Dog...Is it time to say goodbye?

[Keeper]

I have a 14 year old German Shorthair. Bandit went to live with my parents six years ago after my divorce and for cat people they sure do love that dog.

Bandit's hips and back legs have become very arthritic. He gets a couple of aspirin and glucosomine daily. He used to walk two miles every morning with my Dad but due to his leg starting to drag, my Dad has shortened Bandit's exercise.

He has a heck of a time getting up and down the stairs, his leg will go out from under him while walking and watching him sit, lay down and then stand up you can tell it takes effort. Now, Bandit is starting to have little accidents when standing up from sleeping. Nothing big, just little pills...we think it is caused by the strain of getting up.

My parents have already told me that I must take him for the final walk. My Mom isn't ready to let him go but I hate to see him struggle.

How do you know when it is time to say goodbye?

[Jennie@ifish]

I don't know. I keep thinking the same about Bill's dog, Dee Dee. It's sure a hard decision, and hard to watch her half fall down the stairs. :depressed:

I'm so sorry that you are in this position. What a tough call.

Jen

[aye fsh]

Ugh, something I've had to do far too many times, and seems to get harder as I get older. If you are asking the question then the time is probably not too far off. Just take a look at the animals' quality of life. If it is suffering more than not, well...
I can tell you that doing the humane act will be much, much more painful on you than your friend, and once done you will feel better that your pal is no longer suffering.
Best wishes
TM

[Lucky one]

We had an old golden retriever who was very dear to our family. It actually hurt to watch her limp around and groan everytime she got up. We loved that dog very much and it was the hardest thing in the world to put her down. But she was miserable, she could hardly walk, her appetite was down, and she was suffering too much. I think we did the correct thing, maybe even waited a little too long.

[danger]

I think most people have the tendancy to error on the side of waiting, and honestly I can't blame them. It sure is a tough decision and one nobody likes making.

Listen to the dog, they usually tell you when it's time.

[FastActionRodTip]

I waitd too long and was in denial when my 14 year old bull terrier was deteriorating...finally my sister in law said something as she basically watched him crawl to the food bowl....I was just to close to it I guess to be rational and objective....once it hit me I bawled like a baby...tough thing for sure

[Tacklebuster]

Ouch...
Anyone that knows me will tell you I almost always have my dog with me on the river. Not just on the river but almost everywhere else as well. We usually plan vacations around her and only stay places that allow dogs. I don't have any family close other than my immediate (wife and daughter). My Maggie is like another child to me and it has been the four of us for 8 plus years. I can't even imagine being faced with that decision.

My advice to you is not let your emotions rule your decision. This is coming from a guy that is fueled off emotions so it seems weird for me to type this. If Bandit is suffering and his quality of life is fading fast and you are asking yourself this question, I think you know the answer.

I'm very sorry.

[ajfishfinder]

Been 3 years since I had to go through this and just reading your post makes me well up. See if your vet will make a house call then go buy you and you old boy a nice big steak. Pour him a cold beer if he has enjoyed them in the past. Then the 2 of you can have one last "good time" together before he waits for you at the Rainbow Bridge.
Hey there should be a smiley guy with a big tear running down.

[matttheduck]

sad. done this to too many good dogs.

unless the dog is in pain or really struggling, there's no reason to rush things. it's tough and you and the dog will be in my prayers this week.

[duckcall]

I had two shorthairs, a father and son, that I took a younger picture, their collars and framed them in a shadow box with the collars circling the pictures. Their is no good time to put a dog down, but I buried them in my heart and have the pictures and framing to remember the good old days.

[CATCH AND EAT]

Have made this once and it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Loved that dog but she was in real bad shape. May have waited to long as I reflect. The signs are there from the sounds of it and you will save your buddy a lot of pain by doing the right thing.

I like duckcall's idea. The good ol' days aye Ron?

[Troutinator]

Some of the hardest decisions you'll ever make are regarding end of life care for your loved ones... including our four legged family.

I always ask myself... if this were me, has the capacity to enjoy life been degraded to where *I* wouldn't want to keep going. I know, pets are not human but asking myself this question has helped me take some of the emotion out of the decision. And no, thee is no good time to say goodbye... but we owe our friends our love and dedication to their quality of life...

Good luck and peace to you and yours...

[hawgcatcher]

Fourteen years is a long life for a larger breed dog. Small breeds seem to last longer.

Don't wait until the dog is in pain. If it is comfortable and able to get around, then wait. I have seen people wait until the dogs can't walk, defecating on themselves and crying in pain and the owner still could not do the painful task of giving their pet some last dignity.

I had Chinese Pugs for years (10 pugs) and when they got bad, I shed a bunch of tears and had them humanely put to sleep. I have held them while it was happening and they do just basically go to sleep.

I remember one girl that was 17 years old. We knew it was near time, but were waiting. I woke one morning and she was lying beside the bed. She looked up at me and let a little whimper. Her hind legs would not work. I got up and dressed and my wife and I gave her some special loving then I took her to the vet. Tears, you bet, yet it was time. We had her cremated and her ashes went into the Metolius River, near Camp Sherman. She always will be in our memory. All our dogs are there.

