DIFFICULT DECISION MAKING

There are difficult decisions for which one can never be prepared. Perhaps if you have owned a pet you'll understand the dilemma of when it's time to let go. We have to ask ourselves for whom are we  prolonging the pet's life? 

For our household signs have been manifesting for a while now with our 15 year old ever companionable dog Romeo. Romeo is a lab chow mix adopted thirteen years ago from the Humane Society when he was about 2. He has been a great companion and farm dog as he patrolled and protected our homestead more from 4 legged predators than human guests.  

As I have mentioned in previous posts his sight and hearing are limited and it's probably his sense of smell that is about the only sense in good working order. His labored breathing can be heard throughout the house but at 105 dog years whose shortness of breath wouldn't be, right?

 His hip arthritis is even visual as his hips appear concave as the deterioration has continued with increasing pain being lightened a bit by daily meds. Now the mere getting up and down is more than a chore and sometimes not possible. He even is squatting rather than lifting his leg due to the pain and balance. He has always been very private about relieving himself, now he just goes on the road. Old age... 

On his last walk down the road with Natureman, he lagged behind. Assuming he was onto a scent Natureman didn't think much of it until he heard Romeo's distressed barking. When found, Romeo was on his back struggling in some brambles unable to right himself. 

Last summer during his physical when xrayed a large sized tumor was discovered. So we knew our time together was limited and really didn't expect him to make it through winter. Living in the Midwest Natureman had actually dug a hole for Romeo's burial before the ground was frozen. We laugh because we think Romeo saw that hole and said "Hell no, I'm not ready to go yet. " 

So here we are midway through summer and Romeo made it through winter, an enormous feat but his quality of life is not good. He suffers from dementia as he paces unknowing what he wants to do.  He can be heard wandering in the house at night and whimpering as he lowers himself to lie down. He barks more frequently when he needs help up/ is stuck between a bed/ chair. 
After tapping to be let back in the house and the door is opened, he leaves 3/4x before  really coming in. 

Natureman and I discussed bringing him in to the vet but since our vet also makes house calls we'd like him to come to us to give Romeo a shot to take away all of his pain.  It'll will be a bit more dignified for all of us to let him go at home, on his turf.  Thursday is mobile vet day. Thursday, it is...  I think you'll understand why I won't be writing anything that day... 

Romeo has lived up to his namesake for being a lover and also loving to roam... We will miss him.