1|1|Carol....|Kristy|mi3zons1@yahoo.com|17:59:27|02/03/2010|I have a dog, I got him as a stray when he was maybe 6 months to a year old. He's around 14-15 now. He's a medium to to large size dog. He's a hound and german shepherd mix. He's eating ok but has gotten thinner lately. He had vestibular disorder but recovered from it a few years ago but has never been the same. Constantly goes in circles. But that's not why I'm considering putting him to sleep. Every year in the winter he's in extreme pain mostly at night. He barks and wimpers for about 2 or 3 hpurs very late at night when we are all sleeping. He has a very bad arthritic leg and hip (don't think I spelled that right)and when it gets cold it really bothers him. Aspirin or ibruprofen doesn't seem to help. Also he is laying "logs" in the house now and is very, very out it, walking into walls etc. The deal is my critera for putting dogs to sleep has always been if they stop eating or drinking but I'm thinking I'm wrong here. Just very frustrated and don't know what to do. Would love to hear opinions. Thanks so much! Carol
1|1|Carol....|Kristy|mi3zons1@yahoo.com|17:59:27|02/03/2010|
I can't speak from personal experience yet thank God. But I know my mom's criteria has always been if the animal is in pain with no way to manage it or it's too old to operate to fix it. Same for my dad. I think if you ask your vet and there is no way to make your animal pain free then it's only fair to not make him live through it.
"Women should not have children after 35. Thirty-five children are enough." - anonymous (Only 28 to GO!) 2|1|Carol, I was faced with this just a few months ago....I made the decision based on two things: Pain/discomfort and functioning....our poor greyhound (14 yrs old), was falling over, mis-stepping, walking into things....he not only whined with pain, but he looked so sad...I think he knew it was the end before I did. They have a way of telling you it's time, that they need to rest and have lived their life to the fullest....be open to his message to you. |saint6811|waylan@comcast.net|18:15:27|02/03/2010|
" You'll get what's coming to you ... Unless it was mailed."
3|1|Carol I know exactly where you are at thi spoint I was at that same point in Dec with Sam|teener|teenerzacsneenee@yahoo.com|18:30:49|02/03/2010|
who was doing almost the exact same thing as yours It's time he is expressing his [ain in his restless nights He will not hate you for it you gave him a long and loving life and he would expect you to give him the same love and care at the end hugs I know it is hard 4|1|God bless you Carol and all who have gone thru this...this is something I dont look foward to....|blessedx5|I_am_blessedx5@yahoo.com|18:39:07|02/03/2010|
! 6|2|Thank youm all so very much for your input|slimnlady|slimnlady@aol.com|18:56:02|02/03/2010|
I do think my main problem is the guilt. Sometimes I wish they could talk so he can tell me exactly what he wants--lol. I also must admit when I put my dog Lady to sleep several years ago because her organs were failing, I watched the process and it was horrible, she was convulsing etc. It was horrible and I guess I'm affraid of a replay of that too. Oh in in case you're curious this dog's name is Slim, hense my username and also e-mail. So many people ask me about that. Anyway once again thanks so much for all the comments. I really do think I am going to do this soon, just have to muster up the nerve. Carol
7|3|Carol, it is hard not to feel guilty....but it is loving and kind to help them out of their misery into a peaceful passing....talk to the vet about your other experience, ask him what measures can be taken to make sure Slim passes in peace.|saint6811|waylan@comcast.net|19:10:16|02/03/2010|
" You'll get what's coming to you ... Unless it was mailed."
11|4|With Sam I could not watch I did that with our first dog and never again The vet|teener|teenerzacsneenee@yahoo.com|19:43:37|02/03/2010|
did tell us that they would give him something to relax him as dogs get nervous being in the office I am also glad this vet placed him in a cardboard casket with our first dog they just gave her to us in a blanket Just know we are here for you 5|1|Carol....hate to tell you, but everything you have mentioned is a sign to me|BusterBrown|srfreezerqueen@hotmail.com|18:52:14|02/03/2010|
We had to put our older boy down this spring...hardest darn decision but bottom line.....would you want to see a human suffer like that? Our dogs are our children...but they are seriously so much a part of our family. Spoil him, cook him a nice meal and then take him....and a box of tissues....
Many hugs to you, and your baby....Jodie 8|2|HIS QUALITY OF LIFE IS GONE, YOU HAVE TO LET HIM GO......|JOYHAPPYONE|DAIDOLA5@AOL.COM|19:31:42|02/03/2010|
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"Dear God, this year please send clothes for all those poor ladies in Daddy's computer,
Amen."
10|3|My prayers are with you for making the right decision...|KellyJef|burke3536@yahoo.com|19:42:38|02/03/2010|
I just wish that none of us ever had to go through this :(
9|1|here's what the vet told me|prestonmom|prestonmom@yahoo.com|19:38:57|02/03/2010|
I put 2 rottweilers down a couple years back. we debated for a long time and our vet said pick 5 things they like to do if they can't do at least 3 times then it is time. I was there for both of them different time of course. I really think they both were relieved when we did it if that makes any sense. Ceazer laid on the table and i was there by his head- they gave him the needle and he did a huge sigh like he was even relieved. It was hard for a long time but i never felt guilty. I would have felt worse if I had kept either around suffering just to make myself feel better.