[BlackLabLover]

Boy it is tough to type this. I had to put my parents little dog down after 24 years. It lost control and was not eating. I had her the last five years after my dad passed away.
My dog is 9.5year old black lab and is in great shape. It is just he and I and I am not looking forward to the day I have to put him down. As long as he is not sufferning and is eating ok he will be with me. He puts me to bed at night and then goes to his favrite spot but every morning he is back on the corner of my bed. He is also a bed hog at times.
Good luck and I know he will always be with you.

Damn this is a hard post.

[Joe Schwab]

Dang it! Why do they have to go? We have a 12 year old ShiTzu who is getting very arthritic. We both know the time is coming but do not want to talk about it. This little dog followed us to Alaska and back for 6 years, had some great adventures with moose, eagles, bears and tree rats. She got lost in the bush once and we were fortunate enough to find her before the predators did.

We had one other dog that lived to 18 years and then just disappeared. We searched for weeks but never found a trace. Our vet said they will do that.

I just hope Daisey stays with us a little longer.

[Tempered Steel]

I have two shorthairs that are like my kids, neither are even ten yet, but I already dread the day I have to make the same decision. You have gotten some good advice here, don't be in a hurry if the dog is not in pain, but don't let the dog suffer either. You're the best judge either way.

[Tilla]

I put two down in the last year. Seems that I waited longer than I should. Dignity, is it still there?
They are worth it, every minute, every penny.

[Fast Water]

It is a tough thing for sure.

The dog I "grew up with" was getting blind and very arthritic. On a trip back to my parents house, I watched her pick up her blanket and hobble straight into a wall. It really choked me up to see that. My parents put her to rest after I left to go back home.



Resting in peace is sometimes better than living in pain or discomfort.

[OceanBlue]

A Dog's Prayer



by Beth Norman Harris

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of mine.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though you had no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshipper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest -- and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

[Pilar]

In September 2003 an old friend of mine came to the same fork in the road. There was really only one thing to do. She could hardly get up any more to go outside. She would see something to bark at in the yard to chase and the puppy in her would make her start after it but the old dog would stop her with intolerable pain. She would move from wherever she lay to sit at my feet when I came home.

After her first puppy days she never made a mess in the house until she was too old to get up and stand by the door. I could tell how it embarrassed her and cleaned up the mess remembering her lifetime of loyalty and the joy she gave me.

I loved my dog and it was really hard to take her to the vet the last time. Everyone in my life that mattered to me told me it was time. I was the last to believe it.

That poem posted by the last person still makes me cry when I read it. Just remember that dogs have a very high pain tolerance and if your dog is showing that he hurts, it's really bad.

You can do this and you should. Don't ask me how I know this.

[ICHTHYDEMON]

Dignity, is it still there?

That'll be my gauge. When our Lab starts having accidents and such I'll know its time. Shes had accidents in the house in the past and you can she didn't like having one. Its almost like she was embarressed.

[GSD]

OceanBlue and Pilar have both put in print my feelings about the subject of "knowing when" better than I could.
Pilar's story is much like mine. The puppy in the old dog is a hard one to deal with, without still shedding a tear.
<----My avatar is my dear friend Buddy, who left me 2 years ago this month and is waiting now, for me, at the bridge.

William

[garyk]

Keeper,

I totally understand where you're at.

My guideline is whether the dog is still happy and enjoying life? Does the tail still work?

Perhaps you've already tried it, but for some dogs Rimadyl (carprofen by Pfizer; non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory) is like a miracle drug and allows them to live out their last couple years in much more comfort. It's easier on the stomach than aspirin (even tri-buffered) and seems to have no common side effects. It's compounded with something tasty so there's no fight in getting them to take it - just add the tablet to their food.

[Keeper]

Thanks for all of the input. My parents are not ready to say goodbye to their "furry grandson".

My Mom is positive that Bandit still enjoys life. I know he loves his "old" people, their routines and the snackies they provide. When they know I am stopping by, they let him out to stand at the gate and he still gets excited when my rig pulls up. He still prances when wearing his rain slicker that matches my Dad's On nice days, he loves to be outdoors soaking up the sun; the maple tree providing hours of entertainment thanks to the resident squirrel.

Maybe the weather improving will help ease the arthritis

[River Animal]

My family and I also recently went through this situation... over the period of quite a long time because it is such a difficult situation. I think I was able to come to peace with my pups passing because we took our time.

My sympathy is truly with you. My experience is that when older people face these decisions, it often asks them to face there own getting older issues. It can really make it tough for them to make a final decision. So be patient with them even when your heart is telling you your dog is suffering.

This is the advice I give on making the decision. Sit down and imagine the best possible scenario. How would you like to feel once your dog has passed on? How would you like to feel about the way it occured? Then think about how you get to that end result. In the mean time provide pain relief--- drug side effects are no longer a primary concern so keeping your pup comfortable is a good first priority.

