Help Me Keep My Dog Alive (Vent)

[HenPen]

What ever happen?? Is the dog still alive??

 

[schellie69]

Update would be good how did the talk go with your mom and dad. did you find out why they wanted to put the dog down. hope you are okay.

 

[hollyclyff]

I agree that we don’t know enough to second guess the parents’ decision here although it does at least sound like the OP is old enough to participate in the discussion. Some of you may think I’m an awful person, but I have had a dog euthanized that was not in physical pain and could have lived several more years. He didn’t meet the criteria listed by many of you. He ate his food every day. He got around just fine. In fact he was pretty spry for a 14 year old dachshund with congestive heart failure (controlled with medication and diet). BUT – he suffered from advanced canine cognitive dysfunction (dementia). He would stand and bark for hours at nothing. He wandered around aimlessly. He growled and occasionally snapped at family members for no apparent reason. He picked fights with my dominant, younger male that he had lived with and gotten along with for 7 years – he was very fortunate that the younger boy was a very gentle and benevolent leader – he could have been torn to shreds, but was only ever pinned to the ground. And this was a dog that was voted “Mr. Congeniality” in obedience class when he was younger. He completely forgot that there was such a thing as being housetrained. He wasn’t incontinent, just oblivious. He would pee right in front of us and when we yelled at him, he just looked at us like we had two heads and kept peeing. We tried a belly band, but he wouldn’t keep it on more than 5 minutes. In a different house, maybe we could have blocked off the kitchen with baby gates and just cleaned up his messes, but our house is very open and they don’t make a baby gate long enough to block off our kitchen. Consequently he had to become an outside dog. That was OK until we hit summer. Summer in the south is not kind to old dogs with congestive heart failure. We tried medication for the dementia but it didn’t help. After several heart–to-heart discussions with my husband and my long-time vet, we all decided that though physically OK, he did not really have a good quality of life mentally, and it was time for us to say goodbye. Our daughter was too young to be part of the discussion at the time and in fact we didn’t even tell her he was euthanized, just that he died at the vet’s. It was probably the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life. I could barely speak when I called to make the appointment. It would have been easier if he had been in pain. But, I don’t regret the decision. He died peacefully in my arms before he suffered from the heat and humidity, before he bit someone, before my younger male got fed up and ripped him open. IMO, euthanasia is a very personal decision and may be made for different, but equally valid reasons. Done by caring people in a low stress environment it seems to me it is harder on the people involved than the animal. Our daughter is 13 now and though she would be allowed to participate in the discussion if it took place today, the final decision would still be made by the adults.

 

[usschicago1]

Im really Sorry for no update, its hard to control myself when im thinking about my dog. I can;t really look at her lately. My friend is a vet, and she looked at her and said she was a little confused, and her hips were a little sore. She also said for her age group she looks really good and is not bad enough to be put down. She said alot of vets here wouldnt put her down if she was like this, but there are some that put down "anything that breaths". So i hope we get a vet that cares.

I talked to my parents. I researched everything you guys said that was in my favor, and they just didnt care. There minds are made up

There reasoning was she wouldnt do good in the winter, but thats when shes the healthiest/happiest. Shes the worst in spring adjusting to the heat.

I wish there was someone legal who could get involved ya know?

 

[Funky Feathers]

We just yesterday met an 18 year old (Yes, 18!!) White Shepherd, who is doing great, getting around just fine. Beautiful dog, wobbly on his back end (hips pop in & out), but ambles along pretty good, and pretty fast for his age. He is on pain meds, and his owners have no plans to put him down. I think your parents need to read this post.

 

[my3chickens]

Why don't you try and rehome her since your parents are intent on putting her to sleep? Maybe your friend that is a vet knows someone who would give her a good home and appreciate the wonderful qualities of a senior dog. I wish I lived closer, I would try and help........

 

[fluffychicksmomma]

my3chickens has an excellent idea! Find out if there is someone who would give her a home, maybe try some rescue organizations, I bet your vet has some ideas. I would definitely take a dog like that in such a situation.

 

[my3chickens]

***German Shepherd Rescue of New England***** 978-443-2202 24 hour hotline website: GSRNE.org

 

[SarahBeth9394]

Well it's been a month since this thread began and the dog apparently hasn't been put down yet. So I would say that the adults (parents of the poster) are taking their time discussing the situation to decide what is in the dogs best interest. After 30 days I'd say they are doing the right thing thinking this over and aren't making a rash decision. It's really hard to put an animal down but sometimes it is the right thing to do. If they put the dog down after this much time thinking it over I'd say they did right by the dog. It may just be time for the op to learn a hard lesson in life and let the dog go. And maybe the op should enjoy loving the dog in what could possibly be it's last days instead of not being able to look at her.