When do you pull the plug on a beloved dog?

[NMDemDist2]

Our old girl (16+ years) has lost a LOT of weight the last few weeks, she has a lot of trouble getting her back legs to 'wake up' and is almost completely blind from cataracts.

she sometimes gets confused and we have to go 'rescue' her and help her up the stairs back into the house.

she doesn't appear to be in pain, and still eats and drinks etc.

how did you decide when to 'say goodbye'??

I promised hubby I'd take her on her last ride (she's his girl) if he promises to return the 'favor' when it's time to say goodbye to the Big Bubba (my boy)

poor thing, she's such a good girl and has her good days and bad days, but seems like she's having strokes

it's hard :cry:

here she is from better days

[Demoiselle]

1. I think that animals live in the moment...

If they are comfortable, if they still enjoy eating, if they aren't in pain....then maybe it's ok to let them go on.

But it doesn't sound like there's a lot of enjoyment in her life now.

Just be sure that you aren't indulging yourself in postponing the inevitable. I know I would like to go to my maker held in the arms of my beloved (you, in her case) ....calmly, sweetly.
And I think I'd like to be spared any painful accidents that might happen because of my near-blindness, etc. i am under the impression that failure to keep weight on is one of the signs of system failure for an animal..
I've been through this a few times with beloved cats and dogs. It's very hard, I know. But we do owe them comfort and final peace.

[NMDemDist2]

12. yeah, the weight loss is what's scary

is she not eating enough for fear she won't be able to get outside?

she's always been very proud and does 'bladder control' on trips etc

[northernlights]

26. not likely

They live in the moment. It's more likely that not eating is a sign of loss of appetite, which would suggest systems shutting down.

We have a saying in the horse world: Better a week too early than one minute too late.

If you try to time to the last best moment, it's more likely you'll end up too late and with her last hours in intense suffering.

:hug:

[Deep13]

2. Sounds like you've reached that point.

:-(

[vadawg]

3. yup been there too, as soon as the neurological stuff starts its downhill

my pitbull seeemed to forget who we were, she no longer was the dog we had had for 10 years.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

4. I asked the vet one question

when she got sick and wasn't going to get better.

"Is Happy going to have any more fun?" I asked him.

"No," he said, "she's not."

So, I held her, we were looking at each other, she was safe in my arms, as she went on her way the next day.................

[Skittles]

6. aw man

what a beautiful dog; such a poignant expression there

[NMDemDist2]

11. oh! she was beautiful!

:hug:

thanks for that

the old girl is getting around pretty good today, but that weight loss is a bad sign :sigh:

[Tangerine LaBamba]

21. You'll know -

I hate this, but you will know. There's this feeling - a sense of inevitability, a kind of dread - that you get in the pit of your stomach, and no matter how you try to ignore it, your love for that fine old baby is stronger, and you face up to it.

It's not today. That's good, and for that we are all thankful.

Let her have tomorrow. Let her eat and do whatever she can do. Feed her all her favorite things, the forbidden stuff. Give it to her, as much as she wants (I'll bet you're already doing this - but, wow, the memories you're bringing back - I had forgotten about fixing Happy's last meal - it was 1980), and let her enjoy it.

When she's not having fun, you'll know.

And, trust me on this, pal - it will be your worst and finest moment. I was never as good a person as I was when I was holding Happy on that last day.

Let us know how she's doing. I'm gonna be thinking of y'all, you know.

:hug:

[Kajsa]

32. Oh TLaB,

She is beautiful!

I am so sorry.

You are a great animal person and she got love
from you until the very end.

:hug:

[nuxvomica]

5. I would talk to a vet first

Also, if your husband is her primary human, he should take on this responsibility.
My best wishes to you. They both look like wonderful dogs.

[NMDemDist2]

13. I'd like to spare him that

but it's his call.

and the black sheltie is the youngest and a pain in the butt LOL

[cwydro]

7. Mine is 14 and sounds about the same as yours

except for the losing weight thing. I have had old critters put down before and I just don't want to do that this time.

And every time I think she is really going downhill, she suddenly rallies and frolics around like a pup. She enjoys every moment and still loves to ride in the car, walk (limp) around the block, and eat.

My advice would be not to do it too soon or you'll hate yourself. I hope she hangs in there for you.

[Vidar]

8. One of my favorite Twilight Zones had an old hunter rejecting an

apparent "heaven" because his dog wasn't allowed. He followed his pet into the "real" heaven where a rustic St. Peter explained, "It wouldn't be heaven without dogs".

[madrchsod]

10. mine too....

i have watched the twilight zone from when it was first broadcast to the reruns of today and i`m not sure why after all the years, i`ve only seen this episode once.

[Vidar]

19. Glad you liked it too. Think I've seen it several times, but my memory is

failing for such things & too much else.

[driver8]

47. I thought I had seen all of the Twilight Zones -- I've never seen that one.

I feel the same way as the hunter.