Good luck with everything and our thoughts are with you,
Ali

[Spoiled Daddy]

Keeper,

You are in a very tough spot that no one wants to be put in. I have to second the suggestion of going to your vet and getting a prescription of "Rimadyl" for your dog. We had a GSP for 11 years. Never hunted a day in his life. He was the best house and kid dog we ever had. I cried like a baby the day I took him in and had him put down (cancer). Before the cancer struck, he started getting stiff in the hips. The daily dose of Rimadyl helped him significantly. It is relatively low cost and my GSP took it without difficulty.

I wish you strength and courage in your decision.

the Spoiled Daddy

[Wolf EEL]

Everybody should know about dog hospice. My sister says that when it is time, she will have her vet come to our house and put the dog to sleep in familar surroundings. Not many animals like going to vet. Thats what my sister does for people and for my late father, he got to go in his own bed surrounded by all his family and the family pets. A good vet will do this plus take care of the body if u so choose. Also pet insurance is a good ideal. Vet bills can get expensive. Most people their pets are like a kid.

[1pump]

That sounds like a good idea. I wish I could've done that for my old Lab. She deserved better than to be put down at the vet. At least she wasn't sick for a long time. Just a couple days before we knew we had to do what every dog owner dreads the most. :depressed:

[spooner]

a story i founed when my dog past.........

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old
Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owner, his wife, and their little
boy were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle. I
examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family
there were no miracles left for Belker, and offered to perform the
euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, the owners told me they thought it would be
good for the four-year-old boy to observe the procedure. They felt he
could learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family
surrounded him. The little boy seemed so calm, petting the old dog for
the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.

Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy
seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.
We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud
about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. The
little boy, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next
stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said,
"Everybody is born so that they can learn how to live a good life - like loving
everybody and being nice, right?" The four-year-old continued, "Well, animals
already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

[I Fish Too]

THE RAINBOW BRIDGE


There is a bridge connecting heaven and earth. It is called The Rainbow Bridge becaues of its many colors. Just this side of The Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass.

When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food, water and warm spring weather. The old and frail animals are young again. Those who are maimed are made whole again. They play all day with each other.

There is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person who lover them on Earth. So each day they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up. The nose twitches! And this one suddenly runs from the group!

You have been seen, and when you and your special friend meet, you take him in your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and again, and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting friend.

Then you cross The Rainbow Bridge anain, never to be separated...

Author Unknow




something that helped us when we lost are pet.

[lunkerhunter]

Keeper,

I hope you can see by this thread that many of us have been in end of life situations with our beloved companions. My suggestion is to keep in good contact with the vet. I have found both of the vets I've used over the years to be a great source of help and caring people.

I was in a similar situation a couple of years ago. My yellow began to deteriorate at just over thirteen. The vet was able to keep him going pretty much pain free for several months. He started to lose bladder control and she helped him with medication. At nearly every turn for the worse, I was prepared to put him down at her earliest word to keep him from suffering. She kept explaining things about what was happening to his heart, kidneys, and bladder sphincter due to his age, but that other than his own embarassment at soiling his bed, he had his appetite and was still my great companion.

It allowed me to spend a few more months with him. One night he didn't finish his dinner, so I called her the next day. She told me to try again that night and if he didn't eat to bring him in the following day for her to check on him. He didn't eat at all that evening. I knew the time had come. The medication for his bladder wasn't working effectively anymore. I had a meeting the next morning early that I had to attend and returned home knowing full well that we were taking our last trip to the vet.

I remember two things very vividly about that trip. He was still very excited to see me when I came home to take him in to be put down. His eyes were not the bright, clear, inquisitive, sky searching eyes of a young Lab in a blind searching the morning sky. They were not the excited eyes under the wrinkled furrowed brows of a young Lab on his first fishing adventure in our new boat. No they were the eyes of a tired worn out friend who now wanted to rest. But those eyes did tell me that I was the only one he wanted to see or be with.

The other thing that sticks with me is just how loyal our friends can be. The vet had prepared a nice soft padded area on the floor for us tho place him on his favorite blanket. We had shaved the patch on his leg to insert the needle. She gave me some options on his after death care and left us to say our goodbyes. When she came back in, needle in hand, she mistakenly let me know that for a dog of his weight, the euthanasia injection would run $59. Being the loyal friend that Gunner was, and knowing just how cheap his old man is, he felt the warmth of my hand on his ear giving him that one last ear rub, and promptly took his last breath and headed for the Rainbow Bridge before she could administer the shot.

He's there now, searching the sky for birds and trying to jump out of the boat everytime a fish gets near to the net.

I'll see him there again one day and we will continue.

Keep in contact with your vet and follow your heart.

[Fool4FishnHuntn]

Here is a web site with some subjectivitiy to it in knowing when to consider euthanasia. I hope this helps.

http://www.familyvet.com/sleep.htm