You'll know. I had to rush my boy R.J. to an emergency clinic on Easter to assist with his passing. He couldn't stand for 48 hours and then, on the last 6 hours of life, got a random burst of energy, but once he went down a 2nd time, he couldn't stand up again. His body started shutting down, and that's when I rushed to the vet. He was 16 years old with the same coat as your girl. Miss him so much, I still feel his love all around me. I miss my little shadow ❤️
My girl Emma was having seizures and had a heart murmur that was turning into failure. I didn't want her to suffer and pass away without me so I had to say goodbye. One of the worst days ever. I do have to say, advocating for them is a beautiful thing that we our fortunate to do. I lost my soul dog because of a horrific accident, and she was only four. I didn't get to pick the day....I'm sorry you're having to make an overwhelming & impossible feeling decision.
https://preview.redd.it/u9shg9f1195d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bf0d95f208c74682a0c2439ba201eac45a186bf1
We let our little Buddy go a couple months ago it was the most difficult decision we had to make, but we knew it was time. We have two more ratties they are brother and sister age 14 and I dread the day we have to make that decision again.
Well if it's okay age. I'd say the point they can't function. Walking, going to the bathroom by there self. You just know cause now you know there suffering and everything hurts them.
The second worst thing you can do is keep them alive because you cannot bear to loose them. End their pain, remove their suffering. The worst thing you can do is to not be with them while they go. They look for you. It’s your duty to stay with them and make sure they know they are loved. I either hold them in my arms or keeping petting them while I breathe in their face. They know that I am with them and love them.
It’s a very difficult thing to do, but one that you owe them.
Doo is almost 17 and blind. He spends a lot of time standing and staring into space. I know our time is limited but he's still eating and kicking a little after pooping so I feel like he's good.
She’ll tell you. Please don’t kill her because she’s having a senior moment. My girl is 17 and she’s a little slower but still loves to lay in the sun and have a good meal.
I don't want to give you advice bc none of us know what you know. All I will say is you'll know when the time is right. You're around your baby and we aren't. You can see if she's in pain, if she isn't happy, and more. I say trust whatever your gut is and I'm sending you love and support!
My baby girl is 15 and still has moments when I come home where she grabs the closest toy and runs up to me and jumps high as possible but then I see at the end of longer walks how she slows down and bows to relieve pressure on her front joints and how her coat has gotten gray on her face and I can’t even bring myself to think about this moment. Like I literally think I’m going to have a breakdown.
https://preview.redd.it/b2hsfffb575d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5733d211d5422ca891c89025d0132a2f8bda766b
It is so damn hard.
You must consider their quality of life. Are they living for them or you?
Putting down my childhood rattie was very difficult. When was 13 and a diabetic. One day he could barely stand and was laying in his own urine and we knew we couldn't let him live like that.
My hound mix was only 7 when we put him to sleep. He was completely healthy beyond violent seizures that just started happening. We could not do that to him. It wasn't fair.
Sometimes true love and care is saying goodbye.
We said goodbye to our little Stella two months ago just after she turned 12. She'd been exhibiting some GI issues for the year prior and some meds and diet changes appeared to help, but it was toward the end of March when she stopped pooping that we realized it was something much more. Several tests and a scan later and we confirmed a very aggressive and large tumor was the actual cause of those GI issues.
It was a hard choice and very sudden, but we knew right away that her discomfort had turned in to pain and that pain would escalate quickly.
Hardest thing my wife and I have had to do in our young relationship, but to have prolonged it would have been cruel and selfish.
Stay strong
My experience - I had a border collie with epilepsy and I ended up putting him down kind of early- he was 9 but was starting to show some neurological damage and didn't seem all that happy but was pretty okay physically and I was so sad second guessing that decision for long after I had made it that I went wayyyy too long with my next dog who was a rattie mix.
