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Originally Posted by kalina82  Welcome to YT. Your yorkies are adorable. That picture of Buddy is so precious. He looks like a sweetheart.
Personally I haven't had a senior pet yet so have not had to make that decision myself. My yorkie is 5 and she is my first dog and my love. However, I worked as a vet tech for many years and have talked with many owners going through this sad time with their senior pets. Everyone asks "how do you know its time?" and honestly there is no one right answer. A lot of the time the dog will let you know but sometimes they try to hang on despite their pain or discomfort. I sometimes wondered if they did this because they knew how upset their owners were. When I talked to the owners I would tell them to pick 3 things that their dog absolutely LOVED to do on a regular basis (i.e.: eating, playing with a particular toy, going for walks, going for car rides, laying in a particular spot thats not on the floor like a chair, couch, bed). When they can no longer do those 3 things they enjoy the most in life then its time to say your final goodbye. |
This is what my Vet told me as well - when I was facing this decision with my aging Maltese, Casper. He was only 13 - but his quality of life was so bad. He was deaf, blind, senile, and incontinent. I really don't think he knew if we were home unless we touched him. So sad.
He no longer loved to be outdoors - because he would get lost - even in our fenced yard.
He ended up pooping in the house all the time - then just pace in circles in it.
It took me a year to get the courage - despite all my friends and family telling me that it was 'time'. I finally knew it was 'time' when I boarded him at our trusted Vet's boarding facility while we went on a family vacation. I guess he messed his kennel and paced in it to the point where they had to treat his raw feet. I was kindly asked to not bring him there again. This was my VET and they had cared for him all his life. I could see it in their face - everyone knew but me.
It was hard - I'm not going to lie - it was so hard but I knew that my Casper was gone forever and this little, lifeless shell, pacing andpacing and never able to rest or respond - was NOT having a good life.
The Vet did let me hold him - it happens very quickly - and again, one of the hardest things I have ever done. I felt guilt for years afterward, I will tell you. Wondering if I did the right thing.
So give it some thought - talk to your vet - and ask yourself about the 3 favorite things.