This morning I got up to find my dog unable to move, pretty non responsive. I took him back to the vet.. After blood work it was determined he has pantricis and kidney shutting down. They are going to keep him for 2-3 days and do all they can but told me to get myself ready to have him put down if they can't get him to pull through. That small dogs in his condition rarely make it, but they won't give up unless they see he has and right now he is holding on and trying to survive. 
I am tore up. My insides hurt so bad. He was gotten out of a puppy mill where he lived his first two years in a very small cage as a sir dog. It toook a good while to get him socially adapted to being around people and he turned into one of the greatest dogs I ever had. I am so far away from being ready to have him put down. I have had him for 6-7 years now. 
Please say prayer for both of us. 
John

*****

I just went to vets office to see Max, my dog.  He has been with them for several hours already today.  They have him on an I.V. and a heating pad, trying to increase his body tempature.  They are also trying flush his system out to clear the pancrisis, and adding stuff to the IV to increase his sugar level.  They gave him a super shot of antibotics too.

He was responsive when I walked up to the cage they have him in.  He didn't stand but he did sit up, whinning.  I opened his cage and held him for a few minutes.  He even licked my face a few tiimes.  He looks absolutely pitiful.  I am trying to accept life on life's terms, and trust a vet and my HP to do what is best for him.  Dr. says he has never seen a small dog like this survive under these conditions, that as bad as Max is, he is surprised the dog was even alive when I brought him in this morning.  He says the next 24 hours will be the deciding factor.  If he can hold on that long, the vet believes he'll be able to pull him through this.... but if he is going to pass, it will be within that same 24 hour period.

I went through this with a little Maltess I had years ago, he had Pravo.  The vet (different one) didn't give him a chance.  He just said "the dogs kidney and liver are shutting down and he won't survive, we need to put him down today"  I left there with my dog in a box... no where ready to do that, crying as I took him home to bury him in the back yard.   I swore back then I'd never get another dog, I get too attached to them... and that solenm oath lasted about a year.  The next thing i know , the "Southern Comfort" Maltess rescue  organization is bringing Max to me, asking me if I'd be willing to take him.  They had too many dogs from the puppy mill to house and if someone didn't take them they would be put down.  Max hide behind my couch for almost 3 months... scared to death of people, every once in a while he would poke his head out and look around, but as soon as I moved towards him, he darted back behind the couch.  He had not had any real human contact since birth in the puppy mill.  Eventually he would come over to me... very slow and cautiously, and then he let me pick him up and hold and pat him.  He would not be patted without being held.  Then one day, he came out and jumped in my lap on his own, and let me just rub his little head, whisper in his ear... and he became one of the greatest little dogs a person could have.  Yes, he was spoiled, but he did he share of spoiling me too.  His expression of love and excitement around me was never lacking.  He has been very obedient, and a great source of comfort and cuddling to me as I went through some of lifes hardships over the past few years.  

Why I am telling you folks all this is beyond me.. but I think I just want someone to know about Max.  He has come from a rough place in life, kinda like me... and pulled through every time.  I pray and hope he can do it one more time.  I am not ready to bury him, but I might not have a choice.  It hurts.

John