Pet Lover Question

[Huly]

This question comes up a lot with in the animal community and I wanted everyone's thoughts on this.

When do you know it is the right time to let a dear friend (or in my case a child) go?

Do you wait till you see a decrease in life? Is it fair to put them through lots of treatment etc to get a month or more time with your pet? With our pets having the choice to be euthanized is it fair for them to suffer?

I am having to start thinking about this with my 13 year old Shepherd Rotti. I love her to death and I do not want to loose her but I do not want her to suffer either (her legs are very weak and with in the last month her age has caught up to her). I asked my Vet this same question yesterday and he said he honestly did not know. He would do whatever it would take to help make his pet comfortable but would not let them suffer.

[Destino]

Damn I know I hate this situation Huly and I can imagine what a painful thing it is for you. I think that when it becomes obvious that the animal is suffering and has a major decrease in life you have to consider letting them go. I wouldn't rush into it though - until they can't really be happy anymore I wouldn't even consider it. I've had a cat that lost most of the use of her hind legs that lived very happily for another 2 years.

[Barney B]

This is a tough one. For me, I think, if the animal is almost certainly not going to get better, and is in chronic pain, then it's time. But it's about the hardest decision you can make.

[Huly]

Thanks, my vet's exact words were "she is strong in spirt but weak in body". We are waiting to see what her blood work comes back with today.

I just see this question come up all the time and is there a right answer?

[MisterPinstripe]

Thanks, my vet's exact words were "she is strong in spirt but weak in body". We are waiting to see what her blood work comes back with today.

I just see this question come up all the time and is there a right answer?

Dont think there is. There really isnt a good way of knowing if the animal is still happy even with the pain. You might interpret something wrong either way. My cat who I was very close to got shot by some ignorant irresponsible idiot neighbors. We eventually had to put him down after about a couple weeks of trying to fix him. That was pretty hard.

[E-Dog Night]

My friends Golden started to have problems with her hip a while back, and when it got to the point that she couldn't right herself anymore, he knew it was time. He came home one day and the poor girl couldn't get to her feet. It was one of the saddest things I've ever seen. You could see it in her eyes that she was miserable.

You'll know when the time is right.

[EersSkins05]

Thanks, my vet's exact words were "she is strong in spirt but weak in body". We are waiting to see what her blood work comes back with today.

I just see this question come up all the time and is there a right answer?

There's no real right answer. My family also had an older Shepard (I think he was 12) that could barely walk, started eating less and less, and had various other health issues. Fortunately, we were spared from ever having to actually make that decision, as he passed peacefully in his sleep one night.

But the advice that we got was that as long as the dog seemed happy, wasn't in unbearable pain, and still had control of his bodily functions, you should put it off.

The key indicator from everyone I talked to was control of bodily functions, so if yours still has that, she should be ok for a while longer.

[CandaceM23]

Awww.... I'm sorry Huly.

I don't really know if there's a right answer to this question. My family and I had to put my cat down a while ago (and I had Packy throughout my entire childhood). When we knew that my cat was uncomfortable (not eating, throwing up what little he did eat, losing weight dramatically, didn't have any motivation to get up) we decided that it was time for us to stop being selfish.

We loved our cat so much, but we did not want to let him go. We kept him around knowing that he was uncomfortable .... One day my mom and I realized that we needed to stop being selfish and realize that my cat was not going to get better - only worse.

It's not an easy decision to make, nor is it an easy thing to go through. Just know that your little one has had a long happy life.

[Huly]

With my Sharpei, I waited too long. He was another hard one. His body was perfect but his mind was gone. I waited and dealt with his antics till he tried to bite me and Chelsea (the Shep/Rotti he grew up with mentioned above). He did not know who we were anymore and that was selfish of me to do that to him. I do not want to do that to her.

[SkinsOrlando]

Huly, I've had to go through this scenario recently, my 13 year old Min Pin passed away last monday, his body was in bad shape but the lil guy was still so happy and finally he just gave out in my arms. My 13 year old spitz passed away two years ago in roughly the same position. I've taken the stance that if there happy let them go on their own. And 2nd EerSkins thoughts in regards to pain and bodily function.

[SonnyRules]

Huly,

Went through a similar circumstance two years ago with one of our little guys. He had lost the use of his back legs and was dragging himself around. We decided to put up the $7.5K to have him fixed and it was the best decision we could have made. Even though he can't go up and down stairs like he used to; he runs around at the age of 13 like he is a 2 year old pup.

With that being said, there is a time when the quality of your pets life comes into question. There are no black or white lines drawn to know when the right time has finally arrived.

However, I can tell you from experience, once you start questioning yourself - it is our way of preparing ourselves for the inevitable. This does not mean it is time; you are just preparing for the loss. When the time does come; you will know it and you will be at peace with your decision because of the preparation.

Our prayers are with you and your little one.

