Posted on 12/23/2018 6:35:14 AM PST by Chickensoup
When do we put Rover down?
I have always thought that when an animal becomes sick, old, diseased, and is in pain, senile or unable to manage that the kind thing to do would be to euthanize it.
However, it seems that I am in the minority with that opinion.
Our good dog of 15 years is now senile, is anxious and barks, has poor vision and little hearing. He barks almost constantly, cannot remember where he is or where we are. He is a sad old mess.
I have been advocating putting him to sleep.
Others in the family see me as advocating family murder.
I thought that was odd, until I discovered that acquaintances have approached the family members with NURSING HOME options for the pets that one can no longer care for. At a price.
that none of them can afford.
As the primary care taker of this animal I see that continuing his life is causing him undue suffering. I am also frustrated at the limitations on my life. I suppose I am selfish.
I now know people who have animals with joint replacements, insulin, cardiac meds and other complicated measures. I find it surprising. Perhaps I am just too old?
There was a time where the decision to put down a beloved animal was considered an act of courage. I thought it was a part of the process of maturation and acceptance of life's limitations.
Now I am faced with people telling me that the dog deserves to live out all of his natural life in whatever condition it presents.
Am I so out of touch? Is animal euthanasia no longer a decision?
Nothing wrong with holding your buddy as his life passes humanely. I hope and pray my kids have the same common sense and decency for me.
I will be making the same call for my friend, buddy and pet. It’s the burden and responsibility of being the human in the situation.
So is ours. With antibiotics and modern medical care our beloved pets remind us that ultimately life is short and uncertain. In some sense they fill that reminding role that half of the sibling did in a large 19th century family.
We need to live our individual lives as if our no-nosed friend will take us at any moment.
(Just looked over part of the family genealogy yesterday. Pretty grim.)
Deaf for several years and can only see shapes, but his nose still works.
He has not had a coon or opossum to chase since Spring.
Still waiting for him to tell me he is done.
“Our good dog of 15 years is now senile, is anxious and barks, has poor vision and little hearing. He barks almost constantly, cannot remember where he is or where we are. “
________________________________________________
He is relying on the human Stewardship to know when his time is at an end and he needs assistance to ... Cross the bridge...
I choose to make the decision for several of our furbabies because my beloved was not at the point of being able to make that decision.
Your decision is the correct one. Even if a human held the dog and petted it, INTERNALLY, the dog knows it is his time... He’s terrified because he’s not able to take care of himself. As a creature under a human’s touch, he needs the human to help him make that last step over...
To keep him alive in the current condition is a betrayal of his love and devoted life to his human companions.
Nice.
You are right.
>>>I’d be in my garage with the car engine on<<<
Great, another option out the window if you own a Tesla.
Yes, it is a dog. But I have relatives who are unable to have children, and for different reasons, are unable to adopt. Their pets, while not their children, are all they have, as a substitute. My son and daughter-in-law fall into that category. They have had to put down their precious pets, when those pets became old and infirm, and medical care would only prolong their suffering. It was traumatic, but they had no choice. After a time of grieving, they adopted more animals to fill the gaping wound. Yes, it is just a dog, but it has great value to those who love it, especially if it’s all they’ve got.
The dog you describe is suffering. It is cruel to allow that to continue.
When a human is like that, we medicate them into dull diapered wheelchair existence and await death. We don’t even let human loved ones stay unnecessarily agitated. They are upset and confused. Better, if they have to stay alive, to be drugged and not upset over craziness.
So yeah, I’d let your dog to his happy hunting grounds. Poor boy. It’s time.
I hate seeing my uncle in the same state but forced to go on “living.” So many people are living so.
The Grama you describe, is actively dying. While I don’t believe in euthanizing people, she will die on her own if allowed to. Dialysis may prolong her life, but dialysis is a miserable way to spend half your day, 3 days a week, only to feel lousy all but a few of the other days.
Oh no, if only I hadn’t laughed as I scrolled down to your post. I feel guilty now.
Hugs, you made the right choice.
Wolfpat, what makes you think it is Ralphie who still wants to live, and not you, who doesn’t want to say good-bye?
After just laughing at Notorious, just above, now I have tears in my eyes from that cartoon story.
Thanks, it was a long day.
My 10-year-old dog was diagnosed with lymphoma back in the summer of 2016 - basically a death sentence. If I remember correctly, in that thread, I was talking about switching my dog to a raw-food diet and whatnot to extend her life. She was really a great dog to me and I would have done anything within reason to extend her life a few more years.
The vet at the time recommended surgery and treatment that would run me into the thousands of dollars. While I had the means, I made the decision to put my dog down barely a month later. That's because I could see her suffering and knew that I would only be buying time - of more suffering. At 10 years, I knew that my dog had lived a full happy life. All those years we spent hiking in the woods, running along the beach and eating steak together. Yes, I would actually put an extra steak on the grill just for my dog and everytime I made turkey or chicken, I'd feed her all the gizzards. She actually knew the smell of gizzards being boiled and she got all excited.
So she had a good dog's life and I did not feel it necessary to extend it artificially through surgeries and medicines in which she would be tired and lethargic most of the day. I knew it was over the day she could no longer get up on her feet without obvious pain. I made the appointment and stood by her side as she received the needle from the vet. Within 30 seconds, she was gone in peaceful eternal slumber. It was the right thing to do and all my memories of her are pleasant - mostly of her bounding through the woods chasing squirrels and happily smelling just about everything she came across.
My sister had a dog that she kept alive for probably three years beyond what was necessary. Unfortunately, all our memories of that dog was him having accidents in the house and constantly yelping in pain as he was carried outside to do his business. The poor dog was almost definitely blind towards the end and perhaps somewhat deaf as well. After he died (in the house) my sister had to throw all her rugs away as they were soiled beyond recovery.
That is not the right way to do it.
You had 15 years with your dog which is rather fortunate compared to most. I know you will do the right thing. I only ask that you be with your dog when the deed is done. It's the right thing to do.
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