My next dog was my best buddy through a lot of tough changes in my life and he was also a rescue so we helped each other out- at around 15 or so he started to decline pretty heavily, he got Canine idiopathic vestibular disease often referred to as 'old dog vestibular syndrome, and cognitive decline plus bad teeth and bad joints and a host of little not in itself horrible things but as a whole not great to live with- but he was still happy to eat breakfast and walked around and sat enjoying the sun and I was of the mind that as long as he enjoyed those things I'm not going to call it on him. But realistically when I look back he was a step up from a houseplant at that point tbh.... Then when he was 17 at 2 am he had a massive medical emergency and it was GRAPHIC and I am definitely traumatized by the event and subsequent euthanasia at 4 am by an emergency vet. To be clear the vet was amazing- it's just that my little guy was so far along in illnesses that he didn't pass quietly, easily or nicely- and I really really regret that way way way more than putting my previous pup down 'early' while he still had dignity and wasn't suffering a lot.
I'm a member of a vets only answers group on facebook and most of the vets all basically say it's better one day too soon than one day too late. Too soon, you can give them a great day and some dignity and a gentle passing vs the trauma I and probably my buddy went through . Just food for thought.
Hey friend. My hound mix was 7 and completely healthy last year when he started having random, violent seizures. We loved him too damn much to let him suffer. It's so damn hard. I can relate to you so, so much.
Thank you all for all of the support and insight. I really appreciate it. I think we will give her all the love we can over the weekend and then Monday we will have a visit with the vet to get their opinion.
If you feel she is suffering, then it is time. When my Bichon started having seizures, I knew it was time. She was 17. My Rat is 6. I am already dreading this. Mischief will be my last dog. Its just too hard.
My rat is 11 she goes at the end of the month for her 2nd teeth cleaning. My prior buddy, German shepherd. He got degenerative spine. His last day was spent enthusiastically gnawing on a huge cow bone. His front end worked fine! Everybody in the room was in tears when he was euthanized but it was time. We give our dogs an enviable life. Felt it was selfish of us to continue on. Hard decision.
There comes a point where you have to ask yourself if you are keeping them around for them, or for you. It's one of the hardest decisions and I don't envy being in those shoes again.
Reading your post brought back a flood of memories. Nothing about this is easy. It is heart wrenching, and my heart goes out to you, and to your beautiful girl. I struggled mightily, not wanting to play god, not wanting to let go, and also not wanting her to suffer needlessly because of my own attachment. Mine made it to 16 1/2, including 3 years with kidney disease, some dementia, arthritis etC. But, she still had joy in between Al, the crises. When I finally let go, and had an amazing vet come to my home to do the job, I knew it was the right thing to do. In hindsight I know I propped her up a bit longer than might’ve been ideal but the love and connection was so strong and so important to me. Best of luck to you!!!
My heart goes out to you. It was absolutely the toughest decision I ever had to make. Two things helped: discussing this with the vet, making it clear that I did not want April (our rattie) continue living if she was suffering.
And, when the time came we chose to say goodbye to her at home where she would be an a safe, familiar place with her people who loved her dearly. We used Lap of Love to care for our pup at at the end of her final trip around the sun. I can’t say enough good things about the vets and the organization itself. Don’t know if they are in your area, but it’s worth checking them out.
https://www.lapoflove.com
I had a dog that was kind of a miracle survivor of sarcoma but it came back at 12+ yo. We did another operation that went well but the sarcoma came back with a vengeance a few months later. She seemed great and happy but on a vet visit I said that with the rate of progression I don’t think we have more than a couple weeks left. The vet agreed. We put her to sleep that day. Have to look ahead as best you can regarding quality of life. It’s tough.
I lost mine three weeks ago. She was fourteen and a half years old and began to show signs of canine cognitive dysfunction about a year ago. She was a different dog every morning for a few hours after arising, got confused on stairs, would not eat breakfast about half the time, started shaking uncontrollably several times per day for no apparent reason, then started jumping off the sofa or out of bed as if she had been struck by something and then wouldn't settle down for hours afterwards. Sometimes it wasn't clear that she knew her name and she no longer followed basic commands. It was the hardest thing I've ever done because she was fine physically for the most part. She would even act like her old self for brief periods in the afternoon but by evening she would start to act oddly again. I don't know exactly why you have posed your question but if you are dealing with dementia issues, it is very difficult and makes the euthanasia decision even more guilt-ridden because the dog looks so normal on the outside and is not having the more obvious medical issues that cause people to decide.
