Pondering decisions on our dog

[Ripsnort]

He's taken a turn for the worse again. Hasn't gotten up but once in the last 2 days. He seems strong when he does get up, but then lays down again. He puked up his food yesterday.

He's 15 and of course the vet wants to see him yet again. I'm considering a 1 way trip rather than be hit with a $200 vet bill (actually $458 last time) everytime they want to see him, and inevitably send him home. Am I being selfish about this? He's very old, very tired, still "able" but just barely able...what to do?

[indy007]

Originally posted by Ripsnort
He's taken a turn for the worse again. Hasn't gotten up but once in the last 2 days. He seems strong when he does get up, but then lays down again. He puked up his food yesterday.

He's 15 and of course the vet wants to see him yet again. I'm considering a 1 way trip rather than be hit with a $200 vet bill (actually $458 last time) everytime they want to see him, and inevitably send him home. Am I being selfish about this? He's very old, very tired, still "able" but just barely able...what to do?

We put down one of our dogs recently. He was about 16. He was old and hurting, but still had sparks of life. However, it was too much to watch him try and walk around on shaky, arthritic legs. He made one last trip to the vet, and came back in an urn. It was a really sad day here, but it was worse watching him walk around eaten up by arthritis and cancer.

[lukster]

Tough decision, I don't envy you. In the end you have to do what's best for the dog. If he's in frequent pain it's probably better to make that a one way trip. You have my sympathies.

[Neubob]

I suppose it would be fairest to consider his quality of life. Is he living, or just existing? Is he in pain? Does the pleasure he get when he does get up overwhelm the suffering he feels at all other times. It's not about the joy you and your family feels when they play with him anymore, it's all about the dog, and, cruel as it may be to say this, he has lived a long life.

I know it's pretty crappy to distill it down to these factors and ignore the sentimentality, but, as a living organism, I'd prefer to live, rather than just go through the motions of being alive.

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by Neubob
I suppose it would be fairest to consider his quality of life. Is he living, or just existing? Is he in pain? Does the pleasure he get when he does get up overwhelm the suffering he feels at all other times. It's not about the joy you and your family feels when they play with him anymore, it's all about the dog, and, cruel as it may be to say this, he has lived a long life.

I know it's pretty crappy to distill it down to these factors and ignore the sentimentality, but, as a living organism, I'd prefer to live, rather than just go through the motions of being alive.

That's a very good post Neubob, and one I'll be pondering this morning.  My wife agrees (I conveyed this message to her) wholeheartedly.

[Ripsnort]

Well, 3:00pm today we're putting him down. He'll be sadly missed, but he's had a good long life.

[BlueJ1]

 My condoleneces to you and your family sir.

[detch01]

My condolences Rip. It's a hard, hard decision to have to make but sometimes the last favour you can do for a pet is to put them down humanely.






asw

[xrtoronto]

I don't envy your situation.

If in your shoes, I would look at what is best for your dog. He's been a devoted family member for a decade and half and deserves the best you can do for him.  You are fortunate enough to have the income to 'help' if that's what is needed.

If you have doubts, maybe it isn't the right thing to have him put down?

Best of luck on this Rip.

[Nifty]

Sorry to hear, Rip.

[Halo]

Deepest condolences, Ripsnort.  We had to put down our 15-year-old Parsons Jack Russell terrier a couple years ago.  Hard to do, but to many animal caretakers it's a loving gift and duty of ownership when a pet's quality of life declines that significantly.

[Neubob]

Condolences, Ripsnort.

[Sparks]

My condolences Rip. It's rough on the family. I went through this myself in February - our Beagle had cancer and we had to have him put down suddenly due to internal hemoarage.  Held him while they gave him the shot .........

I feel for you but it's the right thing if he is suffering with no hope.

[Modas]

That's terrible news

Something I got when I had to put my dog of 14 years down while I was in college from one of my relatives.  I read it everyonce in a while...

IF IT SHOULD BE

If it should be that I grow weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand.
Don't let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day, more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years.
What is to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want me to suffer so;
The time has come -- please let me go.

Take me where my need they'll tend,
And please stay with me till the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Please do not grieve -- it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years;
Don't let your heart hold back its tears.

--- Anonymous ---

[LePaul]

Im sorry to hear that, Rip.