I had taken Ben my 12 y/o for his morning walk. And noticed after the walk is stretched out on the floor, which is abnormal. Tried to get him up but would not get up. So decided needed to,get him to a vet. I took him to vet and vet said I needed to get him to the nearby hospital so,they could run tests immediately. Scared me that something was seriously wrong. He had naver been sick. Took him to hospital, the tech came in and took to the exam room. She came back and said he needed immediate help, heart was racing and not responding to stimulus on paws. She then presentd a cost schedule of everything they wanted to do to stabalize him. I am now overwhelmed . In my mind I had a dollar amount I would spend. My wife is shocked at the amount. 5 minutes later Dr. comes in with results,, not good. Dr, said if they operate 50 % it will work and my extended his life 2 more years. And top end of cost $15,000. Love said spend it common sense said no. I said no. They brought Ben in to say goodbye. Spent 15 minutes saying good by. They came and got him. My biggest regret and is I did not go,with him in his final minutes, I was so torn up. Now I so regret I was not with him in his final minutes he did not have to die without the one he Loved the most.
It has been one week. I still am lost without him. I went to animal rescue Wednesday and found an older collie that needs a home. I am torn between loving my Ben and possibility of finding another collie that needs a home. I reitred this year and my ben was a working herd dog. New collie will never work but will be exercised.i really loved my Ben.
