At what point do you call it a day with an old dog?

jimharri said:
OP; I think, deep down, that you know the answer to your question. When you're having to carry him up and down the stairs, it's time to say goodbye. Your dog's quality of life has deteriorated now and, in my opinion, it isn't fair to prolong it. Yes; I get it. You love your dog, and would do anything for him. But, without wanting to sound like a twat, that is irrelevant. The dog's welfare is paramount now. Do the right thing by him.


It's heartbreaking when these decisions have to be made. I've been through it a few times, and it's like a dagger through the heart
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This is the problem and the balance between happiness and suffering. We have just taken him out for an hour in a big private field where he could not be more happy. He is now pacing around the house having the time of his life whilst Mrs is doing the chores. However, come about 1pm it will all kick in again and he will be crying in pain for about 12 hours until we get him to settle down. Fucking vets and painkillers.
 
SamTheGuru said:
This is the problem and the balance between happiness and suffering. We have just taken him out for an hour in a big private field where he could not be more happy. He is now pacing around the house having the time of his life whilst Mrs is doing the chores. However, come about 1pm it will all kick in again and he will be crying in pain for about 12 hours until we get him to settle down. Fucking vets and painkillers.
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I think it's time mate.
 
With mine it was when she would refuse food and vomit up anything that she was eating. I was hoping and praying she would go in her sleep, but she didn't. She was 16 years old, her back legs had gone and I knew I had to do something.

KIlled me to do it, but she herself looked ready. I agree with everyone who has said the same; when the quality of life is gone, that's when it's time.

Courage over the next few weeks, mate.
 
Metal Biker said:
With mine it was when she would refuse food and vomit up anything that she was eating. I was hoping and praying she would go in her sleep, but she didn't. She was 16 years old, her back legs had gone and I knew I had to do something.

KIlled me to do it, but she herself looked ready. I agree with everyone who has said the same; when the quality of life is gone, that's when it's time.

Courage over the next few weeks, mate.
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Not next few weeks. 10:45 tomorrow morning :(
 
SamTheGuru said:
Not next few weeks. 10:45 tomorrow morning :(
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I don't envy you what lies ahead in the next few days. All I can say is remember, and be happy for, the good times. And, if there were any, bin the bad ones. He'll be able to sleep easy and without pain after tomorrow. It's a cliché, but it does get easier with the passing of time. But not for a while.
 
jimharri said:
I don't envy you what lies ahead in the next few days. All I can say is remember, and be happy for, the good times. And, if there were any, bin the bad ones. He'll be able to sleep easy and without pain after tomorrow. It's a cliché, but it does get easier with the passing of time. But not for a while.
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SamTheGuru said:
Not next few weeks. 10:45 tomorrow morning :(
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Sounds like you’ve done right by Ben. It’s horrible playing god with your pet and you always question when the right time is.

We had a similar dilemma in February and ultimately did what you are doing. It’s heartbreaking and by far the worst bit of having pets, but what you’re doing now is the final act of kindness, despite how much you want him to go on forever.

You’ve given Ben the life he deserved following an horrific start. You’ve always had his best interests at heart and this is no different. Given a bit of time, you’ll look back and know you’ve done the right thing for him at the right time.

Spoil him rotten today. I don’t envy your emotions tomorrow, but look after yourself too.
 
You’ve done exactly the right thing mate. But it’s heartbreaking. We had a similar choice with our lovely black lab Hugo who was unable to walk properly towards the end - had to drag him into the garden on a piece of plywood and he’d just sit in the sunshine under a bush. Our lovely local vet came out and euthanised him at the house with family gathered round stroking him. He just gave a little sigh and passed. No distress at all but just surrendered to it.
Good luck tomorrow. I can understand your pain, if you can do it, be there with him - it actually helps.
 
I had to have my ex racing greyhound put to sleep two years ago. He had a bad swelling on one of his front legs, the vets were treating him and said he would get better with antibiotics. I went out to Athens for the Super Cup for a few days, and left him with my ex wife and kids. When I got back the swelling was no better, he could walk but didn’t look comfortable. I went back to the vets, they continued with more antibiotics and said he’ll be ok. My ex wife and kids went off to Turkey on holiday and I continued to look after him. As it obviously wasn’t improving I went back yet again to the vet, and this time demanded that they x-ray his leg to see what was going on. So I left him overnight at the vets to have his x-ray in the morning. Later the next day I get a call from the vet to say the x-ray had revealed it was bone cancer. She said there were a few options we could look at, so I made my way back to the vets. When I got there she said we’re not sure what’s happened but he’s come out of sedation in a really bad way, she’d never seen it before. I took one look at him and said that’s it, you do the decent thing now. He’d been in agony for weeks due to you treating it as a swelling that would get better. She injected him and I stayed stroking his head until he passed away, I stayed for a long time as he turned cold. I walked back into the surgery with his lead and collar and this random woman stood up and hugged me tight. I’ve never really forgiven the vets for putting him through that, although I’m sure they were doing their best. I then had to let my ex wife and kids know the bad news whilst they were on holiday, as she’d insisted on it. I still miss the big fella, he helped to get me through my divorce and Covid lockdown. I hope you’re bearing up Sam, it won’t be easy but it’s the right thing to do.
 
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SamTheGuru said:
This is the problem and the balance between happiness and suffering. We have just taken him out for an hour in a big private field where he could not be more happy. He is now pacing around the house having the time of his life whilst Mrs is doing the chores. However, come about 1pm it will all kick in again and he will be crying in pain for about 12 hours until we get him to settle down. Fucking vets and painkillers.
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I feel for you, your boy.loves you as do you him. Hang in a bit longer, because those hours are a joy for your boy and you.
I have a neighbour who had his dog in one of those slings for about a year. Now his dog is walking free sometimes and he uses the sling.
I just won't encourage you to do something that may make you feel regret later.
 
Had to put our westie down 4 months ago and still miss her, we had the vet come out to put her to sleep she was in her own surroundings which made it feel a more private moment and we held her in our arms as she passed so peacefully. Still expect to see her in the morning tho. We have her ashes at home with us . It’s really tough but you have to do what’s right for the dog.
 
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