How do you know when it's time to put your pet to sleep?.

[oldguyzer]

I've actually been pondering this myself lately. In addition to his hip dysplasia, my old dog has now been diagnosed with spinal arthritis. The vet made a point of telling me that these things can progress quite quickly in a dog of his age.

I've decided that I will keep him for as long as I can keep him comfortable. When it becomes clear that he's in pain all the time in spite of his meds, it will be time.

And then my heart will be broken, and I'm not getting any more pets.

My previous best friend was a Doberman I'd had since he was six weeks old. We spent every day together. We skied, we hiked, we even motorcycled together. He was healthy and happy most of his life. But, he went through hip and spine problems in his old age, and developed carcinomas in the last two years, but he always loved being with me. When, after 14 years, the pain was clear on his face and gait, it was time. I know it sounds trite but I felt more pain putting down my best friend than I did when very close friends and family passed, simply because the dog depended on me and trusted me completely. It was no question the right decision. And I still feel the pain.

I'm a quack. My mother's a vet. Between us, we've had over 100 dogs of every type and background, mostly shelter or those we were asked to put to sleep, and almost all have had a great life after we brought them in. Right now I've got three giant breeds that were to be euthanized. I took them. They are fantastic. Yet they will never replace the Dobie.

You'll know when it is time. It won't be easy, but always remember you are doing what you are doing for your best friend, and he/she deserves to go peacefully, with you there. It will hurt like hell. Grieve for a little while then go to the shelter, pick the one dog that looks like it really needs your love, and take it home. It is the best therapy you will ever have. But never forget your buddy...

 

[oldguyzer]

you have the option of simple self termination so there would be no need for you to move.

If I am in a state where I can do it myself, I will. At least I hope I can. But the safety net is always to go to a country that will help the process if I am unable or cannot for any physical reason.

 

[Maurice Boscorelli]

If I am in a state where I can do it myself, I will. At least I hope I can. But the safety net is always to go to a country that will help the process if I am unable or cannot for any physical reason.

I've known a few people who had terminal illnesses who attempted to end their own pain.

It's a lot harder than we think.

I believe it's in our nature to fight to our last breath and thus the taking of our own life is a daunting feat.

 

[oldguyzer]

I've known a few people who had terminal illnesses who attempted to end their own pain.

It's a lot harder than we think.

I believe it's in our nature to fight to our last breath and thus the taking of our own life is a daunting feat.

Absolutely. I've seen it tried many times and very few succeed. Even with pills, which seem easy, it is difficult first to overdose yourself, then most people don't actually take enough to be lethal, just make themselves sick, and most don't even choose the right stuff. In that, perhaps, I have an advantage because of my training....I know what will work and how it will do it. And despite my firm conviction right now that I will be able to do it, who knows? I may chicken out just like most people do.

The other issue is ending your life when you still can is usually too premature, and most people don't really want to until they are so far into palliative care that they can't.

It's not as easy to kill yourself as most people think.

 

[Pullmyfinger]

I've known a few people who had terminal illnesses who attempted to end their own pain.

It's a lot harder than we think.

How did they do it?.

 

[SillyGirl]

You'll know when it is time. It won't be easy, but always remember you are doing what you are doing for your best friend, and he/she deserves to go peacefully, with you there. It will hurt like hell. Grieve for a little while then go to the shelter, pick the one dog that looks like it really needs your love, and take it home. It is the best therapy you will ever have. But never forget your buddy...

Yea, this won't be my first rodeo. I've done the right thing two times before, both times with dogs I had raised from puppyhood. And yes I stayed with them, it's wrong not to.

This dog was already old when I adopted him, and I knew that meant I wouldn't have very long with him. I thought knowing that would make it easier when the time started to draw near. I was wrong.

I really don't think another pet is in the cards. A girl's heart can only take so much breaking, and I'm at my limit.

 

[Oilcan]

My previous best friend was a Doberman I'd had since he was six weeks old. We spent every day together. We skied, we hiked, we even motorcycled together. He was healthy and happy most of his life. But, he went through hip and spine problems in his old age, and developed carcinomas in the last two years, but he always loved being with me. When, after 14 years, the pain was clear on his face and gait, it was time. I know it sounds trite but I felt more pain putting down my best friend than I did when very close friends and family passed, simply because the dog depended on me and trusted me completely. It was no question the right decision. And I still feel the pain.