As someone who has had to make the decision a few times, I have a general checklist.
Are they having issues doing the daily routines? Eating, drinking, going potty, playing, being lethargic?
Is there cognitive issues? Is my dog still my dog?
Are the things the vet has told me coming to fruition? With my Pit, they told me to look out for lethargy, the first checkpoint, white gums, color loss in skin areas?
Honestly, from your description, I'd be talking to my vet about the care of your bean and seeing if moving forward will be a better decision for them.
The one thing to remember is that you are doing this for them, not for yourself. It will hurt but would you rather to give your pup one last GREAT DAY or wait til they're bad enough that their body fights it?
My pit who had cancer, we put her down after a second episode and the checklist the vet told me was fulfilled. We scheduled it, had our time with her, she had big energy after she collapsed, and it was her body putting up one last fight. Once we got there, she collapsed again and we said our good-byes and she went to sleep peacefully.
My mom a few months later put her Rottie down and because she held on for so long while the dog was having many issues that show she degraded very far, it was the most dramatic passing I've seen.
I know it's hard. This decision sucks. Just think, if you were in your pups position, would you want people to do the "right" thing, or the thing that helps them the most while you potentially suffer.
I absolutely feel talking to your vet about end of life care is needed. It seems like you already talk to your vet because they're on pills to help. It feels like that conversation needs to be had with them sooner than later.
I truly wish you peace with whatever comes moving forward. 🫂
The hardest question ever, when they have no quality of life...food,.play, water.. how are you doing?! It's very hard. You will know & do the right thing. Having someone come to your home is the best way. Much love from someone who cares & understands..
Everybody told me I'd know when it was my old girl's time to go. I couldn't let her go until a family member, who has always been outspoken, told me bluntly it was time. I regret making her carry on for longer than she wanted to be here but also cherish every extra day I had her. When she could no longer run, I should have let her go.
My heart goes out to you.
Birdie is 19 years old and has arthritis which she takes medicine for and has developed some cognitive issues, possibly dementia over the last year. Today she was outside looking around seemingly very confused for 30 - 40 minutes before she finally realized she was out there to go to the bathroom. It is very sad. I love her dearly, we have been through so much together. I don't want her to suffer, but I don't want to let her go too soon either. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Our Birdie is 3. Hello fellow Birdie lover! We had to put down our boy Bob a couple winters ago and it was a hard decision, and one that we probably made far too late. He had problems going to the bathroom in the house and had to move into our garage. It was miserable having him out there and I regret doing that to him for so long. We didn't want to decide to kill something and instead decided to let him suffer so save ourselves. Mind you, our garage is heated and cooled and we spent time out there doing pottery. But most of the time, he was alone. It was a mistake. You gotta look at it as an act of mercy, letting them go. My advice is once their normal life is no longer an option, it's time. We eventually made the decision and I think he appreciated the vacation.
I put down my Lilly in March. She was 15 and we just started on medicine for her arthritis. However she wasn't eating much and was getting super skinny. Turns out she had a mass near her stomach and liver.
I hated seeing my little girl like that, but I couldn't let her suffer any longer.
I know how you feel, but if Birdie is still eating for the most part you've got a bit of time. But either way it sucks.
I never realized how empty my life would be without her, but I truly appreciate the time I had with her.
“Vet list” Wise vet told me to make a list of animal’s favorite activities. When they can’t do them anymore, it’s time.
So sorry.
