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11-23-2008, 06:16 AM | #1 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vero Beach, FL, USA
Posts: 60
| Making the Toughest Decision...need advise My 11 year old lab is not well. We found cancer and she is just laying around at this point. I know what we have to do...I can't stand to watch this old lady, who was once a gazelle, just lay there. I have searched all over the internet for ideas for services/compassionate ethanasia, and I know I saw it somewhere once-but now that I need it can't find it. She is the oldest of my pack, with the yorkies being the youngest. She had been so loyal to everyone............. Any advise, and prayers would be appreciated!
__________________ Momma to Smokey ,Brandy, Chloe, Cujo,Cali, Kipper, Cinnamon, Cookie. Chris,Nick,Steph, Beth & Marcie |
Welcome Guest! | |
11-23-2008, 06:21 AM | #2 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Kansas
Posts: 39
| I am so sorry to hear about your lab. We recently had a make a tough decision with my parents' dog who was a toy poodle named Beamer. He had a heart problem and we could have prolonged his life for a year but the quality of life wasn't what Beamer was used to. Although he was a poodle, he loved to chase squirrels and we just couldn't bear the thought of him laying around and not being able to do that. It is hard but I am sure you will do what is best for your baby. May God Bless you and your family as you get through this sad time. |
11-23-2008, 06:31 AM | #3 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Montgomery, AL, USA
Posts: 98
| We also have a 12 year old Lab (Cosmo) who was diagnosed with Cancer. Because of his age and size, we were advised not to do anything except help with pain when he started showing signs. That was 2 years ago. We've been able to enjoy his company far longer than we anticipated, but it's such a hard decision. I just hate the thought of doing something around the holidays, but we can't watch him suffer either. Currently he's on pain meds and has been for about 8 days. He doesn't show signs of going down further and has always been such a great companion. I guess we're in the same boat and I'm sorry for your pain. |
11-23-2008, 07:03 AM | #4 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Grand Cayman
Posts: 49
| I am so sorry that you are going through this. My family and I had to go through this with our 2 doxie mixes, George and Jerry-Lee, that we found when they were about a year old. They lived a very long happy life. They loved to chase birds, rates, snakes, anything. They were real little hunters! Jerry-Lee had developed cushings and once he was on medication we noticed that he had also developed severe arthritis in his elbows but the pain from it was covered up by the chemicals from the cushings. He dealt with the cushings fine but the arthritis was slowly getting worse and we were trying everything to help him. His favorite thing to do was eat, oh he loved to eat. He would eat anything, he was a real little porker. During this time his brother George was diagnosed with oral cancer. The vet put him on pain medication and told us that he wouldn't live for more than a few more weeks. It was a hard blow. Once he was on the pain meds we noticed he was having trouble eating even boiled chicken and soft food. He was always a picky eater but this was more than that and we knew it. Then the seizure started every Monday and we knew that we couldn't let him go on like that so we took him to the vet and stayed with him until he suffered no more. We had brought his brother Jerry-Lee and George left us knowing how much we all loved him. A couple months later Jerry-Lee was waking up all throughout the night crying because of the pain and his eating had become picky. He was no longer the little hunter he used to be, all he could do was lay on his bed all day in pain. He wasn't eating like he used to and not because of age but because of the pain from the arthritis. We knew it was time. Euthanasia is not an easy decision to make and only you can make it. Your girl has had a wonderful long life and if she isn't having fun anymore or doing the things she loved to do best than it is probably the most loving decision you can make right now for her. She knows how much you love her and how hard it is for you to make that kind of a decision but she understands that her little body can no longer work properly. She is lucky to have you looking after her. The best person to turn to on making you decision is her, just watch her eating habits, look into her eyes, you will know when both of you are ready. I send many prayers and much love to you, your girl and you family at this hard time in your life. It is hard but keep strong for her and listen to her and your heart. |
11-23-2008, 08:12 AM | #5 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2008 Location: WI
Posts: 186
| I am so sorry to hear about your big baby. Years ago I had a Pointer and a Malemute who were not even 3 years old and I had to put them to sleep. They both got blastomycosis and there was no good way to treat them. Our vet came out to our car and did it there so they wouldn't have to come in to the vets office. They could be comfortable in the back seat on there blankets. It was a bad decision to have to make so I was glad they could be comfortable when we had to do it. |
11-23-2008, 08:23 AM | #6 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: West Milford, NJ
Posts: 48
| i'm very sorry about your lab. it's a difficult decision to make (i had to do it two weeks ago) but many vets do come to your home and provide the service. this way, your pet is comfortable and at home when this decision is made. the other thing is as some others have posted...if you fill the car with their blankets and things they love and then the vet can come out to the car, that also will make her more comfortable. again, i'm so very sorry about this terrible situation. spike's family. |
11-23-2008, 08:23 AM | #7 |
YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 274
| I would ask the vet to euthanize the dog in my home. If you have a good relationship with your vet, they will probably do it. If they refuse, you can always call around and find a vet that will. |
11-23-2008, 03:56 PM | #8 |
YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 427
| I am so sorry that you are having to make this heartbreaking decision. It is definitely the most difficult thing to do, but sometimes, the most humane. My dog Freeway also had cancer. We did surgery in the hopes that it would cure him.. it appeared to have done just that, until 6 months later. The vet told us there was nothing more he could do and that he had weeks to live. We started him on some pills to keep his airway clear (the tumor was on his windpipe) and kept him comfortable. My neighbor asked me one day how I would just know it was time. I didn't have an answer (only tears) as I honestly couldn't imagine waking up one day and knowing that today was the day! That day did come though... He was up all night struggling to breathe, and couldn't eat or drink - every time he tried, he would choke. I knew then that he was suffering and I could not let that happen. He was a small dog, so we felt ok taking him to the vet to have it done - but we stayed in the car with him until it was time so we didn't stress him out needlessly sitting in the waiting room. If you can't get it done at home, I would suggest at least doing that... it helped him to stay calm and it helped me as well - those final quiet moments are ones I will cherish forever. It's a horrible decision to have to make, and once again I am so sorry for your pain. I hope that you can take comfort in knowing that you gave your baby a happy life, and that she knows she is loved - now, and for always.
