Ch. Sweet Sadie Sunshine 04.04.07 Options

[Sadies_Daddy]

New member here -

Last nite I had to authorize the euthanasia of a very special family member - 8 year Sadie, a brindle boxer.

Two nites ago, Sadie started to have issues sleeping and seemed to be up all nite and couldn't get comfortable. The next morning while I was walking her she seemed like it was the last thing in the world she wanted to do.

I asked my wife to make sure during the day that she kept on eye on her, thinking she might have the flu or something. However, just before I left Sadie urinated on the floor and it was dark brown in color and very pungent.

Naturally, I thought this was the onset of a UTI. My wife took Sadie to the vet. After many tests and a lot f confusion we determined Sadie was probably suffering from Autoimmune Hemlolytic Anemia - her body was attacking her red blood cells.

Sadie was transported to a critical care facility and over nite took a turn for the worse. The blood transfusion and immunosupressive therapy didn't stablize her. The vet said it could take up to a week of work to get her better and then there were no guarantees. She would only ever have a 50 50 chance of survival and then chances are we would be right back here again a month.

I am feeling pretty low that I authorized the death of someone very dear to me. I came home last nite and wanted to be greeted by a short snubby tail wagging and her contorted into a "bean".

I haven't thrown anything out. I am not sure I can as I don't want to say goodbye. All of us at home feel quite upset and wish there had been other alternatives, but neither us nor the doctors saw any.

I miss my Sweet Sadie Sunshine.

Thanks for listening.

[radgirl]

I am so sorry to hear of your story. We are all with you. My husband and I had to put our 18 year old cat to sleep three weeks before Christmas. We totally understand your loss. My husband beat himself up for the first two months for the same reason as you--that we authorized the euthansia......he kept thinking maybe he would have made it till Christmas if we hadn't euthanized him, but he had cancer that had spread to his lungs.

Ultimately, you did the right thing, Sadie would not have wanted to suffer. IT is also normal to feel like looking for them everywhere in the house. That took about a month for us. You aren't alone and there are a lot of people here that lost their pets in the same way as you, so please check back here often for support.

I will definitely be thinking of you this week. Please update us on how you are doing.

Hugs, Misty's Mama