Dogs: How to Let Go??

84porsche · 84porsche's Garage

I know that many of you are pet/dog owners from the great thread on dogs we had a while back. I have to ask how do you guys/gals let go of someone that has been in your life for so long.

I have had my dalmation for 11 years now and she has a major tumor in her head that has grown to the size of several tennis balls (bonelike structured tumor that is inoperable) and I know she is in some pain but I keep saying to myself that she is strong and will be ok.

Is it my responsibility to put my dog to sleep? I have such a hard time understanding this concept. My sister set a date because I asked her to if we saw no other alternatives but how do you explain this to your dog that I have chosen to take your life. This dog grew up with me and is my dog, she listens to me and still somewhat active but this tumor is at least 4 times the size of her head. Tell me what you guys/gals think?

KFC911 · 11-08-2005, 09:43 AM

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. It's hard, but something we pet lovers have to bear. IMO, yes, if you love your dog, you will reach a point in time that you 'know what you have to do' (i.e. have her 'put down'). As long as the pet is happy, and free of pain, I say pamper them and treat them like royalty, but IMO, once the pain sets in (and there's no hope for a cure), then it's time...YOU'LL know when. Good luck with your decision!

legion · 11-08-2005, 09:45 AM

I think of it as an act of compassion. The dog's pain will only get worse. You are relieving her of her pain.

I had to put my dog to sleep back in '97. I grew up with her too. She was 12, about the same size. She had a stroke and was no longer conscious. I had to come to terms with the fact that keeping her alive would be for me, not her.

tabs · 11-08-2005, 09:49 AM

How is her apetitite?

jyl · jyl's Garage

You've got to do it when your dog is suffering more than she is enjoying life, and isn't going to recover. A dog is so loyal, she will try to respond to you until her dying breath, but that doesn't mean she is having a good life. As an animal, she can't understand what is happening to her, and can't ask you to help her. You have to be strong and do what is best for her.

Objectively, I would particularly watch her appetite and activity level - when dogs lose interest in eating and playing, that's a sign that they are suffering.

It is terribly hard. I put my chow to sleep 10 years ago, woke up crying for years thereafter, and still look at her picture frequently. Be strong.

Steve Carlton · 11-08-2005, 09:51 AM

Man, that's tough. My heart goes out to you and your dog. You need to decide what's best for her, if the suffering is worth living through. You've got a horrible decision to make when to free her of a painful existence. Love her up while you still can.

B D · 11-08-2005, 09:53 AM

Soory to hear this Chris, we had to put our cat down last year she was 17 years old and we were very attached. I know your pain. You will know when the time is right, basically for us when the pain was greater than the afffection we could give. Make sure to spend some quality time, for example if possible go to the park and let her run around chasing birds etc. also order a pizza and get it delivered to the park and share the pizza with her.

arcsine · 11-08-2005, 09:53 AM

Yup, your call.

Dogs are loyal and want to please owners to the end and do not feel sorry for themselves. Pay attention to the things others have listed and tough as it will be, you will know when the time is right.

Best wishes.

ken_xman · 11-08-2005, 09:54 AM

Have you consulted other pet surgeons? I would explore all other options before anything else is even considered. I have a dog I rescued from St Croix, and she is the warmest, kindest friend you could ever ask for.
As long as your dog is enjoying life and she has that look when looking in your eyes, keep her happy every day.
If her pain becomes to much for her to enjoy the things she loves to do, then you have a decision.
FYI- I would never put a pet to sleep unless the pain was intolerable.

vash · vash's Garage

oh my !!!!

poor dog. very sorry you guys need to go through this. tough part of it is that some vets like you to be there when the juice goes in. to completely put the pet at ease. best of luck to everyone.

cliff

Moses · 11-08-2005, 10:09 AM

The point of putting your dog down yourself is so that your dogs last moments are not filled with fear and pain. Deciding when your pet in suffering too much is the hardest part.

Tim Hancock · 11-08-2005, 10:23 AM

I had to put down my 13 yr old siberian husky last year. It sucked and it still wanders into my mind on occasion. When the time comes, have a friend do it if you can because the memory of doing it myself is tougher to shake than I thought it would be.

notfarnow · 11-08-2005, 10:31 AM

I have an older dog, not in great shape but still healthy enough open the fridge or chew a leg off a kitchen chair. Man, this thread is killing me... I don't think I can read any more.

arcsine · 11-08-2005, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Moses
The point of putting your dog down yourself is so that your dogs last moments are not filled with fear and pain.

Some vets will do housecalls in events such as these. Pets will be much more at ease at home.

84porsche · 84porsche's Garage

Thanks for all your help and advice everyone. I really appreciate it. I will keep a close eye on her for the next few weeks but right now its scheduled for the end of the month.

Tabs, she is still eating but eating a lot slower and sometimes doesn't finish her food unless I am home watching her. I try to give her leftovers just so I can make sure she is eating but overall she has lost over 20 lbs from when this thing started. The first estimate was 6 months but she has lived almost 2 years with this dam* tumor that just won't stop growing.

id10t · 11-08-2005, 11:06 AM

See if your vet will do a house call, and have a friend there to take care of everything for you when you realize you just can't do it.

I'm in the same situation with my chow, didn't have the guts to do it for my other chow and he died in terror - hated lightning and fireworks, had a thunderstorm on 4th of july. Figured he just "blew a gasket".

Superman · 11-08-2005, 11:13 AM

I'm sorry for you. And the dog, but more for you.

Don Ro · 11-08-2005, 11:32 AM

A difficult time for you and your heart. So sorry to hear.
.
The good news for me was that I knew the end was coming instead of experiencing the loss via accident, etc.
What I did was to line up a "mobile vet" a month or so in advance. When I knew it was time, I went to his house the day prior to fetch a sedative syringe to administer an hour or so prior to his arrival at my house. I held my boy in my lap on the redwood deck as he went down. The vet quietly left. I just didn't want him or me to experience a vet's office in the end.
That worked for "us."
.
A new maturity about life and death came over me as a result of this loss. A blessing, really.
.
You could take a look at ...

http://www.petloss.com/

I went there months before the end. Wonderful support group.
Just remember that putting her down will be an extraordinary act of kindness on your part.
My girlfriend chose to not be present when her all time favorite dog was put down, and she regrets that.

Take care.

HardDrive · 11-08-2005, 11:41 AM

*wipes away tears*

My prayers go out to your and our family.

targa911S · 11-08-2005, 11:41 AM

awe man ... every time I read rainbow..it reminds me of Harry my first Airedale. he had cancer. We had the tumor removed, but the tumor grew back faster than his fur. So I was forced to put him down as he was just miserable. It was quick and painless but I will NEVER forget his last look in my eyes. There was a "thanks Dad" there. I still get misty when I think of that day. The hardest part was knowing I would never see him again.