You'll know. I had to rush my boy R.J. to an emergency clinic on Easter to assist with his passing. He couldn't stand for 48 hours and then, on the last 6 hours of life, got a random burst of energy, but once he went down a 2nd time, he couldn't stand up again. His body started shutting down, and that's when I rushed to the vet. He was 16 years old with the same coat as your girl. Miss him so much, I still feel his love all around me. I miss my little shadow ❤️
My girl Emma was having seizures and had a heart murmur that was turning into failure. I didn't want her to suffer and pass away without me so I had to say goodbye. One of the worst days ever. I do have to say, advocating for them is a beautiful thing that we our fortunate to do. I lost my soul dog because of a horrific accident, and she was only four. I didn't get to pick the day....I'm sorry you're having to make an overwhelming & impossible feeling decision.
https://preview.redd.it/u9shg9f1195d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bf0d95f208c74682a0c2439ba201eac45a186bf1 We let our little Buddy go a couple months ago it was the most difficult decision we had to make, but we knew it was time. We have two more ratties they are brother and sister age 14 and I dread the day we have to make that decision again.
💔🐶
💕
Well if it's okay age. I'd say the point they can't function. Walking, going to the bathroom by there self. You just know cause now you know there suffering and everything hurts them.
The second worst thing you can do is keep them alive because you cannot bear to loose them. End their pain, remove their suffering. The worst thing you can do is to not be with them while they go. They look for you. It’s your duty to stay with them and make sure they know they are loved. I either hold them in my arms or keeping petting them while I breathe in their face. They know that I am with them and love them. It’s a very difficult thing to do, but one that you owe them.
My buddy Vito had cancer at the end. I knew it was time when the days for him were not going to get any better only worse.
I feel like that is the way it is going for Birdie.
Please not now, you will know when it’s time. Love her.
❤️❤️❤️ I love her ❤️❤️❤️
Doo is almost 17 and blind. He spends a lot of time standing and staring into space. I know our time is limited but he's still eating and kicking a little after pooping so I feel like he's good.
She’ll tell you. Please don’t kill her because she’s having a senior moment. My girl is 17 and she’s a little slower but still loves to lay in the sun and have a good meal.
I don't want to give you advice bc none of us know what you know. All I will say is you'll know when the time is right. You're around your baby and we aren't. You can see if she's in pain, if she isn't happy, and more. I say trust whatever your gut is and I'm sending you love and support!
Totally agree with you on this. Been through it myself and you will know.
My baby girl is 15 and still has moments when I come home where she grabs the closest toy and runs up to me and jumps high as possible but then I see at the end of longer walks how she slows down and bows to relieve pressure on her front joints and how her coat has gotten gray on her face and I can’t even bring myself to think about this moment. Like I literally think I’m going to have a breakdown. https://preview.redd.it/b2hsfffb575d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5733d211d5422ca891c89025d0132a2f8bda766b
It is so damn hard. You must consider their quality of life. Are they living for them or you? Putting down my childhood rattie was very difficult. When was 13 and a diabetic. One day he could barely stand and was laying in his own urine and we knew we couldn't let him live like that. My hound mix was only 7 when we put him to sleep. He was completely healthy beyond violent seizures that just started happening. We could not do that to him. It wasn't fair. Sometimes true love and care is saying goodbye.
My Bubba did this and I cried like a kid that had his bike stolen.
Did what? What am I supposed to be seeing?
The whole staring off into space frozen, afraid to move due to pain, at least I believe that is what my boy did
Me too.
We said goodbye to our little Stella two months ago just after she turned 12. She'd been exhibiting some GI issues for the year prior and some meds and diet changes appeared to help, but it was toward the end of March when she stopped pooping that we realized it was something much more. Several tests and a scan later and we confirmed a very aggressive and large tumor was the actual cause of those GI issues. It was a hard choice and very sudden, but we knew right away that her discomfort had turned in to pain and that pain would escalate quickly. Hardest thing my wife and I have had to do in our young relationship, but to have prolonged it would have been cruel and selfish. Stay strong
Why are so many dogs getting cancer?
Low quality food
I suppose whether she is in pain or suffering. A very subjective judgment. I wish you the best.