[EersSkins05]

Huly,

Went through a similar circumstance two years ago with one of our little guys. He had lost the use of his back legs and was dragging himself around. We decided to put up the $7.5K to have him fixed and it was the best decision we could have made. Even though he can't go up and down stairs like he used to; he runs around at the age of 13 like he is a 2 year old pup.

Holy crap. You dropped almost 8 grand on an operation for an 11 year old dog? You, sir, are a pet lover. :thumbsup:

[DCsportsfan53]

Such a tough decision. I don't know if I would consider myself fortunate for this, but I've never had to face that decision. My beagle died at age 5 (I was 13) of an allergic reaction to a bug bite. That was rough. He died in my arms on the way to emergency animal hospital. A year later, our other beagle got loose and we never saw him again. I certainly would've preferred to be in your situation with those dogs as I lost them both way too early.

I will be going through this process very soon, though, as I have a 10 yr old golden retriever who, though still very much healthy, is obviously getting older and a little senile.

Unfortunately, I don't think there is a right answer to this question. It's really a judgement call based on your observation of the dog. Can he still move on his own? Is he in chronic pain? Does he still have some semblenance of quality to his life? Personally, I would probably be one who has a tendency to hold on a little too long. Afterall, suffering IS a part of life and I would feel absolutely terrible if there was some doubt in my mind afterwards as to wether I acted too early. So I think it's probably better to hold on a little too long than to jump the gun and possibly take away what little quality life the animal has left. :2cents:

[Huly]

Even though it hurts she tries to beat both Bassets out the door to go outside. I laugh everytime. She tortures pez and her basset brother and sister on a daily basis for the fun of it. She held a grudge against the vet and would not accept any easy cheese from him as he dared to take her blood. She is so full of herself and rotten to the core.

Yesterday trying to get her in my truck broke my heart though. I had to lift all 120lbs of her. She got onto my floor board but her back legs could not get her up to get her in the seat. The look she gave me about killed me. She was also turning her back feet under and not correcting them. She has a lot of other issues besides just her legs (hence the bloodwork).

I know we have all had to deal with this in some way shape or form and it is never easy. I am just so confused, scared and nervous. It is always one of the hardest decisions I have had to make.

[skinsfan44]

I am so sorry to hear about your shepherd, Huly.

I am going thought the same thing with my 16 year old cat named Chessie.

She is healthy in the body, but she is going senile and is losing her hearing.

As long as she is not suffering and she dosn't completly loss her mind and start biting us or something, we will try to make her life as comfortable as possable.

Their is no "right or wrong" anwser to this question, Huly.

When the time comes, you will know.

[4thStBully]

just follow your heart and feel good knowing that you provided a good life for your dog.

[SkinsNut73]

Two years ago I had to put my ****er spaniel down. My wife and I got him a week before our wedding and he lived for 13 years. For the last two years his life continued on a downhill trend. It was one problem after another. My vet recommended putting him down at one point when he was 11 yrs old. He thought he had cancer - we spent $500 to have him tested...turns out it was an intestinal problem. Then there were problems with his hip, his eyes, he then went deaf. All this time I just could not bring myself to put him down.

In the final 2 weeks of his life he could barely walk. I would carry him upstairs when we went to bed at night. Carry him to go outside and do his business. That's when I figured out I was keeping him alive for ME, but his quality of life sucked. I had him put down. God, that was the most awful morning ever - I stayed with him and held him while they put him to sleep. I still get teary-eyed over that dog...even now as I write this

[steveo21]

I know a lot of people say when a dog can no longer do what a dog can do. I lost my Springer last summer. She was 16 years old and two weeks away from 17. Overnight she went blind couldn't walk or control her body functions. I had a feeling she was in more pain then she could handel. It was very hard to do but I had to have her put down. That dog was a huge part of my life. Still hurts today. I wish you the best Huly and Pez.

Just do whats best for the dog.

[Skinsfan1311]

One of the worst days of our lives, was when we had to have our dog, Whiskey, put down a few years ago. It was losing a member of the family. It came down to her "quality of life" She became stricken with cancer and we could not bear to see her suffer.

It took us almost 2 years to get another dog and I hope we don't have to go through it again. I know this post isn't a real happy one, but at least you know you're not alone with those feelings......

[riggins44]

Huly, I went through this recently with my parent's dog and about 18 years

ago with my Sheltie.

My Sheltie was different, in that it was 4 years old with Kidney disease. I was already to take him to NC State (doing research on Kidney disease in

dogs), but decided it was best to have him put down. They couldn't give

me a prognosis. I didn't want him to be a guinea pig.

Couple months ago my parents had their dog put down. I volunteered to

take him so my mom wouldn't have to. Their dog was 14 and there was

no chance of improving her quality of life.

IMO, you need to sit down and decide what is best for everyone, especially

the pet. I wouldn't want to watch my dog suffer. To me it's not fair to

them.

