I would like your opinion - it's an ethical question

[chickbea]

Oh I am so very sorry.
Honestly, it sounds like it might be the end of the road for your old girl. When I put my old dog down last summer due to cancer it came down to the question of 'is there a possibility she could get better?'. Once it was clear that she was only going to get sicker and more miserable, that was my answer, as much as I didn't want it to be.

Be sure to surround yourself with friends and people who understand how much Alice means to you. It's a hard time in an animal lover's life and unfortunately not everyone in the world gets it.

 

[McGoo]

You guys are the best! Thank you all so very much for your heart-felt responses.

I find it helpful to read your unbiased opinions and experiences - especially in this situation which is not so absolute. Our other dog was straightforward - truly not a question, but with Allie, well she's still somewhat mobile. I really like your comments on making sure that I make the decision for her, not for me.

Thank you all!

 

[NoelTate]

In reading your post and the replies, I already was somewhat emotional, being the animal lover I am. I tend to turn into a big ol girl and get all gushy over animals, especially a dog. Then I read your dog's name. I had an Allie too, and she was the best dog I have ever had. She died at home early in the morning of the day we had planned to take her to the vet to put her to sleep.
I strongly disagree with your vet. I believe with all my heart and soul that dogs have memories, that they think and reason and remember. Otherwise, why do they get excited when you say "ride" or if they see you rolling the car window down for them? They remember that it was something they enjoyed before.
As for the euthanasia issue-that is never an easy decision. I love the poem posted earlier, and I really think that is how an animal's mind works. They trust us to take care of them and to do what is best for them. If it gets to the point that they are in pain and unhappy with no hope of recovery, then euthanasia is what's best for the dog. The problem is, we want what is best for us-to keep them here with us. You know your dog better than anyone. If she seems to you like she is unhappy and in pain, and your vet says there is no hope of her getting better, I agree that it's time for her to go. She depends on you to make that decision because she can't do it for herself. 14 is old for pretty much any dog. You were obviously a caring, responsible owner that gave her great care for her to make it so long. There is an old Scottish saying: 3 years a young dog, 3 years a good dog, 3 years an old dog, all else is a gift from God. You had a wonderful gift in a dog that had so many years with you. Just spend as much time with her as you can before she has to go-that's the best thing in the world to her.

 

[fowlwoman1]

I had an old beagle that was having bloody diahrea due to kidney failure and had been deaf for a few years before that. It took me a few days of that to really decide that I couldn't stand to watch it anymore. She wasn't going to make it through, so why let her suffer? My mom had a cat when she was young that was deaf and blind and she had the vet put it down, but the darn cat wouldn't die! They had to use 3 times the normal amount of stuff to get her to die. It was really horrible for my mom. The cat was in great health other than being deaf and blind, though. I have a dog that had parvo and I chose not to put her down, though I had a couple of people who were upset because I was letting her suffer. She was 1 year old and had a chance IMO so I just took real good care of her around the clock and let her ride it out. She made it through and within a week she was almost back to normal. I have a cat that my hubby accidentally ran over with the car, crushing her hips into smithereens and we chose not to put her down. Today she walks with a little limp and her hips are deformed, but she catches mice better than any other cat we have. I say that if they are young, give them a chance. If they are old and have bad health and little will to live, then let them go when it is the right time. And you will probably know when the right time will be.

 

[rebecca100]

Okay, everybody, this is sad. Find your best freind (dog) and give them a big hug and be thankful it is not them in Allie's situation.

 

[Silkies4life]

I also worked as a vet tech for 9 years and have seen this situation of having to make the toughest decision ever! I agree with you taking a look at her quality of life. That has to be your number one question. If she is confused, or in pain the quality can not be that good. It sounds like you have tried medications but they are not working. Sometimes as people it is hard for us to except the fact that our pets get old. Too bad they don't live as long as we do. Good luck with your decision. Just know you are not the only one that has gone through this situation.

 

[ChickenFanaticAB]

Man, this has been a hard thread for me to read that's for sure. We are going through this exact same thing with our 16 year old dog, Jack. We had to put down our female dog at 16 about a year and a half ago, but she had been declining in health for quite some time, and it was obvious that it was time (probably before we did it, but my mom had a lot of trouble letting go as she was her baby). With Jack, it's just been in about the past couple years that he has even started showing signs of his age. At this point he is partially blind and deaf, but has been doing fine and actually still seems rather happy and satisfied. Apparently he's been having some trouble getting around according to my parents I'm guessing this cold snap in GA(among other things obviously) and they took him to the vet and they gave him a shot of cortizone to help with some swelling I guess. I'm in college, and every time I go home I say good bye to him knowing that it could be the last time. So I have been preparing myself for this, but it's still so hard. He's been my best friend for 16 out of my 20 years after all. For now he is doing alright, but I was really hoping that nature would take him so that we didn't have to.

None of that was necessarily helpful, but in my opinion as long as the dog is not in pain and can get around and do their own thing and they aren't giving up on life it is worth waiting a little longer, but i also think that when it's time you know, and your dog will let you know with that look in their eyes. Hardest thing to ever have to do to man's best friend, that's for sure. Good luck and you always know that you gave her a great life after you got her!

 

[arwmommy]

We had to put our beloved cat to sleep a year and a half ago. One of my closest friends is a vet, and she came over and did it at our house, with her lying on my son's bed (where she always was!).

She had a bout of a very aggressive cancer and kidney disease. When the cancer returned we knew we would not want her to go through the surgeries over and over again, just to have it return a few months after recovery. And the kidney disease on top of it!

When my friend came over (she was not *our* vet, as she is now a stay at home mom, but is a vet and her DH a vet surgeon) she said she was so glad that we were euthanizing her before she really was suffering. She said that so many people wait until it is so bad for the dog that living is just torture. That it is only when it becomes painful for *them* that they put their animal down.....long after it is horrible for the animal. Yes, we of course wanted every day we could have with her, but after watching for subtle signs that she was STARTING the decline, we decided to spare her the next few painful and horrible months.

This is a painful decision, I know. We had our own (human) child in ICU for a year, the first 5 months were literally an hour to hour existence where we didn't know if he would survive another day. We said to the nurses that we wanted to make sure we were keeping him alive because he had a chance to recover, not because we could not bear to let him go--- that we were doing all of this for him, not for us. This is like so many other people have said--- really get down to who you are doing it for, and you will have your answer.

Good luck and I am so sorry.....

 

[dedern]

I love my 3 Goldens as they were born in our kitchen and are truly members of our family.. Every day we have is a gift. I think all of us would prefer to die in the arms of someone who truly loves us. Although most are not so blessed. Call your vet, Have them come to your home and hold your sweet forever faithful friend as they cross to the other side.

 

[islandmanmitch]

If you were in the same condition she is in what would you want your family to do for you? Keep you on life support? To what end? For me the quality of life is desired over quantity of life. I have been in your shoes to many times to want to remember. I gave my dogs dignity in death that they had in life and I have never regretted it.