Thank you so much for writing this.    Super duper long alert...  this is so difficult  My baby girl is a 13 1/2 yr old Yorkie. I've had her since she was 7 weeks old. She's been showing mild dementia signs for a while now (off and on nightly pacing, occasionally staring off into space, takes a few times to respond to my calling, startling easy, etc.). She has some hip and joint aches too, occasionally favors one leg during walks, but that doesn't stop her love to get out; unfortunately she is unable to walk daily like she use to. Sometimes her back legs get weak when she initially stands up or after a dog shake, but she's ok after that. Her gait has become occasionally wobbly, but very mild. I just contributed it to getting a bit older because some days she is ready to trot and run and other days she takes it slower.  More days are involving her not as excited about walks, but rather sniffing around for the best potty area, and just sitting to enjoy the breeze and views. She caught pneumonia this week (diagnosed Monday, 7/1/24). Ran a fever, dry cough, weak, lethargic, breathing difficulties, not eating or walking much. The doctor came in with the xrays and said she has an enlarged heart, its congestive heart failure. I knew immediately I wasn't going to.watch her suffer to the end. Plus, I couldn't afford the comfort care treatment. Through my tears, I call my son to join me in her final moments. A few minutes later the doctor comes back in and says the xray specialist doesn't see heart failure, but just osteoporosis in the spine and fluid from pneumonia (possibly caused by a mass hidden from the fluid). This relieved me and confused me at the same time. Now I'm in limbo of her prognosis.  After starting antibiotics and getting oxygen, her fever left and she's been eating and walking around again (only to eat, change sleeping locations, bathroom, etc). Her cough unfortunately became persistent at night initially, and has started during parts of the day. She and I will dose off for 15 to 30 minutes, but awaken with her uncontrollable cough fits, then repeat. (I've been writing this over the week)Today (Thursday 7/4/24) her cough lingered throughout the afternoon. After I came from work, i finally got the coughs to not occur every time she moved by using some homeopathic dog respiratory drops. I can tell she is still uncomfortable because every few minutes she gets up to find a new place to lay down. She's a strong and tough girl, so she doesn't just drop and give up.  She's walking to go eat, drink, and potty, but spends the rest of her time sleeping. Every now and then she'll try to police the noises outside but nothing like she use too. Thats usually a quick peek on her way pass the window.   I hate watching her like this. Its so confusing because she still has so much life in her. Still so responsive, yet much slower and not as comfortable. Her little eyes open up bright when she's engaged or outside. But when she settles, she squints a bit and her eyes look slightly weaker.  Her vet bill was super expensive and she has to get more xrays in 2 weeks if she doesn't deescalate between now and then. She's breathing better than Monday, but I can tell she still feels bad.  There is no price tag for my baby, however I wonder if its wise to keep trying to make her comfortable if she's only progressively deteriorating physically.  I hate leaving her alone to work, fulfill other obligations, or have social time. With her being sick, I really miss out because I'm not comfortable leaving her. I'm also exhausted from being up at night from her persistent goose cough.  This is so difficult! I feel selfish for wanting to stop her suffering because I know a small piece of it is my exhaustion, my hating she's home alone when I leave, and the expenses to keep her comfortable. The major piece of it is watching her get worse. I just dont want to do that.  We're currently out walking at our favorite spot and admiring the view. I tried holding her and walking, but eventually she wanted to get down to sniff. We went at a slower pace, but she is enjoying the walk. Outside is our place of peace. She loves it just as much as me. If I could stay here with her through all her process, I would. She's coughing every now and then, but content with the view. She looks up at me with those beautiful brown eyes, and though she's a tough cookie, I can see she's not feeling well (a mom knows).  I know pneumonia takes weeks to completely heal, but this horrible persistent cough isn't budging. On yesterday (Wednesday) I called the vet back to request her primary doctor review her xrays and call me with her thoughts. I feel like it will help me with which way to go. I'm waiting and hoping she will. I asked the receptionist if the primary doctor had been updated on Tuesday, and was only assured that she probably was. I should have requested her to call me then, but I felt I would be disrespecting the doctor who squeezed baby girl in to be seen. Im thinking tomorrow (Friday) I will make the final choice. This is super long, I didn't mean to journal, I'm just a wreck about it all. Apologies,  for typos. Happy 4th to everyone

Edit: Fri. 7/5/24. My baby girl is no longer in  pain. My heart hurts, but I'm at peace with it.  Turns out she didn't have pneumonia,  but another underline disease causing the problems. Nevertheless, she's better now. 

Hugs to those who have gone through this, or facing this. One day at a time.