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Newfoundlands => Newfoundland Discussions => : BarkleysMum May 17, 2006, 06:24:17 PM
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When we got home from work tonight, Barkley couldn't/wouldn't come up the stairs outside. We tried bribing him, coaxing with food ... no go. I opened the gate to take him around to the front of the house when we saw that his right rear leg was dragging ... actually he was walking on the knuckles.
Whipped him right down to our amazing vet (I love those women...seriou sly) where they saw us without an appointment.
It's one of two things.
Either he's injured himself today while we were at work, in which case keeping him quiet and comfortable tonight and allowing the steriods to work on the swelling.
However, she is also concerned that it could neurological in that a tumor or gland could be swollen to the point that it's now pressing against nerves causing him to lose control of his hind quarters. If that's the case, then he will still be in the same (or worse) shape in the morning.
She said if that was the case, we would probably need to talk about euthenasia tomorrow.
We both have to work tomorrow - totally unable to take the day off. I have a meeting that I'm chairing and presenting at, and people are coming from all over the province to attend. My husband is an elementary school music teacher and one of his schools has its spring play tomorrow. I have been able to take as much time working at home during this whole ordeal, and now this. My mother in law will be here all day tomorrow, and the vet has also offered for us to drop him off to her tomorrow if we need or want to.
I'm just really hoping that he will prove us wrong once again this week. I'll update tomorrow.
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I am so sorry! Hopefully he just injured his leg and it's not a neurological problem. We're sending Barkley positive thougths that he'll wake up his happy healthy self in the morning.
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I am SOOO sorry he's had a rough day! BUT.... how lucky that you have such fabulous vets!! Our ER clinic is like that and I'd have NO hesitation in leaving Cowboy there in case like that (and have!!). The amount of fuss and spoiling he'd get would help ease the pain of you being away for the day. Sometimes you just have to work to pay the vet bills :(!
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Oh no! I am very sorry to hear about Barkley's lastest problem :-[
Zoey and I are crossing our fingers and paws for a speedy recovery
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Definitly thinking of you Barkley. I hope you just felt too good today and will await your Mom's update tommorrow. Tim
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Big hugs for you and Barkley.
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I'm so sorry! More prayers going up for the big fella!
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I'm from Tiny Tracks, with no big paw in sight, and have been reading all the stuff about Barkley and it makes me cry. Seriously. I wish you both all the best, and I hope tomorrow will bring good things.
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Oh, my heart is breaking for you right now, how stressed you must be!
I will think positive thoughts for Barkley all night.
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Oh dear sweet Barkley , we're all prayin' for ya !!!!!! *hugs*
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We're sending positive thoughts and prayers for you and Barkley tonight. You're in our thoughts.
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Were sending our prayers, hugs, and kisses your way.. lets hope its just an injury..
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I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers. Please let us know the outcome.
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Sweet Barkley - you are a special boy! Hope you are feeling better today! Sending positive thoughts to y'all and a big, slobbery kiss to Barkley!
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Sending positive thoughts and big hugs your way. :D
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Any news on Barkley this morning?
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Any news on Barkley this morning?
Unfortunately, it's not great news. He remained comfortable through the night but this morning when we got him up (and we had to help him up) he's still knuckling. His appetite is still really good though ... and he doesn't seem to be in as much distress this morning.
I have a major presentation to do in one hour, and am just so distracted by it all I can't stand it. I want to be home with him!
I stopped into the vet clinic this morning and told them that no matter what, he would be remaining at home with us tonight. If we have to have him pts in the next while, it will be Saturday. Our boys will be back with their mother by then, so they will get an evening with him Friday night, and we can cook him up that steak we've promised him.
Having said all of that, I could go home in a few hours and find him running around the yard! He constantly amazes me.
I so appreciate the support. Just keep praying that we have the strength to do what is right for this amazing dog. He has been a faithful friend, and we do not want to cause him any stress or pain because we're being selfish.
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Honey, I wouldn't run off and have him PTS.
It could still be an injury, and swelling is pinching his nervous system!
Give this some time, help him move around when he needs it. Maybe try some steroids to reduce any possible swelling.
I really feel like your vet jumped the gun here.
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Unfortunately, it's not great news. He remained comfortable through the night but this morning when we got him up (and we had to help him up) he's still knuckling. His appetite is still really good though ... and he doesn't seem to be in as much distress this morning.
I have a major presentation to do in one hour, and am just so distracted by it all I can't stand it. I want to be home with him!
I stopped into the vet clinic this morning and told them that no matter what, he would be remaining at home with us tonight. If we have to have him pts in the next while, it will be Saturday. Our boys will be back with their mother by then, so they will get an evening with him Friday night, and we can cook him up that steak we've promised him.
Having said all of that, I could go home in a few hours and find him running around the yard! He constantly amazes me.Â
I so appreciate the support. Just keep praying that we have the strength to do what is right for this amazing dog. He has been a faithful friend, and we do not want to cause him any stress or pain because we're being selfish.
