We’re not sure how long he’ll be with us, but he’s here today.
The bloodwork showed he’s got kidney disease. So much for the hoped-for bladder infection. It may or may not be cancer, but we’re not going to subject him to more testing to find out, because it wouldn’t change our course of action. We’re not going to put such an old dog through any kind of grueling treatment. We’re going to make sure he’s loved and comfortable, and when he’s no longer comfortable, we’re going to say goodbye.
I hate this part of living with animals. Hate it.
43 responses so far ↓
1 Kathode Ray Tube // Nov 4, 2009 at 1:05 pm
He’s so cute! I’m sorry…it’s so tough losing a pet.
2 Kate Lathrop // Nov 4, 2009 at 1:11 pm
I’m so sorry – it stinks that the best thing we can do for our furry companions at the end of their lives is the hardest as well. Sending you all good thoughts.
3 ToniC // Nov 4, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Enjoy him while you can. It’s a horrible decision to have to make.
4 chris // Nov 4, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Ohhh, poor guy! I’m so sorry to hear it . . . give him a scritch (or whatever pettins he likes) from me!
5 Amy // Nov 4, 2009 at 2:17 pm
I’m so sorry. It is hands down the worst part of pets.
6 Jody // Nov 4, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Sweet boy. I’m so sorry. I hate that part, too. But sometimes love is hard. Really hard.
7 Anina // Nov 4, 2009 at 3:04 pm
I’m so sorry. I hate this part, too.
8 caroline // Nov 4, 2009 at 3:48 pm
oh, god, Cari. this sucks.
my heart goes out to you. sending much love, chica.
9 heather // Nov 4, 2009 at 4:39 pm
i’m so, so sorry darling. it is the worst part about living with animals. they’re family.
10 Jessica // Nov 4, 2009 at 4:42 pm
I was hoping with you for a better diagnosis. I hope you can have more good days together.
11 Sharon // Nov 4, 2009 at 5:47 pm
I hate it too.
When I had to have a goat put down a year or so ago, I said to the vet ‘you must really hate this part of the job’, and he said ‘no’, that he was happy that he could end an animal’s life when it was needed so that they don’t have to go and suffer, unlike people… I found it confronting at the time, but its true.
Its the hardest part of keeping animals, but I have found so far, that when the time comes you know its the right time, and then the hard part is learning to live without them. Thinking of you.
12 Lizbon // Nov 4, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Poor Diego. And what a cutie; it’s nice to see him again.
I have been dreading that kind of thing almost since I got my little cat (she’s the first real pet I’ve had as an adult), and she’s young yet.
13 Marlene // Nov 4, 2009 at 6:05 pm
I am so sorry
I hate that part too.. They are such loving animals…I know you don’t know me but please give Diego a hug and kiss from me.
14 Dani B // Nov 4, 2009 at 6:17 pm
My least favourite part as well
Many hugs and kisses to you and Diego.
15 Knittripps // Nov 4, 2009 at 6:56 pm
I am so sorry.
16 janna // Nov 4, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Poor Diego… but it is truly the best thing you can do for him. He’s had a good, happy life, and I agree with Sharon’s vet – it’s good that he won’t have to suffer too long. Hugs to you and to sweet Diego.
17 Jen // Nov 4, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Poor pupcake. Saying goodbye is the worst part of making friends, especially friends of the four-legged type. Extra hugs and belleh rubs.
18 Mish // Nov 4, 2009 at 8:59 pm
I hate this part, too. Glad you’ve got him for a bit longer.
19 Albany of the West // Nov 4, 2009 at 9:51 pm
I am so sorry. It is the worst part of having pups. Thinking happy thoughts for you all.
20 Juliette // Nov 5, 2009 at 1:11 am
This post made me cry. I am so sorry. Dogs dont’ steal yarn — they steal your heart.
I’m sorry.
21 Kat // Nov 5, 2009 at 7:07 am
SO sorry to hear Diego’s news, and for your family’s sadness in preparing to be without him. This IS the worst part of pets, but the balance is all that love. My heart is with you, and with Diego. I hope his days are peaceful and warm.
