HenryHolly

Thank you so much. I hope I can have a bit more quality time with him as well. He woke up so happy, and I think keeping him away from ramps and couches will help a lot. Easier said than done with a greyhound! Each day with him is a blessing, but once the bad days outweigh the good then I’ll do what’s right by him. For now, time for pats.

I just thought I’d give everyone an update. I want to thank you all for your wonderful words. They have been so reassuring for me. After a big day of rest and goodbyes yesterday, Henry has woken up without any physical issues. He jumped out of bed, went down his ramp, walked up and down the street, and went potty without any assistance. He greeted some neighbourhood walkers and was only a tiny bit clumsy. Afterwards he stood up while waiting excitedly for (and eating) breakfast. I had to stop him jumping around because he was so excited. He’s now just living his normal life on the couch, inquisitive and peaceful at the same time. Friends are coming to visit him soon. While I know this doesn’t mean he’s cured, and that his battle will continue, I can’t call the home vet to euthanize him when he is still full of joy. I am going to move a mattress into the lounge room and block off the couch, so he doesn’t get stuck during the day. He’s already being carried in and out of the house as a precaution. I’ve injury-proofed the house for him. My parents will visit him each day this week while I’m at work, just to be sure he’s doing well. This morning, I put some protective dog boots on his hind paws and he seems to be fine with them. They stop any knuckling or sores, which is great. I will stick only to his prescription kibble and nothing else, as I think his diarrhoea puts massive stress on his back legs. Perhaps he’s only got another week or month of happiness, but he was giving me a sign this morning that he still had lots of life and happiness in him after a bad few days. I hope it doesn’t sound like I’m living in denial. I had to make the tough call to euthanize my last greyhound after a short battle with osteosarcoma. I know what it takes to make the decision. In this case, Henry’s spirit and happiness seem to still be here. While they are, I’ll do everything for him.

My greyhound Henry is 15 years old. He’s apparently the oldest one my vet has ever seen, and he’s been my best friend for 13 years. I love him more than anything. He’s been on medication (Previcox and Gabapentin) for at least 3-4 years for arthritis and I believe he likely has degenerative myelopathy. Unfortunately as you know, it’s not a disease that’s easily diagnosed but it is very common. He has slowly become less mobile over a few years, but we still went for *very* slow walks up the street until recently. In the last two weeks he’s started knuckling on his hind legs, and I’ve needed to carry him more and more. He’s had some severe accidents in the house. Three days ago I came home to find him lying on the couch in his own mess. He’d obviously tried to get up in time, but couldn’t. It was everywhere. He’s had some pretty violent diarrhoea in the last two weeks. Yesterday, he got stuck on the couch while I was at work. I could see him stuck on his front legs with our home security camera, unable to push himself off the couch. My neighbour kindly went round to move him back up. Half an hour later, I saw that he had fell off the couch and couldn’t get up. I raced home to help him, and he was so worked up and exhausted that I genuinely thought he was going to have a heart attack. He had urinated on the floor as he struggled to get his hind legs up again. The rest of the night he was so lethargic and unresponsive that I thought he might pass away in his sleep. He can no longer get up without my full assistance. I have to carry him inside and outside, and he can’t rise from a lying position. He wants to, but he can’t. He can get a bit of a slow rhythm going while walking, but will fall over easily. He is still happy, completely himself, and has his full appetite. I am beside myself, because this has degenerated quickly and I still see my beautiful boy when I look at him. But I know in my heart that I need to have him put to sleep tomorrow. I am struggling so much with this. I feel guilty. I feel like I should give him more time. But at the same time, I would never forgive myself if he ended up in suffering or in pain as things continue to get worse. Currently, he isn’t in pain but has simply lost hind leg function. The incident from the other day is playing heavily on my mind. I am terrified to leave him alone at home, in case he falls and injures himself. I just need to know that I’m not making a mistake by putting him to sleep. I love him with all of my heart, and I don’t know how I can be strong enough to make the call. He is my best friend. Does anyone have any advice, stories, or words they can share? I’m beyond devastated trying to make this decision.