I've been thinking about this and the thread about losing your best friend only made me think more about it. The old gal (not my wife) is getting pretty bad. She's a Dobie that has been absolutely great in all respects, except now health is an issue. Best dog I ever had. She has arthritis in the hind legs just above her paws (hips are great), some slight indications of some in the back. One leg she won't walk on much and she chews it till it's raw. However, when I go outside, she perks up and plays but nowhere near how she used to. Pain meds/anti-inflammatories do her little if any good. She gets along great on three legs but will use all four at times, especially if I'm around or there's a threat. We've had her almost as long as we've been married (13+ years). I hate to see her go, but I realize the time is near. I don't enjoy having to make a decision like this and I hate to say it but I would rather she go quietly in the night than me have to take her for that last ride. The wife thinks that it will be time for that last ride soon, I can't quite say that. When is it time?

 

I've had 3 black labs, two currently at 5 and 6 1/2. The previous one died from kidney failure at 5.

I'm a big time dog lover who had a hard time letting go of a 5 yr old black lab. She had her yearly check-up and was ok then 4 weeks later it was time for the last ride. We noticed she was drinking a lot of water and found that her kidneys were only working at about 20%. Within 2 days she was gone.

It's hard to let a companion go but we all know that time eventually comes. I was working on a house a couple months ago where their dog was very sick. It was bone thin, having seizures, couldn't walk, etc. I couldn't believe they still had the dog as I felt it was pure selfishness at that point. There is a point where the dog's health is more important than the owner's desire to hang on to those last moments. I feel that point is where the dog is unable to lead a happy and comfortable life. It helps put things in perspective by putting yourself in the animals shoes - would you want to keep going or rest peacefully? The animal is relying on you to make that decision and I'm sure you'll make the right one. I had a very hard time letting mine go - a dog who wouldn't cuddle with you while sleeping but knew it was time and let me lay with her for the last few hours. Try to appriciate the last 13 years of your life with the animal vs mourning a loss. You should be celebrating 13 years of joy and happyness and nothing less

 

I had to put down my old (13 yr old ) Shep/Lab/Husky X about 2 months ago...cried like a little school girl when his eye's closed forever. His hips where shot and he had such a hard time getting up when he was lying down. What really hurt was that he was still a puppy in his heart..his body just could'nt hack it. RIP .....Jake.

 

It's hard to do. Real hard.

The time is when the dog is not able to live a happy life anymore. It won't get any easier to put the dog down no matter how long you wait.

You have my heartfelt sympathy, whenever that time comes.

 

Check some of the other threads about this subject for other information. But as for when it will be time is based on you and your loved pet! The time will be right when you feel that the quality of life is lost and most often the pet will let you know best!


Rod

 

I went through both scenarios with my two mini-schnauzers. My female, Penny, was fourteen, blind and diabetic with very little bladder control. When I was about to move five years ago, I made the decision to take her in for that last sleep. I figured that in her condition, she wouldn't do so well in a new environment. It was a very hard decision, and I stayed with her as she quickly drifted off after the shot from the vet. I don't ever regret that decision.
Now my male, Sparky. He was a rescue and my favorite. I'm not excatly sure how old he was, but the vet said he was about a year and a half younger than my female. He made the move with me. But when he lost his companion, he seemed to age overnight. Within the year, he had pneumonia. The vet put him on meds, because we thought he would get better. He was recovering very well. But one day I was watching TV, and he was laying beside me. I heard him gasp, I looked down, and he was motionless. His heart had stopped beating, but I still could hear this aweful rasping sound coming from his snout, then he started to spurt blood out of his nose. This had to be one of the most horrible things I have ever experienced. I was in hysterics, and even after four years, it's still too painful to think about. The vet says that he did not feel anything, because he was dead at his last gasp. But I still think that he must have suffered. Had I known that he was going to go like that, I would have put him to sleep at the on set of his pneumonia. He was too old, and not healthy enough to withstand such an illness.

In the end, it's you decision to make. It's hard either way. Hang in there.

 

Michelle & I have put ourselves in the position to someday go through the same thing -3 times.

I have decided that when the dog no longer has a good quality of life then it will be time.
They will each leave with their dignity as any other human would

One thing that may help will be to also use their age calculated from human years to dog years.

We intend on cherishing each and every day with them.... and so far we have

 

When the time comes- you'll know. I just can't explain it any better than that.

 

I think you don't have to wonder when its time, you will just know, If you love your dog like I think you do, you will just know when he wants to go. and like a true friend you will help him go in peace. my friend just went through this with his lab, he had the vet come to his house and put the dog to sleep in his arms. then he baried the dog in a pre-dug site in the back yard. what a stand up guy he wouldn't leave his for a second till the end. Here's a quote for what your dog always thinks of you( if I could only be half the man my dog thinks I am) good luck with your rotty.

 

While it's not a dog just this morning I had to take my ferret in and have him put to sleep. I have had a horrible day and have been emotional all day. I know that I made the right decision and I could tell that he knew that it was his last ride, they just have that knowledge (any animal) and you as an owner will know that the animal is not living a good life, and then you know it's time.

 

I think the time would be when they just can't really enjoy life like they should anymore. Our last dog, a black lab, he had pretty bad arthritis in his hips as he was getting older, but the worst part was he had a swollen esophagus (sp?) so he would eat then throw up because it would just clog his throat up. We thought about the surgery but he even with the surgery he would have been pretty limited in his movement. He was only 7 or so years to so it was really tough but it was best for him.

 

No one knows YOUR dog better than you. That does not make it any easier, but it is a part of being a dog/animal owner. I've had to put down several animals over the years, and if I could choose the situation, my dog would be on his favorite pillow in front of the fireplace with a great big steak. As a matter of fact, I might want to go like that myself.
All kidding aside when the time is near let the dog indulge in every pleasure, damn the long term consequences or health risks. Dying is a part of living so it will happen one way or another. Let it happen in friendship and comradery, as I'm sure his life was.