When to say when

[4wanderingeyes]

My dog Emma is 14, she has problems walking, and will fall, sometimes has accidents at night when sleeping. But she is her self, playful, mostly happy, she eats and drinks normally. She has been taking Librela shots for arthritis for a year. Some people see her walk and tell me she is suffering, but hell I don’t walk straight anymore either.

This has been really hard on me to decide when to end it for her, I have been her protector, provider, I have been the one to help her, now I am the one expected to be the one to decide her fate. I have a huge knot in my stomach anytime I think about it, and tear up. I will be crying like a baby bringing her into the vet. I know she doesn’t chase ball, hunt, or do stairs, she walks like I do after sitting for an hour. I know her time with me is short, but how do you know when that time is?

This is Emma enjoying a pup-cup from A&W yesterday.

 

[Jerry-B-WI]

Tough spot to be in. We had a yellow lab, Levi, for about 14 years. Had him put down when the vet said he had kidney failure. Vet said he could do medication and dialysis. Told the vet I wouldn't do that to him. Yeah, I cried too. Best wishes.

 

[Bill]

This is exactly why I will never own a dog again. making that decision is the worst. I don’t envy you. But if the vet says she isn’t in pain maybe you got some more time with her.

 

[SwampCat]

I just had to do that. My 12 yr old mt cur had some fair days towards the end - or fair half days. The last two days, he only got up to go outside to the bathroom and quit eating. I carried him to the truck and he didnt fight me. He went easily, looking me in the eye - as if to assure me he was good with the decision. It was a lot harder on me than him. It took me 30 minutes to drive home and I actually felt some peace. The two weeks before were pure hell on me - but after it was over - I felt like I had made the decision at the right time and a huge burden had been lifted off me. I feel for you - one of the toughest decisions I have had to make - and several times in my life.

 

[rogersb]

Had to do it 2 years ago. My dog had dementia. Absolutely nothing left of him mentally. Worst thing was he was 16 and healthy as a horse. Just walked in circles, ran into walls, and would pee or poop every hour of the day. Was tough but like said above, after it was over we knew we did the right thing.

 

[4wanderingeyes]

Ya, she has been extra work for me for sure the last 6 months, I know afterwards it will be easier than before. Last week she had a couple bad days, and I had come to the conclusion this coming Tuesday was the day, but I just talk myself out of it.

We moved to our hunting land in 21, and we moved here with 3 dogs, the other 2 passed at 13, so getting Emma to 14 was a goal. I was glad to get there. We have a couple grandkids coming next weekend, and the plan was to do it before they came, but I was talking to them on the phone, and they asked to see Emma on FaceTime, and they were all excited saying we miss you can’t wait to see you in 5.5 days. So I decided we will wait u til they leave their 2 week stay with us. The next mark will be a cruise we have planned on Labor Day weekend, I don’t think having her stay with someone else during our cruise will work. So it will most likely be before then.

 

[Barndog56]

Our chocolate lab was making do with arthritis meds, still able to go on our walks every day, but like yours was limping every time she got up after laying down. But she was still happy, with the neverending tail wags. Then one night the switch just flipped, and the meds didn't work any more. She just laid there shaking. And the look in her eyes said it was time.

Of course our vet couldn't fit her into their schedule, don't get me started on that, so I had to take a day off work to drive an hour and a half to an emergency vet, and pay twice as much. Felt like shit afterwards that I had waited too long. Wish I had scheduled a bucket list day for her a couple of weeks earlier and did all her favorite things before a scheduled time at our vet.

 

[4wanderingeyes]

Our last one to go was Blue, we woke up one morning and he couldn’t get up, and had blood coming from his nose. It was hard seeing him like that, and I know I waited one day too long. But it made it easier to bring him in, because it had to be done. Emma I don’t see her really suffering, but she does struggle to get up on the wood floors, we have rugs all over, but she lays on the wood. Also with her being the last one of the 3, I guess I don’t want it to end. Probably selfish on my part. We aren’t planning on getting another dog, at least right away, it’s been hard on both of us.

It is a struggle, because she is mostly happy, and she makes me happy, but she does struggle, and the vet keeps telling me it should be sooner than later and quality of life.