Will keep on praying for all of you. It sounds like you've got a great handle on the situation. If he's not in pain, then it is certainly worth taking the time to say goodbye properly. Your last line says a lot - you really are seeking to keep his interests foremost in your decisions. You'll do fine by him.
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Oh, Barkley! I'm so sorry to hear about this. It's every dog-mama's worst nightmare and I'm so sorry you're having to go through it.
I'll be keeping you in my thoughts.
(Both of us)
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I'm so sorry to hear of this. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, I'm truly hoping for a miracle (but) if it is your boy's time, he will leave this earth being so loved :-*
Take care, and please give Barkley a big hug and a kiss from me & Kate :-* ;)
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Barkley is such a tropper & so are you Mom!...I am sending prayers for all of you. :)
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Just checking in to see how your day went...and Barkley's. I'd love to hear that he was running all over the yard and waiting for you with that slowly wagging Newfy tail.....
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Let's hope that Barkley is doing zoomies before the weekend.
You and your family are in our thoughts.
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Sending you & your family hugs & prayers. I hope Barkley is doing much better tonight.
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you really are so strong, i don't know what i would do in your situation, but i feel like if i was ever in that postion, i would hope that i could be 100% as strong as you. Barkley seems to have been a fantastic friend and i agree that if he is happy and is eating and pooping (basic needs) then you can definately enjoy his amazing, loving, and fluffy company for a little longer..
fumble sends sloppy licks to barkley! and hugs to you!
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Here's our well wishes and happy thoughts to both you and Barkley. We're praying for things to get better quickly.
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Thanks everyone.
It's Friday morning, and it's not good. I slept downstairs with him last night. This morning, he was able to get himself up to go outside to pee, but he didn't have a bm. He is still having trouble with his hind quarters, and his breathing is more laboured than it has been in the last while. He wouldn't eat a treat, and I had to hand feed him his breakfast. Even then, he only took about four mouthfuls of chicken, rice and canned/kibble.
We have decided to nurse him through today (I'm off work today); let the kids say goodbye to him tonight, and take him to the vet tomorrow for the final time.
Even as I type that, I can't believe it. I know it's the right thing to do but man, it sucks. I just want him to keep what dignity he does have in place, and like you all have said, I can see by looking in his eyes, that although his spirit is still strong, his body is telling us all it's time to say goodbye.
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This is very sad news. I wish you all the best and strength required to get through this difficult time. Trust your heart.
Andreau and Angus
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Your have our prayers at this very hard time.
Lisa
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My thoughts go out to you and your family at this difficult time. They are never gone from our hearts and they give us memories that last a lifetime.
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I am so sorry! Doing the right thing can be incredibly painful. You will all be in my prayers this weekend!
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I'm so sorry to hear that. :'( Wishing all the best for you and your family.
We are all here for you.
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my heart goes out to you and your family! Please know Barkley and y'all are in our thoughts!
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I was sooooo hoping to hear better news. I'm so very sorry.
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Oh sweetie, I am so sad to hear this. I was really holding out hope that it was something you could treat.
I will light a candle for you and Barkley tonight.
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I am so sorry!! I, too, was hoping for better news but perhaps that was just wishful thinking. We have our cyber arms around you all!!! Please know how very much we care and are all with you at this very difficult time! :'( :'(
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I am very sorry about your sad news. Sending you & your family lots of prayers, hugs and love from NJ.
Anita & the 3 Newfies
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oh sweetie....I'm so sorry.....Plea se please please give him lots of hugs from us too and tell him what an awesome boy he is. I always look forward to hearing stories about him. I'll light a candle for him too.
Please let me know if there's anything I can do (even though we're so far away) I'm available for chat if you need me.
Is there any chance the vet can come to your house?
Melissa
They would come to the house, but he's just at "home" at their clinic. They absolutely love him there, and in fact, we used to drop in just to say hi once in a while (especially after a particularly good groom!) so it's fine that it will happen at the clinic. It also takes care of what will happen afterward. This is a long weekend for us here, and we have the kids here with us this evening. I was hopeful that we could wait until tomorrow morning after they had left, but after just spending an hour downstairs with him in the basement, think the kinder thing would be to not make him go through another night.
I have to call my husband and see how he feels about making the appointment for tonight.
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My heart is soooooo heavy for you! I admire selflessness in making the toughest decision for your boy! Lots of hugs to you, your family and sweet Barkley!
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:'( Hugs
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I was so hoping the Barkley would make a suprise recovery. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
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This is just awful for you to have to go through. I didn't read this thread until just now, I read earlier that you had to have him put to sleep but for some reason I assumed that he was probably really old and had been going slowly down hill for a while.
I can't imagine the shock and pain you and your family must be going through. I'm so so sorry.
All of us here at bpo are thinking warm thoughts for you.
Ronda :'( :'( :'(