Things are winding down with Barkley

WholeLottaBoxers · 12-04-2012, 01:37 PM

Hi all. I haven't been participating on the forum as much lately and wanted to update. As many of you know, Barkley's health is failing and his time is getting short. (Oh crap, here come the tears again.)

I've been a complete mess about it the last few days.

Barkley gave up eating dog food several months ago. Sue (GoudasMom) has been a HUGE help with information on how to cook for him, and much of the credit goes to her for Barkley still being here with us. We are cooking meals for Barkley three times a day. I cook breakfast and dinner, and my dad cooks lunch every afternoon when he stops by to let the dogs out to potty. Barkley's appetite has been good, but the last couple meals he has left a little in his bowl and hasn't gone back to finish it.

Barkley is also in diapers now. We're guessing the tumor is putting pressure on his bladder as he has no control anymore. I'm not sure if it's been harder on Barkley or me to see things slowly get worse.

Also, about a week ago we started noticing brief moments of "knuckling" with one of Barkley's back feet. Yesterday, he started losing his balance with his back legs. We're trying not to make a big deal of it. We just walk over, scoop him up, and he goes on about his business. It's getting harder for him to get back up on his own, though.

Rest assured, we won't let him suffer. He still wants to be here with me, so we'll let him stay until he lets us know otherwise. We've lost several dogs over the years, but this will be the hardest by far. I held him in my arms last night, buried my face in his fur and just sobbed. I've even noticed my husband getting teary eyed watching Barkley during the evening. It's hard knowing were nearing the end and there will soon be a day when he no longer stands at my side leaning against me for support.

maxxonl · 12-04-2012, 01:46 PM

I'm sure Barkley can sense the great love you all have for him in your household. Isn't it great that in his last days he is surrounded by love? I will keep you in Barkley in my thoughts and prayers. I'm sure you will know when the time is right to let him go. This is the hardest part of having a pet and it never gets any easier.

Ril-Mas · 12-04-2012, 01:48 PM

I'm sitting here at work with teary eyes after reading your post. It's clear to see how much you and your hubby love your dear Barkley and how great your care has been for him. I'm sure he knows he's a very special boy and very much loved. I'm sorry to hear that his time is coming so quickly. The one thing I hate about this breed is that their time is cut way to short.

sasasola · 12-04-2012, 01:58 PM

I'm also sitting here teary eyed after reading your post Cait.

I dread the day where we may have to face the same... I have no experience with losing a pet to cancer, but however you lose them, it's never easy. Big hugs!!

Mom2Jax&Bay · 12-04-2012, 02:05 PM

Hugs from me and wiggle and licks from Jax and Bay

**GoudasMom** · 12-04-2012, 02:07 PM

Cait I know how much you love Barkley and have tried so hard for him in the last few months. I feel like I know Barkley and I know I love him like my own, he has fought hard. Hugs to you and the family and a big hug to Barkley.

WholeLottaBoxers · 12-04-2012, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoudasMom

Cait I know how much you love Barkley and have tried so hard for him in the last few months. I feel like I know Barkley and I know I love him like my own, he has fought hard. Hugs to you and the family and a big hug to Barkley.

Sue, you've been such a huge source of support these last few months. I can't thank you enough for the information you've shared and the HOURS you've spent on the phone with me helping me through this. We never would've gotten this far without you. Just having these few extra months to spend with Barkley has meant so much to me, and I will always be grateful for your friendship and support. Thank you SO MUCH!! ♥

winnie · 12-04-2012, 02:37 PM

Oh Cait, I'm crying too. Know that you're not alone. I am going through the exact same issues with Winston now, including the knuckling, incontenance, and balance issues. I am also cooking for the old guy, and using him as a kleenex half the time (he doesn't mind). I know that Barkley will let you know when he has had enough, and I know that you will do what you must for the love of your dog. As I've been saying to myself these days, you just have to "enjoy every sandwich".

dalenica2 · 12-04-2012, 03:07 PM

So sorry to read about Barkley. You do so much for the senior boxers and it never gets any easier when the time comes to let them go. We're crying with you, Cait.

Camogirl · 12-04-2012, 03:19 PM

I don't post much here but love to read about how other people love their boxers. Your post just makes me cry. We went through the same thing with our boy Milo. When his back toes began to knuckle under, I just knew we were entering another stage that we wouldn't come back from. We put him down almost three months ago, and then had to put down our 16 year old chihuahua the next day. My heart breaks for you.
We now have a beautiful little brindle boy named Angus (Gussy) that helps to heal my heart and makes me laugh every single day. The sun will shine for you again. My thoughts are with you.

