About to lose a loyal friend

[deere755]

My old dog that I have had for the last 16 years is about to die. She won't eat and is getting weaker all the time. I watched her today and she can't walk, her back legs just don't work. She seems to be in no pain. I don't hear her whine or wimper. I have thought about having her put down but I keep thinking if she is in no pain I should just let nature take its coarse. I have been checking on her all day and she just looks up at me. She was the best watch dog I have ever had. The old saying strays make the best dogs is definitely true in her case. Am I being cruel not having her put to sleep. or should I just let her die here at home on her own, as long as she is in no pain?

 

[Birdhunter1]

Tough call.
Do what you think she would want for you. I had a beagle a few years ago that I had had since I was 12 and I had to put her down for the same reasons. It's a tough choice.

 

[shvl73]

I would have her put to sleep as I feel it's more humane and much kinder if she can't move and won't eat. Our vet will come out for house calls and I want the last moments to be here in a loving enviroment at home. Our oldest is 14 and in good health but I'm also realistic about his age. When the time comes it will be absolutely devastating for us and if I think about it at all it upsets me greatly. Listen to your heart and do what you feel is right.
Torin

 

[JimR]

I'm sorry to hear about your dog. If it were mine I would put her down before she gets any worse. I surely wouldn't want to starve to death.

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

Deere775:

I'm so sorry about your dog and her failing health. It's so hard to say goodbye, even though we all know it's inevitable.

I'm afraid I have to agree with the others. If she's not eating, I think the most humane thing to do is to send her on her way so she won't suffer a slow and uncomfortable death.

I once let a dog of mine live too long, and watched her die in a way I wished she hadn't.

As the saying goes .... if you love them, let them go ....

Again, I am so sorry you have to go through this .... in a perfect world, dogs would live forever and never get old - they sure deserve it.

My best wishes to you in this tough time,

John

 

[slowrev]

Very sorry to hear about your friend. I had to have a good old friend of 16 put away about 1 month ago. He is buried behind the house in one of his favorite lying spots.
Dogs just do not live long enough.
Ben

 

[RoyJackson]

If you haven't taken her to the vet, do so...

If it's arthritis in her hind quarters, there may be a medicine that will help...at least for a while.

If she's not eating..will she accept treats? A change in foods may help.

I had to put my 13 year old Dobie down...toughest thing I ever did. But, he let me know when it was time...it was in his eyes. We (wife and I) were there cuddling when he got the shots...he knew he was being loved until the end.

But, when the vet told us about Smedley's cancer...he had a month or two prognosis. He actually had six good months...great months...before it was time. And, the look in his eyes let us know it was time.

I wish you both the very best!

 

[plumboy]

Just went through this 2 weeks ago.Dalmation,probly the weekest breed,he was 11.He cost thousands of dollars the last three years.I would have paid thousands more,but the ultra sound showed cancer on almast all major organs and white blood count was at 90k.His last day he tried his best to make it to the door to go out,I can only imagine what he was thinking.The look he gave me while I picked him up out of his mess is burned into my brain.Worst day of my life.Dug the hole out back while we waited on the vet.

The dogs get scared,too weak to show pain,confused and it only adds to their stress.They dont deserve it.I dont know why it is so hard to let them go,maybe if they werent so selfless and genuine.But I think you should put it down.

I will NEVER own another pet.

 

[RonR]

May you find peace for you and your pet.

ron

 

[Sigarms]

As mentioned, take her to a vet.

Tough call any choice you make.

We have three dogs of our own now, one in foster care per the humane society. I love them all, and I treat the "foster" as if shes mine already.

Point is up until 3 years ago, didn't have a dog for the last 19 years. Couldn't get one due to the loss of my childhood dog that I had for 15 years. Came home from school and my mom was crying like a baby. She took our dalmation to be put down. Our family knew it was coming, my mom made the choice for all of us that couldn't make that choice.

From then on, swore I would never hurt like that again.

Well, don't know what I'd do without these dogs now, and I forgot what I was missing. "Mans best friend" was realized by those who treated his/her dogs like they were a part of the family (or pack in dog terms /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif).

You will hurt, you will cry. Honestly, that is something you should be grateful for, it (crying) tells you what you and your dog meant to each other. Be very proud of that fact.

Down the road if by chance you come across another stray, don't look the other way by chance if your afraid of feeling that loss yet again. The life you can give to that "new" stray will be untold happiness (sp?) that the animal may never of had the chance to feel, and best yet, give you that same feeling as you once had with another animal.

I don't want to say this, but it's going to hurt hard, remember this though, the more it hurts, the more you loved, and for that, in the end, you should be greatful for.

God Bless