Should he be put down?

Question

Micky is a white collie mix dog. He is also 17 or 18 years old. he is deaf, partially blind W/ cataracs, mild arthritis, seperation anxiety, extreme shedding, tumors on him (they are not cancerous). He is a little stiff upon rising and lowering himself down. He is not my dog. He belongs to my boyfriends aunt. Sometime before 3pm he will be in doggy heaven. Our opinion is that he is not suffering but is only old. He has issues a old doggy would normally have.
She and her 2 kids insist Micky is suffering so much. And other family members don't agree. It has been causing fights. We want Micky but she refused to give him to us last night. She said it is her dog and it is not our business. I see her side but I along with others think it is to early. She is sad about putting him to sleep.It took nearly a year to come to this decision.
I don't know if I even have a question. I am upset and don't ever want to go to her house again. Am I being petty?
Is it time to say good bye?

Everyone has had an active part in caring for Micky. He lived with me and her nephew for a month when they went to Peru. I love poor Micky. I'd never wanna see him hurting. I wish that there was a miracle be a puppy again medicine. I hope is ok now in doggy heaven. Thanx everyone.

Everyone seems to think I "yelled" at Micky's mom. I NEVER expressed my opinion to her. Her "blood" family was doing enough of that. Everyone was picking sides it was very emoitional for everyone involved.
I am going to print the poem Chetco added and give it to my boyfriends aunt.
It was beautiful.
Thanx :)

Answer 1

Only the owner can know when the time is right. At 17, he has lived a good, long life, and Aunt has evidently taken good care of him..Stiffness in getting up IS pain..He's being a good sport, and not whining all the time, but he IS in pain..Please leave this decision to the owner, and don't make it any harder for her..She wants him to go while he still has some dignity..I have watched so may oldsters..and they get so embarrassed when they begin to dribble and can't hold their bowels or urine..I really think it is better to leave them with some dignity.

May I go now
Don't you think the time is right?
May I say good-bye to pain-filled days
and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best,
an example tried to be,
So can I take that step beyond
and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first.
I fought with all my might!
But something seems to draw me now
to a warm and loving light.
I want to go! I really do!
It's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can
to live just one more day .
To give you time to care for me
and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and are afraid
because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that,
and hope you'll always know
that my spirit will be close to you
wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me.
You know I loved you too.
That's why it's hard to say good-bye
and end this life with you.
So hold me now, just one more time,
and let me hear you say,
because you care so much for me,
you'll let me go today.


Copyright © Susan A. Jackson
Written for a beloved pet and friend.

Answer 2

No, you are not being petty. There is never an easy time to make a decision like this, and the fact that the whole family is involved bears poignant witness to the difference animals make in our lives. I am NOT a veterinarian, just a guy who has had to go through this ordeal several times, as well as having had many friends and family members that I have helped through the process.

One of the things that amazes me most about animals is this: They have absolutely no idea that they are going to die. They aren't afraid of it, because they don't know it exists. Estimates as to a 'normal' life span for a dog vary by breed (as well as who you're asking), but by ANY definition, '17 or 18 years' is a very long life for a dog (119 to 126 in 'People years').

It seems that we humans sometimes have a way of ignoring what's best for other critters when it suits us, and the fact of the matter is this - it isn't going to get any easier for any of you to say goodbye. If it's having this much of an effect on the rest of the family, imagine how hard it must be for your boyfriend's aunt and her children to see Micky every day, with all the medical conditions that you have described, when they have known him for his whole life...maybe all of theirs (the kids). If it's taken a year for her to come to this decision, I would lay money on it being the right one.

My prayers go out to the family; I know how bad this hurts.

ps - type the phrase "Rainbow Bridge" into your search engine of choice. One of the most beautiful passages I've ever read.

Brad

Answer 3

You are not being petty, and it's wonderful that you love Micky so much, but the aunt is the best one to judge here. She has loved Micky for his entire life and knows him best. If it took her an entire year to come to this decision, then you know that it was not an easy decision for her to make. I worked in veterinary clinics for over 10 years and a dog Micky's age, and with the health concerns that you mentioned, is a very tired dog. He knows that he is loved. The best thing you can do for the aunt is support her through this. She is losing a family member, probably her best friend, today.

