This weekend we had a little scare and had to take Cher to the emergency vet on Sunday morning. After not sleeping for 2 days and then not eating or takings meds we learned that she had fluid in her lungs again and her heart has grown a bit more. Her meds were adjusted and within hours she was her normal self and eating again. But we are fully aware, her time is coming.
My sweet grey faced girl is in heart failure and at some point we will have to decide when the time is right to let her go. I don’t want her to suffer and watching her struggle for breath this weekend was painful. Realizing she couldn’t lay down because she couldn’t breathe broke my heart. And we just don’t want her to get to a point where she’s so medicated and so sick that she can’t go for a walk or eat food on her own. That’s just not a good life. So as of today she’s eating and happy and my husband and I are going to take it day by day. If she makes it to July 1 she’ll be 15 but if she doesn’t, we still will have filled up the last 5 years together with enough love to make up for the 9 before we knew her. And I’m reminded every day by the wisdom of Winnie the Pooh that I sometimes the littlest things can take up the biggest spaces in your heart.
Yards of Happiness 
BTDT…heartbreaking yet loving.
You are so lucky to have each other ❤️.
Oh, I’m so glad she’s back home and feeling better for now. We lost our old girl in December to liver failure. My heart goes out to you and your doggo.
You are doing right by her, and I hope she feels good for some time yet. Sending you both hugs and light.
It is amazing how something so little can take up so much of our hearts. Just as you are blessed to have her in your lives, she is blessed to have you and your husband in her life. Shalom…..
Thanks for the update, Dana. Your ways bring so much richness to my life. I’m grateful. May your decision be clear to make when the time comes.
She is obviously loved very much. This is the hardest part of pet ownership and I’m sure you will make the best decisions for her. Love and hugs to all of you.
Oh sweet Cher. She is so lucky to have you two as her parents. Much love to you! ❤
My best to you and Cher. Our Border Collie was 15 when, after several heartbreaking episodes, we made the final decision. Love and goodness fills the air around you, Lissa
Love and hugs to you and your husband. Cher is lucky to have such loving pet parents. ❤ Prayers for Cher. We have all grown to love her through your blog posts abd she has brought us all joy. 💕
Cher is the best dog ever. (Other than Jellybean of course!) Thank you so much for the update. I’ve been thinking about you.
It’s a tough call. 😦 You ALL will be in my thoughts and heart!
Oh Dana, I am so sorry! We’ve had greyhounds for over 20 years. It never gets easier when you have to make that final decision. You swear that you’ll never own another pet, but, if we had done that, we wouldn’t have sweet Layla or good all Freya hanging on their dog beds in between running, playing, & goofing around.
You will know when it’s the right time to say goodbye. Your love for Miss Cher will guide you to make the best decision for both you & her. Remember to take care of yourself during this very stressful time & give Cher a pet for me.
That is so hard! She will tell you when it’s time. In the meantime, give her all that love.
Lucky for all of you to have had the last five years together! One day at a time.
I know how much you love Cher; you’re a great mom to her, and I’m glad she’s got you to take care of her. Thinking of you!
You know each other’s love—nothing could be better. This last stage of life is the hardest to watch, but you’re wisely taking it day by day. That’s really all any of us can do. I’ve got you and Cher tucked deep in my heart, Dana. My love to you both!
My heart goes out to all of you! It is so painful to have a sick pet. All I can say is love her to pieces, be grateful the semester is ending so you can spend more time with her, take lots of photos of your beautiful girl, and be vigilant watching for the signs she gives you that it is time. That’s the hardest part – so many times we do not want to see the signs because we are not ready to let our furry loved ones go. Now go and give her smooches!
Cher is so lucky to have you. I’m sure you extended her life with your house full of love and warm sweaters. Thinking good thoughts for you.
May each of Cher’s days be filled with dog-joy. Sending all the love.
Keeping you, your husband and Cher in my thoughts.
Bless you for giving this little dog the last 5 years of loving care. I know difficult days lie ahead but what joy and love you have given and received. Prayers for comfort for you all.
We know the pain that you are going through, Dana. Our 15+ year old border collie is suffering from severe arthritis and has trouble breathing at times. We though we’d lost her this winter when she got pneumonia, but she rallied back with some antibiotics and seems happy now (although she has trouble getting up and down with the arthritis in her hips). As with Cher, we know that Scout will let us know when it’s time to say goodbye. Sending hugs to you and your little family.
Nothing is better than,loving a dog and being loved back. Nothing hurts more than watching them grow older knowing you can’t stop the inevitable.
Cher is lucky to be loved by such caring people. Glad she gets to grace your world longer. Peace to you in this difficult time.
Every one of our canine and feline companions are our friends for all too short a time. Give Cher plenty of love for now, she’ll make sure your memories of her are all the sweeter. Best wishes to the whole familly, Dana.
Losing the pets I grew up with (three Golden Retrievers) was so hard— we don’t have any dogs now that I’m the parent because I have a wildly allergic son who gets asthma attacks if he stays too long around dogs, and I tell myself that the upside is that I don’t have to face that again. But we adore my sister’s pets, and she lost a sweet old girl (English bulldog) last year. I’m so glad you’ve had Cher in your life.
