Done it. And I know Dave. I can without doubt tell you that he and his wife will be there. Rock steady. Buddy is in the best of company.

First off. Thanks to you all for your input and sympathies. I knew I could share here and I am seldom if ever disappointed in the way you all come together for another. Thanks.

Ok today we went to the vet again. Before hand I went for a walk in the woods for a little communion and even then I decided that no matter what, today was not going to be his "great gettin' up morning". It has only been a week, not enough time to judge the results of our efforts to get him right. Let me make this clear it's not about my having to do the maintenance here. I don't mind doing what ever needs to be done to insure his health and comfort. I signed up for that when I bought him as a puppy. He and Big Henry are like children and I have always treated them that way. It IS about his quality of life and as long as he demonstrates a will to survive I will do what ever needs to be done. As of today he is alert, friendly, and seems to be trying very hard to get back to normal. Albeit from a prone position. The problem is that we two different problems working against each other. He can't go without the Pred, but the Pred is causing the diabetes. It is a difficult balance to accomplish and we are working to get there. The vet told me to bump up his dosage on the insulin today to get his sugars in check. Once we get there his water intake should drop and his appetite should return. he has lost 18 lbs in a week. Not really a concern as the pred was making him insatiable and he gained a few pounds that he could/should lose anyway. he is eating as I type but we had to add a can of soup to his regular food to entice him. He laid around most of the day ..but then so did I. My vet told me today there is a hope for a recovery and I DO trust her. She is not just a vet but also my neighbor and see the boys avery day and her dogs play with them regularly. So......we will continue on the course we have set in hopes that he will come around again soon.

Again, thanks to all for everything.

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Thanks Paul, you are a good friend.

QUOTE=Rikao4;4910114]it's time...
and I am truly sorry..
but think of him, what he brought & gave you..
this is the least you can do now..
it's not about you..
and right now..
it's you, that Buddy is counting on..

Rika[/QUOTE]

I know that and it is the bitterest of pills. I had to put down Big Henry last November. The same vet came to my house and put him down on his favorite bed. It is still fresh in my mind and always will be. His bed still lays on the floor in my workshop.

Big Henry R.I.P.


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Two years ago I went through this with my girlfriend and her beloved Lab/Cocker mix. That was quite a dog.
We faced the same sort of decisons you're looking at. She tried everything the vets could throw at the dog but it still kept going down hill. I tried to make her understand that the dog's quality of life had deteriorated so much that there was no way it would "happy" again.
She asked me how I knew so much. I told her by looking into the dog's eyes. The look was different from what I'd ever seen. She couldn't see it because she was blinded by the big picture of trying every experimental thing they could to save the dog, but I saw the change that took place weeks into all the treatments, surgeries, etc. The dog was tired and ready to go.
That's one of the hardest things to do, to admit your friend is too tired to go on. And you'll ask yourself How do I know for sure? Maybe the look will be in the eyes.

thank you for caring..
you will know..
going home to 2 healthy young Labs,
former brothers & sisters reside on a shelf..
I wish you years and more with your best friend..

Rika

You know dogs, I know dogs, they make us better people. I frankly judge men on how they treat their animals.

Buddy got lucky, Dave, come what may. Try not to forget that.

This thread and the others like it kill me. I'm happy to hear that there's some hope for more time still. Keep us updated.

Sorry, man. I didn't mean to sound insensitive--we just had to put one of our dogs down last week--the 2 year old.

Jack

No offense taken. Sorry to hear about your dog, I know how it feels believe me. 2 years old had to be a heart breaker. We at least still have Smilin' Jack The Puppy so we won't be Airedale-less if Buddy leaves us. Puppies help to heal the wound. Again no offense taken.

Unfortunately there is a time when you have to let go. I am a "dog person" and have been there too many times. Do what is best for your dog. It is painful. But worse for them if you let them suffer. Be there with him if/when you decide it is the right thing to do.

You can get the diabetes under control - we did, it just took a little time to get the dosages dialed in. The not eating is an issue that will prevent you from dialing this in. Add raw food, anything to entice him to eat.

Did your vet mention if there is anything else that can be used for the colitis or is prednisone the only option? I assume he was already on a special diet to help, if not is there a special diet you can start to transition to? Would any of the allergen and gluten free foods help?

We (Abby our Saint, Tasha our Husky and I) are pulling for Buddy!

I just copied all your questions to ask in the morning when we visit them again.

Thanks.

Sounds to me like buddy found the perfect people to live with...

I know people with colitis need to stay away from certain foods to help prevent colitis flare ups - no spicy, no nuts, etc. When our Husky with a sensitive stomach has had issues we've been told to boil hamburg and serve with boiled white rice. There's more and more data out there about holisitic dog foods and raw diets and partial raw diets, and if I were in your shoes I'd be looking at those avenues. Cost will be more, but it's relative, if it perks Buddy back up and gets you more time with him being healthy, then it's worth it.

I've tempered our care for our dogs with what our vet has said in the past, as our vet sounds like yours - really doing it for the animals and not suggesting procedures to get you in the office more. If your vet knows you don't want to let Buddy linger for the sake of keeping him around and feels there is a reasonable chance of controlling this then go for it. You sound like a great caregiver - you'll know when it's time.