Post by: Westside88 on May 09, 2019, 04:51:26 PM
Post by: Samloffler on May 09, 2019, 07:03:01 PM
Post by: h20hunter on May 09, 2019, 07:18:13 PM
Post by: Wanderer on May 09, 2019, 07:26:11 PM
Very tough decision - have made it a few times and it's never any easier. there's always a second guessing going on.
Post by: brew on May 09, 2019, 07:34:36 PM
Post by: Buckjunkie on May 09, 2019, 08:01:20 PM
Make the decision when you know he is suffering more than not. It’s the humane thing to do.
Keep your chin up knowing you did what’s best for him.
Wish they lived as long as we do.
Post by: Westside88 on May 09, 2019, 08:34:17 PM
Post by: blackpowderhunter on May 09, 2019, 08:34:35 PM
only you know..being outside of the situation it's easier to say, because if i put myself in your shoes, i can't even imagine.
my neighbor was going through a similar situation last summer..
he waited too long, and after the fact, he admitted that to me with tears in his eyes.. i think he realized he prolonged the situation for himself and not for the dog.
enjoy your time while you can, and just have fun.
remember...a dog is only part of your life, you are your dog's entire life.
Post by: bornhunter on May 09, 2019, 09:23:45 PM
Post by: bornhunter on May 09, 2019, 09:25:05 PM
as everyone else said.
only you know..being outside of the situation it's easier to say, because if i put myself in your shoes, i can't even imagine.
my neighbor was going through a similar situation last summer..
he waited too long, and after the fact, he admitted that to me with tears in his eyes.. i think he realized he prolonged the situation for himself and not for the dog.
enjoy your time while you can, and just have fun.
remember...a dog is only part of your life, you are your dog's entire life.
Post by: opdinkslayer on May 09, 2019, 09:43:12 PM
Post by: LHaub on May 09, 2019, 09:51:27 PM
Post by: BD1 on May 09, 2019, 11:17:36 PM
Post by: SGTDuffman on May 10, 2019, 05:23:55 AM
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1481111/
Post by: Rob on May 10, 2019, 05:39:26 AM
"Their last day does not need to be their worst day"
That guidance has helped me make the call in the past.
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on May 10, 2019, 06:13:36 AM
Post by: bornhunter on May 10, 2019, 07:34:06 AM
Man! Reading this thread made me get down on the floor & give my old boy some love. I fear the day I have to make that decision or lose him. :'(. I feel for those of you that are facing it now.
Post by: h2ofowlr on May 10, 2019, 08:17:34 AM
Post by: stlusn30-06 on May 10, 2019, 09:46:04 AM
Is the condition prolonged, recurring, or getting worse?
Is the condition no longer responding to therapy?
Is your dog in pain or otherwise physically suffering?
Is it no longer possible to alleviate that pain or suffering?
If your dog should recover, is he/she likely to be chronically ill, an invalid, or unable to care for himself as a healthy pet?
If your dog recovers, is he/she likely no longer to be able to enjoy life, or will he/she have severe personality changes?
If the answer is “yes” to ALL questions than your consider euthanasia as the best option for your pet. If the answer is “no” to three or four of the questions than you can consider for your pet’s life to end naturally. However, one must answer three more questions:
Can you provide the necessary care?
Will such care so interfere with your own life as to create serious problems with you or your family?
Will the cost involved become unbearably expensive?
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on May 10, 2019, 02:36:04 PM
Someone once told me:"My feeling is at his age as long as he’s happy and still wants to play, eats well and is going to the bathroom well then we’ll maintain."
"Their last day does not need to be their worst day"
That guidance has helped me make the call in the past.
We are in this mode with both of our dogs. The male is 12, and has an aggressive fast-growing abdominal tumor that makes him look pregnant, likely hemangiosarcoma. He still wants to eat, go for walks and be petted. The female is 14 and generally healthy, but mostly blind, mostly deaf, and has weak hips. So far the only concessions we have to make are picking them up and down and carrying up and down stairs, and the female prefers to be let in and out and is very reluctant to use the dog door (but does when we aren't home, either that or she holds it, no accidents in the house). Right now they enjoy life, when that changes for each one we will euthanize them, cry, and remember the many good years we had with them. It never gets easier.
Post by: Westside88 on May 17, 2019, 05:33:44 PM
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on May 17, 2019, 05:39:34 PM
Post by: Skillet on May 17, 2019, 05:42:35 PM
RIP Sam.