22 Ellen // Nov 5, 2009 at 7:41 am
My dog too. He has some ping-pong ball sized “growths” but we’d have to take him to the OR for a biopsy to see if they are cancer or not, and since he’s outlived his breed’s expected lifespan by 1.5 years already, we’re just going to pamper him as long as we can. It’s too much trauma and we wouldn’t treat anyway. Too sad.
23 Riin // Nov 5, 2009 at 7:48 am
Oh, that’s so hard. Give the little guy a hug for me.
24 Sandra // Nov 5, 2009 at 8:04 am
You can take solace in knowing you are doing the absolute right thing. Keeping him happy, and loved for what time he has left is the best kind of care.
25 Alyssa // Nov 5, 2009 at 11:59 am
Oh, I am sorry. He’s a lucky guy with a great family to cuddle him.
26 Anonymous // Nov 5, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Sorry to hear about Diego. When I was very new to reading blogs and could not keep bloggers and their stories straight I still recognized Diego. I know it’s very hard to make the decision but it helps me to think this is what I would like to be able to do for myself when the time comes.
27 Sarah // Nov 5, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Hugs, Cari. It’s always hard. But remember the good times.
28 (formerly) no-blog-rachel // Nov 5, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Oh sweetie I feel for you. We went through the same earlier this year and I know how heartbreaking it is. Love to you all and give that sweet, cute little old dog a kiss for me, ok?
29 Shelley (Pink House) // Nov 6, 2009 at 12:51 am
Oh no! I’ve wondered about your Iggy since you haven’t mentioned him in a long time on your blog. I remember when he made the car trip with you out to Oregon.
I’m so sorry that he’s sick. My Iggy, Rocco, spent two days last week in the vet hospital with a bacterial infection (from an abcessed tooth) and we were so glad when he was feeling good again and back home. They’re so precious.
I hope Diego’s last weeks are peaceful.
30 Rippedoffknitter // Nov 6, 2009 at 4:38 am
Sending good thoughts to Diego and a big hug to you.
31 Bullwinkle // Nov 6, 2009 at 12:29 pm
I’m so sorry. I’ll send you all some good thoughts and a few hugs.
32 tish // Nov 6, 2009 at 2:17 pm
So sorry. Losing a beloved pet is never easy. Enjoy the time you have left with your sweet little elf.
33 Mother Chaos // Nov 7, 2009 at 2:03 am
I’m so sorry. I hate this part, too.
34 Cathy // Nov 7, 2009 at 9:55 am
I’m so sorry! I had to go through that last year with a cat–and she was only 6 or so, so it really sucked. As little comfort as it is, at least Diego made it to the little old man phase, and he knows he is loved.
35 regina // Nov 7, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Sending all of you love and good thoughts. This part definitely sucks.
36 rj // Nov 7, 2009 at 10:09 pm
I’m so sorry. Good thoughts to your whole family, and skritches for Diego.
37 Ruth // Nov 8, 2009 at 7:10 pm
It’s the worst, isn’t it? I’m so sorry.
38 abbey // Nov 8, 2009 at 8:15 pm
It really is the worst part of having pets in the family. Sometimes it makes you enjoy the days you do have with them and how important they are in the daily life. But when you know the end is coming, as I did with our old lady a few years ago, it’s a really sad. But what a precious gift to be able to give them. The gift of a peaceful and calm end, the place and time of their choosing. It shows a deep admiration for the sanctity of life. Good luck with a difficult part of dog human relationships… many warm snuggles and biscuits…
39 Lynn // Nov 8, 2009 at 8:38 pm
So sorry to hear. Its always so hard but I can’t ever be without a pet, they bring too much joy. I’m thinking good things for Diego.
40 Laurie // Nov 8, 2009 at 9:44 pm
It is awful. It is so hard to lose our furry loved ones. Just love him as much as possible and hang in there.
41 spider (ravelry) // Nov 9, 2009 at 1:58 am
sending love and peace to you and diego. and some joy for the time you have together.
42 Barb // Nov 9, 2009 at 12:44 pm
So sorry he doesn’t feel well. It is the worst about about having pets. They bring us such joy it’s so hard to say goodbye. Hugs.
43 Carrie // Nov 11, 2009 at 1:24 pm
hugs to you and your family, and lots of ear scratches and belly rubs to sweet Diego.
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