Stormy has survived to the age of 15 1/2. He was diagnosed with cancer a year and a half ago but that went into remission. For the last couple of months he has been showing signs that he is just wearing out. He doesn't hear us very well and his eyesight is not so good. He shows signs of confusion from time to time and can't seem to find his way around the house without trial and error. For some time he has shown weakness of his left hind leg but was able to cope and when he ran using both hind legs together he did well and was romping around like this as lately as last night. But tonight he has nearly lost the ability to get up on his own. He has staggered to his feet a couple of times and moved 5 or 6 feet under his own power. We had to carry him outside and tried to use a sling, but that seems to completely confuse him and he doesn't try to move around. He's not in any discomfort, other than when he wants to move, he can't and that seems to distress him. He ate well at his 10 o'clock meal and is now being his patient uncomplaining self. I'll take him to the vet's in the morning and see what is to be done. At his age, any operative solution for a disc problem seems like subjecting him to unnecessary suffering. He's also started have periodic slight bleeding from his nose and we are afraid this may be a sign of returning tumor. I've been around enough geriatric dogs to know that things can go bad suddenly and there may not be any real answers. We're facing the real possibility that when I come back from the vet's tomorrow I may not have Stormy with me. Send rays and prayers for the old boy and send prayers that Deb and I will have the courage to do the difficult thing if that is what is best for Stormy.
Very sorry to hear of Stormy's problems it is amazing he is 15 1/2 years old it is so sad they have to leave us I have been in your shoes many times never an easy task.It may just be Stormy's time to go know you will be strong for him and do the right thing for him we always have to put them first we always have at my house too. Sending Rays and Hugs to you all please keep us posted on how things go at the vets in the morning.
Papbouv
Sending a ton of HHHHHH's :comfort: & PPPPPP's :pray: for Stormy and the whole family. WE will be thinking about you tomorrow and hoping for something positive. :heart: :heart:
Merion & the ZZ's
OH no Rich...I have been wondering how Stormy is doing, my heart sank to see the title of your post here. My heart is breaking for all of you, I of course am praying hard it will somehow not be as bad as you fear. PLEASE let us know as soon as you can what the vet says. Many prayers and rays coming your way.
Godspeed Stormy
Prayers and Rays heading your way.
Rays, prayers, and hugs are coming your way for Stormy and for you, Deb and Sophie. Dee, Dave, Sarge & Duggie
Stormy is up! At least partially.
DeeDee, I just sent you an email basically containing the same information as below.
Things look slightly better this morning. Stormy slept through the night comfortably. When we got up this morning at first it looked like he was in the same state as last night so Deb carried him in to his food and water dishes. He still has a good appetite, and ate well. The next thing I know he is coming down the hall! He was staggering and it was obvious that he didn't have complete control. So we helped him out to the back porch and through the dog door. He then proceeded to stumble about the yard taking care of elimination, marking, etc. We helped him back through the dog door and he headed up the hall back to the living/dining area where he hangs out when we are gone, by this time navigating fairly well, but very happy to be able to lie down and stop walking. So he is much better than he was last night. I don't think he is having a disc related problem, I think there is something functionally wrong either muscularly or neurologically there just related to being old and things wearing out. This morning he was alert and interested in what was going on around him whereas last night he looked confused and just generally "out of it". Deb thinks he might have had a TIA or like episode. We're realistic enough to know that Stormy is too old for any heroic measures no matter what his problems, we're just interested in whether he is comfortable - it's all about quality of life now. Knowing that he would just lay around all day, we decided to go to work and leave him home. If we need to help him in and out of the house, as long as he can get around and tend to his duties, we're good with that. It amounts to crate rest without the crate.
Maybe others would have rushed him to the vet, but considering the changes we have seen over the last six months, I think being at home in familiar surroundings is more important than stressing him to no real purpose.
Keep the rays coming, we'll post his status regularly.
Rays headed Stormy's way! :pray:
Glad to hear Stormy is doing a little better this morning. Many prayers and rays are heading your way :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray:
Rays coming from one senior wiener to another.
RAys coming you gorgous wee man, it sounds like a mini stroke, we had them with Emma in her later years, it may take a few days for the brain to reroute. Our thoughts are with you all.
Roberta
Oh dear, I am so sorry to hear this. My wire Harry lived to be 17 years old, but the last few days of his life he, too, seemed confused and had trouble finding his way around the house. Then he stopped eating and drinking within a day. After a long night of struggling with what to do, Harry let me know that it was OK to let him go. He went very peacefully at the vet's office.
There is no way to make any of this easier. The worry over what is going to happen is overwhelming. But helping them go, if it has to be, is our greatest gift to them..........taking their pain away and putting it on ourselves, even though we know its going to hurt for a long time. Please let us know what the vet says today and I will be thinking of you guys during this difficult time.
I just read Stormy's update and I'm glad to hear that he is better this morning. I think you're doing the right thing........wait and see. And if Stormy is quiet and rests while you guys are at work, that is the best thing for him. Keep us posted.
Wouldn't it be nice if God decided that all dogs should die peacefully in their sleep?
I missed this thread, but I'm happy to hear that Stormy has improved. Rays for his health
Mega rays heading Stormy's way. Hope he is feeling better today.
Annie & the New Jersey Doxie Gang
Sending rays Stormy's way. Stormy's story does sound familiar. With Max, there wasn't anything dramatically wrong with him. It just seemed all of his parts starting wearing out at once. As the Rainbow Bridge approached, he had become senile, was significantly deaf and his eyesight clearly was fading. Sometimes he'd get himself "stuck" where he'd walk under a chair and couldn't figure out how to get back out again. If it's just a dip on the old age rollercoaster, we hope Stormy can rally. If it is the time for him to head to the Bridge, then we wish him a comfortable and safe passing.
sending prayers your way. Poor guy. It sounds like one day at a time at least for the immediate future. You'll know.... :comfort:
All good thoughts for you, Deb, and Stormy.
This mornings report is encouraging. Will continue to send rays and prayers that he keeps on "keeping on". Soft smoochies for Stormy. Please keep us posted -
Rest comfortably, Stormy. You have a lot of loving dachsie rays cranked and headed in you direction.
lots of rays for Stormy.