how do you know it is time to say goodbye

[muddyhorse]

My weim Jake is 10. up until a few months ago he was a therapy visitation dog. I had to retire him. he began having seizures, he still has them but only one every two weeks or so. He has narrowing between his L4,L5,L6 hooks have formed. he has been to the doggie chiropractor, a holistic vet and his regular vet. He has lost bowel control, ( not a big deal but I seem to do nothing but clean up after him) he has also lost feeling in his feet. he can walk on carpet and rugs but if he gets off of them he falls down hard. I have to drag him to a rug so he can help stand up. He will poo and then fall in it. I'm afraid he is going to break a leg or something in a fall and I'll have to drag him to the car. he has had two knee surgeries. Crateing him when I'm not here is not an option, his first owners would leave him crated for several days at a time he has a panic attack if he is crated. I know he is hurting I'm trying to keep him as comfortable as possible but I think it is almost time. thanks for listening

 

[Dar]

I think its time... My dog Tala was like that and she passed at home before the appointment for the vet.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Huge

for you. You know.

Does not make it any easier

Got two who are steps away from your handsome fella.

 

[teach1rusl]

Gosh...so sorry. I know it's hard to let go and say goodbye to a beloved/special dog, but it sure sounds like Jake is ready to rest easy now...over the rainbow bridge.

 

[sonew123]

Im so sorry but it's time:-(

I had to do it myself to my lab-hardest decision I ever had to make but it was the right time and the right decision--My thoughts and prayers are with you!

 

[sfw2]

 

[muddyhorse]

Jake

 

[ozarkmomma]

It's not an easy decision to make but remember that letting them cross the rainbow bridge with dignity can be the last gift you give them. Letting them go, surrounded by someone that love them, no more pain. ((hugs))
The Rainbow Bridge

inspired by a Norse legend

By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,

Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.

Where the friends of man and woman do run,

When their time on earth is over and done.

For here, between this world and the next,

Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.

On this golden land, they wait and they play,

Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.

No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,

For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.

Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,

Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.

They romp through the grass, without even a care,

Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.

All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,

Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.

For just at that instant, their eyes have met;

Together again, both person and pet.

So they run to each other, these friends from long past,

The time of their parting is over at last.

The sadness they felt while they were apart,

Has turned into joy once more in each heart.

They embrace with a love that will last forever,

And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.

1998 Steve and Diane Bodofsky. All Rights Reserved.

 

[jasonm11]

It is the kindest thing uyou can do for him

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Oh - how sad. I'm so sorry to hear about your poor guy.

It is a very difficult thing to make the decision to let them go.

My first rescue dog was a rottie I got at age 6 months. At age 7 she ruptured her ACL back right leg. Surgery was going to cost $1200.00 and told she had a 90% chance of rupturing the other leg within a year.

I maxed out a credit card and had the surgery done in Feb 2000 (she had a cast with red hearts all over it). She recovered fully and then in Dec we had snow dump and my son was out in the backyard throwing snow balls for her. She was leaping in the air, son heard a pop and Abbie yelped when she landed.

Long story short, paid for another surgery - $850.00 for the second knee. She fully recovered from that surgery.

Age 9 she started getting arthritis in the front legs. Age 10 1/2 it got to the point where she did nothing but eat and sleep. Didn't want to move around much. She looked depressed and in pain. I finally made the decision that it was no way to live in that condition. Quality of life was gone.

You will need to make that decision yourself. I would only suggest to put your dog's needs ahead of your own needs and desires to not want to live without your dog in your life at this time.

Hang in there.