Oh, lord...that could’ve been the story of my Minny, almost verbatim.
Now I wish I hadn’t tried to get to the vet because she died on the passenger seat of our cab-and-a-half while I sat behind, cradling her as best I could.
It was hopeless anyway and I’ll always wish I’d just stayed home with her on the sofa.
I can’t bear to drive past that spot on I81 where she left me, even 12 years later.
I’m SO sorry for your loss.
I would be overjoyed if my dogs lived to be that old but I know in my heart, it ~still~ wouldn’t be “long enough”.
It’s never enough.
Yes, I considered what might have been had I just kept her home. But, she couldn’t breathe, and I just could not bear to see her suffer. I had to take her to the vet, to let her go with as little struggle as possible.
Thankfully I was so focused on her I am not sure exactly where we were when her little heart stopped. I can’t imagine how you feel when you get to that part of 81.
Yes, having little dogs gives one more time with them. My beloved shepherd turned 8 this past fall and I am dreading the day I lose her. Twelve is ancient for many GSDs. It’s just getting into the elderly stage for many papillons.