My only other post was last April 5th, and we had just found out our Westie sweetheart had bladder cancer ... after 6 months (and 11 days) of Piroxicam, Sucralfate, and Baytril as needed ... my daughter and I made the heart-breaking decision it was time. Zoe was a trooper through all the months of meds, loved her cottage cheese and flax oil concoction, but suddenly (or so it seemed) this week she took a turn for the worse and was simply not able to pee at all any more ... but oh how she would try. A couple of nights ago the shivers and panting started, and our once totally independent but tender hearted girl wouldn't leave my side, couldn't get comfortable laying down, and chasing after her ball or 'snock' suddenly was more effort than she could muster. A new ultrasound check showed the tumor had invaded her urethra making it nearly impossible for any urine to be released and her bladder was HUGELY engorged. The offer was made and I requested our vet drain Zoe's bladder, knowingly full well it was a short term fix - but my daughter was on her way home for the weekend and after all Zoe was her dog ... I wanted her to be able to spend time with her, and to be honest I just wasn't quite ready. Today was a return trip to the vet for another ultrasound check, but we already knew what it would show ... the signs were all there. We went prepared having made the heartbreaking decision not to put her through anymore pain or procedures, and even through our tears know in our hearts it was the right thing to do. Our other 2 dogs (including Zoe's 12 1/2 yr old brother) also were along, and while Maggie was anxious and didn't know what was happening, Barks lay down next to Zoe with his head right next to hers just as they had slept so many years. First was the sedative, and we snuggled her in our laps wrapped in her favorite blanket all the while whispering in her ear what a good sweet girl she was, and thanked her for 10 1/2 yrs of unconditional love, the joy of hearing her "roo-roo!" whenever she was excited, and wished her no more pain as she drifted off to sleep.
Love you forever Zoe girl ...