Losing My Dog In A Few Weeks, Degenerative Neuropathy - She'll be euthanized soon Options

[Gizmo]

I ran across this website after searching for some help and I am amazed by the compassion and support that everyone so freely gives to each other. Thank you for that. It is very nice to see such supportive and kind people.

My wife and I are losing our beautiful girl, Gizmo, in a few weeks. She is in no pain but she has terrible neuropathy that gets worse by the day. She can’t really move around on her own at all and we know that her time is here.

We are keeping her here for a few weeks – my wife is home all day and she can take care of Gizmo during the day. Since she isn’t in pain and still seems happy (and still has an incredible appetite) we don’t want to lose her too early. We’re also clinging to the unrealistic hope that continued acupuncture treatments might finally start to show some benefit. Unfortunately, though, my wife will have to return to work soon and we won’t be able to be there for Gizmo, so we’ll have to say goodbye.

I am terrified. I see the unbelievable strength of each one of you – you all are strong enough to do the right thing for your pets and you’re strong enough to lower your heads and fight through it, and I honestly don’t think I can do it. I am so disappointed in how I’m handling this. I think I’m making it worse for my wife, not better, because I am absolutely falling apart at the seams. I have moments where I can deal with this, but most of the time I am an absolute mess. I feel pathetic – I am not strong for Gizmo or my wife and, as such, I know I’m making this whole process more difficult on both of them. It just adds to the overwhelmingly terrible feeling of this whole ordeal.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions for helping me accept what is going on. I need to be strong for both of them. I know I’m being challenged right now and it’s terrible to know that I’m failing that challenge.

Also, please say a prayer for Gizmo if you’re so inclined.. I love her more than I could ever express.

[Mink&WillowsMom]

Having been through the anticipatory grief
- the anticipation is FAR worse than the actual doing
- at the vet, on the day, buffering numbness tends to set in
- you will get through it. Really, what other choice is there?
- it may not be pretty, but so what? Your passion of grief is just a reflection of the depth of joy and love Gizmo brought you. We Americans, and especially you men get sold a bill of goods about 'not crying' and 'soldiering up.' Bah. It's not falling apart, it's falling open.
- we will listen and offer solace
- forever schmever. If you and Gizmo have been travelling together through lifetimes, you will again.

I am sooooo sorry for this pain you're going through. It sucks. If you can move the appointment to tomorrow, I would. That last night's a honker.
Instead of struggling so hard to hold it together, let it wash through you, like waves. The waves will come anyway, and struggling just makes it harder.
My thoughts and hugs to your family,
Kim