I’ve got a horrible depressing feeling my oldest dog is not much longer for this world.
All of us with pets will know how hard it is to make that phone call to arrange the evil deed, and I find no matter how many times I have had to do it over the years, it never, ever gets any easier, or hurts any less.
This wonderful old lady was 17 in June, so I know its on the cards, and lately she been going downhill.
I will never let her suffer if I think she’s had enough, but neither do I want to make the decision before its absolutely necessary.
I keep hoping she will go gently in her sleep, as she is so frightened of the vet, whether I take her there, or whether he comes here, she is still frightened, and I don’t want her last thoughts to be of fear.
She sleeps most of the time now, and her legs are getting very stiff, and she is almost totally deaf. But she is still the sweetest, kindest natured old soul in the world, and it breaks my heart to have to make this decision soon.
It is such a responsibility to take a life. I don’t like having to decide for her. I wish I could talk to her and ask her what she wants, and let her decide, instead of me.
I’m sorry if this sounds a bit depressing, but the fact is - it is, and I can’t pretty it up.
Mups I’ve been there with my two cats, I’d had them for almost 20 years, the boy became ill first, found he had cancer and only had weeks to live, I was devastated to say the least!
When he became too poorly to be able to walk I knew what I had to do…it was a heart breaking decision to have him put to sleep but it had to be done.
Soon after my girl too became poorly, she kept falling over until she could hardly walk, I knew she missed him, they were partners in crime and I felt she was giving up on life, she looked so sad and yet again I had to make the decision that it was best to let her go than see her in so much pain.
It’s never going to be easy to let go, you have to feel it’s the right thing to do for your old lady only when the time is right, if she’s not suffering and just sleeping more I’d be tempted to turn a blind eye until you feel she’s had enough and given up
I know exactly how you feel Mups. My little dog is nearly 14 one vet said earlier this year he has testicular cancer, when I took him back another vet said he needed tests for Cushings, which were positive. That needs to be sorted first before he can be castrated to stop the cancer spreading. He’s getting very stiff and tired and whines a lot, he can’t decide whether he’s hungry or wants to go outside. I’m wondering whether it’s going to be too much for him to have an operation.
It’s very, very distressing to have to decide whether they’re suffering is too much to bear.
My daughter had her old lurcher pts earlier this year and remembering how distressing that was is making it worse for me.
I hope when the time comes we’ll know what’s right, thinking of you x
Been there many times now with pussycat members of the household and the last two times I was alone.
My Vet, someone I had never met before, was able to reassure me about how my cats were feeling and that was an enormous help. It lifted the burden somewhat and released me from the pressure, the dilemma.
I’m so sorry Mups, I know it’s one of the hardest choices we have to make in this life. My Sophie is probably around 10, possibly older we don’t know. Her dark muzzle has gone gray even her eyelashes. Only you know when it’s time to say goodbye. But it absolutely breaks your heart.
Mups I feel for you. I am going through exactly the same with my old girl.,I was told i needed to make a decision in January, but didn’t. Glad I didn’t because she perked back up. A couple of weeks ago, on the day of my Golden Wedding party she couldn’t get up and was urinating uncontrollably , I thought we had reached the end. She has perked up again. It’s such a roller coaster and like you feel it so difficult to know when the time is right. I have had so many animals but it always different circumstances for each. Like you I pray for a clear cut decision, to go in her sleep. Out of dozens of pets only one left me , and made her own decision to go, and passed away before the vet could come. I take the rejection of food, and that certain look in their eye as part of my guide. The hardest was an 8 year old with cancer. I wish you all the best as you travel this awful road, but remember you are not alone as its a road many of us are sharing at present, although it’s still very personal to ourselves.
All of us pet owners can relate to your pain Mups, it’s always a tough call but we know you will do the right thing when the time comes.
Bug ((((HUGS)))) to you both.
