My 14year old terrier lives under our bed, no longer barks, wanders aimlessly round the garden, cannot see very well and cannot get through the night.
However, he still loves to eat and enjoys being stroked.
We all love him to bits, but has the time come ?
2007-09-26 01:07:27 · 38 answers · asked by My Feet Ache 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I think that as long as he still "loves" things and is not in pain I wouldn't put him down. If he stops enjoying life and is in any pain or suffering then I'd put him down.
2007-09-26 01:12:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Only you can decide this. You will get different opinions here.
I know that once you weed through them you still will wind up making the same decision you would have without YA.
My personal opinion is to wait a little a longer. As long as your dog doesn't appear to be in any pain and can have some quality of life...such as you stroking him and enjoying his food. I don't think that the little guy is quite ready yet.
You and your dog may get lucky and maybe he will go quietly in his sleep. That is what I usually wait for, unless there are pain issues involved.
If the time does come for you to euthanize your dog ask your vet to make a house call so your dog can go in the comfort of his own home. Loading the dog up in a car sitting at the vet's office, the commotion and the cold table is all too stressful in the last hours for such a devoted freind. Make sure that your vet gives your dog a sedative to make him sleep and then the final injection should be administered. Most vet these days do euthanize this way...but just to make sure.
Then you need to think about burial. Will you bury him at your own home. If not think about individual cremation. There are plenty of places that offer this. Then you choose a box and bring your pet's ashes home. You can display the box with a favorite photo and his collar or toys if you like. I also have done this. I like the idea of having my animals with me. When you bury them you can't take them with you when and if you move.
I was a vet tech and I do rescue animals. My personal opinion is give your a dog a little more time. I always like to think that my dog will let me know when the time is right, not my vet, not YA and not anybody but my dog and me!
2007-09-26 01:22:40 · answer #2 · answered by puppylove 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It's heartbreaking isn't it when your pet becomes old.
Dog lovers say if he still has a quality of life leave him be.
There is an essence of truth in that.
It is you who will have to make that decision.
For myself I wouldn't let a dog suffer if he is in pain.
So how do you know if a dog is in pain. Hard sometimes.
Your dog sounds as if senility has come. He probably doesn't understand any anymore. He recognises smell, like food, but eventually even that will stop. Animals in the wild stop eating and just lie down to die.
I wouldn't like to be in your shoes just now. I wouldn't even advise you without actually seeing him. He does sound very near to the end from what you described. If he was human he would have to stay until the end. However, dogs don't need to endure that encumbrance if the owner is strong enough to let go.
Ask yourself would a few weeks of him wandering aimlessly around make that much difference.
You have to think of 'him' and not your broken heart.
I am sorry my letter contradicts itself rather. But I have just written a few points to be considered.
Incidently my Jack Russell was 18 when I had to take her. She had tumour on the brain in the end. So I didn't have much choice as she was suffering.
I had taken her to the vet four months before because I thought she was ill, but the vet said
''is she eating is she running about.'' She was, so I took her home. But I can tell you in all honesty. I think she had a pretty miserable four months. If I knew then what I know now I should have done it that day. But I loved her. I will never replace her she was a wonderful dog.
Joan.
2007-09-26 01:32:07 · answer #3 · answered by Sally Anne 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If he is still eating and he still goes in the garden, loves his cuddles then we'd say he's a happy, old terrier who likes a bit of peace and quiet (don't we all!) which is the reason he goes under your bed. He probably can't jump up onto your bed now so to him the next best thing is to be under it where he's still close to you. If you are happy to cope with the nights and he's not distressed by them then you will know when the time is right...you have loved and cared for him all these years and he's not ready to leave you yet and you're not ready to see him go. If he stops eating and loses control more times than he doesn't and/or is distressed then you will know when. Congratulations on being a kind, caring owner.
2007-09-26 01:27:28 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Now is probably the time. He has no quality of life, and may be suffering. 14 is a very good age for a dog, you've obviously cared for him very well, but now is the time to do the best thing you can for him and put an end to his suffering before you no longer have the choice. You can call the vet out to your home and have it done privately, then they can take your little dog away so that he can be cremated, also privately, and his ashes can be returned to you to keep or scatter.
Edit: For what it's worth, my opinion is DON'T ask the vet if it's time to have your dog put down. It's your decision. I once had a dog put down on a vets advice and it turned out that he could have been treated, you can't imagine how distressing that was. It's your decision, not a vets.
2007-09-26 01:16:31 · answer #5 · answered by ♥ Divine ♥ 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This is a really hard one, my thoughts are that as long as he is eating and being fussed over and doesn't seem to be in any pain put off any decision to have him put down, it's strange but dogs have a way of letting you know when the time is right, i found it a very difficult decision to make though i knew it was time but i have a lovely vet who when i took my collie to see him he just looked at me and said i think the time has come don't you and i agreed but not all vets will do that they wait for you to make that decision. I hope you have a while longer with your lovely dog, mine was 16 when the time come.
2007-09-26 01:59:49 · answer #6 · answered by LizofLondon 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Instinct will tell you when the time to say goodbye has come . At the moment your dog is enjoying what time he has left be guided by your vet they will help you make the final decision. A dogs life passes quick enough enjoy the time you spend with him while you have the chance. Don't make the same mistake many people do and keep him hanging on to life when he starts to suffer. Being a loving owner means taking the responsibility to say goodbye when the animal is suffering and has no dignity and not keeping them for their own selfish ends.
2007-09-26 01:29:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Hello My Feet Ache,
You have just described a very similar situation with my pet, Annie. She too was 14, blind and found it difficult to get around. She too enjoyed her food though and loved being petted.
Saying goodbye to a pet is just as heartbreaking as having to say goodbye to a human loved one, but it may be time for you to say goodbye to him.
My advice is to take him to your vet and let him/her give him a good check over and examination. Your vet would be the best person to advise you whether it is time to let your friend go.
If he is in pain or his quality of life has become so poor your vet may think it is kinder to let him go.
If this is the case, believe me you will feel it and it will take you a long time to get over him. I said goodbye to Annie nearly 3 years ago and I still miss her and am always thinking about her.
But I am sure you will agree that if your vet thinks its time, it is much better to let him go with dignity rather than let him suffer and see him suffering.
My thoughts are with both you and your terrier.
Good luck.
John
(Poseidon)
2007-09-26 01:23:14 · answer #8 · answered by Poseidon 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your dog is as you say it is perhaps it would be kinder to have it put down. I know it may seem hard to do at the time but remember the good times with him,. 14 is a good age after all a dogs age is 7yrs for every one of ours so that makes him 98yrs old Sorry to put it so blunt but the ball is in your court, know one can tell you what to do a vet will only tell you as I have.
2007-09-26 02:57:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anthony W 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When the quality of his life becomes unbearable to him - then it's time.
Since he eats well, enjoys his simple pleasures (stroking, cuddling etc.) and can toilet himself - mostly - I would personally hold off sending him on.
Believe me - he'll let you know it's time.
With your vet's help, make him as comfortable as possible - make sure his bed is free from drafts, maybe put a sweater on him in even mildly brisk weather, play with him - but gently and love him for the good old man he is. You may want to put a light lead on him when walking - even in the garden - so he'll have security knowing you'll guide him where he needs to be.
2007-09-26 01:38:04 · answer #10 · answered by Barbara B 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
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2016-10-20 00:44:36 · answer #11 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