What a beautiful boy!! Thank you so much for posting his picture...his eyes are gorgeous!!

I've had alot of luck with the Metacam/Tramadol combination so I wish Alex the same. Definitely look into getting a harness to help him get up...it's a tremendous help!

Keep us posted on how he is doing.

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Jeanne in NJ
Archie-GRRI-NJ Rescue (12 yrs, 8 months old)
Halo-Lazyriver Circle of Love (2 years old)
Angelo-My Angel-WE MISS YOU (4/12/95-1/05/09)

He is gorgeous...hope the meds are working and hes not in pain anymore.

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Misty & Gemma Misty and Holly
Sandy and Riley...miss you girlies

Update on Alex: The Metacam/Tramadol combo seems to really be helping. I also got him a harness which takes the awkwardness out when helping him up and down the stairs.

But now we have a new set of concerns. The results from his blood work came in and he is anemic. He was borderline 6 months ago, but it's gotten worse. We go back in 2 weeks for more blood work to compare. I'm hoping the cause is from something simple to treat, like tick and not cancer. He has also been diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis, so we really need to watch his activity.

My poor boy.

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A lot of what Alex is going thru sounds similar to what we went thru with Keeper. She did have a period of anemia also, but we did not treat it. If I recall correctly it was thought to have to do with the diarrhea she had experienced and the level did return to normal over time.
I have a saying
"It sucks getting old, but it is so much better than the alternative"

I try to live my life this way and that of my dogs.

Continues good news and luck to you and ALex!!

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Saying prayers for dear Alex. He is so beautiful.
Our golden Max had periods where he could barely get up off and on for several years. Meds helped a great deal and kept his quality of life. When meds no longer were the answer (he developed megaesophagus and aspiration pneumonia) and the only answer was a feeding tube, we let him go with dignity. We could tell by his eyesa dn he was too weak to even wag his tail.

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Sasha, Gunner,
& Angel Selka in Heaven

Love You Always
Max, Sophie and Shammy

Alex is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL - so handsome and regal. I love his eyes.

I'm so sorry that you are having to make this decision. I had a vet once tell me that when it becomes a burden to their family to care for them, then it's time. I completely disagree with this and changed vets shortly after Duke's first year.

It might be true with some breeds, I don't know, but with Goldens there is such a connection between them and their family that it isn't a burden - never a burden - for us (well, me anyway) to care for them. Regardless of how many accidents and things we have to do. We just want them happy and they're happiest with us!

It is hard, however, to see them fail. Heartbreaking. Duke's vet and now Coley's said pick several things that they enjoy beyond all others. When all of those things are no longer enjoyed by them, then it's getting very very close. With Duke, he truly told me. Again we all play the second guess game I suppose, but I know deep down inside - as painful as it is always, - I know it was the right time.

I'm so sorry and I wish you peace and an assurance. He truly is magnificent.

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Duke 4/25/01 - 2/11/10
My puppy, Duke - I will always lobe you &
I miss you so. I hope you're enjoying all your friends at the Rainbow Bridge!

My baby boy, Coley. Duke - you'd have loved him! I know you're showing him things, though.
Born 01/01/10. Furever home 05/26/10

Your Alex is just gorgeous.

Glad to hear the Metacam and Tramadol are helping him.

It seems when our dogs get older, just as with people, it is best to live One Day At A Time.

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SNOBEAR at the Bridge
Dec. 23, 1999-March 27, 2010

SMOOCH at the Bridge.
Feb. 14, 1999-Dec. 7, 2010


TONKA & TUCKER

Alex is very handsome. I wish him good health and many more years and mileage to go.

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Dawn and Boomer and Gladys

They have an unbelievable way of communicating when it is time. They start to distance themselves from you - not looking you in the eye, not wagging their tail, not their normal jovial self. We knew the day had come when the night before our 14 1/2 year old girl couldn't sleep and wandered around our bedroom barely able to walk. The sound of her walking was like a flat tire. I knew she couldn't go another night. She was letting us know she was ready. This decision was only confirmed the next morning when she wouldn't eat or drink any water and had trouble getting up and walking to go outside. I called the vet that morning and we arranged to bring her to his office for his last appointment of the day. He was incredible how he comforted her and us.

You'll know and he'll tell you. Enjoy your many remaining days with him. No one can prepare you for the loss and the grief that comes with losing them. But this forum does help get you through it and made me smile again to see such wonderful Goldens! -

When our Barkley had his splenectomy we were prescribed Pet-Tinic liquid B vitamins and iron to supplement him with. It helped him a lot. You could check with your vet on this or other good iron/B supplements to help him battle the anemia. The liquid suspension we used was corn syrup based and we put it on top of Barkley's food--he loved it!

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