How do you know when it's time...

aw

I love dogs. That's my weak spot.
I hate when people have to put them to sleep. I guess I'm selfish like that, and want to keep them around.

I could never make that decision.

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Since she can't tell you (or your family) it's probably a decision for both you and your vet to make, but put simply... people always say that you have to make a judgement upon the quality of her life. And even if you love her and take care of her and try to make her comfortable, she may be absolutely miserable despite your efforts. It's really hard not to make a selfish decision here, but if she's suffering, maybe it's time.

*hugs*

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I'm very sorry that you're faced with this decision, Liotte. But my guess is that the moment you consider the idea of putting a pet to sleep, you've accepted it already as the larger possibility.

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Ugh. That is a tough decision. For me it's all about quality of life. Walter's other dad and I agreed a long time ago that we wouldn't keep around 'just because,' that when his quality of life was no longer good, we would put him to sleep. It's a very individual decision... I just can't image having a dog around that can't get around or enjoy his time, only because I have a hard time letting him go. It will break my heart when the day it comes, but it would be worse the day he no longer can fetch the ball.

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Updated On: 2/13/06 at 11:06 PM

You know it's really your decision.

If it were me and my dog was totally miserable I would say yes put it to sleep, but unless it is going through pain everyday then no.

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I fall to pieces on this subject. Just thinking about your beloved pet is pulling on my heart and also thinking about the day when my pet passes.

Oh well, this is my serious answer to you-some pets have a way of letting you know when it's time. Some of my friends have experienced this with their dogs when the animal let them know. If this doesn't happen, then it's truly when you know in your heart that she doesn't have any quality of life left. You know your dog so well-I'm sure you'll know when it's time.

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You have to try and put yourself in her position. You say you're giving her meds for arthritis - but is she in pain? Does she have any problems taking the meds?

I had to put my sweet ol' baby cat down last April. Her kidney's had started to shut down and she spent a fourth of her life drinking, a fourth peeing, a tiny bit eating, and most of the rest sleeping. I kept piddy pads spread out all over the bathroom floor and the hall going to the bathroom because she couldn't make it to the litter box anymore. I kept bowls of water in every room so she wouldn't have to go far to drink. Each time she did drink, she'd go into convulsions and I'd have to hold her and rub her until she was all right. One day she was sleeping on the chair and I looked over and saw that she had started convulsing - in her sleep. I knew that I had been keeping her alive for ME, and I just couldn't do it to her anymore. It was the hardest thing I ever did and just writing about it now is making me cry. Still - I know I made the right decision.

So - is your friend hurting? Are you keeping Goldie going for your benefit, rather than hers? Or do you think she's doing all right - not great, but OK? If that's so, then do what you can to keep her comfortable and happy. For what it's worth, I had a miniature poodle who lived to 23 before we took him in. He was blind and deaf and also wore a diaper. But as long as nobody moved the furniture (so he wouldn't trip on chair legs) he was very happy.

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If I were in your position, and I hope to never be, I think it would boil down to whether or not she was in pain. If she's not in pain, let her sleep and be petted all she wants. It's when the pain becomes constant and/or debilitating that I would say that it's time to let her go. I'm sorry for your situation. The word "euthenasia" alone tears me apart. My best wishes to you. I know you'll make the right decision.

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I can't say anything which hasn't already been said either. You will just know when the time has come. You will know it in your heart.

I'm so sorry, liotte. It's the most heart-breaking thing to do.

Sending you my love.

She's beautiful. Thank you for sharing her with us.

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liotte.....this is a tough question. When the quality of life for the animal is no longer good, it is time. If an animal is in pain, it is time.

I disagree totally with what BsO says, in regards to
"I guess I'm selfish like that, and want to keep them around."

That is extremely selfish, and is not in the best interest of the animal. If an animal suffers so that its owner doesn't have to deal with it....it's just wrong.

The hardest thing I've ever had to do is make that decision...but always, ALWAYS I thought of the animal first, and me second. My cat (the longest relationship I've ever been in) is 17 years old....and I'll need to make that decision one day in the not too distant future, and I will not hesitate for a moment, when I know my "Pea" no longer has a good quality of life.

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We had our cat for sixteen years. She let us know when it was time though. We didn't put her down, but she disappeared for a while. She came back briefly looking very sick, but then disappeared again. Many times animals will go off by themselves to die.

Costume - I can't tell you how much I love your response to this. It gives a dignity and sense of purpose to the animal's life that most are unwilling to acknowledge. Thank you.