He has a cut on him that he got sometime last year, never fully healed. I've taken care of it of course, but although a little cut, just doesn't want to heal. In the past year, I thought he had a stroke, or seizure, but he recovered and came back home. We never knew for sure. I noticed then that he looked a little droopy on one side, which is why I immediately thought stroke.

The fat face of his grew a little fatter. I chalked it up to old age on a fat Pug. But in the past few days it seems to have swelled or gotten more puffier. I brought him into the vet this morning. They can't give him any steroids to help, as he's already on a medication for arthritis, and the injection could kill him. She gave him an injection of an antibiotic to see if that would help. She said after that, that if it didn't work within 72 hours, that it's best to let him go.

He is "brachycephalic", which is his smushed in face. This is strike #1, as those dogs always have trouble breathing. He has been diagnosed with "collapsing trachea" years back, hence the medications he is on, strike #2. She said the swelling is an edema, filling with liquid, making it harder for him to breathe. Strike #3

She said he may not show pain. That he would also come to me forever as he's dedicated, but will still have trouble breathing and it hurts, even though he may not express it. The cut not healing really concerns her. She said there's a possibility of seeing a specialist, but Jerome has suffered enough. It looked like he was going to have a heart attack today, from trouble breathing and the fear. He's had surgeries and so many other things, I can't do it to him again at his age. He's been with me here since 1999 and has been very loyal.

He's my best friend in the world. I honestly would give up a limb if I thought it would help and keep him with me forever. I want to run from this. I don't think there's any way in this world I can pick this dog up and carry him into the vet knowing he won't be coming out. I don't know what to do or think. My hands are shaking like leaves. I've prepared myself for this for a LONG time now, and it did no good at all. This is the worst thing ever and will be my worst week ever.

I just took this picture last week, noticing his face puffy, but thinking he's just an old man and saggy.