Just watched my mother in law die on hospice I have to say I kinda wish humans could have a choice. Luckly God took her quickly!
Prestonmom
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12|1|Carol, have you tried Glucosamine? I gave to my Mackie and within a month I could see he was|Mackiesmudder|Mackiesmudder@aol.com|01:57:45|02/04/2010|
feeling better with the arthritis. I do believe if you look in Slim's eyes, you will see what you need to know, like Joy said, they give you signs. When I took Mackie thru his surgeries and radiation for his cancer, I said that I would absolutely know when he was ready to go, he would tell me. 2 nights before he passed, when I came home from work, I went straight to him, as always, and I just saw it there in his eyes. I cried for hours but I knew he was tired and ready. The morning before I was going to take him, (I swear he waited until my daughter got there), he passed in my arms. I am so very, very sorry, Carol that you are going thru this. Please, if you need to talk or vent, know I am here for you. My name and email are for my precious boy too.
Hugs,
Cathie
13|2|My prayers are with you....|2goatsandadove|dana@otelco.net|09:23:31|02/04/2010|
I, too, have had to make this decision more than once. It is never easy, but as the vet told me, God will not judge you for putting the animal to sleep, but He probably doesn't look kindly at those who allow their animals to suffer. My dog had been my protector, best friend and constant companion for years. She was diagnosed with a terminal cancer when I was 7 months pregnant. She was in no pain at that point, only more tired than usual. After a long talk with my vet, I took her back home. He said I would know when the time was right. She stayed with my parents when I had my baby. The day I came home from th hospital, I immediately had to visit her. Her condition was the same. The next day I brought her home to meet my daughter. She cautiously peered into the bassinet and for a few brief moments her happiness was greater than her sickness. Her stump of a tail was wagging furiously! She took her postion by the bassinet until I had to return her to my parents for the night. My phone rang early the next morning. It was my daddy. The dreaded time had come. I held her tired head all the way to the vet's office and sadly took her inside. The staff knew immediately the problem and were very compassionate. We were taken to a room and told to take all the time we needed to say goodbye. I chose not to be with her when the procedure was done. I sat beside the casket all the way home and buried her in the rose garden in my backyard. Tears still come to my eyes when I remember her, but she had always been so good to me that I could never allow her to suffer for one moment. It takes a lot of courage to do this. I will be thinking of you and praying for you. 14|1|Svs Carol, you are in my thoughts in this hard time|kandywolf|kandywolf@gmail.com|11:33:18|02/04/2010|
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15|1|I'm so very sorry that you're facing having to make this heartbreaking decision. :(|maraj|maraj64@hotmail.com|10:04:36|02/05/2010|
I've been fortunate in that nature has made the decision for me w/my furry loved ones so I haven't had to. Yet.
We love them dearly & the selfish human in us wants to hang onto them as long as possible, but we know in our heart of hearts that we don't want them to be in pain & suffer. It's a difficult decision to have to make but you know it's the right one if it means freeing them from their suffering & giving them peace.
We live in the Land of the Free only because of the Brave!
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16|2|I'm so sorry..I know this is so sad|shellysmsmo|jpksms@sbcglobal.net|10:27:32|02/05/2010|
I don't have anything to say except I'm sorry...I know how hard it is to make this decision. I'm sorry. 17|1|You will know when its time ,.. you'll feel it in your gut|mmj2236|sasha@mccarvill.mv.com|11:45:59|02/05/2010|
I have a 12 year old Akita that has bad arthritis and we deal with much of the same things you spoke of. But my dog doesn't walk into walls...yet. We give her metacam for her pain when it gets bad, but we don't medicate her most of the time so that she doesn't push herself. She has poop accidents in the house sometimes because the nerves in her backend are dying. We have found that putting her outside for a while after she eats helps alot with this as she no longer can feel the urges when they come. Her eye sight is going but she certainly can still see enough to get around. We got a puppy last year and I swear this puppy is what keeps her going. She is out in the yard hopping after him playing and barking at him. They sleep in a pile on the floor together although she prefers to act like she hates him. So right now my gut says she stays with us. And she certainly still has the will to live. That means alot to me. If they have given up then its time but if they are fighting then you should give them a chance. Years ago I had to have a dog put down that had terminal cancer. She lasted for a year and a half after being given two weeks to live. And they were a good year and a half. She behaved like nothing was wrong. Then a week before we put her down she went downhill fast. So the decision to put her down was easy to make, she appeared to be suffering. Unfortunatley she wasn't ready. It was horrible. She got the first injection and fought it...she was lying across my lap struggling and it was the hardest thing I ever did to tell the vet to give her a second injection. She really wasn't ready to leave. I felt guilty and miserable for weeks after that even though the vet said I did the right thing. I never want that to happen to anyone else.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your dog.
Michelle