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VirginiaDeb
Don't eat me, hippo!
Member since 5/05 9252 total posts
Name:
Deb
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When do you know it's time to let go...
Some of you know the Katie story... We adopted her in July of '06... found out in November that she had a stage 3 mast cell tumor (which grew just above her eye). She had it removed and went through 4 months of chemo... We were told she had max a year, but here we are... a year and a half later and she's still with us.
The tumor began growing back around February... and we made an appointment with her oncologist for the beginning of may (after talking to her regular vet in Feb).
She basically told us we had 3 options:
1) more chemo
2) surgery which would lead to the removal of her good eye
3) prednisone and wait it out.
Neither of the more painful, much more expensive ones led to more than a year of life, and were much more expensive... so we went with the 3rd option...
Now, a month later, she's really starting to get bad. She can't hold her bladder more than an hour or two, and she's getting more lethargic by the day. She will eat, and play from time to time, but I just can't decide when it's time to take her in. I love her so much, but I don't want to be in any pain. Originally we decided it was when the tumor started bleeding (which hasn't happened yet), but she's just not herself recently.
I don't know what to do. I don't want to loose her, but I don't want her to hurt anymore... and she gets so upset when she can't control herself.
When do you decide that it's time to let go?
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Posted 5/27/08 7:07 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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twinkletoes807
Mommy's Girls! ♥
Member since 11/07 10116 total posts
Name:
Gabi
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Re: When do you know it's time to let go...
I am so sorry that Katie is so sick. You have obviously done such a wonderful job giving her a life of love. It's never an easy call when is the best time to bring her in...  I guess, I would take her when she seemed to be in pain or so lethargic that her quality of life has decreased dramatically. I have had to bring in a cat with cancer and a dog with cancer throughout my life and it was such a gut wrenching experience. Follow your heart and look into your baby's eyes. She may tell you it's time. 
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| Posted 5/27/08 8:33 AM |
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Diana712
RIP my beloved Brother Richard
Member since 5/07 6710 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: When do you know it's time to let go...
OMg i am crying for you right now  Please pray about this as I will also and you will have your answers. You are a wonderful Mommy and that dog is blessed no matter what you decide.
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| Posted 5/27/08 8:40 AM |
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lucyloo
nope
Member since 1/06 9758 total posts
Name:
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Re: When do you know it's time to let go...
I'm so sorry. I think if you are at the point that you are considering letting her go then it is probably time. I know it's not easy, I've been there, but pets are lucky that someone can love them enough to end their suffering. 
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| Posted 5/27/08 9:31 AM |
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Briellesmom
LIF Toddler
Member since 1/07 390 total posts
Name:
I love my girls
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Re: When do you know it's time to let go...
What a horrible decision you have to make.
I always pray I never have to be put in that situation because I don't think I could let go.
My prayers to you and your little baby 
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| Posted 5/27/08 11:34 AM |
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janet
WITH LOVE MY ANGEL MISS YOU!!!
Member since 5/05 12823 total posts
Name:
janet
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Re: When do you know it's time to let go...
in your heart you will know when it is the right time! my thoughts and prayers are with you
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| Posted 5/27/08 11:43 AM |
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Wishing4ababy
My life is complete!
Member since 1/07 2494 total posts
Name:
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Re: When do you know it's time to let go...
I'm so sorry you have to make this decision. I hope I never have to make this decision because I don't know if I could. If she is suffering then I would say let her go. I'm so sorry again!!!
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| Posted 5/27/08 11:45 AM |
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missrock
Beautiful!!!!
Member since 5/06 3808 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: When do you know it's time to let go...
I cant answer that question for you, but man my heart is breaking for you and your furbaby. I am so sorry that you have to go through this.
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| Posted 5/27/08 12:21 PM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: When do you know it's time to let go...
your doggie will let you know the right time. My max was not eating, hiding in the bedroom all the time and had no quality of life.
It was hard to watch. Every morning I would wake up and expect to find him dead on the floor.
We put him down and I was a basket case for days. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do.
I'm so sorry.
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| Posted 5/27/08 12:23 PM |
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Wendy
Wheeee!
Member since 5/05 13736 total posts
Name:
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Re: When do you know it's time to let go...
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| Posted 5/27/08 1:26 PM |
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Re: When do you know it's time to let go...
I have no advice to give but just wanted to offer support.
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| Posted 5/27/08 1:40 PM |
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melinda3350
LIF Infant
Member since 4/08 117 total posts
Name:
melinda
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Re: When do you know it's time to let go...
I'm so sorry-my heart goes out to you---
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| Posted 5/27/08 6:04 PM |
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mrswask
Pookie Love
Member since 5/05 20229 total posts
Name:
Michal
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Re: When do you know it's time to let go...
