Dementia

I finally made the decision to have her put down. Everyone for the last few weeks, months really, has been telling me to do it. I was still holding out that there was something that we could do. She was the best indifferent dog.

She developed these ear infections and we treated them. They just wouldn't go away. She had them off and on for about a year. About 2 months ago they went away. Hooray, I thought. The medicine is finally working. Nope. She started to grow this massive abscess on the side of her face. Took her to the vet. He told me it was just an infection in about a day or so it will rupture and drain and she will be fine. It ruptured alright but didn't stop draining. I took her back and he thought it was possible that some foreign material was in there. So in for a day surgery she went. He couldn't find anything. She seemed better for about 2 weeks when the day I took her to get the staple out I noticed that her abscess was back. This time when the did they surgery they put a dye in the wound. They wanted to find out where it was starting from. They took an x-ray and discovered that she had a tumor in her inner ear. The ear infections were irritations to the tumor. With all the ear infections that cartilage calcified and the drainage had no where to go. Enter the abscess. He gave us some aggressive antibiotics to help with any infection and told me this was the last effort. He could take out the tumor but it would cost thousands and with her being a Westie it was most likely to come back in little time. I took her home and prayed that she would get better. I know it's a "dog" but to me, she was my baby. Who else would "read" with me on the couch curled against my legs. Or play with the pink stuffed pig?

This last monday after hearing her cry out in pain if she twisted her neck to far, watching the abscess grow back again, the ear infections start back up, and the fact that we couldn't take the cone off her, I made the call. I told the vet it was time and if I could bring her in on wednesday.
I took the long way to the vet. Driving the back roads as slow as I could. Mentia sat on my lap with her head out the window the entire time. I even gave her a piece of chocolate. I debated the entire way if I was being selfish to put her down. She seemed fine but, about halfway there, she started to yip in pain with every sharp move of her head and I knew this was what was best for her.

I got to go into the room with her and I held her scratching her chin as they gave her the injection that would take away her pain. She was so happy in those last minutes as a scratched her, even thumping her foot. I really loved that dog. Rest in peace Dementia.