-- Dec 23, 2003 (but her kidneys had started to fail in 1998). Her renal failure was complete. She was in pain. She stopped eating. ... we had tried hard not to make the decision. We wanted one more xmas with her... But that day, THAT day, I knew I couldn't prolong her suffering anymore. I can't say how it is that you know -- but you DO know when the time has come...

I am so happy about Dusty. Treasure treasure treasure this time (I know you will).

Love,
Jennifer

Hi!

I am thrilled to hear of Dusty's (and of course, your) wonderful news!!

I hope that you, Dusty & your other ##er are having fun & celebrating life, for it really is precious. I'm sure that you are.

Ernestine, like Jennifer's cat, "Electra", suffered from kidney disease. Unfortunately, Ernie didn't respond well to treatment. She also had a couple of other problems.

Go Dusty!!! (I just love good news)

Love, Denise

Well guys, I wish I could say that Dusty was enjoying his second chance but he is still very ill. He is so weak and can barely take 5-10 steps before collapsing with exhaustion. The Vet says its due to him being in a crate for 4 days and not eating very much at all and that we need to give him 4-5 days to see if he's going to pull through it or not. I know some of you mentioned having pets with kidney disease, can you please share your experience's so I know what to expect (whats normal & whats not?). I'm happy, sad and confused all at the same time. I will keep you posted on his progress.

Thanks again!
DustyLove

Dusty,

How great that you got a second chance. Your vet is right ... that long in a crate and then not really eating on top of it can make a dog pretty weak. I am praying that he recovers quickly and is able to have many more months with you before you need to make any decisions. Every day you have from here on is a second chance ... hug him and spend extra time with him. This is what I did after my Snoops was diagnosed ... and I have very few regrets ... he left this world knowing he was well loved and would be missed.

Hugs,
Beth