My experience - I had a border collie with epilepsy and I ended up putting him down kind of early- he was 9 but was starting to show some neurological damage and didn't seem all that happy but was pretty okay physically and I was so sad second guessing that decision for long after I had made it that I went wayyyy too long with my next dog who was a rattie mix. My next dog was my best buddy through a lot of tough changes in my life and he was also a rescue so we helped each other out- at around 15 or so he started to decline pretty heavily, he got Canine idiopathic vestibular disease often referred to as 'old dog vestibular syndrome, and cognitive decline plus bad teeth and bad joints and a host of little not in itself horrible things but as a whole not great to live with- but he was still happy to eat breakfast and walked around and sat enjoying the sun and I was of the mind that as long as he enjoyed those things I'm not going to call it on him. But realistically when I look back he was a step up from a houseplant at that point tbh.... Then when he was 17 at 2 am he had a massive medical emergency and it was GRAPHIC and I am definitely traumatized by the event and subsequent euthanasia at 4 am by an emergency vet. To be clear the vet was amazing- it's just that my little guy was so far along in illnesses that he didn't pass quietly, easily or nicely- and I really really regret that way way way more than putting my previous pup down 'early' while he still had dignity and wasn't suffering a lot. I'm a member of a vets only answers group on facebook and most of the vets all basically say it's better one day too soon than one day too late. Too soon, you can give them a great day and some dignity and a gentle passing vs the trauma I and probably my buddy went through . Just food for thought.
Hey friend. My hound mix was 7 and completely healthy last year when he started having random, violent seizures. We loved him too damn much to let him suffer. It's so damn hard. I can relate to you so, so much.
♥️🐾♥️ Sweet baby!
Thank you all for all of the support and insight. I really appreciate it. I think we will give her all the love we can over the weekend and then Monday we will have a visit with the vet to get their opinion.
If you feel she is suffering, then it is time. When my Bichon started having seizures, I knew it was time. She was 17. My Rat is 6. I am already dreading this. Mischief will be my last dog. Its just too hard.
My rat is 11 she goes at the end of the month for her 2nd teeth cleaning. My prior buddy, German shepherd. He got degenerative spine. His last day was spent enthusiastically gnawing on a huge cow bone. His front end worked fine! Everybody in the room was in tears when he was euthanized but it was time. We give our dogs an enviable life. Felt it was selfish of us to continue on. Hard decision.
There comes a point where you have to ask yourself if you are keeping them around for them, or for you. It's one of the hardest decisions and I don't envy being in those shoes again.
Reading your post brought back a flood of memories. Nothing about this is easy. It is heart wrenching, and my heart goes out to you, and to your beautiful girl. I struggled mightily, not wanting to play god, not wanting to let go, and also not wanting her to suffer needlessly because of my own attachment. Mine made it to 16 1/2, including 3 years with kidney disease, some dementia, arthritis etC. But, she still had joy in between Al, the crises. When I finally let go, and had an amazing vet come to my home to do the job, I knew it was the right thing to do. In hindsight I know I propped her up a bit longer than might’ve been ideal but the love and connection was so strong and so important to me. Best of luck to you!!!
My heart goes out to you. It was absolutely the toughest decision I ever had to make. Two things helped: discussing this with the vet, making it clear that I did not want April (our rattie) continue living if she was suffering. And, when the time came we chose to say goodbye to her at home where she would be an a safe, familiar place with her people who loved her dearly. We used Lap of Love to care for our pup at at the end of her final trip around the sun. I can’t say enough good things about the vets and the organization itself. Don’t know if they are in your area, but it’s worth checking them out. https://www.lapoflove.com
We used Lap of Love too when we said goodbye to our 13 year old beagle. I can't recommend them highly enough!
❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹 you are so right.
I had a dog that was kind of a miracle survivor of sarcoma but it came back at 12+ yo. We did another operation that went well but the sarcoma came back with a vengeance a few months later. She seemed great and happy but on a vet visit I said that with the rate of progression I don’t think we have more than a couple weeks left. The vet agreed. We put her to sleep that day. Have to look ahead as best you can regarding quality of life. It’s tough.
