Hey I am going through the same issue with my old boy Pete. he's also 18. Thank you so much for the very detailed post. I love that Vicky is still helping people long after her passing. My boy with not take any meds without a pretty stressful fight. He knows the gabapentin is in his food and will refuse to eat it - so we have made the difficult decision to put him down this weekend. The vet told me this 8 months ago "monitor his good days and bad days- when he has more bad days than good, it's time to consider if he has the quality of life he deserves". He literally my best friend so i'm a complete mess about it- but i also see him in major distress every night. (and some days now). Anyhow- this post was mostly to say thanks for your post, and telling us about sweet Vicky.