So last night was a bit of a long night for me and my gal. Whereas mom hand feeds her, massages her, and brushes her teeth, dad is in charge of ensuring she does her business and sleeps comfortably through the night. Akemi has noticed Suji has been having trouble breathing of late and he nose has been very leaky. I must have awakened two dozen times last night to readjust her or wipe her nose.
In discussions with the vet yesterday, she said that only we would know when it was time. Some people draw the line when their dog or cat stop walking, but if that was our line, we never would have adopted Suji in the first place. She came to us with a wheelchair, her back legs useless. But, over time, we got her walking again – albeit in a wobbly manner. And she did walk, wheelchair-free, for several years – until last year. Despite our best efforts to repeat our success, she didn’t regain her walking ability.
Other people draw the line at a pet’s inability to do their own business but, again, this was yet another issue Suji had when we adopted her, so we learned how to express her bladder and I became a poop-whisperer of sorts.
For me, the line I’ve always drawn with my pats dogs has been loss of appetite. Pugs and frenchies are notorious gluttons and when they reach a point where they no longer show an interest in food, then I know it’s time. Suji is still a voracious eater. In fact today at lunch, after sampling the pan-fried chicken breast, she angrily barked for more.’
BUT, it’s very clear that she is increasingly having trouble chewing and swallowing. You can even see her frustration in her attempts to accomplish the previously simple task of eating.
I knew it was Maximu’s time to go when he stopped eating and then simply gave up on walking on afternoon. I knew it was Jelly’s time when she stopped eating. Akemi was more attuned to Bubba’s needs, and she knew exactly when it was time – calling me off set late one night. In the case of Lulu, it was somewhat easier on all of us in that, rather than us having to make the decision, she ate a big breakfast and simply keeled over.
As I said, I’d always kind of hoped that Suji would go out that way, preferably quietly in her sleep, but as our vet pointed out, EVERYONE hopes that is the way their dog or cat will go out but only about 2% of them do.
On the one hand, Suji is animated and hungry and we can see her personality shining through. On the other hand, she is struggling to eat and, of more concern, struggling to breathe. Not always, but occasionally, enough for me to fear she will aspirate.
So we’re taking it one day at a time and keeping a close eye on her. Our vet has given us the name of a mobile vet that does in-home euthanasia, something we’d rather not think about but realistically have to at this point.
And that’s the update. As I write this, my gal is dozing comfortably beside me. She sleeps particularly well after our lunch (table scraps!) and after Akemi gives her a massage. Thinking I may spoil her with ice cream later.
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