Hug your babies a little tighter for me.
Had to make that decision yesterday. Lainey was almost 11 and 1/2. I adopted her two years ago from a rescue.
Got done outside, came in and started dinner. Made her food and put it down for her. Then finished making dinner and sat down. Shortly after that she was panting, then trying to vomit. She relaxed again so I didn’t think much of it, until she tried to vomit again about a minute later. Helped her outside, still nothing, but she relaxed again. Let her back inside, she laid down, had some terrible gas, and started to groan and whimper. Loaded her into the car and drove to the ER vet. Was told GDV/bloat. Made the call to let her rest, based on her age and the prognosis. Then I went in and held her as I said the hardest goodbye.I keep playing it all over in my mind, wondering if I missed a sign, or if I could’ve done anything different and changed the outcome.
I’m off to work, feeling empty because I couldn’t pet her sweet face before I walked out the door, and I’m sure it’ll hit me again when I come home to no one greeting me on the back porch. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye yet.