Hi all, i have a 16 year old, over the last two years, she's developed seizures, the diagnosis is hepatic encephalopathy, does anyone have any experience with their dogs going through the same thing, any advice on diet, alternate treatments, diet, any advice would be helpful, thank you all.
I had been wanting a dog of my own recently. I'm 25 and just finished school and not yet working so i thought it might be a good time. I live with my parents where we have one inside dog, one outside dog, and one cat that roams the neighborhood and comes and goes as he pleases. Lately I had the overwhelming desire to get a dog of my own that i can take on walks, hikes, friends houses, and cuddle with. My boyfriend went with me to a few shelters just to look and I didn't find any that I really made a connection to until a few days later. Yesterday I met "Herman". I hate the name, but he came out and seemed so happy but wasn't too hyper. He was quiet, plenty big enough to go on hikes, and had adorable floppy ears. I spent about an hour walking around with him outside getting to know him. He seemed responsive, healthy, sweet, and cute. Everything I was looking for. I went back in to get more information on him and they said he was about 2, was rescued from an abusive owner who had him tied to a chain, and was recovering from kennel cough. I let them know I was interested in him but i did have other dogs and I wasn't sure how they would react. They said I could give it a day or two and always come back after I think on it. I knew if i went home, all I would be able to think about was him until he came home with me. So they said they allow trial adoptions Where you can take the dog home and and see if hes a good fit before you officially adopt him. So I figured i would bring him home, fall in love with him and adopt him a few days later. Keep in mind, I have always had at least one dog growing up and we took great care of all of them. I understand that it's work, but we usually get them as puppies and train them and they just kind of fit in to the family. "Herman" is an adult dog that they assumed was around 2 years old. I brought him home that afternoon and was ready to introduce him to the family. As I should have expected, the small dog (maltese/shitzu mix) was not happy about him coming into her home. She was very defensive and wouldn't stop barking and growling. I felt bad for the poor guy because he was already nervous as soon as he got in the door and it just made it a stressful situation for everyone. At that point I'm wondering what the hell i have gotten myself into. Still I was thinking this could work and be okay. He was introduced to the other dog who typically stays outside and she didn't seem to mind him. Next I had him come meet the cat. The cat looks at him for about 2 seconds and smacks the shit out of his face. Poor guy. I usually spend about 3 nights a week at my boyfriends house so I figured it wouldn't be a bad idea to bring him over there so they could meet each other and we could just stay the night there away from all of the chaos. While laying in bed I started to think i had made a mistake. Could I really be responsible for taking care of my own dog? Will my small dog at home ever get comfortable or forgive me? Will "Herman" ever feel that he's at home with this little bitch always barking at him? But the thought that bothered me the most was taking him back to the shelter and just leaving him. I don't want to confuse him by bringing him back to the shelter. But at this point we hadn't had too much bonding and he still didn't trust me. The next day i woke up and my eye allergies were particularly bad and I'm thinking its him. We went to the park for a walk. He enjoys going on walks and sniffing everything out and taking a piss on just about everything he can. He's friendly to everyone that passes by, even other dogs. Originally I was afraid to get a dog because the thought of cleaning up poop after them repulses me. Yet here we are at the park with a plastic bag in my pocket just in case he takes a dump. Sure enough, he let one go not long after being there. It was a very soft mushy steamy poop. To my surprise, I pulled my bag out and cleaned it right up no problem. I was getting to know him and he was getting to know me yet i was still having second thoughts on adopting him and I was feeling really guilty. At this time, the lady from the shelter texted me and asked how he was doing. I responded with a picture of him at the park and said "great! The animals at home are still warming up to him though so I was going to see how the rest of the day went." She responded "perfect! good luck!" i immediately felt so guilty. Poor guy has no idea I was having thoughts on taking him back to the shelter and now my response to the lady from the shelter came across as if everything was going pretty great and now I was worried I was going to let both of them down. I decided to come home and let them all meet again. He was very hesitant to even enter the house and when he did the small dog was still barking and growling at him. We all went outside and that's when i pretty much decided I was not ready for this responsibility and it was disrupting our already full household. I texted the lady from the shelter and let her know that I didnt know if this was all going to work out. It was probably pretty irresponsible on my part to be so impulsive and bring home a dog before fully understanding the commitment. This wouldn't be a dog i could just leave at home for days and expect my parents to take care of. This was my dog and my responsibility and honestly it frightened me to think about taking care of him until i was in my mid 30's. I don't deserve my own dog right now. And i know what I need to do. I told my boyfriend what i was thinking and he agrees it's sad but he says to look at it as he got to take a little vacation from the shelter that he lived at for about a month. He got to sleep in a bed and cuddle which is apparently one of his favorite things to do, he got to take a walk at the dog park and piss and leave his mark all over town and take a few car rides which he seems to like. All together I will only have had him for about 24 hours so I hope its not too hard on him to go back. I'm hoping that I can share all the things i know about him now with the shelter and help him to find his forever home. I feel like i learned things about in 24 hours that they didnt learn in the month that they have had him. He is perfect for someone out there. I plan to bring him back today and possibly visiting him next weekend if he hasn't found a home yet. :'( This may trigger negative responses for understandable reasons but I'm trying to do whats best for my household and myself. It's a very hard decision but not possibly as hard as taking care of a dog for the next 10 years. Moral of the story, THINK LONG AND HARD before you adopt a dog. There is a lot of responsibility. I hope "Herman" gets to enjoy his best life soon with his soulmate. (and also a new name because, really, he doesnt look like a "Herman" or even know it's his name yet)
