Niles' Story, Losing my 2nd baby Options

[tanbuck]

Hello to all. I haven't been on the forum in awhile and I feel bad that I haven't been able to offer support to y'all. Some of you may know me from "Frasier's Story". If you've read it, then you know we lost Frasier last August. My immeasurable grief has been the same as all of yours. Unfortunately we share that in common.
I'm not ready to tell everything yet but we are now losing Frasier's littermate, Niles. He is dying of kidney failure. That's the first time I've said it that way and the tears are welling up in my eyes to the point I can't see. We just found out last week and I'm dealing with getting ready. So many of you know what I mean. To make matters worse, we had our dog Buck rechecked for his kidney values last week as he has been in compensated kidney failure for a year now and his numbers had taken a dramatic jump. He is doing very well though so we are just thankful for each day we have him.
I'll talk more later and again, I'm sorry to all of you who have come here to the forum since the last time I was on and I didn't offer support. I was pushing myself away from this website in denial that Niles might be leaving me.
My broken heart goes out to all of you as I know yours is broken too.
-Donna

[tanbuck]

Thank you Magdalene and Mynutmeg. I hope you are both doing ok. Niles is holding on and we aren't convinced yet that he has given up. It's a minute by minute thing. I'll be with him all day tomorrow so I hope to get a good sense of what he's feeling. We're force feeding him to try to give him some strength back. My vet said to give him this whole week since he's such a fighter. I feel he's just too tired to come back this time. I had a panic attack last night out of the blue and couldn't breathe. That's the first time that has happened. I feel like he's being pulled from my chest and like I'm losing Frasier all over again. It's hard to let go of 15 years.
Thank you for thinking of me. I need supportive thoughts sent my way, for sure.
-Donna

[CharliesMom]

Donna, I am so sorry to read about Niles. I lost my sweet Charlie (a Westie) just this past Friday, only a week before his 9th birthday this coming Saturday, of the same disease. I also lost a cat to kidney failure some years ago, as well as another dog, so I have a pretty good idea what you're going through. It's a terrible thing to watch a beloved pet fade away like that, especially so soon after losing Frasier. Stay strong and make the most of the time you have. I know Niles appreciates your love and care. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Barbara