[madrchsod]

9. it`s really hard to decide is`t it...

i`ve had dogs for close to 55 years and it never gets easier. i think somehow we know when it is time to say good bye.

[NMDemDist2]

14. yeah, we know it's gonna be soon

sux

:(

[Left Is Write]

20. It was very sudden for me.

Very sudden, because my dog was so young.

It broke my heart. His confused face and pleading eyes, not understanding what had happened to him, will haunt me for the rest of my life.

[quakerboy]

15. Quality of life

with consideration to length of recovery. IE if they are suffering and not enjoying life, and there is no realistic prospect of it getting better, then it is time.

I say this based on golden rule philosophy, and what I would want them to do for me, if the situation were reversed.

[NMDemDist2]

16. she doesn't appear to suffer, except when trying to get those back legs

to get going. once she's up and moving, she does fine.....

[Left Is Write]

17. For me? A week and a half ago.

It's hard to talk about. My dog had a spinal cord injury, and he was very young (I was very distraught when I first posted about it, and I said he was almost two, but when I had a chance to think about it, I realized he was almost three - he was born July 14, 2006. It just seemed like he'd been with us forever, and I guess I lost track of time).

Your decision isn't easy, and I'm sorry. :hug:

[Tangerine LaBamba]

22. Oh, honey ........

I am so sorry. And yeah, the good dogs seem to have been with us forever. You did the right thing, the only thing.

You were his best friend, and you did the best thing for him, because you loved him. He knew that.

:hug:

[Minimus]

18. It is such a hard decision but it is the best and final gift that we can give our pets -

I was in your shoes several years ago and it was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. My beloved Sonic was 13 and after one of his terrible, painful, sleepless nights I just knew it was time. I held him all night long and told him he would never have to go through another night like that. I was waiting at the vet when they opened the next morning. I held him while he got his injection so my voice was the last thing he heard and my scent was the the last thing he smelled. It was difficult and to this day I still remember how he felt in my arms when he drifted off to sleep.

Somehow you will just know when it is time to say goodbye to your beautiful girl.

I wish your family well and my thoughts are with you.

Take care.
:hug:

[GeorgeGist]

23. I follow my vet's advice ...

only had to do it twice for 11 pets. The others didn't suffer.

[Kajsa]

24. OH, NMDem, it's one of the hardest things

a person can go through with a beloved animal.

She is so beautiful!

You will know when it's time.

We love our animals so much and they are a part
of us.

I lost one kitty three months ago and it still hurts a lot.

Hugs, Love and prayers to all of you at this time.

:hug: :grouphug:

Please PM me, OK?

[NMDemDist2]

28. thanks dear!!

she had stopped eating about two days ago and i checked her mouth to make sure there wasn't a problem and it looked fine.

but today she's eaten a can of soft food with relish. maybe the weight loss is just difficulty chewing???

and of course now I feel HORRIBLE that she was starving under my nose. but my wise and wonderful Mr. Ketchup put a quick stop to that!! he's been watching her closer and says she's been eating just fine.....

[Kajsa]

31. I'm glad to hear that!

We worry about those guys.

She may have some dental problems.
My other kitty Nemo did and we got his teeth cleaned
and fixed.

We are deeply in debt from all the vet bills, but
what in the hell were we going to do?

Take care of them, that's what.

They are very important members of the family.

:hug:

[abbeyco]

25. It's never easy and you might need help

to decide when the time is right with your vet. Our beloved Jake seemed fine but was losing faculties and suddenly started to puff instead of breathing. While putting his blankies in the car to take him for the final ride, he passed peacefully in his sunny hallway.

There's never a right time - you have to read your baby and determine when it's the right time. When you and hubby make the decision, I wish you both and your beloved doggie peace as she crosses the rainbow bridge. :grouphug:

[NMDemDist2]

27. it's selfish to admit, but i hope we just wake up and find her gone one morning

i'd much rather she just pass on here at home....

[Demoiselle]

29. Will your vet make a house call?

It's expensive, but worth a thought or two. I had a beloved very BIG dog, a Pyrenees , lose her battle last summer. I hated the idea of trying to load her into the car....painful, awkward, scary....so I had the vets come. She went to sleep on her bed. Worth it for me...and, I think, for her.

[NMDemDist2]

36. i don't think so, but she's so small and thin now, it's no problem getting her in the car

thanks and I've always wanted a Pyrenees but that's not in our future now

[KatyaR]

30. I'm going through this right now with my beloved Maggie girl.

She's 12-1/2 and was recently diagnosed with a large heart mummur. She started having small seizures (less than 10 seconds in length) in April, and they're becoming more frequent. She's sleeping much more and much deeper than before, but other that that, she's still eating well, sleeping well, etc., she just can't get very excited or she has a seizure. I just keep telling her to let me know when she's ready, but I'm dying inside. I don't know what I'll do without her, she's my best friend.

