Making THAT difficult decision...

[Muggie'sMum]

About when it is time to let your elderly canine friends cross the Rainbow Bridge, assisted.

Please let me preface this by saying that I have been thinking EXTENSIVELY about this over the last couple of years.

My 'elder dane' as I call her, Sarah, is 12 years old. While she still enjoys a good romp in the yard or a drive in the car, she is experiencing *some* issues with mobility (mainly balance, getting up and down stairs and on and off of my bed). She seems to have some moments of senility as well - she'll stand by my bedroom door and make a mess, "forgetting" that she hasn't asked me to put her out, she sometimes stands out in the yard on her line as if she is "lost" and isn't sure how to get back in, and she has begun to dig my mattress out (it's an old one so I am not too concerned), but she will regularly RIP my bedding off of my bed and has dug through to the springs on my mattress... to the point where I have had to keep her locked out of my room during the day when I am gone, which I know breaks her heart because she LOVES my bed... just *too* much! She is a bit surly with the cats, and has made a lunge for one every once in while. All of this behaviour doesn't happen everyday.. one instance once or twice a week, perhaps.

My biggest nightmare is coming home to find her gone without having had a chance to say goodbye. In light of my recent deep loss, I am not prepared to "handle" another sudden loss, even though I know this one is coming. I have had this dog as long as I can remember and I have decided that I would like to have our veterinarian put her to sleep. That way, we can do things at a time when I am ready - and hopefully, SHE is ready too. BUT, another heartbreaking fear of mine is that I will make the choice at the wrong time and let her go before she is ready. Short of having my animal communicator read her, I am not sure where to go with this.

Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing?

Please no flames.

 

[noludoru]

I think that when her quality of life is nearing the point where, if it were you, you'd want to be PTS, that is the time.

 

[Renee750il]

Muggie's, that's one of the hardest things to face . . . I've always believed - and acted on that belief - that when they are ready to go, they will let you know. You'll see it in their eyes.

And coming home to find that she's slipped away peacefully . . . that's not a bad thing. The two of you have loved each other and you both know each other's hearts, so not physically saying good-bye right at the moment she chooses to cross isn't always that important - to either of you. She knows. You know. That's all that matters. And it's only for awhile, anyway . . . .

 

[kidsanddogs]

Unfortunately I have gone through this several times. We use a couple of guidelines: Quality of life and dignity. As long as my dog still has a quality of life, which has to be judged only by you and what you believe that to be, then that's one reason to stay around. The second is dignity. Just as with people, dogs can start to lose their dignity. Eliminating at inappropriate times, messing on themselves, needing to be held down for meds, etc. Only you can judge that, as well. Certainly only one of those things may be acceptable, but when all of them are happening, then you might want to reassess.

When the time comes, we choose to have a vet come to our house. I feel that my dog is the least stressed here at home and I can set up things the way I want - lighting, soft music, whatever is comfortable and peaceful.

I think that you will instinctively know when the time is right. You'll look into your dogs eyes and she will tell you it's ok. Wishing you the best,

 

[Muggie'sMum]

kad, I have been considering having the vet come here... though she loves car rides so much that provided that she still has mobility, we might go that way. Nonetheless, our small animal vet is also our horse vet and is employed by the province and comes to our farm on a semi regular basis... I imagine we could call him out under the guise of looking at a horse to put her to sleep for us.

We have decided if she struggles much with the heat this summer, we will not be selfish and let her suffer. We have more or less decided that another winter would not be too kind to her, and I also worry about not being able to bury her - I was not able to bury my mare Angel this past summer on the property, and it still bothers me a lot....

Lots of decisions to consider, I suppose.

 

[Sweet72947]

We knew when it was time to put Coco, our old Chessie, down when he didn't want to do anything anymore. He became incontinent and we would come home every day and hose crap off his butt and clean him up. In the house he wore a diaper. He could barely walk, and he stopped eating and drinking. We had the mobile vet come put him down. Coco was ready though. They let you know when they're ready. If the dog doesn't enjoy life anymore, then its time, IMHO.

 

[Renee750il]

Just take it one day at a time. Don't look ahead to the day you may have to make the decision; live today with her, each and every day, and when the time does come, you won't have any regrets.

 

[Fruit bat]

I don't have any advice really , but I can relate. I know how tough this is but when the time comes , I think it's the right thing to do.

Hope this makes you smile.

 

[Steponme]

Muggie's, that's one of the hardest things to face . . . I've always believed - and acted on that belief - that when they are ready to go, they will let you know. You'll see it in their eyes.

And coming home to find that she's slipped away peacefully . . . that's not a bad thing. The two of you have loved each other and you both know each other's hearts, so not physically saying good-bye right at the moment she chooses to cross isn't always that important - to either of you. She knows. You know. That's all that matters. And it's only for awhile, anyway . . . .

This post sums it up best. What a wonderful view....