I took Max to the vet to get his opinion on him. The vet told me "Ultimately, it's your decision, but the time has come to let him go". They did give Max an anti-inflammatory injection as well as a second injection for his cartilage, but these are basically stop-gap measures. He has a number of quality of life issues, too: failing eyesight & hearing, senility and emaciation. Max tipped in at a mere 7.8 pounds this morning. In his prime, he was a 12 pound dog.
Max does have a rendezvous with the Rainbow Bridge in the very near future. At best, we may have a couple more weeks, at worst, it could just be a few more days. It really depends on how well the anti-inflammatories work.
I can't fret too much. Max has lived a wonderful and long life and I know a lot of his friends are waiting for him on the other side. It is going to be weird being "dogless" for the first time in almost 14 years. It's also sad confronting the finality of this situation.
Thank you all for the support for Max over the years. I will keep everyone updated as we prepare for this final phase in Max's life.
My heart is breaking for you. Although Max has lived a wonderful and love filled life, this will be hard. I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and sending Max those powerful doxie rays that he is painless and comfortable, surrounded by love in the days ahead.
We are here for you and will hurt along with you when Max's time comes - sending sweet smoochies and loving belly rubs to our Max.
Well Max, you've certainly had a fine long ride, buddy. David, give Max a gentle kiss for me. Our seniorest weiner, we love you. Please know, David, Margie and Jessica, that Sandi and Mark in SLO, CA care!
Our hearts ache with you and times like this are hard. To our senior wiener, we love :heart: you, Max, even though we have never met in person. We salute you .... you have lived a wonderful, love filled and long life. Max, David, Margie and Jessica, you are in our thoughts and prayers and we send you love. Please give Max a gentle kiss and belly rub from the Greenacres group....Dee, Dave, Sarge, & Looie
I know what you are going through, and Nick and I's heart breaks for you and your family. dachie rays coming to our senior little man.
God bless
Roberta
I didn't even want to open this post, I am so sorry this time is coming. I think we are all especially attached to Max given his status as our most senior doxie. My heart is breaking for you too, there is nothing harder than a time like this. I pray the last days will be comfortable and peaceful and I know they will certainly be full of love and special attention. We're praying and thinking of all of you.
I always open these Max updates with trepidation and now it seems that the time we have all dreaded is near. Max is so much a member of all of our families, we will all shed a tear with you when his time comes. He has had a full life and has been well loved. Sending rays and strength to Max and all your family. Our thoughts are with you.
That is so sad. Porky and I were just gettin to know Max, but we'll miss him too!! You'll be in our thoughts during this hard time. :comfort:
We are thinking of you and your family as you make this extremely tough decision! :comfort:
I, too, am heartbroken for you. I know that Max will let you know when the time is right to help him go to Rainbow Bridge and be with Rudy and the rest of his friends there. You have both shared so much together and those memories will always be with you. Though being dogless will be strange, I'm sure that at some point the time will seem right to add someone new to your family. We are all here to listen and talk when you need us.
I was hoping to never hve to read this message. It is so hard. My heart goes out to you. If you need a dose of doxie love, come visit me in Annapolis. jill
Oh David, my heart breaks for you. Max has lived a wonderful, long and happy life, and even though you are preparing for the end, it is still very difficult. My prayers are with you and your family. :heart: :comfort:
I, too, opened this with trepidation. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you save up treasured memories of our seniorest of weiners... :comfort: