I need advice.... I generally don't ask for much advice here but this one I need help on. My husband and I have a Boxer Coco who is almost 13. She has outlived her life expectancy by years. She currently has Cushings which we have yet to start treating because she has a reoccuring UTI. She is blind, close to deaf (we assume because she doesn't respond much if at all to noises or our voice) and she has terrible arthritis. For the most part my husband carries her outside and when she does walk she falls a lot. She whines occasionally and pants as well. So the advice I need is what should we do? Neither one of us have ever had to make a decision like this one way or the other. We love her sooooo much and as I type this I cry to even think about it. Part of me says she fine and we can handle carrying her (she is 75lbs) and the other part of me wonders does she really want to live like this? I just don't know.....any advice is appreciated. Thanks! |
I am so sorry that you are facing these issues. We just recently went through the same thing with our son and his 15 year old cat. Max had cancer and we went through three treatments and he kept declining so fast. My son had such a hard time with deciding if Max was in pain or suffering. It came down to Max gasping for breath last Thursday and us rushing to the vet after hours. He couldn't stand seeing him suffer like he was. They were not able to administer the drug to euthanize him because of his veins all being shut down. They were able to sedate him so he could die at least not struggling for air. IDK what to tell you, but I wish that my son had decided a couple of weeks earlier, before Max was unable to walk, go to the litter box or even eat more than a nibble. I think you will know when the time comes and my heart breaks for you. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. |
I am so sorry for what you & she are going through and so very sorry your baby is in such a terrible situation. My heart goes out to you as I can read your pain from watching her suffer through all of this. It would be a fairly simple but far from easy decision for me as I think a dog who can no longer enjoy a normal dog's life should not have to suffer & endure a life full of complications, pain, nausea, weakness & endless uncomfortable car trips to vet visits, testing, poking, prodding & probing & neverending medications & struggles. As they can't talk & tell us how miserable they might be, it horrifies me to think of one enduring pain or discomfort, nausea, etc., with no way to truly express itself to me. I think in those types of circumstances, where so many things are afflicting one precious dog, humane euthanasia would be a welcome a kindness to my best friend. I'm just so sorry you are possibly facing this moment with your Coco. |
Thank you both for your words of wisdom. I was just talking to my husband about Coco's quality of life which is pretty non-existent at this point. She has been to the Vet for the past couple of months almost every week. I feel horrible for her and it's so hard to figure out what we should do. I appreciate what you both said and agree totally. I will talk more with my husband and we will make a decision. We love her to much to allow her to live like this. Thanks again! |
I'm so sorry you have to go through this, it's such a tough decision. One of the reasons I love my vet is I know he will be able to help me make this choice. In nature, a sick or old animal, just doesn't live long, but they don't have to suffer for years and years either. Have you talked about it with your son, does he understand? I think it might be helpful to have him being involved with the decision. One of the hardest parts for you will be seeing your son’s pain, so maybe if he can understand the decision; it will be less painful for all of you. Best of luck, sending prayers and hugs. |
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You know, it is so easy to say the words..."dont let her suffer, send her to Rainbow Bridge where she is free from pain and the suffering she is enduring now that her "shell" has worn out..set her spirit free, to run and play...."But the truth is, the actual following through with the decision is so brutally difficult and heartbreaking for us to make....I carry 3 poems in my purse....I have pulled them all three out on each occasion when I was faced with this decision...reading each one, over and over, trying to see that what I preach to others also applies to me...my pain is no more than anyone elses.....so while I say the words, please know I have been where you are now, as have many of us, and it hurts soooooooo deep, so jagged a tear through our heart and soul....I want to write just the last paragraph of one of the poems I carry...it was written by "A Dogs Friend in Kansas City Mo" and was printed in the newspaper many years ago...."And my friend, when I am very old and I can no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. Life is no longer a joy for me. Please see to it my life is taken gently. Cradle me as I leave on my journey. I shall leave this Earth knowing with the last breath I draw, that my fate was ALWAYS safest in your hands." |
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I don't know anyone who is a true dog lover who would say those words are ever easy to say when most of us who have been through it find it incredibly difficult to even read posts like OP's, let alone post on them or type any advice. It is so painful. It takes you back in time to that terrible place. Once one is through reliving one's own personal experience of hurt, loss, loneliness & pain and remembering those last looks & words said to those we've had to say that final goodbye to, you have to then try to help OP through the process of helping that poor dog they have posted about. It is one of the most painful things there is on YorkieTalk. Sometimes when there is just no other way, the actual decision is simple - you don't have to wrestle about what to do when you know you can't possibly put a dog through a great deal of suffering & misery when the outcome won't really change or the dog's life will be so hard to continue to live that way - but actually starting the process, getting those words out to the vet or suggesting that to someone else for their baby - those are some of the hardest words in the world to say. I find them every bit as hard to type as to say - and it does something to you having said them. |
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I think it would be a good idea to talk with Isaiah about this, I'm not sure the best way to do it, but I'm pretty sure you shouldn't use the term, "put to sleep" with this age. |
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