CodaPet Community

Dakota

Alicia Brawn10 d

Dog, Mixed Plot Hound Terrier14 yo14 years old

chronic sinusitischronic bronchitisFrequent pain and discomfort limiting daily activitiesNighttime breathing difficulties and slowly worsening respiratory effortVariable appetite with mild weight loss and possible oral discomfortSignificant mobility limitations and long-standing rear-quarter shakingBowel control issues and increasing hygiene challengesCognitive changes, confusion, and restlessness disrupting routinesFrequent anxiety and need for caregiver presenceSeizure-like episodes becoming somewhat more frequentOverall pattern of more bad days than good daysstruggling to breathe at nightloss of bowel controlalternating constipation and difficulty expelling fecestrouble walkingtrouble getting into a carunable to jump onto the bedincreased desire to have owner nearbyspends most days sleepingvariable appetite (sometimes wants to eat, sometimes refuses food)shaking violently during sleep for long periodsbad breathpossible pain when chewingrear quarters shaking most of the timerear quarters shaking has been present for years and has worsened

My best friend is leaving me.

I can’t bear the thought of losing him, but it’s so hard to see him unable to do the things he loved. The things that made him Dakota. I think he’s close to the end and then he has a day when he’s trotting and engaging with his “siblings” and I think, “He’s ok”. I smile. The next day he’s back to barely able to walk. He was such a proud dog. He would never do his business in front of me, always going behind a bush or a tree. Now he can’t seem to feel when he has to go. He just goes. It must be so hard for him. When is it time to let go? Sometimes I wish he’d just pass in his sleep. I can’t bear to see him suffer, but I can’t imagine life without him at my side..