I think it's about time.

[FLATHEAD]

I picked up a pup that had been passed over by a lot of folks because she had a bad heart murmer. They said she would have a heart attack at a young age and die. Well we liked her and brought her home. That was 13 years ago. She is a lab mix. She turned out to be the best damn dog I ever had. She grew up with my kids and is just as much a part of this family as the rest of us. As loyal as any dog could ever be. Gave us 7 pups once and I still see some them all the time.<br /><br />Now the problem. The last few months she has been on the decline. Kind of up and down. One day she will be out giving the local cats hell the next she can barely get up. The last few weeks she has all but lost her hearing, she is almost blind. She has had a few seizures and is puking almost every morning when she goes out. Sometimes she will run right up the porch steps other times I have to help her. I know the day is close when I have to put her down, I always thought when this time came I could take her out to the woods and take care of it myself. Now I know there is way no in hell I could do that. <br /><br />I just am not sure how long to let this go till I take her to the vet to be put down. On one hand when she feels good which is not very often anymore she does OK not great but OK. On the other hand when she feels bad , which is alot these days I feel sorry for her and know she is hurtin real bad. I am on the fence on this one. I am thinking maybe a family discussion might help decide but I think the kids might want to hang on to her till the bitter end, and I am not sure if that is the right thing to do.<br /><br />Any of you guys been in this spot before??

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: I think it's about time.

FH all I can do is give you my take on this.<br />It is hard to do and that is a fact.<br />I'm no vet but have had my share of dealings with dogs.<br />I have had to put 3 down because of old age, arthritis so bad they could not hardly move anymore, and one because of a bad heart.<br />It is no fun when the time comes, but I look at it like this.<br /><br />When they get that old and they are in that bad of shape, you are doing them a good thing by ending the pain and suffering that they are going through.<br /><br />They have been good pets, good to you, good to your kids, so now it's time for you to be good to them/it.<br /><br />Sit the family down and if you think they will understand, explain to them the way pooch is and how much better off she would be if you could end her suffering.<br />I don't want to come off sounding mean or anything, but when one can not see or has problems getting up and moving around, it would be best to put them down while they still have a little dignity about them.<br /><br />Sorry for you dog FH

 

[one more cast]

Re: I think it's about time.

Flathead,<br /> It is a tough thing to do, I had a golden lab mix that had cancer, she was in so much pain I had to back the truck in the ditch so she could just walk on, she couldn't get in the cab and it hurt her to try an pick her up, I wouldn't even let the vet take her off the truck because it hurt her so much to move.I took my stepson in side and they gave her a shot right on the truck,I paid them the extra $35 or whetever to bury her in the pet cemetary, and didn't have a dry eye all the way home. I felt bad for doing it but I spent $275 the week before trying to help her but the vet said there was nothing else they could do. I think that was the best thing I could have done.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: I think it's about time.

howdy FH,<br />yes, I have been there myself. in the end the<br />decision to put him outa his misery and pain<br />was mine since no one else had the heart to do it.<br />without fanfare I just took him down to the vet<br />on day and had him put down. family wasn't real<br />happy about it, but they understood it was the<br />humane thing to do. a new puppy helped alot.<br />good luck, sometimes it's up to us the do the<br />hard stuff, unfair as that might be.

 

[Bigfun]

Re: I think it's about time.

Depends on the level of understanding of your kids. One of the first lessons in life is death is inevitable. I whould suggest to your kids that they should do what whould make the death of their "friend" the best for their "friend". That would mean being there at it's last thought. Very sad but with all the joy our dogs give us it's the least we can do to make their passing as pleasant for THEM as possible.

 

[tylerin]

Re: I think it's about time.

Just went through this about a few months back Flathead w/ a Rotty. 13 years of love that dog brought us. I don't envy you at all, but I agree w/ Spinner. When the dog is suffering to the point of not having any quality of life its time to say your goodbye's. This an opinion based on what shape I "think" your dog is in. Sorry Flathead, I feel rotten even saying it.

 

[JB]

Re: I think it's about time.

Been there, Flahthead. Makes me weep just remembering. <br /><br />Hurts like sin anyway you do it. <br /><br />Get your Vet's advice before you do anything. It's a long shot, but he/she may be able to keep her comfortable for a few more years.<br /><br />I had my beloved old sheltie put down. He was 10 and I was 15 and he had been my best buddy for all of his 10 years. Broke my heart. <br /><br />When the strange little dog that adopted me when I moved into The Hideout got cancer I took him to the Vet, who gave him a narcotic to control the pain. He passed on with his head on my lap only a week later. Broke my heart again.<br /><br />Needs to be a family decision. If you decide and they disagree, you will be in big trouble for a loooong time. You don't need that added to your grief.<br /><br />I feel for you, my friend. Get another pup now, to establish continuity.

 

[aspeck]

Re: I think it's about time.

