I consulted with our terrific vet, Dr. Vinitsky, today about Charleston’s current state. She pretty much confirmed what I had been thinking… we’re getting very close to the end.

It’s been more and more difficult to get him to eat lately. Typically, we won’t eat (or eats very little) all day. Then, in the evening Vinny is often successful at getting him to eat a good meal. His tumor is so large now that he has sort of an Elephant Man look to him. It is up to his eye, so that eye is usually goopy. And the drool is near constant. Since we can’t get him to take any of his medicine, the tumor is infected. The evidence of that is the putrid smell that comes out of his mouth.

None of this is good. I was hoping that Dr. Vinitsky might say that it’s not as bad as it looks, but of course she didn’t. She made a very good point that we didn’t want to wait until I had to carry him in.

It’s a tough decision, because he still enjoys snuggling, still comes over and puts his head in my lap, still always has to know where I am. I’ll keep you posted, but my guess is that we’ll have to put him to sleep within a week or so.

Needless to say, this is not a fun time at all. I appreciate all of the words of sympathy and encouragement I’ve received. I’m posting a photo of Charlie from shortly after I got him in May, 2003.