Answer 4

Unfortunately, it is not your dog and the dogs owner feels that it's quality of life is poor. Perhaps the dog is in pain and you just do not see it. Maybe when the dog gets up and is still it is in pain. It is not an easy decision to make when you have had an animal for so long. Since you do not live with the dog 24/7 there may be other factors involved that you are unaware of and unfortunately the only thing that you can do is accept the owners decision.

Answer 5

It's hard to let go of an animal you love, but doing what is the most humane. She's had the dog all his life? Taking him from her would be very traumatic and difficult for him to transition to. Also, as you said, she didn't come to this decision lightly. It took her a year to do what she feels is best for her companion. She knows him best, and most likely doesn't want him to get to the point where he is suffering. His quality of life isn't high, and that can be just as hard to watch, even if he's medically 'okay.'
There's not a doubt in my mind that your aunt's actions are an action of love. Don't be too hard on her. You may have lost a dog you loved, but she has lost her best companion. She feels bad enough. Don't make her feel worse.

Answer 6

17 years old is old for any breed of dog. Collies don't usually live that long. This is a tuff situation and you must agree that it is her dog. Putting a dog down is a very hard decision and people may have different opinions. You can not let the dog's life interfere with the relationship that you have with your boyfriend and his family. In my opinion it is up to the owner of the dog. I actually agree that at that age there comes a time when you have to face the facts. Hard, hard facts.

Answer 7

Putting an animal that is suffering is always a very hard but loving decision that sometimes needs to be made for the best interest of the animal. If the dog is as you say he is, he definately is suffering and is not having a great quality of life. Quality of life is better than quantity of life. I do not mean any offense to you, but your boyfriends aunt is correct, it is none of your bussiness. This was a hard enough decision to make about her beloved dog/companion. what she needs right now is support & sympathy for this very hard but loving decision she had to make. It is time to say good bye to the dog, but not your boyfriends aunt. Petty is not the correct word for describing you, selfish or self centered would better describe your attitude . Do not think of your feelings, think of the aunts or the dogs suffering

Answer 8

Hi Star,
My wife and I have had dogs forever-even before we were together so I am very pasionate and understanding about the subject.
We had a German Shepard who was 14 years old and although in great mental health, he could no longer walk or hold his urine or bowel movements and needed help to stand and just move a few feet. It was killing us becuase when you called out to him his ears would go back and he would be very receptive to what was going on around him.
"Sly" was a guard dog before we got him and was badly abused, he was such a gentle soul and great with out newborn son...but once it had gotten to the point where the dogs quality of life was severley impeded by his condition, we had to make a heartwrenching decision. Sly was euthanized on Veterans day in 2002.

Ya see, sometimes we dont let ourselves see the other side. Your aunt cared for and lived with the dog for 17 years, I imagine that your Aunt is going through the same pain that we went through with Sly. Rememebr all of the sweet times you all had with the dog when he was healthy and in his prime...remember stories that you all can share...Dont make this a time of anger, you are only gonna rob yourselves of celebrating all of the great times you all shared with your beloved pet.

Even if you have reservations about putting the dog down, keep them private and support your aunt who made a gut wrenching decision to do right by an old loyal friend....Scott

Answer 9

THIS IS RATHER A LONG ANSWER BUT PLEASE READ. I work at an animal sanctuary, and see many different cases all the time. I however do believe that I am the only one there with the feelings I have. I am totally against animal testing, nd am a strict veggie. I was treating a g-pig that was ill, when another member just took it to the vet to have it put to sleep. This hurt very much and it angers me to think that people can just do this.

Anyway, more to the point, if it can be proven by two vets that the dog is not suffering see if you can take the dog. If they say it is suffering sometimes it's best to go with their opinions. I know how much it hurts, I cried for hours when I found out that this g-pig had been put to sleep. It annoys me that people just have their animals put to sleep whenever they feel like it. See what you can do.

Good luck, and I hope the dog survives if he isn't in pain.

Answer 10

Yes, I'm sorry but you ARE being petty. This is totally Micky's owners' decision. You have no way to know what exactly he has been going through because you have not owned him for many, many years as they have. Give them a break.

I put my 14-1/2 year old dog down six months ago because I knew it was the best thing for her. It was very hard for me to do, but she loved me unconditionally and relied on me to take care of her. When I knew I'd done all I could for her, I had to let her go.

Please do not add to the pain and hurt of Micky's owners by passing judgment on them. You have no right to judge them.