I'm a quack. My mother's a vet. Between us, we've had over 100 dogs of every type and background, mostly shelter or those we were asked to put to sleep, and almost all have had a great life after we brought them in. Right now I've got three giant breeds that were to be euthanized. I took them. They are fantastic. Yet they will never replace the Dobie.

You'll know when it is time. It won't be easy, but always remember you are doing what you are doing for your best friend, and he/she deserves to go peacefully, with you there. It will hurt like hell. Grieve for a little while then go to the shelter, pick the one dog that looks like it really needs your love, and take it home. It is the best therapy you will ever have. But never forget your buddy...

My dog is now 10 years old and on his last legs. More and more I think about that day that I have to part with him. Can't continue, sorry.

 

[redvelvet]

I brought my cat to the vet last year as I felt that there was something that just wasn't right about him.

He was 13 at the time and just wasn't himself. When he pooped in the living room that is when the bells started going off.

I had picked him up as a stray in downtown Hamilton. Actually he just came up to me as I was coming home from work at about 3 in the morning.

He wasn't cut out to be a stray. Didn't have a mean bone in his body.

Anyways $500 later ( should have been a vet- licence to print money) they told me he was fine and not to worry.

One week later I got up in the morning and he had passed away on my Yoga mat in front of my patio doors.

The sun was bright and shinning on him. He loved the warmth of that spot.

Rigor hadn't set in yet so I probably just missed it when he passed. That still really upsets me too this day.

I was extremely bummed out for quite awhile until I realized that I couldn't think of a more peaceful way to exit this world.

But I do wish I could have said goodbye. He meant the world too me.

Hi
I am redvelvet, formely known as babycakes.
I got tired of being a cupcake and became an Ice Cream instead.

I am in my 50's and retired from a career in Health.
Started this career last Feb and I am having a great time.

I have Ragdoll cats, and had to put my first one down last April.
I had spent three years in a wheelchair 2006 -2009 after three botched foot operations (by the way I don't do foot fetishes, unless your a masochist).
My baby stayed with me constantly, even when I slept and moaned in my sleep, I was told she would get on the bed and pat my shoulder with her paw.

If I slept on the couch I would pull up a chair and she slept beside me.

She started acting very lethargic one morning, by noon she could hardly get off the floor, I took her to the Vet.
She always had kidney problems, now she was shutting down, they said I could take her home for the night, but I couldn't put her through that.

I told them to do it now, they gave me 10 min alone with her to hold her, then they came in and she died very peacefully in my arms.
I took her home and buried her in the back yard.
I bought a concrete statue of a cat sleeping with Angel Wings and put it over her.

An animal is unconditional love.

I found I couldn't be without a pet, but with rag dolls you have to order them when they are born or before, and then you wait 3 months for them.
I adopted a three year old, and she follows me every where.


This might be a little girly but I love this poem, author unknown.

[h=1]Rainbow Bridge[/h]

​

[h=3]Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.

There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....[/h]

 

[redvelvet]

In Canada, you have to be the POA and the forms would have been signed by your physician for no heroic measures. My parents through their lawyer and physicians asked me to be the POA and make the decisions. Even though my father was alive as my mother was passing, I was the POA simply because he was palliative end stage as well and neither had the resolve to say goodbye (they had been together 52 years, 50 years, 2 months, 2 days when my mother passed)

Being the POA and exercising DNR (no heroics)

I learned alot from this experience (pro & con)! My parents were both in their home with me as primary caregiver. I knew that I would be able to do what they had asked of me, but I didn't know exactly when to do it. I disagreed with the doctors several times regarding my mother's DNR and I think that was partially emotion and my dad's emotion at the time.

Our physician/her partner or one of their residents came twice weekly (Tuesday & Friday to be exact). Nurses came twice daily, PSWs 4x daily.

It was December 1, 2004, when this resident physician asked me how I was doing, so we sat down had a cup of tea and she said, 'I know Dr. A, Dr. B and other residents have approached you about this and I would like to explain what is happening now for your mother.' Dr. S. knew about me and my knowledge and stubborness, she knew that I was a instructor for the red-cross. Dr. S. explained that the only reason my mother was still alive was because of the pain she felt regardless of pain medication. She explained exactly how the liquid morphine would eleviate the pain and allow her to be at peace.

I guess for the first time in my life that I understood what pain really meant, and I mean all forms emotional, physical and psychological because my parents and I were all suffering. So Dr. S. and I went into my father's room (they couldn't stay in the same room because I had hospital beds brought in for them) and told him it was time to let her go. I had only seen the look on his face 4 other times and this was a look of complete sadness.