 

[chucker66]

Oh man I feel your pain. My lab is 7 and a big one at 105lbs. He is a great retriever and dock jumper but I dread the day. He is my third black lab and even though it is tough, I will never be without a dog. I just love them too much and cant stand not having one around. After my last one, I got the next one 3 days later. That really helped a lot to have a puppy right away. Just remember all the good times you had with her. Was that pup cup from Minong A&W?

 

[4wanderingeyes]

It was from Minong A&W, we take her on a Side By Side ride there about 1 time a week.

 

[4wanderingeyes]

She loves to ride

 

[bigboreblr]

one of my dog's was blind on diabetes medication. I was in NYC working and going to school. Came back for the weekend, she waited for me to see her one more time. Wandered in the woods and never saw her again. Wish I could of said when.

 

[H20fwler]

Very tough topic,
I wait a looong time too, the ride to the vet is awful.
As long as the dog seems happy I keep trying to help them out and pray they slip away peacefully in their sleep.
It’s a terrible thing to go through but I keep doing it, I love a good hunting partner and sidekick.

 

[Foggy47]

Our small house dog "happy" was about this age when we put her down. My girls loved that dog....and she would let them dress her in doll clothes and push her around in a buggy. She would even crawl up about an 8 foot ladder into their tree house....and jump down....just to be near my girls. A more perfect dog for kids is not to be. The kids grew up....left home.....and Happy grew old. She was full of tumors and had all the issues said above and more. Sad day for certain....but it was the better choice. We never had another dog.....and we were too busy working and traveling after the kids left home to have another pet. I know some cannot live without a pet. We dont want the responsibility of another one.....or making those decisions you need to make. Good luck. It will pass.

Of course....I may be the only guy here who "sold" his hunting partner of 6 years. Back in time my lab and I were at field trials or hunting nearly every weekend. He was a near perfect dog....but he was kennel kept....and not a house dog. I spent countless hours to train that dog....and we competed very well in retriever trails in those times. I was even the president of the retriever club for a tme. Then, I took a new "traveling job" and would be gone most every week....and when I did get home.....now I needed to spend time with my family. Meanwhile, my lab Barney got really fat and unhappy living in that kennel. Sad deal.

Barney was so well trained and could do blind retireves, hand signals, and was whistle trained and more. Hard charging lab....a real duck dog. It broke my heart that he had to sit in that kennel all week....and much of the weekends. Finally, I decided to sell him to my old neighbors who were hunters and had 4 really nice boys and a dad that all loved to hunt. I did not charge much money for him....and gave them all his trophies and ribbons (except one) and the books I used to train him and the various equipment that kept him happy.....etc. Showed them what he could do and a list of commands that he had learned, etc. He lived a good many years and It was really good to see him enjoy his life again....and that family loved him allot. And they were proud of their dog.

When I "sold" him to that family we made a deal that I could take him hunting from time to time. But I never did. He had new masters....and they were really good for him. Making good choices is hard.

 

[Westwind]

So sorry you are going through this. We put down a female lab in around ‘04 and a male about three years ago. Both were terrible days. Only thing that helps is time.

I don’t want to go through it again. Miss having a dog around the house but just not doing it again. I also feel like my luck has run out- had three really good labs and two pointy eared work dogs in my lifetime. I have been really lucky with every one of them, great dogs.

 

[Brian662]

Take that sweet girl for a pup cup every chance you get before the time comes. My old boy loves them and he'll be getting plenty when his time is near.
Tough situation, keep taking good care of her for as long as you're able.

 

[Foggy47]

Take that sweet girl for a pup cup every chance you get before the time comes. My old boy loves them and he'll be getting plenty when his time is near.
Tough situation, keep taking good care of her for as long as you're able.

First time I ever heard of a "pup cup". So....that is a thing?

 

[4wanderingeyes]

First time I ever heard of a "pup cup". So....that is a thing?

Many places have a smallish cup, about 2-4 oz and they will put ice cream, or whip cream in it for the pup. McDonald’s, Dairy Queen, A&W. Usually at no charge, but I have had some DQ. Charge me $1