Well, he sure looks like he was a happy boy on the boat! But, I'm sorry the rest of your update is not so good. I can imagine how stressed you are about your vacation. I remember I had to go on a biz trip once when our beagle was very ill, and it was my worst fear that she would pass while i was gone. I hope your chiro and vet have good answers for you.

As for knowing... Abby just got a VERY tired look in her eyes. She gave me this look that said "I can't do this anymore." And I knew. I don't know if everybody gets that look, but we sure did. She was still wagging her tail and eating treats and handing out kisses when we went to her final appointment, so I doubted our decision - but it was time. The vet agreed it was time. He said "wouldn't we all want to go while we are still happy? Nobody wants to go while they are scared and in pain."

I hope you get some good answers. Will be thinking of you and Levi and your pack. I know how very hard this time is!!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom

Levi sure loves the boat, doesn't he? What a beautiful dog, both of them! I know the feeling having trips to go on and things are going sideways with how your puppy is feeling. It is awful leaving but maybe him staying at the vet will let them see him in a different light and maybe that will give you a different perspective on things or clearer one at least. We will be thinking about you and Levi!

All our Best

Suzie and Rizzo

All good advice above. Just like human illnesses, dogs will have good days and bad days. The thing is to keep track of whether the bad days are outnumbering the good. It can be so hard when your dog rallies for a good day and you question whether this is the 1 good day in a string of 7 bad or the start of a change to more good days. When we were in this same place with our dog Jack, I thought a lot about a dog book I had read once where the person described the line of good and bad. The author listed all the things that were on the good side of the line and and the things that would signal a slip to the bad side of the line. I had thought to myself when I read this many years before I needed it, that I would keep it in my mind as a tool on how to tell if it was time. It was hard when Jack would wag his tail and smile, but I came to think that was just what a person in a lot of pain would do if you visited them in the hospital. They would smile and try to rally for your visit or really exert themselves for one last outing to their favorite place. I think the eyes are the key. They really are the window to the soul and they can't hide the tired or the pain despite trying to rally for the people you love. 

When I was wrestling with the "is it time" question, I finally decided I would set an appointment with the Vet a few days out. If I panicked or questioned the decision or Jack had rallied for several good days, I would cancel it and know it wasn't time. Instead I felt some small measure of peace after making the call (obviously there were a lot of other emotions in there too, but peace was a new one after so many weeks of struggle and so it was a little easier to identify). We could focus just on the last few days with Jack instead of the elephant in the room.

Your vacation might actually be a blessing in disguise. I found it so hard to be at home in the days after Jack passed. It was too quiet and his things and memories were everywhere. My husband and I used every excuse not to be home in the first few weeks. You might find it easier to not be home when it is time. At least for a few days, it won't feel weird your dog isn't with you, because this isn't a time or place Levi would be with you anyway. 

There are no wrong choices when you are doing the best you can for someone you love. Hugs and peace to you and Levi.