17 year old yorkies failing health

Question
QUESTION: My 17 yr old yorkie is not eating, lethargic and vomitting a foamy yellow substance.  This happened a year ago and we thought we were losing her.  My husband surprised me with a yorkie pup to help soften the blow of losing my beloved pet.  But after getting the puppy my older dog came back to life.  She has spent the last year running, jumping and playing like she did in her younger years.  My vet and groomer are surpised that she has lived as long as she has.  She has a non cancerous mammory tumor that has gotten quite large, and the vet had concerns about removing it due to her age and size. I am once again having to  consider putting her down, and though it breaks my heart I don't want her to suffer.  Any suggestions?

ANSWER: Is it possible that the vomiting etc are just symptoms of a tummy bug? If so,  starve her for 24 hours,  give plenty of water and then try her on some cooked pasta or rice. The yellow substance is bile, which is coming up because there isn't any food to throw up.

So is the mammary tumor hurting her?  If not then I would try and get her over the tummy bug and let her get on with it.  If she is in pain because of the tumor then yes, putting her to sleep is probably the kindest thing you can do for your old friend.

I wish you and the dog all the best.
Let me know what you decide.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I took my precious girl to the vet this morning and we put her down.  She began to flinch when I would touch her and she got worse through the night.  She had not smiled at me in about 4 days and stopped raising her head when I called her name...she would only open her eyes and look around.  It was hard to do, but the best decision as I would never want her to suffer.  Thanks again for your help.

Answer
I'm so sorry. If she was in pain you did the very best thing for her, and only what she would want from someone who loved her as much as you clearly did. Take solace in the fact that you will see her again one day,  in whatever afterlife there is in this world,  she will be waiting for you. These bonds cant be broken by death. I wish you all the happiness in the world. Thanks for the update.

Here is a poem,  I'm having trouble finding who wrote it,  but it always helps me when I lose a pet.

Lend Me A Dog

I will lend a dog to you - for awhile, God said.
For you to love him while he lives, and mourn him when he's dead.
Maybe for ten or fifteen years -
Or maybe two or three.
But will you, 'til I call him back, take care of him for me?

He'll bring his charms to gladden you; and should his stay be brief,
You'll always have his memories, as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth, return.
But there are lessons taught below, I want this dog to learn.

I've looked the whole world over, in search of teachers true.
And from the folk that crowd life's land, I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labour vain,
Nor hate me when I come to you, to take my dog again?

Then it was that I said: 'Dear Lord, thy will be done.'
For all the joys this dog will bring, the risk of grief I'll run.
I'll shelter him with tenderness, I'll love him while I may.
And for the happiness I've known, forever grateful stay.

But should you think to call him back, much sooner than we'd planned,
I'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.
When this faithful soul departs this busy world of strife,
We'll have yet another dog, and love him all his life