Man, I feel for you FH! When we had the dealership, had a guy that worked for us. His Golden Retriever got to the point you are talking about and he knew what had to be done, but couldn't do it. Guess who he came to! Man, it was touch taken a man's best friend from him and putting him down (at the vets, not in the woods). He thanked me so many times, and I can understand why, it was not my dog, but still very hard for me to do.<br /><br />Isn't it amazing, I have no trouble going to the woods and ending the life of a deer, turkey, squirrel, rabbit, etc, but make it a family pet, and all reason goes out the window (or does more compassion come in?)!<br /><br />Anyway, all that to say I feel for you, and if I was on the other side of the Atlantic, I would offer to come and help. Just too long of a commute from here.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: I think it's about time.

hello<br /> I feel for ya flathead<br /> its tough to lose them.<br /> my lab of 19 was poisoned by a dang yankee that just moved in from newjersy trying to poison coons. had her for 9 years though.<br /> anyway it doesnt make it hurt less but we all get to experience the pure joy and the pain of a good dog. heck I even love my old yellow cat. he is 9 and deaf as a post but will still follow me through the woods while hunting. he aint even gunshy . good luck and keep posting. 25 years ago I would have words of wisdom. now I am a box of rocks

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: I think it's about time.

Well I figure I will talk to the gang this week one day. My son usally stops by for moms home cooking once a week and then we will all be able to talk. The wife and I are in agreement that it is time to do something. Like JB said I think a trip to vet for his opinon might be the first step. <br /><br />I picked a spot to bury her years ago. I was hunting on an abandond farm near my home for deer one year and worked my way down in a little hollow before light to sit and wait. When it got light I noticed a rock sticking up with something on it. Low and behold it was an old leather dog collar just hanging by a thread. There was a tag attached and the dogs name was on it. I looked around and soon saw four more rocks standing on edge, I had stumbled onto the old farmers dog graveyard. I had heard how much the guy loved his dogs. So what the heck I'll bury her there, she always liked that farm anyway.<br /><br />I dont think a new dog is in the cards anytime in the near future, and for sure no cats.<br /><br />Thanks for the replies.

 

[BigDDL]

Re: I think it's about time.

Just wanted to let you know we're feeling for you flahthead...went through the same thing about six months ago (heartmurmer that the vet missed before we bought the puppy...guess that's what we get for having him checked out at a national chain) but only Charlie (a choclate lab) was six months old. It sounds like you've found the perfect spot for him/her to rest. You and your family will be in our prayers... BigDDL

 

[oregonducker]

Re: I think it's about time.

Flahthead,<br />Tough deal no matter what. Tough to do it and tough to expose kids to that aspect of life for the first time(if your kids are that young). But, it's ok. After awhile you'll realize that you did the right thing for your friend.<br /><br />Dog's PLEA <br /><br />Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me. Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn. Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps fall on my waiting ear. <br /><br />Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal no longer accustomed to the bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privelege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger. <br /><br />And, my friend, when I am very old, and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight , do not make heroic efforts to keep me going....please see that my trusing life is taken gently. I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your loving hands .

 

[mattttt25]

Re: I think it's about time.

been there twice. golden was 16 years old, and declined fast. when she couldn't walk up and down the steps of our deck on her own, we knew it was time. the vet came to the house, my mom held her, and it was over very fast and painlessly. she's buried behind my parent's house.<br /><br />our bulldog was 12. same thing, couldn't get up and down steps, limited hearing and seeing. we brought her to the vet.<br /><br />it's an emotional choice, and tough to do the right thing. pets become part of the family, and it's tough to let them go.<br /><br />take care and good luck-

 

[Parrott_head]

Re: I think it's about time.

Get the vet's opinion but it sounds like to me it's time for the hard call.<br /><br />If I was the Daddy in this and decided to put the pet to sleep I wouldn't make a family decision out of it. I would sit the kids down, away from the pet, and explain to them the situation in terms they would be able to grasp at their age.<br />I would not let the kids make the decision, they may not have the maturity to deal with the consequencs once they see their beloved pet limp.<br />They may feel guilt and remorse for a decision that was correct and proper and not know how to deal with the guilt.<br />I would offer the kids the chance to be there when the pet is put down but allow them a way to leave the room gracefully if they cannot handle it.<br />Hope this helps. I'm having a hard time seeing the screen right now, something in my eyes..<br /><br />A really tough lesson in Love...<br /><br />Take Care.<br />Parrott_head

 

[JoeW]

Re: I think it's about time.

Flathead,<br />I just went through this last year with our lab/sheppard mix. She was a sweet dog. She even got the MRS. to love her (she's not an animal person). My kids were only 12 & 14 and we had her for 8 years. The dog had Addison's disease during her last two years and it was costing me a fortune to keep her alive, but that was okay. Vet told us that she would go off & die one day and that's what she did. It's hard knowing you can't do much for them. I was in a blue funk for a couple of months after that. Kids finally talked me into adopting a yellow lab from a rescue site. The house just wasn't the same without a dog.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: I think it's about time.

Thanks for the replys guys.