NeverSayNever
Well-Known Member
i have asked on here a few times over the past year for reassurance about when the 'right time' would be. He had a stroke 2 years ago at 13 and I didnt think he would pull through. However I had another 2 years with my precious boy. He was 15 this month! I thought Id share this as i know so many others agonise , as I did about when the right time is.Well,after his first stroke Ollie lost some strength in his back end, a lot of his hearing and generally was pretty doddery. He hasnt been able to go for a walk for 18 months but has been happy pottering in the garden and out in the paddock at the back of our house. Increasingly he began over the last year to have accidents in the house and occasionally these were in his bed. However he was still happy, wagging his tail and able to trot across the garden. He was still devouring his dinner too, in true labrador style. Before Christmas he wasnt looking good and fell over outside a few times. I was agonising with myself that I was keeping him going for me and it wasnt fair, however he would then pick up again really well and was still happy.
However yesterday was the right day
He was sleeping most of the time, and over the weekend hadnt wanted to go out in the garden. After persuasion he went out only to fall over and was very wobbly on his back legs. I rang the vet to come yesterday and in the hour before she came, he was pottering round after me in the living room, and literally had only been doing so for about 10 minutes, when his back legs started to give way. I had to lift him up and then he was almost walking down on his hind hocks I thank God that I was able to see this sign in him just before as it made it easier for me to be sure in my mind. When the vet came she said straight away that very soon he wouldnt be able to get up, and I would not have wanted that for him He was still keen on his food right to the end and went so peacefully to sleep , comfy in his bed being cuddled after 3 bonios and roast chicken - a real treat for him as we watched his food intake all his life.
The house seems so very empty now, I got Ollie at the age of 19, he has been with me longer than my husband and seen me through some tough times.I feel as if i grew up with him. Some of you may remember I lost my 18month old pup back in october so have had to go through this twice in 6 months I know her big brother is with her now in heaven though.
This is a tribute vid i made for him when he had the first stroke at 13, its been a great comfort to me now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaCU6AYyylI
However yesterday was the right day
He was sleeping most of the time, and over the weekend hadnt wanted to go out in the garden. After persuasion he went out only to fall over and was very wobbly on his back legs. I rang the vet to come yesterday and in the hour before she came, he was pottering round after me in the living room, and literally had only been doing so for about 10 minutes, when his back legs started to give way. I had to lift him up and then he was almost walking down on his hind hocks I thank God that I was able to see this sign in him just before as it made it easier for me to be sure in my mind. When the vet came she said straight away that very soon he wouldnt be able to get up, and I would not have wanted that for him He was still keen on his food right to the end and went so peacefully to sleep , comfy in his bed being cuddled after 3 bonios and roast chicken - a real treat for him as we watched his food intake all his life. The house seems so very empty now, I got Ollie at the age of 19, he has been with me longer than my husband and seen me through some tough times.I feel as if i grew up with him. Some of you may remember I lost my 18month old pup back in october so have had to go through this twice in 6 months
I know her big brother is with her now in heaven though.This is a tribute vid i made for him when he had the first stroke at 13, its been a great comfort to me now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaCU6AYyylI
