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?
Good luck.
It has been my experience, that most people wait too long to put down a sick animal, because they don’t want to be bereft of him. It has also been my experience that those same people are ashamed of themselves, afterwards, that they didn’t put their animal out of its misery, sooner.
Our little guy will be 15 in April. He’s in no pain, just slowing down and sleeping more. Somewhat deaf. No more crate at night, he started having a lot of anxiety and kept scratching through the night to get let out. So he has the run of the house as long as he has control of his bodily functions. Getting meds for about a month for canine cognitive disorder. He had his days and nights mixed up and the meds have helped a lot. Plus he is more engaged and “with it” playing with his toys, etc. I have had his grave dug and ready for 2 years now in case he goes in the winter. Going to put him next to Sadie our 19 year old cat who raised the dog like his momma. They were best buds. We love our pets and take care of them as long as we can and then the best way to take care of them is to help them go, ending their fear and pain.
Casey went to the vets this afternoon and we held and petted him as he moved onto Good Dog Heaven.
He was a very good dog.
I have been trying to post pictures of him, unsuccessfully. He was beautiful in his prime.
My son came through like a trooper, the loving man that I have known.
I will be tearing up for days, I suspect.
Sorry for your loss.
It’s been about three years since we had to put down my best friend Blaze. I still miss him terribly.
Turns me into the monster that wants to kill his dog.
boy that hit home today
A warped sense of humor should be guilt-free.
;)
read above, it took him a week while but he came through.
Oh, I’m glad. And I’m sorry for your loss, but I think you must be at peace with it. I know from experience, it’s hard to do.
And the next time your son talks about getting a pet, may I suggest a parrot or a tortoise? They live for up to 70 years.
The problem he had, I think other people have, is that when he came over to visit the dog, the dog filled with adrenaline and looked great. Bounced around a bit, and after he left, of course the dog returned to its normal senile, weak self.
He spend a few days with the dog over the holidays, and last night he took the dog to his apartment. They slept together when he finally got the dog settled with the dogs head resting on his chest.
He came back in the morning, and said: it is time.
funny he mentioned parrot last night.
Actually this has been his first real loss, at age 23. Although he lost a grandfather, the man was a stranger to him. He has had some acquaintances die via MVAs or hunting, but no one close.
I agree and so would my friend. That’s why I’ve never brought the subject up again. It’s so out of character for him.
Casey was an English Shepherd.
Casey was a good dog. How good a dog? We brought home a little calico kitten named Meeyu. Meeyu decided that Casey was comfort and mom all rolled into one. When ever Casey laid down he would have to roll onto his side and Meeyu would twirl Casey’s chest hairs into a nipple and nurse on his fur and fall asleep. Casey would just watch and finally fall asleep with the kitten.
There was a period of time some of you may remember when when we had a deluge of kittens. Litter after litter...all to good homes btw. Casey was the kitten-wrangler.keeping all of the little morsels together.
He also was an amazing chicken-shepherd. He would keep the flock together. If there was an outlier, he would chase it. flip it on its side, pick it up in his mouth and carry it back to the flock. The hens didn’t like that very much. They obeyed him.
But most of all, he was a great dog and companion to his owner, Peter and the family. He just plain loved us. He used to play catch and could throw the ball back at us when he caught it. Sorry I am reminiscing. Missing his presence tonight.
Try a gas chain saw in a closet, it works just as well, just leave it running on the floor. LOL, You can save a bundle, use a bag from Walmart, but handle it carefully, they rip easy.
Sounds like what I call, “A Reader’s Digest kind of dog”. Especially special dogs.
There’s a really charming old book by Christopher Morley, called “Where The Blue Begins” . It’s a sort of fantasy about a certain dog’s life and experiences. It’s free, online, on the Gutenberg Project site.
I’m sure it was really difficult for him.
I will look for it.
Chickensoup,
You are more than kind. It has been almost 20 years since the first loss of our furbabies and we still grieve.
The Lord God was so gracious in giving humans furbabies.
May you experience the blessings of living in the moment of memories. Amen.
His appetite has actually increased since his condition started. And although he doesn’t have the control he once did, he’s still trying to go outside twice a day. He tries to keep up with the other dogs to the best of his ability. but most of all, the look in his eyes. I’ve seen a dog’s eyes when he’s done. My I still cry when I think of the babies who’ve left me. But Ralphie is still bright eyed. His eyes tell me he’s irritated at the limitations his condition put him under. But he’s not giving up.
Yes, it pains me to see him struggle, and the on my next day off, I’m going to talk to the vet to see what she’s thinking. If he’s not getting better, I may call it. There is a great pet crematory nearby, and he’ll always be with me.
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