Post by: Westside88 on May 17, 2019, 06:26:43 PM
Post by: huntnfmly on May 17, 2019, 06:37:08 PM
Post by: opdinkslayer on May 17, 2019, 08:10:13 PM
Post by: jackelope on May 17, 2019, 08:19:16 PM
Post by: hunthard on May 17, 2019, 08:31:41 PM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on May 17, 2019, 08:39:22 PM
Post by: bornhunter on May 17, 2019, 09:26:08 PM
Post by: dewandgin on May 17, 2019, 09:36:06 PM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on May 17, 2019, 10:06:58 PM
Post by: TVHunts on May 18, 2019, 04:39:40 AM
Post by: Rob on May 28, 2019, 03:23:17 PM
Glad you had the time with him and I am sure he is as well.
Post by: 2MANY on May 28, 2019, 03:26:16 PM
Good luck.
Post by: gaddy on May 28, 2019, 04:07:46 PM
Post by: KFhunter on May 28, 2019, 04:40:55 PM
dunno why we do it, but then puppy!
Post by: Zardoz on May 28, 2019, 06:11:30 PM
Post by: Westside88 on May 28, 2019, 06:50:38 PM
If you find yourself asking the internet if it's time, it probably is.
dunno why we do it, but then puppy!
A lot of truth to this. I think when I initially asked the question I was picking up on the subtle signs that he was declining quickly. I really believed that he would make it through summer decently, but I must’ve been picking up subconsciously that my buddy of almost 13 years was nearing the end. We’ll be getting a puppy when the time is right, but not ready quite yet
Post by: Skyvalhunter on May 28, 2019, 07:13:34 PM
Post by: KFhunter on May 28, 2019, 07:51:00 PM
If you find yourself asking the internet if it's time, it probably is.
dunno why we do it, but then puppy!
A lot of truth to this. I think when I initially asked the question I was picking up on the subtle signs that he was declining quickly. I really believed that he would make it through summer decently, but I must’ve been picking up subconsciously that my buddy of almost 13 years was nearing the end. We’ll be getting a puppy when the time is right, but not ready quite yet
I lost a dog too young (cancer or something like it) and went and got a replacement puppy, it looked just like her! but wasn't....I lacked the motivation to train her properly, too soon to do it all over again having spent so much time and energy with the last dog. So don't recommend you get one that looks just. like. Sam..... get a different color if staying with labs, maybe get a female, but give it time.
What I do now is stagger the dogs getting a pup every 5-6 years, after all two dogs is always better than one.
Post by: AL WORRELLS KID on May 30, 2019, 10:24:48 AM
There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.
When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumor, or fits,
And the vet’s unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find – it’s your own affair, –
But … you’ve given your heart to a dog to tear.
When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!),
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone – wherever it goes – for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear!
We’ve sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent,
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we’ve kept ’em, the more do we grieve;
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long –
So why in – Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?
(Over the ages, it hasn't gotten any easier.)
Doug
Post by: AL WORRELLS KID on May 30, 2019, 10:36:53 AM
The old pal so dear to me.
And I smile through my tears on this first day alone,
Knowing they’re in eternity.
Day after day, the whole day through,
Wherever my road inclined,
Four feet said, “Wait, I’m coming with you!”
And trotted along behind.
.....................................Rudyard Kipling
Post by: HillHound on May 30, 2019, 12:10:24 PM
Post by: boneaddict on May 30, 2019, 12:21:01 PM
Post by: KFhunter on May 30, 2019, 12:33:39 PM
THis thread should come with a warning sign. Oh my goodness.
:yeah:
I scroll really fast past the poems and writings like: "The Power of the Dog by Rudyard Kipling" that people post so I don't accidently read it.
Then I'd need to go visit that TRT thread :'(
Post by: pianoman9701 on May 30, 2019, 02:04:27 PM
Post by: Westside88 on May 30, 2019, 02:08:25 PM
What a difficult time and decision for you, but I'm sure you'll know the right time. :sry:We had to take our last ride a week and a half ago. Tough call, but no doubt it was the right call. I’ll miss him, but lucky to have a good one that long
Post by: pianoman9701 on May 31, 2019, 07:27:57 AM
Post by: bassquatch on May 31, 2019, 07:31:53 PM
I am deeply sorry for your loss, it's gut wrenching. I am just now starting to get the tug at my heartstrings whenever I see puppies. I imagine I will own another dog at some point but man is it rough! I feel for you and your family.
Hang in there :tup:
Post by: JWEBB on May 31, 2019, 10:38:07 PM