[NMDemDist2]

35. i'm so sorry

but the poster below nailed it i think

is she suffering? if it's no, then hang in there...

:hug:

[KatyaR]

37. I'm trying to...

I think I'm worse off than she is right now. I just can't imagine losing her.

[begin_within]

33. Use two questions:

Is the animal suffering?
Is there any hope of recovery to a normal state of health?

If the answers are "Yes" and "No" then it's time to end it. Don't wait one day longer, put a stop to the suffering. You will be able to know if the animal is suffering.

Your own feelings of fear or the pain of loss don't count in this decision. Do what is best for the animal. I have seen too many people drag it out way too long because they couldn't bear to go through with it themselves, thereby prolonging the animal's suffering.

[NMDemDist2]

34. at this point we're still at "No and No" so we're hanging on

she ate well today and is sleeping peacefully at my feet right now

but your questions are the correct ones methinks...

[LWolf]

38. Three times:

1. My beloved boy was not digesting his food properly; he ate as usual, but was losing weight rapidly, and moving more slowly. I knew the time was rapidly approaching. The day he couldn't stand up (he'd already had surgery to help the ligaments in his back legs 2 years before,) I called the vet. She made a house call. I sat by his bed with his head in my lap, and she sent him softly off in his own bed.

2. Very similar to the first one; when my large yellow lab began losing weight no matter what we fed her (and she ate everything we gave her,) I knew it was time. One evening I had to go looking for her; she was out "making rounds" of the ranch, and got "stuck." I got her back up and she got back to the house, but she struggled to do so and I had to support her the whole way. It was time.

3. The third? Not from old age; he was only 4. He had advanced, untreatable bone cancer. As long as pain meds were keeping him comfortable, and he could get up and down to do his business, I waited. One afternoon I was sitting on the floor next to him; he was stretched out, "leaning" on me. He looked at me, and I knew. He was tired, the pain meds weren't able to keep him comfortable, and he was ready. So I called the vet.

Never was it an easy decision to make, and thinking about it still brings tears. No regrets, though. I hope my family will do the same for me when there is no quality of life left.

That's the measure: is there any quality of life left?

[NMDemDist2]

42. shit. we're past those points already

sigh

i still cry over the lil yorkie mix that we had to put down due to complications of a heart murmur at the age of 1 year old.

i just can't imagine what we'll go through after losing this girl we've had our entire marriage.....

[LWolf]

45. You will grieve, you will miss her,

and memories will bring comfort and draw you together, because you will share the process.

:hug:

[angstlessk]

39. I kinda knew when my beloved doogy did not enjoy her last car ride

she absolutely LOVED to ride in the car. I had to lift her into the car and she just laid on the back seat and did not appear to enjoy the ride for the first time in her life. I drove her to the emergency vet and they did an xray that showed she had spinal cancer. her pain was so great she could no longer walk. I had the doc administer the final dose for her and cradled her in my arms till she was gone. It was truly the worst day of my life! Five years ago and I still cry!

[NMDemDist2]

43. i know

i still cry about our little "pennypup" that we had to send over Rainbow Bridge years ago

[Born_A_Truman]

40. I had to make that decision at 7:15am yesterday...

RIP Chyna Jade
4/8/2007-6/24/2009

She had seizures and we rushed her to a neurologist in Woodland Hills. No neuro up here in the high desert.

She arrested right after we got her down there and they revived her but had difficulty breathing early this morning. I couldn't make her wait 2 hours for me to get back down there because I wouldn't let her suffer. My heart is broken.

My beautiful pug girl is gone.

[NMDemDist2]

41. i'm so sorry

especially that you couldn't be there

:hug:

it's so hard.....

[momto3]

44. We have always put ours down when they could no longer enjoy a good quality of life.

This can be hard to judge. But we feel that dogs should be able to get up on their own to relieve themselves and to walk around the yard. They should also still enjoy the things they did when they were younger, even if not to as great an extent (like a stroll in the back yard rather than a hike in the woods). As with people, quality of life is important.

I can usually tell when it is time, even if I don't want to readily admit it. You will know too. Your dog is beautiful.

Peace.

[suninvited]

46. What a beauty!

When the quality of life is overshadowed by the pain of living.

[MajorChode]

48. I'm in the same boat

Jiffy is 17 and she's definitely looked better. Her head is tilted from old dog vestibular disease, she's rather bony, she has lost most of her hair, she's very stiff when she wakes up, and she has a lot of accidents. However she still manages to get around and doesn't seem to be in much pain and she has a great appetite. I'll keep her around as long as she eats and isn't in a lot of pain. Her care is taking more and more time, but that's the least we can do for her.

If a dog doesn't eat, they are going to slowly starve to death which is not a good situation. Try experimenting with different types of canned food and warming it up just a little in the microwave (when their food it warm it smells more and triggers their appetite).