Dana, I know we both feel strongly about adopting seniors and loving them through their final years. My heart is truly with you, your husband and Cher. I know you’ll make the right decisions at the right times. In the meantime, lots of snuggles, love and living. Sending my love… xo ❤️
So glad that she is doing better. That is such a difficult decision; knowing when it is best for the dog. Having made that tough decision 3 times already, I can say once I waited too long and twice it was before too long. Enjoy the time you have. You’ll know.
I adopted a 10 year old pointer mix a number of years ago. That dang dog was “my soulmate” as I like to tell my husband…:)
It was so hard to euthanize him at 15 when his quality of life crashed, but i dont regret for one minute adopting that wonderful senior and spending 5 glorious years with him.
This speaks to my heart today. My 11-year-old golden retriever is slowing down, with arthritic hips and neuropathy that causes him to stumble. Day by day indeed. I know you enjoy every precious minute with your sweet girl. Big hugs from our family to yours.
These wonderful companion animals we love teach us so much. I have been reminded many times by the furkids I have lost not to take anything for granted, to spend my time well.
Dana I know just how you feel. I’m so sorry. Little Cher has such a happy life with you and you give her the best care. I’ve had to put down four dogs as an adult and it’s painful each time. We are about to bring home two miniature poodles, one 7 and one 10 and we will suffer when they are elderly too. But the time between is so full of grace and love!
Thanks for posting. We also adopted a dog with a heart problem who turned out to be 10 years old. She gets her heart meds each day and we have had a scare. It is worth every minute and we try to make her life happy.
Sending love hugs and much peace to you all. What a wonderful gift you gave Cher by bringing her into your life and what a lovely gift you have received in return. I have had many dogs and it is always so difficult to know when to say goodby and let them go peacefully over the bridge. But I have learned that they let us know. Rescuing older dogs is always a bit of a heartbreak as you know that your time with them will be limited but oh the joy and happiness they bring! And lucky you that you have so well documented their time with you. There is some small comfort in being able to scroll back and enjoy those moments.
So sorry to hear about your pup. I know that feeling firsthand of “one more day.” I hope that you and Cher get to have many more beautiful days together.
So sorry. I’ve been there several times at least, and my heart aches still. You will know when the right time comes.
My heart breaks for you all as I know losing one of my pups will be the equivalent to my losing a child. But I do find encouragement and bravery in the strength you have for them live their best life and retire in peace.
So sorry to read this. We lost our beloved 15 year old Siamese-mix cat to heart failure about 7 years ago. We still miss him. It’s so hard to let them go. It’s wonderful that you and Cher found each other and she had a good life with you. Best wishes to you all.
I will be praying for Cher and for you and your husband. I know from experience that trying to decide when to let go can be heartbreaking and seem impossible. I hope Cher’s new meds continue to give her a wonderful life and hope that, when the time comes, you have a vet whom you trust absolutely and who will tell you when to say goodbye.
I thought of your girls today because I took my three in to get a nail trim. The groomer is also a rescue facility and the adoptable dog of the week is an 8 year old Chihuaha who was rescued from the streets of Puerto Rico after the hurricane. She needs to go to a home with another dog and with lots of patient love – the kind of home that you have given to Cher and to Jelly.
I’m sure someone else has included this but this brought me comfort when I lost a fanged friend:
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
Author unknown…
Blessings to little Cher, may she many more days in peace, comfort and joy with you. I am hoping that the healthy, healing vibes I am sending her way will help keep her happy and well.
Sweetie, I know how you feel. Our 18 yr. old Manchester had to be put down so she would have no more pain. I miss her bumping into me and underfoot but I know we did the right thing. Take care and you are going to do the right thing. Linda
It was a really nice thing you did – adopting a senior gal. You have enriched each other’s lives. I’m so glad you will have time to spend with her this summer!
I’m in the same boat with my 15 1/2 yr old boy. As much as it will hurt to let him go, I wouldn’t give up these last three years with him for anything. Much love to you and you, your family and Cher …
I’ll be thinking good thoughts for you all.
As hard as it is and will be, it is a privilege of having a pet to make the right decision for them when the time comes.
Glad the meds are helping and she’s feeling better.
Dogs are such heart breakers. I wish you peace and happy dog days dealing with this.
I had a cock-apoo and white shepherd with heart conditions. The meds were surprisingly helpful for some time.
maybe someday medicine will create the dog that lives as long as we do. It is nice to imagine.
Sweet Cher!
Hope you all have a good week.
Blessing to sweet Cher and the rest of your family! Glad she is doing better with her adjusted medication!
So sorry to hear this. Our pets are everything to us and it’s so hard to lose them but I always feel so blessed to have had them in our lives for whatever amount of time. We had to make this decision in January for our black lab Sam. We will get another dog but haven’t been able to yet. Still miss my boy too much. Take care.
Thinking of you….. It’s so hard.
This just breaks my heart. I adopted a senior cat and we just celebrated nine years together. She is currently recovering from emergency surgery so I can relate to your fears. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Thinking of you and Cher; my 10 year old Schnauzer, Odie, just started having health issues – heart problems, so I am there with you. Just give them hugs and love.
Much love and hope for Cher (and Jellybean) and strength to you and your husband. Hoping you have good veterinary care where you are.