I have a near 4 year old Sib named Sabre (SABER). The first 3 years have been active, and sometimes a little crazy. It's hard to explain this to folks that have never owned a husky. Early this year Sabre has been diagnosed with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. I wish this upon nobody. It has been very emotional and extremely stressful year. Sabre has gone through antibiotic treatment, but the damage has been done to his body. Hard to believe a small creature such as a tick, can cause such havoc with the body functions. Sabre has limited mobility/feeling in his entire lower half. He drags his rear legs often which wears down his two center nails. This has also affected his bowel movements. He often is depressed and lethargic. This is not reversible. I feel so bad for my pup. He has only been a shadow of the dog that he once was... I want what's best for him. I have considered putting him down, but then he has some good days. His mind is sharp and just as stubborn as always.
I was wondering if there has been any others out there dealing with similar situations. I fear I am prolonging the inevitable.

First off, I can't express enough sympathy for you and Sabre's plight. That is such a sad situation and my heart goes out to you.

4 is awfully young for a husky. If his mind is sharp, and he's not in constant pain, I'd hate to put down a dog if there was another option.

Have you considered getting a cart for him? Sibes are very active dogs, losing the ability to run and play would definitely be a difficult thing to deal with. Think of it like a wheel chair for us. If you lost the ability to use your legs, and had to just drag yourself around, life would suck. But with a wheelchair you can still be self sufficient and lead an active life.

If you google dog wheelchair, you can find examples for $150 on up. Restoring the ability to have an active life, run, play and explore may restore him to his old self. With some skills, tools, and a few parts from a hardware store, you could probably put one together for less. Found some DIY stuff that you could try first before you invest in something considerably more expensive.

My male has severe hip dysplasia and being in a similar mobility issue is often on our minds with him. He isn't in bad shape yet but every vet trip we are reminded it's coming. Massage has helped a lot with keeping what muscles he has from tensing. It also helps blood flow. This could help with sabre and his bowels. Swimming will also help. Getting a stock tank for him to swim under control will help with his nails and be lower impact on joints that are receiving pressure they aren't used to from his adjusted gate. The wheelchair mentioned above is a good alternative for his normal day activities but you will want to diversify his exercise so all his muscles are still getting used.

Sabre's condition was quickly declining. From the lack of nerve function in his lower half, he has been almost entirely unable to control his bowels. He has lost even more weight, and his hind legs were showing less stability. Even after treatments, Sabre was still getting worse. Maybe one day a week was an active one, a day where he felt good enough to do a quick play session and a quarter mile walk. It was so hard to watch him struggle to do the most simplest of task. I decided it was time to end his pain. I could not let things get worse. He has been strong long enough. It's hands down the toughest decision that I have ever had to make. I planned a great day of all the things he loved to do. We were blessed that it was one of his better days. It has only been a little over 24hrs since that day. Words cannot tell you how much I miss him already. He truly was this man best friend. "Sabre's a good boy!" There will never be another like him.

Aw man, this makes me cry. There really are no words...I am just so sorry for your loss.

Rick, having been around as much as I have been, I've had to say "Goodbye, godspeed" to more than a couple of my friends. I don't think that there's ever a time when we really realize how close we've come till that day when we have to say goodbye.

I have a friend on another forum who just had to say farewell to a cat they've had for 18 years ... and he has such a gaping hole in his heart that he doesn't know what to do. And there's nothing I or anyone can say that'll make it better.

He knows he did the "right thing" but it feels so wrong ... so he doesn't know what to feel ... and I can relate. You have my very sincere sympathy, friend.

I am sorry for your loss. It's never easy but his struggles are over now.

This is horrible I am so sorry for your loss. I am terrified of ticks because of what they can do to the dogs.

my deepest condolences, that diction was one i had to make not long ago and its never easy, its even hard to watch them be in any type of discomfort.

the emptiness that is left after they are gone is a hard one, its hard to look at where they used to be and not see them there. in time will heal that emptiness and one day there will be a light that will start anew.

My heart goes out to you Rick.
That is always a tough decision, but it sounds like you made the right one. I'm glad you two were able to share some fun final memories.