I think BenBen is about ready/ not ready see last note

[kokosfriend]

BenBen is getting weaker and he cannot junp uo into the CRV anymore. I am going to Elkhart tomorrow and will be back on Friday. I plan on taking him because he does not do well if I am away for long. However, we are leaving a week from Wednesday for a 3 week trip going to Arkansas, Salina Kansas and then KC and back. I am concerne4d that it will be too much for him. I am not sure it is fair for him to take him. I just don't know what to do. We would have to let him go before we left as I would NOT even think of boarding him or leaving him at home. If you have had experience with this, I would appreciate your opinions

Barb

[CatandJim]

Good news! Find the joy in each day and take snapshots of it to keep in your heart.

[HTALLEN]

I am so happy for you. Our Ziggy lived almost 5 months past the time the vet said it was time to let her go......we treasured that time.

[sher9570]

It may just be that there will be periods where he is not quite himself and is weaker but not really ready to go, you gave it some time and he showed you he still wants to be here.
I couldn't be happier for BenBen, good to take a little time to make a decision and I'm happy you took that time...
Now enjoy your camping trips and give BenBen a special head scratch from me.

Sher

[dspencer]

That is great, and as was said before enjoy every second as they are very precious.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Anyone who's playing ball and running....sounds like they're ready to camp, to me? 🙂

[chele]

Yay! Enjoy every second!

[kokosfriend]

Well, I guess BenBen is not quite ready! We are up at Elkhart getting the rv worked on and he is doing very well. He had been playing ball - running - and enjoying car rides. His oncologist says he is stable as to his blood work. Who knows? He has a lot of life in him and as long as he does he will travel and we will enjoy him.

Barb

[colliehauler]

I went through this with Strider. I took Strider to Ely knowing he might not make it. Strider did ok, the walks were short but he enjoyed them. I had to have him put to sleep a week after I returned. Only you can decide what is best.

[dspencer]

Barb I can't give you much advice on what too do because I have no ideal what we would do if faced with the same thing. I will tell you though if you get in KC and need anything, vet referral or anything send me a private message anytime. I'm so very sorry to hear about Ben Ben's failing health. Always happy to help out a fellow RV'r.

Doug

[HTALLEN]

I guess there is no right or wrong here....our little girl, Ziggy, was very ill with her cancer...we decided to take for a weeklong trip at the end of last year. While she was a lot of work, she did so well and we were so blessed to have her with us to bring in the New Year...the day we got back she started going downhill and a day later she died sleeping next to me in bed. I am so thankful we took her.We still miss her terribly.

[chele]

I just hate hearing this.
Our very first "real" vacation in our camper included taking Callie. I knew she was old and needed help in and out of the camper. She could walk OK, just not very fast. She slept most the time. What I didn't know was she had a tumor about the size of a cantaloupe.

Silly old dog still got excited to go for a walk every time. There was a small tourist attraction that allowed dogs. Being able to enjoy that park with my "baby" Callie was magic. I treasure those memories.

When we got home I took Callie to the vet, and got the dreadful diagnosis. I can not imagine going on vacation after that. I didn't even want to go to work, I was a mess.

((((hugs))))

[Code2High]

Does he seem happy to "go" even if it is hard for him to get in? Or not so much? If he is declining quickly the choice may become clear in the next week. If not.... I guess I would decide if I thought he would enjoy a last trip, or not.

[Crowe]

Barb, you may have to wait until right before you leave to make a decision. We boarded our Gordon, Riley, right before we took a trip to Alaska. We had no choice because we were flying. He was borderline before we left and we opted to wait and he didn't make it. There was some guilt yet some relief as we didn't have to make the decision-SIL did it as we were unreachable. No matter what you do there will be mixed feelings I'm sure. Not to sound harsh, but you have to assess his quality of life and ask yourself are you prolonging the inevitable for him or for you. You might not think so now but you will know what to do by looking into BenBen's eyes.

[sher9570]

You know how sorry I am to hear this. This is really a tough one and it's made even tougher because of your uncertainty.
Sadly you are the only one that can determine if BenBen can make the trip, I personally would be asking.
Is he enjoying his life otherwise.
Is he eating?
Is he alert
Is he in pain?
Being weaker doesn't necessarily mean he is in pain.
I don't know Barb, I only know what I would do after I answered those questions and probably a few more.
It's so very hard afterwards if your asking that same question, did I do it too soon...
Hugs and head scratches to BenBen.

Sher