Pretty sure I'm going to have to put my beautiful baby boy to rest on Monday. He's been getting very lethargic and lost his appetite. Spent 48 hours at the vet and he was treated for pancreatitis, kidney disease, and now we find heart failure. He's back home with all the meds he could need and he's comfortable.
He's my 17 year old very special boy. We've been extremely lucky with only 2 minor health issues that needed vet care and otherwise normal visits with clean bills of health. He's always been very strong (if very picky when it comes to eating) and he's been with me through the death of my mother and father.
Im honestly feeling pretty lost right now, but every time I look at him I can't help but feel it's time. He's got the best chance the vet can give him, but I still don't want to watch him suffer.
I really don't have much faith, but if you do, please pray for Bear.
Edit: Bear was laid to rest at 10:50am. It was extremely fast and he was so out of it he barely felt a thing. His suffering is over and so mine begins.
I hope you and Bear have a good outcome.
I had to say goodbye to my emotional support cat two months ago. He helped me through losing my mom 6 years ago, his "brother" four years ago (they weren't related, just a bonded pair when I adopted them), and my dad last year. He was 18 and started having problems breathing and eating. We went to the emergency vet when he jumped up on his sunny resting spot and I saw that he couldn't catch his breath. I was lucky. He made the decision easy for me.
My wish for you and Bear is that no matter what happens, you will not second-guess whatever decision you make. It's hard enough to lose a fur friend, especially one that's been by your side for 17 years, but you don't have to make the grieving process harder by playing the "if only I'd..." game. Bear is counting on you to do the right thing, and IMO, any decision you make from a position of love and compassion is the RIGHT thing.