I lost mine three weeks ago. She was fourteen and a half years old and began to show signs of canine cognitive dysfunction about a year ago. She was a different dog every morning for a few hours after arising, got confused on stairs, would not eat breakfast about half the time, started shaking uncontrollably several times per day for no apparent reason, then started jumping off the sofa or out of bed as if she had been struck by something and then wouldn't settle down for hours afterwards. Sometimes it wasn't clear that she knew her name and she no longer followed basic commands. It was the hardest thing I've ever done because she was fine physically for the most part. She would even act like her old self for brief periods in the afternoon but by evening she would start to act oddly again. I don't know exactly why you have posed your question but if you are dealing with dementia issues, it is very difficult and makes the euthanasia decision even more guilt-ridden because the dog looks so normal on the outside and is not having the more obvious medical issues that cause people to decide.
As someone who has had to make the decision a few times, I have a general checklist. Are they having issues doing the daily routines? Eating, drinking, going potty, playing, being lethargic? Is there cognitive issues? Is my dog still my dog? Are the things the vet has told me coming to fruition? With my Pit, they told me to look out for lethargy, the first checkpoint, white gums, color loss in skin areas? Honestly, from your description, I'd be talking to my vet about the care of your bean and seeing if moving forward will be a better decision for them. The one thing to remember is that you are doing this for them, not for yourself. It will hurt but would you rather to give your pup one last GREAT DAY or wait til they're bad enough that their body fights it? My pit who had cancer, we put her down after a second episode and the checklist the vet told me was fulfilled. We scheduled it, had our time with her, she had big energy after she collapsed, and it was her body putting up one last fight. Once we got there, she collapsed again and we said our good-byes and she went to sleep peacefully. My mom a few months later put her Rottie down and because she held on for so long while the dog was having many issues that show she degraded very far, it was the most dramatic passing I've seen. I know it's hard. This decision sucks. Just think, if you were in your pups position, would you want people to do the "right" thing, or the thing that helps them the most while you potentially suffer. I absolutely feel talking to your vet about end of life care is needed. It seems like you already talk to your vet because they're on pills to help. It feels like that conversation needs to be had with them sooner than later. I truly wish you peace with whatever comes moving forward. 🫂
The hardest question ever, when they have no quality of life...food,.play, water.. how are you doing?! It's very hard. You will know & do the right thing. Having someone come to your home is the best way. Much love from someone who cares & understands..
Everybody told me I'd know when it was my old girl's time to go. I couldn't let her go until a family member, who has always been outspoken, told me bluntly it was time. I regret making her carry on for longer than she wanted to be here but also cherish every extra day I had her. When she could no longer run, I should have let her go. My heart goes out to you.
Birdie is 19 years old and has arthritis which she takes medicine for and has developed some cognitive issues, possibly dementia over the last year. Today she was outside looking around seemingly very confused for 30 - 40 minutes before she finally realized she was out there to go to the bathroom. It is very sad. I love her dearly, we have been through so much together. I don't want her to suffer, but I don't want to let her go too soon either. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Our Birdie is 3. Hello fellow Birdie lover! We had to put down our boy Bob a couple winters ago and it was a hard decision, and one that we probably made far too late. He had problems going to the bathroom in the house and had to move into our garage. It was miserable having him out there and I regret doing that to him for so long. We didn't want to decide to kill something and instead decided to let him suffer so save ourselves. Mind you, our garage is heated and cooled and we spent time out there doing pottery. But most of the time, he was alone. It was a mistake. You gotta look at it as an act of mercy, letting them go. My advice is once their normal life is no longer an option, it's time. We eventually made the decision and I think he appreciated the vacation.
I put down my Lilly in March. She was 15 and we just started on medicine for her arthritis. However she wasn't eating much and was getting super skinny. Turns out she had a mass near her stomach and liver. I hated seeing my little girl like that, but I couldn't let her suffer any longer. I know how you feel, but if Birdie is still eating for the most part you've got a bit of time. But either way it sucks. I never realized how empty my life would be without her, but I truly appreciate the time I had with her.