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?
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?
It is a dog
That is how I see it.
This is, of course, most often not an easy decision to make. It helps to keep in mind the fact that animals, including pets, are less “interested” in living a long life than they are in living comfortably; that is, not living in pain or infirmity.
As the person or people who adopted this family member; it’s up to you to decide when the pup’s quality of life is gone much like when it’s time for us to go in into Hospice for end of life care and pain relief. We can do for our pets what we can’t do for our human loved ones.
You will know when it’s time. At least that has been my experience too many times.
I think if the animal is suffering through the day in any way, it’s time to say goodbye.
I understand how important pets are, but I’ve got to say, people are getting into very unhealthy emotional territory these days. Animals are being put on the same plane as people. When I hear someone say losing a pet is like losing a family member, it makes me cringe. As if losing a dog to a hit and run would be the same as losing a child? Come on - losing a pet is like losing a pet. It’s very sad and you move on and get over it. Losing a child or a close family member is something else.
My line is when they can't control their natural functions - but if your dog has lost its mind... well.
A lot of this advice could apply to Democrats in the Congress.
We decided after it was obvious our dog could no longer function with a decent amount of happiness to put him down...
We made the appointment and he died in his sleep that night...
Dogs have a sixth sense....
Make that appointment and put the good boy to rest...
So, I take it that slaughtering for Asian food use is off the table?
I don’t see a concern with allowing the dog to die on its own, with what care you can reasonably give it, or, yes, a bullet or lethal injection is possible, too.
I would find a New Puppy,
Introduce it to the
Old Dog,
Then put him down.
Life goes on.
Problem when the family members are not on the same page.
Sentimentalism occurs.
I don’t adopt pets.
I adopt children
I buy pets.
It’s a very tough situation and a very heartbreaking decision. But people don’t understand the responsibility that you as a human being have towards that animal. And I know that it’s extremely difficult to determine when the time is but it is cruel and selfish in my opinion to permit a dog to suffer when that dog has no understanding of why it is suffering.
And another thing people don’t realize is that very often the dog will know that it’s time to go. I know this from personal experience and they will give you signals indicating that if you know the animal well and understand those signals.
Sadly this is the other side of the coin of the joy of having a loving animal. You have that responsibility to take care of that animal and to not let it suffer unnecessarily. My personal opinion is that most people who keep an animal past the point where that animal has no quality of life at all are not being humanitarian I think they are just being selfish and don’t realize it.
The loss of natural function has been my previous line in the sand.
Senility He looks good initially but he is functionally impaired.
This dog was a farm dog that ranged over 30 acres.
He is now tied to a lead, and shiver shakes and pants.
He cannot find me in the house.
He cannot figure out where the back door is.
I think it is tragic.
But I even had a neighbor who kept a blind dog alive for many years.
I also have had to put my dogs to sleep. One was a quick decision within 5 hours. Others because of old age. The critter is your friend, your buddy, etc. and when the time comes you just know. I would never let my critters go longer then necessary.
Maybe be a dog, but he also a deeply loved member of the family. That is why the decision to put to sleep or not is so difficult.
Sounds like your beloved pet is no longer living life, enjoying your company, no longer living as a dog nor as a member of your family.
Sadly, the decision in your case is clear, no matter how much it hurts to put to sleep this loving member of the family, it is time.
My prayers on the way.
By the way, the wife and I found comfort envisioning the Rainbow Bridge: https://www.rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm
My family has always had cats. A few died naturally at home but the majority reached a point where they were in misery that we couldn’t assuage. At that point we had them euthanized. If your dog’s anxiety is the biggest problem I would try to find a way to medicate it. But if you’ve tried that, then it is time.
You might decide to go on a trip & leave the dog with one of the family members adamantly against euthanizing. I think they’d change their outlook. At least they wouldn’t be second guessing your opinion.
On reflection, the process can be extended to people.
Granma is very ill, her mind is gone, she lacks the ability to eat, her kidneys have pretty much failed. The consensus of the team of physicians is that further treatment is counter productive.
Then from the back row, a grand daughter out of her mind with no mental control begins to shout....It’s grand ma. We have to do what ever can be done to save her. Yes, dialisis. We must by pass her kidneys to save her. Yes, even for a few days if it will save her, we must do what ever that needs to be done. I don’t care a whit for what the doctors think, their collective best judgement. It’s granma we’re talking about.!
A lot of this advice could apply to Democrats in the Congress.
Oh I’d have no problem putting them down.
with this post you know it is time!
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