Quote: Connie Sutherland

Fingers crossed here too, Mike.

My dogs' aging has been harder on me than my own.

Oh yes, Connie, absolutely -- It's the being so powerless to help them all that much, after everything they've done for us over the Years ... And then having to be the one who sends them Across the Bridge

Oh, Mike. It’s so hard when the spirit is willing but the body fails them....

He knows he is loved. He knows that when the decision is made, it will be made with love and compassion for him.... not like the last time he faced the needle. There have been many wonderful days that he was able to experience because of that other decision you made so many moons ago.

Our hearts are with you both.

 Quote: Kelly

Oh, Mike. It’s so hard when the spirit is willing but the body fails them....

He knows he is loved. He knows that when the decision is made, it will be made with love and compassion for him.... not like the last time he faced the needle. There have been many wonderful days that he was able to experience because of that other decision you made so many moons ago.

Our hearts are with you both.

I can't even say how much I agree with this post, Mike ... it's such a huge and honorable goal, to vow to give our companion animals secure lives and kind deaths.

And for now, to maintain an even keel for the dog ... to remain upbeat for the dog ...

But you know all this.

Just wanted to add that when I count those I admire and look up to, those who take in and care for dogs when they need it most are way up there.

Many of those heroic people are members here.

Mike, I hope for you and Sam that you still have much time to enjoy together here on this side of the Bridge. No doubt about it, it is challenging to face the realities of aging, both in ourselves and our dogs. One day at a time......

The on going saga of Sam.

The Vet called yesterday to tell me tests confirm Sam has DM or Degenerative Myelopathy. It came as no shock but it was a moment of dashed hope.

Bam, or Sam as I renamed him when he came to me, was an armload at first, just days away from the needle. I have a few scars to attest to his initial attitude. But we grew together.

As I have written before, he has become as a shadow to me. If I go into the garage, he curls up at the door and waits until I come back in. He is seldom more than six feet away from me, and always looking for a rub or scratch. He is the most empathic of dogs, sensing moods and seeking to comfort or be near.

The harshest aspect of DM is that as the body fails the mind and enthusiasm is not lost. It is as if he doesn't seem to realize that he can't run or that he trips over himself, or splays out. He is clearly losing his battle but he challenges it without whine or whimper.

At some time, the Vet, good man that he is, will come to the house, as he has done on other occasions, and will help Sam on his journey. I had thought that visit would be years in the future but it is not to be.

So, Sam and I will continue as though all is right in the world, for it is what it is.
Each day to the fullest.

I am grateful to have this place to just write stuff.

Sorry I haven't been able to write here for some time, so I have missed your story, Mike. I can only emphasize all that has been written to you from our family. I do feel like Connie. Quote: My dogs' aging has been harder on me than my own.

I know, your situation is very sad and difficult to cope with. But you ARE making the best of it. Congrats! You'll "continue as though all is right in the world, for it is what it is. Each day to the fullest." This is wonderful! The best for Sam and yourself.

Oh, Mike, I'm so sorry.

I know that you will give Sam a contented and secure end-of-life.

Still .... I feel for you and will be thinking a lot of you both.

I'm so sorry to hear about Sam's diagnosis. It has to be especially tough to see a dog still in his prime suffer the physical debilitation of such a condition, while, as you say, the mind still says run and play. Sam is in the best of hands with you, and I know you will make his remaining time as comfortable and happy as possible. You and Sam will be in my thoughts, too.

Mike, so very sorry to hear about Sam.

Almost 40 yrs ago I lost a GSD x Dane to DM.

If there is any good thing about DM is that the dog feels no pain.

They just start loosing the use of their rear legs because of the loss or feeling in the nerves.

RIP Sam!