I have a senior beagle that was a stray. We took him in about 18 months ago. I really just wanted to give him a soft place for the rest of his days. It was obvious by his condition that he’d already been through a lot. We had to have most of his teeth removed as they were rotting out of his head. We took him to an ophthalmologist because he had an odd eye condition that my local vet wasn’t 100% sure about.
We managed the eye as best we could for 18 months. It took 6 ointment applications every day.
At one point, the poor dog got attacked by a neighbor’s dog, which resulted in yet another expensive surgery.
Fast forward to earlier this month. The eye took a turn for the worse, and the vet recommended removal. Since then, it’s been a #$*&# nightmare. The eye isn’t healing properly. He finds ways to bang into things and scrape it, despite being in an e-collar and being kept quiet inside. My anxiety is through the roof. All I do is constantly worry about him. I jump every time I hear a noise that might be the dog reinjuring himself. We’ve been back for 3 rechecks, and had to visit the emergency vet the first weekend. Sutures should’ve come out days ago, but he’s honestly nowhere near that point.
Now my vet has asked to keep him boarded there. He needs a special Rx cream on top of his pain pills and antibiotics.
I’m just…I’m just…done. This dog has basically taken over my life. I love him dearly – probably too much – to the detriment of my relationships with my husband, children, other animals, etc. The price, financially and emotionally, is JUST SO MUCH.
A strong person would keep fighting this fight. The dog could get better after a week at the vet’s. But I’m so exhausted.
Please, somebody give me a pep talk here.
