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Thinking the unthinkable

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Might have to put my dog down real soon. Still don't know for sure, had a bad ulcer, that's getting better but a bad spine and hips. He feel yesterday twice while on his patrol after not going on it for almost two weeks. He was doing good before that but now seems like we're starting over on treatment of something that most likely wont get any better. He seems fine and then a few hours later seems like he's in pain. I was always hoping his heart would give out first. His murmor has been a 5 out of six for about two years now. I can't tell you how many times I thought "this is it" before but he's always bounced back. I hate to pull the plug when it may just be a bad couple of days. he was doing really bad last Thursday when we brought him in and found out about the ulcer but he came home and went outside to lay in the sun shortly afterward. he has a herniated disc and a calcium deposit b/w two vertebrae forcing them apart. Doc gave him a shot and pills to dissolve it and he was doing much better....so good he went on patrol and hurt himself again....

I'm not cut out for this...
 
It's never easy. My feelings have always been if they aren't in pain I can help them do most things, like get up on things, etc. good luck!
 
Have an appointment at 3:40 to see what else we can do. I'm with ya, as log as there isn't any pain I'm o.k with things. Last night didn't go too well.
 
I've felt that they always let you know when it's time to let go...just a look in their eyes. It's hard to describe, but once you see it, there's no mistaking it. Out of the 4 dogs I've had, I've had to make that decision for 3 of them (one went very quickly due to a blood clot in its intestines). It's never easy, and it doesn't get any easier no matter how many times you go through it. Once dogs get old, they start "rollercoastering" -- their health starts taking a nosedive and you think "Uh oh, this is it", but then they gather themselves up and recover, although they may not get back to the same level before the nosedive. I've found that the anticipation of having to let go is far worse than the actual act.

Just by coincidence, today was the anniversary that I became a dog owner for the first time: November 22, 1992, when I brought home a dachshund puppy named Rudy.
 
We always want to do what's best for our little furry babies especially when it may mean letting go. You will know when to do that if it's necessary. Hopefully your little pal will surprise you and bounce back yet again!
 
SaxMan said:
...just a look in their eyes. It's hard to describe, but once you see it, there's no mistaking it.
Click to expand...

I saw that look a couple years ago. Albert was 15, had to be lifted on the stairs to go out, mostly blind but until that day he enjoyed just standing there facing the wind. For a long time. That morning he had the look. One of those rare days I was stranded w/o a car so I called a cab and walked home from the vets. It was a peaceful day for both of us.
 
I had a Dog named Bailey that lived for 17 years. My daughter brought the Dog home at Christmas break from the University of Davis.
She brought it home as a stray.
When she left to to go back to college Bailey stayed with us. She was a beautiful dog even though she was a Mutt. People would say "what a pretty dog, what kind is it" and I would say it's a Davis Dog and they are very expensive. They would say they never heard of a Davis Dog.
I would then say I sent my daughter to Davis and paid thousands of dollars and I got this Dog.
After we had to put Bailey down I didn't think I could have another Dog, but after a year or so I decided to get a rescue Dog.
I now have a beautiful Golden Retriver about the same size as Bailey was. I will always miss Bailey and always remember her, but my new Golden needed a home and I was glad to give her one. She is very loving and sweet and I really enjoy her.
 
I'm all for giving a home but I can NEVER go through this again!
 
Sorry for what you have to go through, been through it quite a few times. Seems in the last few years I cannot get a pet that doesn't wind up with something. I sometimes think it is in the food as it isn't governed as well as human food or in the materials brought home for household reasons. But quality of life is a big problem to deal with and still feel comfortable with.
 
Doc said what he is experiencing is side effects from meds and is actually doing BETTER than last week! He said we'll have to wait and see but he may improve even more and the wobbles may go away some also. All this has been quite taxing. he is a fantastic dog and I'm very thankful to have him around longer. I know he's 14 and won't live to draw social security but I'd like for him to be around as long as possible. (if he is comfortable)

Takes a lickin'....keeps on stinkin'....
 
Great news :smile:
 
Good to hear. Dogs are amazingly resilient. My current pair are starting to approach old age: 11 1/2 and 12. I kind of figure 12 years in a dog is like hitting 100,000 miles in a car and anything after 15 years in any dog is a blessing. My longest lived dog made it to 17 years, 7 months.
 
He had a good night and is currently resting comfortably on his queen sized memory foam bed. It may take up a lot of space but it works out great. Looks like everything is gonna be fine for now. I know he can't go on forever but he's content so that's all that counts.
 
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