The next day, the team brought in the liquid morphine drip and within 48 hours she was relieved of her pain. 4 years later (yes 4) when it was time for my father, it was easier and I could see the signs. Fortunately, when I approached my father for the discussion he said, "I want to go, the pain is too much!" That day I called the team, called the priest and the next day the liquid morphine drip was applied and 48 hours later he joined my mother.


When it is time for my dog, it will be easy. It will hurt, but I had to do for the two most cherished people I had.

You should be very proud of yourself, not all parents are as lucky as yours.
They not only loved each to the end, but they had you to love and more importantly protect them and watch over them to the end.
Believe me it just is not the norm anymore.

 

[redvelvet]

Hey, redvelvet. Come to the party, pretty please. Just do it. OK?

My ex had five cats. All nice guys, and he didn't mean to adopt them. They just kind of showed up. One was named Menino, and he'd had the crystals twice. The first surgery cost about a grand, and the cat was sixteen years old. We came home one day and he was pushing his head into the corner of the room repeatedly. It was time, but Menino was my boyfriend's father's cat, and my boyfriend's father had died.

You can't put sentiment ahead of the animal's comfort. They can't speak for themselves. We must speak for them.

Lola, your a sweetie, and your right, we have to speak for them, as hard as that is sometimes.
The same as we have to protect and speak up for the sick and dying, because one day we will be the sick and dying, then who will speak for us!

This is the new baby!

 

[oldguyzer]

Yea, this won't be my first rodeo. I've done the right thing two times before, both times with dogs I had raised from puppyhood. And yes I stayed with them, it's wrong not to.

This dog was already old when I adopted him, and I knew that meant I wouldn't have very long with him. I thought knowing that would make it easier when the time started to draw near. I was wrong.

I really don't think another pet is in the cards. A girl's heart can only take so much breaking, and I'm at my limit.

We found one stray, a German Shepherd, walking through the local village. He'd been tossed from a truck, according to witnesses. Almost all his teeth were broken and he had a broken leg. He'd obviously been beaten and starved. We nursed that dog back to health, spent over $5K on dental surgery and fixing his leg, and that dog was a gem. Gentle, friendly, and wanting to please. He died about six months after we got him (heart problem, as it turned out) but those six months he had love. I believe we made a radical difference in his life, and he made one in ours, teaching us a lesson that money has absolutely no bearing on love.

I know it's hard to think of another pet when you lose one that means a lot. But it is the best therapy for you, when you're ready. Wait a couple of months then hit the humane society. See what happens.

Good luck...never easy.

 

[TINY]

Weird. I just finished reading a boob too. Are we related?

I read it too. We must be related for sure :biggrin2:.

I liked it how is narrated by the dead wife. Well written with interesting characters, definitely a recommend one.

 

[oldguyzer]

I liked it how is narrated by the dead wife. Well written with interesting characters, definitely a recommend one.

So it's fiction. Wish it was non-fiction!:biggrin2:

 

[Curly]

I really don't think another pet is in the cards. A girl's heart can only take so much breaking, and I'm at my limit.

You will change your mind. I said the same thing but it felt so empty without the unconditional love we get from them.

 

[Danolo]

It was the hardest thing I ever did... but it was the right thing...

 

[Plucker]

Have any of you heard about
[h=1]"Battersea Dogs & Cats Home"[/h]
They do great work for the animals.

 

[L._s.]

I hardly ever cry. When the vet said, it was time to put down my dog, I could not stop crying. I cried for two days after I put my dog down. The vet said that my dog had a week at most but she was suffering. So I took 15 minutes and said my goodbyes and wept during the procedure.

To answer the post - To be discussed with the vet.
I always would have a conversation with the vet about the time to put my dog down when she had significant health problems. I told him that money was no object but I did not want the dog to suffer. When the time came he told me.

 

[Virus]

My dog is getting fat. Putting her down to one meal a day now.

My partner tells me don't worry about it and let her enjoy as she is not getting married anytime soon. LOL, She is fixed.

How do most of you deal with fat dogs?.

 

[papasmerf]

My dog is getting fat. Putting her down to one meal a day now.

My partner tells me don't worry about it and let her enjoy as she is not getting married anytime soon. LOL, She is fixed.

How do most of you deal with fat dogs?.

same way you deal with fat people

diet and exercise

but remember a slow weight loss is the healthy way to do it