__________________ Oliver & Mya are my |
11-23-2008, 04:15 PM | #9 |
Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Michigan
Posts: 951
| I know how heartbreaking this time can be. Here is a poem I found when we were reaching this decision with our Chow Chow a few years ago. A Parting Prayer Dear Lord, please open your gates and call St. Francis to come escort this beloved companion across the Rainbow Bridge. Assign her to a place of honor, for she has been a faithful servant and has always done her best to please me. Bless the hands that send her to you, for they are doing so in love and compassion, freeing her from pain and suffering. Grant me the strength not to dwell on my loss. Help me remember the details of her life with the love she has shown me. And grant me the courage to honor her by sharing those memories with others. Let her remember me as well and let her know that I will always love her. And when it's my time to pass over into your paradise, please allow her to accompany those who will bring me home. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of her companionship and for the time we've had together. And thank you, Lord, for granting me the strength to give her to you now. Amen. Brandy Duckworth
__________________ Lorene, Paris, Paris, Samira, Aja and the newest addition to our family... Halle Belly Bands & Rag Quilts - http://2Parises.etsy.com |
11-26-2008, 08:48 AM | #10 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2008 Location: WI
Posts: 186
| [QUOTE=2Parises;2345359]I know how heartbreaking this time can be. Here is a poem I found when we were reaching this decision with our Chow Chow a few years ago. A Parting Prayer Dear Lord, please open your gates and call St. Francis to come escort this beloved companion across the Rainbow Bridge. That is so sweet, makes me want to cry, I will have to save it and share it. |
11-26-2008, 07:01 PM | #11 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vero Beach, FL, USA
Posts: 60
| She is gone to the Rainbow Bridge Thanks to everyone for your love and support during this difficult time. My poor lady lab, Smokey, was officially diagnosed with lymphoma on Monday (with a second opinion and a vet that does house calls) By Tuesday, this very aggressive and fast moving cancer had totally debilitated her, probably got into the central nervous system, as she was paralyzed from the hips down. Today the vet came to the house. She had been laying on blankets all day, and with my son (her favorite) and all the family, she was gently put to sleep. She was so bad yesterday that she couldn't even go out to relieve herself without holding her hips for her. It was SO fast. On Saturday she walked to the car. By Tuesday she had to use of her back legs. So after 11 years, our beloved girl is gone....makes for a really sad Thanksgiving................
__________________ Momma to Smokey ,Brandy, Chloe, Cujo,Cali, Kipper, Cinnamon, Cookie. Chris,Nick,Steph, Beth & Marcie |
11-26-2008, 07:15 PM | #12 |
Loved by Layla Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada
Posts: 11,257
| Oh I'm so sorry your family was faced with such a difficult decision around the holidays. But you made the right choice. I think dogs feel embarrassment and loss of dignity and you spared her that. She was very lucky to have the vet come to her instead of you having to bring her to a place that not many dogs like. I'll be thinking of you and your family. |
11-26-2008, 09:06 PM | #13 |
YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southern Indiana
Posts: 414
| I am so sorry...at the holidays is such a hard time to lose a beloved pet, but then there really is no good time. I know how hard the decision is, but when faced with the decision, I took comfort in imagining my Toby running free with no seizures, no blindness, no pain and no fear. Treasure the good memories, sounds like you and your family provided a wonderful and happy home to him.
__________________ Terri and Olivia (R.I.P. my sweet little girl) |
11-27-2008, 02:38 AM | #14 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Satellite Beach, FL
Posts: 838
| It is not an easy decision. I/we had to make the same decision three times in 6 weeks in Jan and Feb. Your baby is well again, romping around at the "Bridge" and awaiting your arrival. There are several good sites and even support groups to help you through these difficult times. Keep your friend in your memories and heart. When you decide to look for another pet friend, look at the rescue groups. There are alot of good friends waiting to be adopted. Bob |
11-28-2008, 01:46 PM | #15 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2008 Location: WI
Posts: 186
| I am so sorry. I am glad she could be with every one who loved her. |
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