We took in a stray dog 11 years ago. A neighbor had found him and spent days finding the owner and couldn't. We were looking for a dog for our family and decided to help her out also. The dog had obviously been abused, he crouched when anyone tried to pet him. We named him Kramer. We found out soon afterwards Kramer is epileptic. We decided to keep him anyway, though the two medicines he needs runs about $40/month and we must visit his neurologist once a year. A few years ago we were told he has a thyroid condition, so now he takes 3 medicines a day.
The problem is: he is so much work. Because of his seizures, we have to keep an eye on him 24/7. When he seizures, he can't control his tongue so he tries to eat our carpets. We put him outside, so he pulls at the grass until the seizure stops. A few times he got to our carpets before we could stop him, so they needed repair. The medicine keeps his seizures to around 3 a month, without the meds it would be 3 a week.
2007-10-30 03:04:41 · 13 answers · asked by Maureen S 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
After he seizes he often throws up because his stomach is upset. I get the job of picking it up, that is if he has not eaten it. He eats his own vomit and his own feces. It is so disgusting. He does not like to be touched, even after all these years you can tell he tenses when we pet him. Whenever, you try to play with him, he just runs to the cabinet with his treats. We just feel like all we do is work with no joy. Kramer is well fed, we interact with him often, walk him. From his point of view, he has a good life. But, we feel like we have had enough. We contemplate from time to time taking him to the shelter and having him put to sleep. We know no one is going to adopt a 12 year old dog that is epileptic with a thyroid condition. Are we terrible people for putting him to sleep? What would you do?
2007-10-30 03:14:18 · update #1
take a look at this poem and maybe it will help.
do you really feel he has a quality of life anymore???
PUT ME TO REST
Time to let me go my friend,
Because my life no-one can mend,
Its better to let me go this way,
Than watch me suffer night and day.
I'm happy to go, my time has come,
My quality of life is no longer fun,
Ive been so ill, so its not a bad thing,
To let me go forever resting.
Stay with me till I drift away,
Fast asleep forever I pray,
To relieve me from suffering and pain,
What more can I ask from my best friend.
Don't be sad, I'll be free from pain,
Never to be ill ever again,
I know you'll miss me being there,
But all the memories you have to share.
Thankyou for being my best friend,
And all my needs that you did tend,
Try not to be sad, try not to cry,
Now's the time to say GOODBYE
2007-10-30 03:58:29 · answer #1 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
11 is a pretty old dog as it is and putting ANY dog down is not an easy choice. If it were, you would have done it some time ago.
To the people talking about commitment and such...come on already. They took in a stray with problems and gave the dog a life it never would have had otherwise.
Put the dog down for you and the dog. Remember the dog well and be sad about him when you think of him. Otherwise, this will get worse and worse until the day that you are happy he's dead.
2007-10-30 10:28:40 · answer #2 · answered by Delete Account 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I know I am going to get some thumbs down, but honestly? I would euthanize him. The dog is obviously in pain, seizures are not fun, and too many things are wrong to have the dog be comfortable. I don't look at it from a money aspect- I look at the quality of living. If I was having as many problems as he did, I would want to be euthanized as well.
He has had a happy life for 11 years now, and I am sure loved the attentio. I know it is a hard decision, but if it was me, I would euthanize him.
2007-10-30 10:40:37 · answer #3 · answered by D 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
That's a tough situation. I've had senior dogs that were a lot of work and truthfully it didn't occur to me to have them put down. They'd been great dogs and if anyone suggested I get rid of them when they were old, sick and replied on me I'd think they were insensitive to say the least. Add my husband and kids to the mix and it would never happen. However, I'm not criticizing your position because we all react differently to different stressors and what's right for me isn't right for everyone. Good luck.
2007-10-30 18:21:37 · answer #4 · answered by Little Ollie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What I would do is look after this poor, old sick dog that I CHOSE to adopt 11 years ago.
I absolutely cannot understand people who are willing to abandon an old dog that they're supposed to love and care about when they become inconvenient! Old dogs, no matter their problems, are precious and deserve all the care and love they need.
If his seizures are that frequent, have you considered he needs a trip to the vet to maybe have his meds adjusted?
2007-10-30 10:12:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
You gave him 11 good years, when the condition gets to the point he is no longer able to enjoy beeing a dog and is in a danger of harming himself or others
Some times the hardest decision is the kindest for him
2007-10-30 10:11:46 · answer #6 · answered by idtshadow 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
i would keep working at it you took the dog in 11 years ago don't give up now.
it might be hard work but you have this dog and he relies on you,if it was me i would carry on unless he is suffering badly and you can see that.
you have the option of talking to the vet concerned and voicing your concerns,
this is my opinion and my opinion only but any pet i have i would do what i had to do with it,if it meant one of my dogs needing to be kept an eye on 24 hours a day then yes i would do it ,but this is your decision i really believe that only you can make the decision.good luck
2007-10-30 10:13:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why, keep him and look after him of course!
I don't know how after eleven years you could consider having him killed.
When all is said and done he's a lot cheaper, easier to look after and less destructive than a child, and he's stuck loyally by you unconditionally despite being given a terrible name.
And "euthanisia" ISN'T an option!
Euthanasia refers to HUMANS who VOLUNTEER to be put out of their misery when they become too sick or debilitated to go on living.
'Kramer' is a dog, he has no choice but to love and trust you until you decide to KILL HIM.
2007-10-30 10:12:46 · answer #8 · answered by Hugo Fitch 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Euthanasia is an option, however the fact that you chose to keep him and are now tired of him makes me wonder what is more important to you. He isn't trying to inconvenience you. If his quality of life is slipping then by all means let him sleep. Keep in mind before ever getting another one that if you want an animal that you can play with and return to the shelf when you are done, isn't any trouble and doesn't make messes; get a stuffed one.
2007-10-30 10:27:18 · answer #9 · answered by Scelestus Unus 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I feel bad for the situation you are in. i know what it feels to have somehting that is ungrateful that you rescued it. But still you made a decision to bring the dog in. You should care for him till he has no quality of life. He is not in pain that you know of. So he should be allowed to live. Please don't just put him down.
2007-10-30 10:27:03 · answer #10 · answered by Ems 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