[Dailydrool] Rolph. I need advice.

Wed Jul 11 10:46:18 PDT 2018

 Dear Sally,
I am saddened to hear Rolph is having such troubles. There is no easy way to say this other than it is time. I went through something similar with my beloved Abe who went to the bridge a year ago June 3rd. He was on previcox, gabapentin and 6 tramadol a day. He could barely walk more than a few steps before he would sit down. I moved into a one level house because I knew the steps were killing him and he only lasted a few months in the new place. I loved Abe with all my heart and was almost codependant on him and him on me. I couldn't stand to be away from him. I couldn't imagine life without him. My judgement was clouded because I loved him so much and I wasn't ready. But looking back I feel I kept him alive too long and I know he was in pain even with all the drugs. He was very grumpy and nasty to the other dogs to the point they were scared of him. One day I bent down to kiss him and he bit me in the face. I was heartbroken, I couldn't believe it. Even though he has been gone a year I am still balling my eyes out as I write this.I know you say he still has a spark but I would caution that you maybe seeing what you want to see because you aren't ready to lose him. We all know how hard it is but it's better to do it too soon than too late. No one is judging you.I am sorry that you both have to go through such pain and heartbreak but my advise is it may be time. Hugs.

Melissa
Buster BrownSusieTinker
    On Wednesday, July 11, 2018, 12:58:40 PM EDT, Sally King via Dailydrool <dailydrool at lists.dailydrool.org> wrote:  

 Droolers, I'm looking for support, not criticism or harsh words.
As I've mentioned before, Rolph has been struggling with mobility. He's worn a Help Em Up harness for more than a year and it's been invaluable. He is on a lot of medication, there is nothing left to add and I take him regularly for hydrotherapy, cold laser and chiropractic treatments. I have also tried any number of homeopathic and holistic treatments.
He is also now doubly incontinent. He wears a belly band in the house, but due to his long coat, it's generally easier to pick up poop than put him in full nappies.
Until recently, he's had good days and bad days and, leaving aside his recent tummy troubles, the good have outweighed the bad. And even on the bad days he's been bright-eyed and wanting his food and (very short) walks.
The past few days have been bad days. I've had to assist him even to walk up the short ramp from the garden to the kitchen. He can't manage more than a few steps without going down in the rear and scooting along. and his tummy is still playing up, so I need to stop the Rimadyl, which may make him worse.
However, despite all of this, he is still bright-eyed. He still wants his food and still asks to come out for walks, despite the fact I'm having to hoik him up with the harness every little while.
Everyone has always said he will tell me when it's time. My holistic vet told me to talk to him and tell him it was OK to go, because she believes he is hanging on for me.
Due to the design of my house and the fact I live on a very steep hill, a cart is not an option.
The fact is, I don't know if I am selfish keeping him going, or I would be selfish to let him go. I am crying my eyes out because I don't know what to do and Rolph is so special to me. He's my heart dog. I don't want him to suffer, but I don't want to let him go and hate myself forever thinking he wasn't ready.
I need advice from people with more emotional distance.
Sally, with Rolph and Clara, UKsallyemking at yahoo.co.uk 
The DAILY DROOL
An internet mail list designed to
entertain and inform basset hounds
and their people.

------------------------------------------

          ----
          /    \__
|\        /    @  \
\ \_______|    \  .: O
 \      ##|    | \__/
  |    ####\__/  \
  /  /  ##      \|
 /  /__________\  \
 L_JJ          \__JJ
-----------------------------
***Secret Pawtner Info***
http://lists.dailydrool.org/listinfo.cgi/secretpawtner-dailydrool.org

Daily Drool Website:
http://www.dailydrool.com

Vote for Basset of the Week:  http://www.dailydrool.com/botw.html

Dictionary of Common Drool Terminology:
http://mysite.verizon.net/msrandolph/

Daily Drool Archives:
http://lists.dailydrool.org/pipermail/dailydrool-dailydrool.org/

Old Daily Drool Archives:
http://oldarchives.dailydrool.org/dailydrool/
_______________________________________________
Dailydrool mailing list
Dailydrool at lists.dailydrool.org
http://lists.dailydrool.org/listinfo.cgi/dailydrool-dailydrool.org

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.dailydrool.org/pipermail/dailydrool-dailydrool.org/attachments/20180711/b87b5721/attachment.htm>