12-04-2012, 01:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
WholeLottaBoxers Super User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,253	Things are winding down with Barkley Hi all. I haven't been participating on the forum as much lately and wanted to update. As many of you know, Barkley's health is failing and his time is getting short. (Oh crap, here come the tears again.) I've been a complete mess about it the last few days. Barkley gave up eating dog food several months ago. Sue (GoudasMom) has been a HUGE help with information on how to cook for him, and much of the credit goes to her for Barkley still being here with us. We are cooking meals for Barkley three times a day. I cook breakfast and dinner, and my dad cooks lunch every afternoon when he stops by to let the dogs out to potty. Barkley's appetite has been good, but the last couple meals he has left a little in his bowl and hasn't gone back to finish it. Barkley is also in diapers now. We're guessing the tumor is putting pressure on his bladder as he has no control anymore. I'm not sure if it's been harder on Barkley or me to see things slowly get worse. Also, about a week ago we started noticing brief moments of "knuckling" with one of Barkley's back feet. Yesterday, he started losing his balance with his back legs. We're trying not to make a big deal of it. We just walk over, scoop him up, and he goes on about his business. It's getting harder for him to get back up on his own, though. Rest assured, we won't let him suffer. He still wants to be here with me, so we'll let him stay until he lets us know otherwise. We've lost several dogs over the years, but this will be the hardest by far. I held him in my arms last night, buried my face in his fur and just sobbed. I've even noticed my husband getting teary eyed watching Barkley during the evening. It's hard knowing were nearing the end and there will soon be a day when he no longer stands at my side leaning against me for support. __________________ Cait, Mom to: Max (11), Tucker (4), Sam (9), Cinnamon (13), Titan (8 ), Honey (8 ), Piper (3) & Virgil (10) Jake ~1/1/98-10/31/08~ ♥ Saba ~???-7/28/11~ ♥ Baby ~1998-11/25/11~ ♥ Lillie ~3/10/05-1/17/12~ ♥ Sadie ~2001-2/14/12~ ♥ Chief ~1998-2/20/12~ ♥ Barkley ~2000-2/28/13~ ♥ Maggie ~1999-4/22/13~ ♥ "Adapt yourself to the things among which your lot has been cast and love sincerely the fellow creatures with whom destiny has ordained that you shall live." ~ Marcus Aurelius

12-04-2012, 01:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ril-Mas Super User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bedford, NH Posts: 1,503	I'm sitting here at work with teary eyes after reading your post. It's clear to see how much you and your hubby love your dear Barkley and how great your care has been for him. I'm sure he knows he's a very special boy and very much loved. I'm sorry to hear that his time is coming so quickly. The one thing I hate about this breed is that their time is cut way to short. __________________ Mandy, loving mom to... ~~> We're on FACEBOOK if you want to Friend us, click here! Last edited by Ril-Mas; 12-04-2012 at 02:05 PM.

12-04-2012, 01:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
sasasola Super User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 1,618	I'm also sitting here teary eyed after reading your post Cait. I dread the day where we may have to face the same... I have no experience with losing a pet to cancer, but however you lose them, it's never easy. Big hugs!! __________________ Susy Mom to 2 beautiful daughters , Duke and Dusty

12-04-2012, 02:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mom2Jax&Bay BoxerForums Addict Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: East Houston area Posts: 3,003	Hugs from me and wiggle and licks from Jax and Bay __________________ Owned by Jaxon- Flashy Fawn docked and natural 11/21/09 and Baylee- Fawn docked and cropped (kind of) 4/07/09 Rescue Lone Star Boxer Rescue volunteer since 2010

12-04-2012, 02:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
GoudasMom Super Moderator Join Date: May 2011 Location: Duncan Oklahoma Posts: 1,814	Cait I know how much you love Barkley and have tried so hard for him in the last few months. I feel like I know Barkley and I know I love him like my own, he has fought hard. Hugs to you and the family and a big hug to Barkley. __________________ Gouda 9/6/01 - 7/19/12 Sue - Mom to Kippah rescued 8/19/12

12-04-2012, 01:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
maxxonl Experienced User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 193	I'm sure Barkley can sense the great love you all have for him in your household. Isn't it great that in his last days he is surrounded by love? I will keep you in Barkley in my thoughts and prayers. I'm sure you will know when the time is right to let him go. This is the hardest part of having a pet and it never gets any easier.

12-04-2012, 02:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
winnie Super User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Long Island Posts: 1,636	Oh Cait, I'm crying too. Know that you're not alone. I am going through the exact same issues with Winston now, including the knuckling, incontenance, and balance issues. I am also cooking for the old guy, and using him as a kleenex half the time (he doesn't mind). I know that Barkley will let you know when he has had enough, and I know that you will do what you must for the love of your dog. As I've been saying to myself these days, you just have to "enjoy every sandwich". __________________ Molly, Mom to Winston (at the bridge 12/6/12 and deeply missed) and Porter

12-04-2012, 03:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
dalenica2 Super User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Long Beach, California Posts: 1,947	So sorry to read about Barkley. You do so much for the senior boxers and it never gets any easier when the time comes to let them go. We're crying with you, Cait.

12-04-2012, 03:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
Camogirl Intermediate User Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 54	I don't post much here but love to read about how other people love their boxers. Your post just makes me cry. We went through the same thing with our boy Milo. When his back toes began to knuckle under, I just knew we were entering another stage that we wouldn't come back from. We put him down almost three months ago, and then had to put down our 16 year old chihuahua the next day. My heart breaks for you. We now have a beautiful little brindle boy named Angus (Gussy) that helps to heal my heart and makes me laugh every single day. The sun will shine for you again. My thoughts are with you.

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