imagine life without him..Hes blind, deaf, has postrate problems that make him dribble all over the house..Now hes losing bowel control and has worms..He still seems happy-go-lucky and doesnt seem to be in any pain..How can I convince my daughter he needs to go with some dignity???
2006-12-29 23:46:41 · 17 answers · asked by mary2148 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
This is the hardest thing to do ever....I have been thru it many times over the years with all the dogs I've had. But, I have also had 3 dogs die either unexpectedly or just of old age and that I believe to be harder when you aren't expecting it. Try to get her to understand that it is best for HIM....tell her not to be selfish by hanging on to him.. and even tho he doesn't appear to be in pain, he probably is. If she can't handle it herself, make sure someone else goes with the dog to the vet,... or if you are having the vet to your house for the process....make sure she isn't around unless she WANTS to be. My daughter and I held and petted one of our dogs as the vet put him down and her and I still get very emotional when we talk about it. So unless she wants that to be her last memory, don't let her be around when its done.
2006-12-29 23:54:13 · answer #1 · answered by shoebuyer2001 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What kind of worms does he have? Does he have heartworms? Is he eating normally? Has he been to a vet recently? What does the vet recommend? Also, what kind of dog is he?
17 is old even for a long lived breed, but you say he is 'happy go lucky' and doesn't appear to be in any pain, so I'm not sure how serious his condition really is. If you can, please answer the questions I posed above. Those answers will help me (and all of us) better understand his situation.
My advice, without knowing that information, is to take him to the vet, have him checked and ask for an honest recommendation from them.
2006-12-30 08:06:27 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
He has been deaf and blind with a bummer prostate for how long now? The urinary and bowel issues are another story, but can be dealt with. If he truly seems "happy go lucky" why euthanize now? Over the years, I have learned that the dog WILL tell you when it is time to let go and say goodbye. (I never understood until it happened to me.)
As far as convincing your daughter, well, the best I can offer is what I tell myself when it becomes truly necessary. And that is, "after all she/he has given to me, this is the one final thing that only I can give to him/her". It is that thought that has given me the strength to lay curled around my dog talking and stroking as she goes to sleep and waits for me at the Rainbow Bridge.
2006-12-30 09:57:27 · answer #3 · answered by Desert Flower 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to sit down and talk to her about how he use to be. While he may seem happy, talk to her about his health and how this affects not just him but the whole family. You may also want to schedule a consultation with your veterinarian to talk about his health and options. This way you can have the discussion with a professional who is in as close to neutral as you can find, but also an expert in animal care.
Another question is to ask her how she wants to remember his final days. Letting him go while he still has his dignity and is somewhat himself, is more respectful and shows more caring- but it is significantly harder. when I was 17 we made the decision to euthanize our 14 year old german shepherd. She had lost bowel control and was loosing other body functions. We wanted her to go with dignity, while she was still close to herself.
Also remind her that she can be there, pet him and talk to him while he is euthanized. The procedure is painless and essentially an overdose of an anesthetic; so it's very much like he just falls asleep.
Another recommendation I would make is to call your vets and ask for recommendations on books about grieving and support groups. While your daughter may not need those, it might provide her comfort knowing there is someone out there to contact.
Hope this helps. Deciding when it's time to say goodbye is never easy.
2006-12-30 09:15:39 · answer #4 · answered by Lauren P 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your just gonna say you have to do and give her alittle time to adjust and then do it. I was the same way with our lab of 14 years. Although I did say it needed to be done, I didn't have the heart to do it. I just felt like I was "killing" him. Which I know we did, but the way I mean, was a mean killing is the way I felt. Hope I said that to where you can understand that. Anyways, when the day came, I actually hyper-ventilated and was crying uncontrolably. My husband wouldn't let me go. It took a couple of weeks and I got over the hard crying. One thing I did that helped me, we burried him in the back yard and I got a dog statue and flowers and taper candles and lit them at night. He had never been out at night before. It was beautiful to look at. I wanted a big wooden cross but have not go one yet. (Because of my Mother. Alzhimers and would be confused...long story). You just have to do it for the dog's sake. It's been alittle over a year and I'm getting teary just writing this. He was very special and I will never forget him, but I know what we did was for the best. So if she is like me, you have to be the strong one and just do it. She will come around. Give her time. And I wish the best of luck getting through this because it is hard.
2006-12-30 08:04:18 · answer #5 · answered by Shari 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to say, I agree with your daughter. Your dog is not actually in pain (except for potentially the worms, and those are easily treated). He just can't see or hear and has bladder and bowel control problems. Would you want your daughter to put you to sleep when you become old and have these problems?
Here's a newsflash... dogs don't have human concepts like dignity. These are the creatures that roll in dead things and lick their own butts in front of company. It sounds like you want him put to sleep so you can stop taking care of him, not because of any concern you have for his health.
2006-12-30 08:03:00 · answer #6 · answered by Lotus Effect 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
" O My", why would anyone want a dog to suffer in so much pain, It is cruel and heart less. Every thing in on this earth for a while and then it is time to go. People have to suffer animals do not. I feel sorry for the dog, but not your Daughter. At 22 she should know better then let her dog suffer so much.
2006-12-30 07:57:59 · answer #7 · answered by larry B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask her if she'd rather see the dog suffer a painful death, or be put to rest. And tell her that you wouldn't be doing this if you didn't have the DOG'S best interest in mind. The dog may not look like he's in alot of pain, but at certain times I'm the dog has those "all of a sudden" moments. Do what YOU think is best, and just put yourself in his postion. I hope everything works out for all of you. =[
2006-12-30 07:51:51 · answer #8 · answered by ×RIP Morgan× 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If the dog is "happy-go-lucky" and in no pain, why rush it. Your daughter is right. As long as you can care for the animal and he is not suffering, you should let him live. He is a part of the family. Lets hope your daughter keeps this train of thought when you get old and loose control of your bowels.
2006-12-30 07:59:07 · answer #9 · answered by Badkitty 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Explain to her that the dog is actually in danger, if he can't see or hear then he has noway of knowing if another dog or animal is about to attack, this is sad I know and I feel for you and your daughter, however have her shut her eyes and plug her ears for 10 minutes, and imagine what the quality of life this poor dog is living now. Bless you both
2006-12-30 07:58:16 · answer #10 · answered by JO K 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