Deb - I am so so sorry - my heart is breaking for your right now and I never want to be in the position you're in. I wish I had the right answer for you, I really do
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| Posted 5/27/08 6:38 PM |
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VirginiaDeb
Don't eat me, hippo!
Member since 5/05 9252 total posts
Name:
Deb
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Re: When do you know it's time to let go...
Thanks for the hugs and advice everyone. She had a good day yesterday I guess we'll just take it day to day...
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| Posted 5/28/08 7:17 AM |
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janet
WITH LOVE MY ANGEL MISS YOU!!!
Member since 5/05 12823 total posts
Name:
janet
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Re: When do you know it's time to let go...
Posted by VirginiaDeb
Thanks for the hugs and advice everyone. She had a good day yesterday I guess we'll just take it day to day...
 that is all you can really do at this point
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| Posted 5/28/08 7:42 AM |
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headoverheels
s'il vous plaît
Member since 6/07 42079 total posts
Name:
LB
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Re: When do you know it's time to let go...
this is the hardest decision my DH and i ever had to make... our rottie was on prednisone at the end too, and he just got thinner and thinner towards the end.
we finally made the decision when he could no longer enjoy his favorite things, like cheese or laying on the bed with us.
he was the most amazing dog, and i know he is in a better place now, but i miss him terribly every day. best of luck to you and sweet katie
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| Posted 5/28/08 10:32 AM |
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Jesaroo
is not the girl you knew
Member since 5/05 14266 total posts
Name:
Jes
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Re: When do you know it's time to let go...
omg deb i am so so so sorry you guys are having to go through this. i cant imagine how hard it must be in your position.
i know you dont want her to suffer anymore but its so hard to say goodbye.
im guessing at this point you know what you should do..... i'm sorry
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| Posted 5/28/08 11:43 AM |
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RadioLau
LIF Adult
Member since 4/07 2179 total posts
Name:
Laura
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Re: When do you know it's time to let go...
Your topic really caught my eye because this was a question I asked myself over and over again when my dog was at the point of no return. I asked this question of everyone and cried every time and am almost crying now thinking about it two years later. One person, who happened to be my dog's father's owner turned to me and and said, "He's in God's waiting room now and when it is time, you will just know." I thought although emotional this wasn't really an answer. Until, after a multitude of other things which I won't get into I noticed he was wet and could no longer hold his urine. He lost use of holding his solid waste months before that. I just looked at him, all wet under his very fuzzy belly and cried. That was the sign to me. I had to let him go.....It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life. I still cry all the time about him. (Including right now.) My thoughts are with you.
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| Posted 5/30/08 12:14 PM |
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Shanti
True love
Member since 6/05 12653 total posts
Name:
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Re: When do you know it's time to let go...
Deb, I am so so so sorry you have to go through this
I think your heart will tell you when the time has come
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| Posted 5/31/08 10:41 AM |
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CaseyGirl
Mommy to 3 Boys :)
Member since 5/05 19978 total posts
Name:
Jen - counting my blessings...
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Re: When do you know it's time to let go...
Oh this is so sad...I'm so sorry It's such a shame...I'm praying for you
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| Posted 5/31/08 11:27 AM |
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MrsRivera
2 under 2...whew!!
Member since 2/07 9876 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: When do you know it's time to let go...
We knew it was time to put my cat to sleep when she just wasn't herself anymore. Her third eyelids were closing over her eyes, her coat had lost its sheen, and she was too weak to walk without wobbling and falling down.
We knew for sure when we took her outside for the last time, and she kept trying to go under the bushes in the front yard. I remember hearing that cats will try to hide when they know they are about to die.
It's a very difficult decision--take care of yourself, and listen to your heart.
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| Posted 5/31/08 5:38 PM |
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metagefken
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/08 679 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: When do you know it's time to let go...
for each person it is different. i've had to let go a number of times. for me the answer was in their eyes. they would have a look that would say "it's time". this is not an easy decision. my heart breaks for you.
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| Posted 5/31/08 6:42 PM |
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LI-Joy
Member since 10/07 2910 total posts
Name:
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Re: When do you know it's time to let go...
I'm so sorry. I know that its so hard, but if I was in your shoes, its definitely the time to let go. You were a great provider to her.
Message edited 6/1/2008 6:37:24 AM.
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| Posted 6/1/08 6:36 AM |
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pinkandblue
Our family is complete, maybe
Member since 9/05 32436 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: When do you know it's time to let go...
It sounds like it may be time to let her go you know her the best, if you think she is in pain, it is time to let her have peace...I am SO sorry, what a horrible decision to have to make
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| Posted 6/3/08 12:47 PM |
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