Note: it took me about 16 years before I got another pet.

[Huly]

Thanks! I appreciate all of your thoughts on this. It is a very hard decision to make. I am still waiting to hear her blood work results. I promised Chelsea I would not put her through any surgery. She would die from the confinement and I could not do that to her. I got her at 6 weeks old and she is one of my high school graduation presents. She is my girl and is my only dog that listens.

Pez is more concerned about me as he will have a basket case for a wife. In that commerical with the puppy who sings "Their ain't no bugs on me, their might be bugs on the rest of you mugs but there ain't no bugs on me" they have a puppy black Sharpei every time I see that commercial I cry as it reminds me of Rip. I do not think we ever heal from a wound like this. i still think about my pets that have gone to the bridge almost daily.

For those of you that do not understand the term Bridge it is from the poem below that is used in the animal community for lost pets.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,

That pet goes to the Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadow and hills for all of our special friends,

So they can play and run together.

There is plenty of food, water and sunshine,

And our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who have been ill and old

Are restored to health and vigor

Those who were hurt or maimed

Are made whole and strong again.

Just as we remember those in our dreams

Of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content.

Except for one small thing;

They each miss someone very special to them,

Who has been left behind.

They all run and play together,

But the day comes when one suddenly

Stops and looks into the distance.

Her eager body begins to quiver.

Suddenly she begins to run from the group,

Flying over the green grass

Her legs carrying her faster and faster.

You have been spotted.

When you and your special friend finally meet,

You cling together in joyous reunion,

Never to be parted again.

The happy kisses rain upon your face;

Your hands again caress the beloved head,

And you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet,

So long gone from your life,

But never absent from your heart.

[Blondie]

They give you love unconditionally. We in turn have to make the tough choices for them.

If you are having to ask yourself this question, then you already are thinking this might be the time.

I had to put my poodle down after 16 wonderful years. He was truly the smartest dog I have ever known. It is tough......but I knew his quality of life would never get better and I just could not do that to him, as he had given so much to me.

As I write this, I have a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.

Love you girl.

Blondie

[The 12th Commandment]

Thanks! I appreciate all of your thoughts on this. It is a very hard decision to make. I am still waiting to hear her blood work results. I promised Chelsea I would not put her through any surgery. She would die from the confinement and I could not do that to her. I got her at 6 weeks old and she is one of my high school graduation presents. She is my girl and is my only dog that listens.

Pez is more concerned about me as he will have a basket case for a wife. In that commerical with the puppy who sings "Their ain't no bugs on me, their might be bugs on the rest of you mugs but there ain't no bugs on me" they have a puppy black Sharpei every time I see that commercial I cry as it reminds me of Rip. I do not think we ever heal from a wound like this. i still think about my pets that have gone to the bridge almost daily.

For those of you that do not understand the term Bridge it is from the poem below that is used in the animal community for lost pets.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,

That pet goes to the Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadow and hills for all of our special friends,

So they can play and run together.

There is plenty of food, water and sunshine,

And our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who have been ill and old

Are restored to health and vigor

Those who were hurt or maimed

Are made whole and strong again.

Just as we remember those in our dreams

Of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content.

Except for one small thing;

They each miss someone very special to them,

Who has been left behind.

They all run and play together,

But the day comes when one suddenly

Stops and looks into the distance.

Her eager body begins to quiver.

Suddenly she begins to run from the group,

Flying over the green grass

Her legs carrying her faster and faster.

You have been spotted.

When you and your special friend finally meet,

You cling together in joyous reunion,

Never to be parted again.

The happy kisses rain upon your face;

Your hands again caress the beloved head,

And you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet,

So long gone from your life,

But never absent from your heart.

My sisters dog died last week and she used that poem to explain it to my 5 year old nepew. He understood it. I am sooo sorry. When I am faced with that with Tanner it's going to be very hard. Dogs are the best people in the world.

[riggins44]

Huly, I fully understand Pez's concern. Being a basket case after putting

down a beloved pet isn't gender specific. When I made the decision to

have Brandon put down, I was a serious basket case. Took the day off

to grieve (ball my eyes out).

I was more upset over losing him than my first wife.

Wish I could say something that would make it easier, but we both know

that can't be done. Just tell Pez to give you a big hug for me.

[HOF44]

One of the worst days of our lives, was when we had to have our dog, Whiskey, put down a few years ago. It was losing a member of the family. It came down to her "quality of life" She became stricken with cancer and we could not bear to see her suffer.

I know exactly what you mean. Our dog of 12 years had cancer and we had to put him down about a year ago. Luckily for us it was clear what we had to do. The cancer was effecting his breathing and the vet advised us to do it. Still one of the toughest losses I've had. Our other dog was depressed longer than we were. Had to get a new puppy to keep our other dog company. Now she's doing alot better too.

Huly, I feel for you. Wish there was something insightful I could say, I just hope for the best from the bloodwork.