When you know it's time... UPDATE 1/17

I haven't written in a while, but my dog is getting worse. He's a small pekingese dog. The disc in his back went a few months ago so he stopped walking all together. B4 that he was on steroids for the pain. He now can't walk and cries all the time. We feed him, take him out, give him water, hold him, etc. One of the things used to work and he'd stop and now he doesn't stop at all. It's worse at night. Almost like having an infant. DH and I take turns with him.
Right now I already have a toddler and I'm pregnant so it's getting harder. The Vet said it's up to us, but we hate having to choose a day and I feel like I'm now pushing it. It's really for all our own good. The dog is sad and sometimes pees and poops on himself. He can't help it.
Anyway, DH finally realized it's time to stop being selfish b/c our dog isn't happy. How do you just pick that day and know we're going there with him and not coming back. I've gotten better with knowing it's time as well b/c he's no longer a dog. I feel like I'm more his nurse than owner. No more greetings and he doesn't even know what's going on.
Any thoughts or advise?
Thanks

Updates today 1/17 - we put him to sleep on Saturday. It's really hard and I don't want to talk about it. I know it's the best thing for him and us

Message edited 1/17/2011 8:08:16 AM.

Re: When you know it's time

I am so sorry you are going through this.

We had to put down my family dog over the summer (sounds like he was in similar shape as your dog), and it was incredibly difficult. However when it was time, it was my parents who made the decision and took him to the vet, so I was spared that part of it, but it was still not easy to say goodbye that morning.

If he is in pain, and losing control of his bodily functions, then I don't think you can pick a day that is too soon, so really it's just important that you don't wait too long, because you don't want him to suffer.

We were worried about my mom going with him to the vet, but in the end she said she was very happy she was there, because he was more peaceful and comfortable than she had seen him in years, so that was a good way to see him go.

It's terrible though and I am crying just typing this right now!

Re: When you know it's time

We had to make that decision with our kitty Max. The hardest thing I've ever done. When K.C passed he did it at the vet so we didn't have to make the decision.

Ask the vet if the dog is in pain. If the dog cannot be kept comfortable and there is no quality of life, it's time.


I'm so very sorry for this pain. It's a pain like no other.

Re: When you know it's time

It's hard to make that decision, but when your pet does not have the quality of life anymore, that's when you know it is time.

I made the decision to put my cat down because he was sick with cancer, could not eat properly and was slowly starving to death. Sadly the cancer was not treatable and was fairly aggresive.
I came home one day and saw that he was suffering - can't descibe the look in his eyes, but it was as if he was pleading with me to help him.
Hardest decision I ever had to make, but one of the best.

Re: When you know it's time

I am so sorry Our dog Rocky has an auto immune disease that effects his brain and is progressive. We are hoping to put it into remission (he's on steroids now) but we know that may not happen. Right now his personality is back but he has some deficits..he can't jump or climb stairs like he used to but he seems okay with that. What I am getting to is that right now his quality of life is a good one. He plays with his ball, greets us at the door and is "happy." If there comes a time where he has no interest in his toys or us and doesn't seem to know what's going on we will put him to sleep. It will kill us, but what matters most to us is his quality of life.

Good Luck

Message edited 1/14/2011 6:59:32 PM.

Re: When you know it's time... UPDATE 1/17

Just updated

I know we did the right thing, but it's still hard

Thanks everyone

Re: When you know it's time... UPDATE 1/17

im so sorry for your loss.

Re: When you know it's time... UPDATE 1/17

I'm so sorry!
I know how hard it is to lose a pet.
It's devastating.
Hang in there.

Re: When you know it's time... UPDATE 1/17

I am so sorry!

Re: When you know it's time... UPDATE 1/17

Re: When you know it's time... UPDATE 1/17

I am so sorry.

Re: When you know it's time... UPDATE 1/17

Im so sorry for your lose

Re: When you know it's time... UPDATE 1/17

Re: When you know it's time... UPDATE 1/17

I am so sorry Erica!

Re: When you know it's time... UPDATE 1/17

Re: When you know it's time... UPDATE 1/17

I am so sorry for your loss. You did the right thing for him

Re: When you know it's time... UPDATE 1/17

i am so sorry

Re: When you know it's time... UPDATE 1/17

I am so sorry In the end you gave him the gift of peace which takes much courage and pure love

Message edited 1/17/2011 2:10:34 PM.

Re: When you know it's time... UPDATE 1/17

I'm so sorry. We had to do the same thing for our 2 kitties a couple of years ago. Deciding the which exact day was the absolute worst thing we've ever had to do.

But as everyone else has said, you brought him peace. Hang in there.

Re: When you know it's time... UPDATE 1/17

Thanks Everyone for all the hugs and understanding

Re: When you know it's time... UPDATE 1/17

so sorry for your loss

Re: When you know it's time... UPDATE 1/17

Re: When you know it's time... UPDATE 1/17

I'm so sorry.

Re: When you know it's time... UPDATE 1/17

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss.

Re: When you know it's time... UPDATE 1/17

I'm so sorry for your loss.
You did the best you could do for your dog - you gave him a happy long life.