So sorry for you Mups been there ourselves previously, not sure if it would help but our vet will give a sedative to be given at home before you take them to the vet, it really knocks them out so they don’t get scared, he has also PTS one of ours in the car in their car park, she was always fine in the car having a complete breakdown in the surgery so he said it would be calmer in the car. Have to say that time was really good for her as she loved being in the car so we felt she died in one of her favourite places.
She sleeps most of the time now, and her legs are getting very stiff, and she is almost totally deaf. But she is still the sweetest, kindest natured old soul in the world, and it breaks my heart to have to make this decision soon.
It is such a responsibility to take a life. I don’t like having to decide for her. I wish I could talk to her and ask her what she wants, and let her decide, instead of me.
Mups I have a criteria for deciding when it is time and it is this, is my dog still getting some pleasure from life and are they in a lot of pain.
If the answer are yes and no I carry on.
The last older dog I had PTS Amy aged 16 had CCD (canine cognitive disorder) and was in her own little world but happy and not showing signs of pain.
She slept most of the day and would wander around at night going in and out of the dog door and standing by my bed ‘huffing’ for attention. I used to get up and make a cup of tea and sit with her for a while before settling her back down. No hardship for me after 16 years of a lovely friendship.
She could still eat and enjoy her life going for little walks in the field at her own pace.
When she stopped eating and was reluctant to get out of her bed I knew it was time…
My little one Remy was PTS on aug 28 just gone. We think he had a brain tumour … He was just 10.
Benny our beagle is 14 and yes he has some fat lumps and is blind but so happy in his own world off the lead most days finding his way around with the help of that famous beagle nose and me using a clicking sound…
I know every day with him is a bonus and that we cant take anything for granted now.
If dogs have one flaw its that they dont live forever …all I can say is I sometimes wonder if its the love they give that wears them out so soon…
I know thats not scientific but sometimes thats the way it feels.
Damn now Im crying again,
Been there oh so many times in the last 40 years or more with more than one dog at a time. It is about the hardest thing to bear loosing ones pet, don’t I just know it, but the time does come in the end and and the kindness decision is the best. When gone it leaves such a huge hole in ones life it is unbelievable
The Rainbows Bridge Poem
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 Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had 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 them 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 had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and 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.
I truly feel for you Mups, it is a heartbreaking decision to have to make. It is a year this month since we had to have little Muffin put to sleep and although I know that in his case there really was no choice I didn´t want him to go that way but he was in so much pain and distress there was no choice for me to make.
If your lovely old lady is not suffering and just wants to sleep then hopefully she will pass in her sleep, but when her time comes she will go knowing just how much she was loved and cared for and that you gave her the best life she could possibly have had. I don´t know what else to say, I know well how you must be feeling and I am so sorry.
Lost my little fella in appalling circumstances and even now wish that things had been different so that my memory of his last moments would be better, instead of the haunting ones I have.
I just want to thank everyone for their kind words, thoughts, and hugs, it is a comfort - thankyou.
Julie, I went to talk to my vet today, just on my own. I asked his advice about a sedative for me to administer before he visits us, but he didn’t think that such a good idea, because it does something to their blood pressure which can make it more difficult for them to PTS. I wasn’t prepared to risk this, as I know from past experience it can be difficult enough as it is, with the oldies because of their veins for the needle, so I didn’t want to risk making it even trickier. He agreed.
What we decided was an “anti-anxiety” drug, Diazapan, which should quieten her and make her less stressed, but without knocking her out. This is what he has given me now, and has left it up to me to ring him when I feel the time is right, then he will come out.
I have perfect trust in the man and feel that is probably the best I can do for her.
Thankyou for trying to help.
Mups that is the best course of action. Your vet is quite right about the sedative and so obviously has your dogs best interests at heart. A very wise move to go and have that talk beforehand. I hope that you will still have your little friend with you a while longer. Can I send you a hug too?
I have a criteria for deciding when it is time and it is this, is my dog still getting