My dear Laddie...

I spoke to my vet about Laddie's ongoing condition and in her words...
"Treat the leg like glass!"

I have two steps from the backyard into the house. Now Laddie is trained to stand and wait at the steps. I put my right arm under his belly between his two front legs and then scoop up his hindquarters with my left arm. Then I pick him up and gently place him in the family room. He is so smart and caught on in one day. He understands I am helping him. I also purchased a tunnel to place on the sofa to stop him from trying to jump on it. He is in his crate whenever I leave the house!

I also discussed with my vet my desire to not have Laddie go through the trauma of a vet visit once the time has come to send him to Rainbow Bridge. He is so sensitive. My goal is to have him at home.
She suggested Lap of Love In-Home Pet Euthanasia http://www.lapoflove.com/Home

I immediately went on the website to research them. I was extremely impressed with the reviews posted on Courtney Graham, DVM. I will be having a Hospice Consultation with her on Monday. The site offers a great resource of information. it has a daily quality of life scale that is helpful to track progress. It is wonderful that this service exists.

My journey will be even more difficult especially since Mr. Chance is 14 now.

All I can do is love on my dear boys!
They are my life, my soul, my comfort.
Can not imagine life without these special souls! Life is just not fair.
 
Oh no! This is terrible. I am so sorry. I don't know what else to say other than I know you will do everything to make whatever time Laddie has left comfortable and make everyone moment count. Hugs to both you. :hugs
 
I am so sorry you and your boy are going through this. One of my prior dogs had vestibular disease which meant she couldn't do stairs on her own. She was a border collie and weighed a bit more than a sheltie but I found it helpful to lift and support her legs with an old pashmina shawl I had laying around. I sort of tied it around her waist and supported the back legs, one of my students did the same for her dog but around the chest to support the front legs. Might help with moving laddie a bit instead of just lifting him.
 
Gloria, my prayers are with you and Laddie on this sad journey. I am glad you have found someone to come to the house when it is time. Our vet came to our home last month when we had to say good-bye to our beloved Kinnon and it was so peaceful...he just thought a friend had come to visit him.

Trini
 
I haven't been here lately and am so saddened to learn of Laddie's diagnosis. I think you're doing the very best for him and love the idea of having the vet come to the house at the right time, Shelties are so sensitive, it would be best to let him go to the rainbow bridge from his home, and not afraid from being at the clinic. Again, I'm just so sorry, what a handsome, special boy he looks to be.
 
Thanks for asking Cindy.
Laddie is hanging in there. He is on very powerful pain medication and not showing outward signs of severe pain like panting and restlessness. All he wants to do is just stay close to me and lay down. The Hospice vet said that he understands not to put weight on the leg as he just uses his toes to keep his balance. His leg is half the size of the other as the leg has atrophied so significantly. So far so good. Making each day count knowing my days are limited with him. I have not tried taking him for a ride in the stroller I got for Chance as I am concerned the bumps and jostling might aggravate the leg and cause more pain. I am so saddened thinking that he will not be part of my annual holiday pictures.
Both Chance and Laddie are having a severe bout of diarrhea that I am trying to control with boiled chicken breast and rice along with prescription meds (Metronidazole) from the vet. Chance is on the same pain meds for his bone spurs but not as frequently as Laddie. I also found this homeopathic remedy online with rave reviews... http://www.petwellbeing.com/products/dog-diarrhea. Logan and Jasmine seem to be fine so I am glad of that!
Lord knows I have my good days and bad. Yesterday was great in the morning with Chance and terrible in the evening. All he was doing was pacing and panting. I think another bone spur is developing. I gave him more pain meds to help him to relax. It is as if he can not lay down. When he does he gets right back up again. Classic sign of the bone spurs issue for him. He is pacing and panting as I type this. Will give additional meds. I feel like a senior assisted living home for elderly shelties! I have so many drugs here it is overwhelming at times. Just glad I purchased the baby monitor so I can respond quickly if either Chance or Laddie barks while I am in bed.
Thanks everyone for your kind comments and concern about sweet Laddie! Attaching a recent photo to show they all still seem happy!
 

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What a wonderful picture. Sometimes sunsets are the most beautiful. Prayers to you and yours.
 
Gloria I think so often of you, you are giving so much and your fur babies are so brave. :hugs

Thanks so much for the lovely picture - they have the most amazing faces.
 
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