As it is we give her pain medication 4 times a day, and even at that she has nights where she is uncomfortable. The vet says we should limit her pain medication to keep her kidneys healthy, but at her age we not worried about her kidneys as much as we are for her comfort.
She has had hip dysplasia since puppy-hood. We found out when she was 6 Months ans by that time we were already attached, Who knew she would still be around 3 Months before she turns 18. She falls down a lot because her back legs will go numb. Once she gets walking she does OK, and I may need to help hold her up sometimes when she goes pee, but that is usually only when she is tired and in pain. I'll message her legs in the morning to get the blood flow going to them and soon she is walking around enjoying the day.
She had a stroke 4 years ago when she was 14, and we thought then it was just a matter of time, but like a Timex she keeps on ticking. Early last Spring she put the brakes on and refused to go for walks any longer. She just sat down and said no more.
Most people here who know me know that my wife has been a paraplegic since "87" when we were passengers in the back seat of a car that went off a 30 foot embankment country road in Montana. (We were all drinking)
Anyway, ever since Hershee was a pup my wife has been home with her. So she has had separation anxiety whenever my wife left without taking her. Everyone, as I am, is convinced Hershee refuses to leave because she needs to be there for my wife.
My wife has given her the nickname, Lulu, because she seems to now have doggy Alzheimers. So along with everything else she is clueless at times of were she is. We know that one day soon, maybe later...LOL we will have to take her on that one way journey to the vet. I really do not think she will make it past the Winter this year, because this has been the worst couple of Months ever.
It will be like loosing a child to my wife, because we have no children. 18 years is a whole lifetime of memories and they are attached at the hip. I am sure I will have a similar post like your when she does go home to the place god has reserved for special animals that are close us like Hershee and you Maxwell.
Hershee at 10
Hershee two years ago
Hershee Saturday morning 5 days ago
