Widgeon is not doing well.

[widgeon13]

Widgeon in the "forget me nots".



Guess it's pretty bad when you name your golden after your screen name. But that's the way it is.

Widge is 13 and has some arthritis but we were hoping that would be her only malady for a while. We don't seem to have been that fortunate. She has been getting slower in the past week and then Saturday started collapsing when she was walking. Ended up taking her to the vets Saturday evening and he said it's most likely pneumonia or cancer (or combination of both) no fever, some crackling in her chest and very labored breathing. We are giving it a few days to let some antibiotics kick in, might bring her back but I have to say; it's not looking good right now. She is not improving at all. At least she has been drinking and eating a little but the collapsing on very brief walks is just tearing me up. She is comfortable when resting but it seems she's telling me it's time.

She has been the sweetest girl and has the softest silky fur, kept her baby fur. Like stroking a baby's hair. She loved her walks with Mom and me and now all that seems to be coming to an end. (Never been in a kennel) Yes, she slept on our bed and yes, she got on some furniture. But she never destroyed anything and now she's breaking my heart. That's where things stand now but it looks like it's going to be a bad week in our household. Hate to see her like this. She's been the best.

[greglepore]

She had a great ride with you. Small consolation, I'm sure.

Damn dogs, can't live without 'em, but they always break our hearts.

[Scott Douglas]

Sounds like it's time for you to be her best friend and not let her suffer.

Sorry.

That's a beautiful picture of her.

[Jim Richards]

I'm sorry to hear that Widgeon isn't doing well. She has my best wishes.

[bivenator]

Sorry to hear about widgeon.

[motion]

Sorry to hear

[Baz]

She is so beautiful!

13 years is a good run but the years seem to go so fast, don't they?

I am praying she will improve and buy some more time but if not you will have to do right by her - as hard as it is.

That's tough - so sorry man. Please give her a little hug from Baz and the girls....

[stomachmonkey]

Sucks. Sorry to hear.

Best
Scott

[dedbird]

Sorry to hear the rough news. I just went through this with my 11 year old beloved lab. How are her gums? Good color or pale/white? I had similar symptoms to what you describe and it was a splenic tumor that wound up being hermangiosarcoma. The tumor was causing internal bleeding, hence the white gums. This afflicts goldens and labs. Hoping for a better outcome for Widgeon. All one can do is monitor quality of life and make the tough decision when she tells you its time. Having just made this call one month ago to the day, the pain was unbelievable but tempered by the knowledge that I did the right thing for my best friend.

I am sure she has had a great life.

What a sweet girl. Puppy dogs are a blessing.

[widgeon13]

Thanks for your recommendation. Gums are nice and pink. She has been pooping fine and eating pretty well but we have been trying to give her more tasty foods, Canned dog food with some kind of gravy. She just seems to have no strength or stamina. The vet mentioned some dark areas on the lungs and that is why we are treating for pneumonia. She has been coughing some as well. I don't think there is any internal bleeding and he certainly didn't mention that either. Thanks for the recommendation. We're wanting 3 to 5 days to see if the antibiotics bring some improvement but for now there is no change. I'm certainly not challenging the vets diagnosis. He did say we could hospitalize for nourishment and fluids if she was not eating but at her age we're not going to put her through that for a brief reprieve. Just so hard to sit and watch.

Sorry for your lose.

[Skytrooper]

I am sorry to hear this news Paul, but I am hoping the antibiotics do the trick. She is a beautiful Pup.

[dedbird]

Thanks. Good news on the gums being pink. Let's hope the antibiotics do the trick.

[Buckterrier]

Sorry to hear. Prayers sent.

[doug_porsche]

Bentley and I are sending Widgeon and family our best prayers

[wdfifteen]

What a sweet girl. Praying for a turnaround. They can happen, and so many of her signs are positive. Kinda teary here...

[john70t]

That's a beautiful dog. Not easy losing a best friend. Hoping she pulls through.

[Racerbvd]

Furry family members are always hard to lose

[Don Ro]

Yet another one of these threads. 'Just too many.
Dogs have hooks and they snag our hearts. They bring us both a joy that's beyond anything...and then comes the pain.
I wish they'd live forever.
I swore I'd never have another after putting down my (first) two Tibetan Terriers 30 days apart...10 yrs. ago.
One from lymphosarcoma and the other cancer.
But here I am with another (Poodle)...there's no hope for me...I'm besotted.
.
Beautiful photo. For sure, a "Forget-Me-Not" pup.
Best to you and your family, Paul. It's so hard!

[livi]

Thats too bad. Sorry.