When is it time? (Dog's struggles)

[rosietheriviter]

My 23 year old grandson David has a 17 year old cocker spaniel. He named the dog Einstein because the dog could open doors, garbage cans, boxes, or most any other place he smelled food.

David is a little slow mentally - he doesn't want to let Einstein go. The dog has less than twenty percent of his facilities left in my opinion. I know that however Einstein goes, he will still be wagging his tail - no matter how feebly - as long as he can see , hear, or smell David.

I hope David sees the pain in Einstein's eyes and becomes the wonderful loving master he has always been and lets Einstein go.

My heart is breaking for both of them.

Rosie

 

[coachgrd]

Thanks for all the thoughts and kind words...exactly what I would expect from a good bunch of people here.

Right now I'm just going to sit tight. A lot of people suggested we will know what its time and I'm not getting a sense that this is the time. From what many have said, I will know.

Thanks again...
coachgrd

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

It was difficult for me to read through these two pages. I really feel for everyone who has had to deal with this. Im going through the same thing right now and asking the same question.
My 14 year old mix has spinal arthritis. Its to the point that sometimes he needs help standing up, he loses his balance and its getting harder to get him to go outside to do his business. The worse part is the obvious discomfort he has when trying to lay down or get up. I cant even sleep in the same room with him anymore because it hurts me so bad to hear him in pain as he moves around. Im a truckdriver and a former Marine and I cant help but cry like a little girl when I see him struggling. Its hard for me to believe that this time last year we were hiking in the woods and running around the yard. All I can hope is that I can make the right decision for him when its time.

Our Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier passed at 10.5 years from bladder cancer. she was having obvious and serious pain and the one day we had taken her to the Vet - he simply said " you have to do this today" and that was it.

With our Giant Schnauzer the Vet was always telling me "she'll tell you when she is ready" Until the time came, I never unddrstood how that would happen. Like your furkid she was having trouble standing and losing her balance and falling over, but in spite of this and more always wanted to go walking for a mile every day. On the last Sunday she walked about 10 feet from the car, stopped - looked at me and I just knew her time had come. It was as if her spirit left her at that moment. We had an appointment with the Vet for Wednesday and called to say there would be a change in plans. During Monday and Tuesday, she knew she was leaving and just clung to my wife and myself. We could have prolonged her life for some period, but when we asked ourselves, for whose benefit, it was obvious we had to let her go.

Ray, you are facing a very difficult decision. I hope your furkid can tell you when it is time to let him go.

 

[Podunkadunk]

I find that it has always been easier for me if I have that animal's son, daughter, friend or replacement to go home to. It is awfully hard to go back to an empty home or barn......

I agree. My wife and I bought an identical looking puppy to keep the older dog company. It's been a little over 3 years now and they are best buds. My contention was that I wanted the older one to "rub off" on the younger one, that way we'd always have a little piece of him around. He isn't feeble yet, but he'll be 13 soon and we know the time is coming.

Since my wife had him when we met, he's bonded with her, but he still loves me too. It's going to hurt me when he goes, but it will probably put my wife in the hospital. I dread that time, but know it's coming one day

We plan on doing the same thing with our youngest dog, get him a buddy when his big buddy passes. My logic is that we can always have a piece of the original around that way.

I wish you the best, it's a hard row to hoe.

Podunk

 

[Champy]

Ditto on all that's been posted.....

An alternative view would be to consider when you would think its time if this were happening to you instead of your dog. How is your (its) quality of life? Amount of Pain / suffering? etc.... then make the decisions accordingly.

Finally, never consider making the choice as anything other than an act of love, caring, and kindness. Its not what you are doing to the animal right now that defines you, but what you have done over its lifetime that is important.....you've provided a loving and healthy environment, good care, companionship, adventure, etc...basically you've created a great life for the dog versus another owner that may have given that dog a lifetime of abuse, abandonment, starvation, and daily pain... celebrate your best friend's passing with the knowledge that you've done your best by him each and every day of his life....he already knows this and loves you for it.

 

[gordon21]

When a golden no longer wags the tail, it is time. They are so affectionate, all it takes is to see or hear their masters voice and the tail will start.

Sorta like a human smiling when they see a loved one. If you are in so much misery or pain that you can't smile, then the quality of life is pretty much gone.

 

[Timber]

I have always had dogs & always will. It is so sad the one creature in the world that will love you most just doesn't live long enough. Threads like these break your heart and I avoid them most of the time. As I sit with a tear in my eyes because I know the pain that the end of life of are beloved friends. I have been through this many times over now and have many more to go. My dogs have always been some of my greatest joys and my most devastating loss. I have always said to friends with young children when the discussion of a child's 1st dog comes up. It is the greatest gift to give because of the lessons learned.They are a child's best companion, they teach love, responsibility,loyalty and in the end the teach a child death and what that means as this is a reality of life. It is something we never get use to but we learn to live with it.

 

[coachgrd]

Just an update...

As many of you said, you'll know it's time and it was very clear tonight that it was time. Bailey did everything she could to tell me she was in pain so I made the call to the Vet and we had her put down this evening.

I explained to our Vet over the phone what was happening and he too said it was time.

The kids (9, 6, & 4) lost a friend for the first time and that was tough.

Thanks again for the kind words and help. You all are great people.

Gary
aka coachgrd

 

[Inspector507]

Just an update...

As many of you said, you'll know it's time and it was very clear tonight that it was time. Bailey did everything she could to tell me she was in pain

So sorry to hear of that Gary, but they will tell you when they're done. My "nephew" did the same thing. He was so sick and having multiple siezures every day along with cancer consuming him. I wanted to go visit my Sister-In-Law and she kept telling Boomer to please hang on until Uncle Jerry gets here. We had a very good night with him on Friday when we got in. He ate the most food that night than he'd had in days or maybe even the last week. Of course he would only eat out our hand. He didn't seem to keep much of it down through the night though. In the morning he went out and layed in the rain and closed his eyes and would not move for several hours. This dog hates getting wet. That was his sign that he was done. We got him to the vet and stayed with him through it all. He was brought home and laid to rest in a nice peaceful spot.


My thoughts are with you and your family.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Just an update...

As many of you said, you'll know it's time and it was very clear tonight that it was time. Bailey did everything she could to tell me she was in pain so I made the call to the Vet and we had her put down this evening.

Gary
aka coachgrd

So sorry for your loss. Bailey knows it was a decision from love and with his best interests in your heart.

Check this link. The Rainbow Bridge