I've got a 16 year-old-bichon who lives with my parents. He's healthier than ever, still runs around. But he's getting senile. For one, he pees and poops around my parents' house every other day. They keep a clean house and absolutely hate him. For two, he's increasingly moody... whines a lot, and gets dangerously snappy when woken up (since he sleeps all the time, he has to be woken up to be fed and taken to the restroom). For three, he's somewhat blind and doesn't hear well. Sometimes he starts barking for no reason. My parents think he's losing it... My whole family adores dogs, but they all want to put our bichon to sleep. I disagree. But I want to know everyone's thoughts on the ethics of this.
2007-12-02 19:32:08 · 14 answers · asked by whimsy 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I had a similar situation with my dog. She died earlier this year at 17. She was perfectly healthy, not suffering nor in pain in anyway. She did become quite a challenge to take care of. That's putting it lightly. However, I could never consider putting her to sleep. I think it is morally wrong to end an animal's life for your own convenience. It's selfish. While it was difficult to take care of my dog, in her passing it gave me comfort to know that I did everything I could to give her a long, happy, comfortable life even in old age. Also, my dog gave me so much love over the years, why would I end her life just because she was hard to take care of? Should we put our parents or grandparents "to sleep" when they become difficult or inconvenient to take care of? No. That's my opinion. I think it's very sad that so many people "euthanize" their pets not even for health reasons but for their own convenience!
2007-12-02 19:41:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
My Bichon will be 16 in Jan, she has arthritis in one back leg and has trouble walking, but she isn't in pain, I give her supplements and a pain pill if she needs it. She sleeps a lot more, but she still seems happy and content as long as she is curled up in my lap while I am at my job and when we get home she eats and drinks and then is ready st cozy up as close to me as she can get and sleep. Se seems to be eating less, but drinks plenty of water. I would never want her to suffer a minute but I don't know if I could stand to end her life. Is it possible that siincw she is sleeping so much now she could just drift away on her own?
2014-10-19 06:10:01 · answer #2 · answered by Betty 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people believe that dogs will bark randomly because they see a ghost but I doubt that has been confirmed as true..
Your dog is pretty old for a dog, 16 is a old age for them. If he pees and poops in the house and doesn’t want to be awoken for basically anything it seems like the right thing to do. The dog might not be happy because if it would rather sleep then anything else what does that say? Your dog probably has lived a long happy life and now things aren’t going so well for him. You have to think of the dog and not yourself. You have to consider what the dog deals with everyday and if it's happy. You have to take into consideration his eyesight and hearing is going. Would you want to live like that? If he pee's and poops every other day that isn't a good sign either. You wouldn't want your dog that you have loved for 16years to suffer right? If he doesn't greet anyone with a wagging tail and never wants to be around people then chances are he isn't happy. Even older dogs greet people with excitement and happiness, you can tell if you are a dog owner. Most dogs get up when it's dinner time or lunch time, asleep or not. Older dogs don't get as excited but still look forward to eating. In the end you really have to think of the dog and its well being. Also think about why your family wants to put him to sleep, discuss with them why they think it is the right thing, even if it is really hard to talk about.
Your dog will always have a place in your heart but you don't want the last memory of him to be so sick and unhappy because you hadn't thought of it earlier. It is a difficult thing to talk about, putting a animal to sleep. But in the end it's for them not for yourself because you would do anything for them not to go.
2007-12-02 19:58:32 · answer #3 · answered by honey bee 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
frequently, if an proprietor can not arise with the money for scientific care, the Vet asks the landlord to offer up possession of the canine to them, and the Vet treats the animal. in the experience that your pal does not want his canine to go through, he needs to offer up the canine so it may get scientific care. otherwise, a safeguard may be keen to euthanize the canine for (frequently) a small value. ** So what it feels like is your pal, who has no funds, needs the Vet to purely handle the canine for loose? in case you are able to no longer arise with the money for a canine, don't have ONE. there is not any explanation for this canine to be aggressive, that's irresponsible, that's the vendors duty to coach and SOCIALIZE the canine. yet that's besides the factor. Your pal merely needs loose scientific care. that's not going to ensue. Have the canine euthanized, or renounce the canine to the Vet. *** you're completely contradicting your self. You mentioned: "he has super concern subjects, hes very protective and not an extremely social canine." then you certainly mentioned "The canine is likewise socialized. He had this canine everywhere from the 2d he had him. This canine is inbred and has a ton of genetic subjects. Aggression isnt continuously revolved around un socializing. Your a very impolite person" So is he, or isn't he? merely because of the fact your "pal" has "administration" over the canine, does not make the canine no longer aggressive in direction of human beings. "If he replaced into finding for loose scientific care he might of positioned the canine down the 1st well-being situation he ever had." that doesn't even make experience. you do no longer make experience. You do sound like a troll, or the canine is YOURS.
2016-10-18 23:05:09 · answer #4 · answered by gayston 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A vet would be a better person to help you with this choice and help you evaluate his quality of life. The ethics involved are putting the dogs best interests first, even if less then convenient. A good dog owner needs to be strong enough to put a sick failing dog down, not keep it alive for themselves, but each situation is different. Really try to look at this from your dogs point of view. Is he in pain? Confused as to why people are mad at him for having accidents in the house? A danger to people for biting? Has he any enjoyment in life anymore? This is a choice only your family with guidance from your vet can make.
2007-12-02 19:42:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I had a similar dilemia when my beloved akita was 11 years old. He suffered from arthritis,incontinence,partial blindness, and most distressing -dementia. He became aggressive around people he had known for years. I was willing to do the medical therapies for the arthritis and tried medication for the dementia, but it became too dangerous a situation. I had young nieces and nephews. It really became a choice for me between putting him to sleep or trying to isolate him from daily life in my home. I didn't feel this was a good option, so I had to have him put to sleep. I felt horrible, but in a way I was relieved that he would no longer be in pain. I have been without my Reno for 9 years now, and only remember the good years with him. I can't tell you what to do, but it was the best option for me and I don't regret it now.
2007-12-02 20:07:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
So, do you not live with your parents from the sound of things? If not, why don't you take the dog to live with you? Whether it's right or wrong, they don't want to continue dealing with the dog's infirmities. You don't want him put to sleep. Step up to the plate and take the dog, and the problem will be solved. Perhaps you could take him to the vet and have him checked out. If he has some sort of medical problem besides the obvious infirmities of old age, maybe he could be helped.
2007-12-03 00:20:39 · answer #7 · answered by twhrider 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
In my oppinion, if the dog has a problem to where he cannot live confortably (terrible arthiritis, or something like that), that is a reason to put him asleep. Not because he is old and senile.
I understand your parent frustrations with the dog, but he gave them all of his good years, they should take a bad one or two before his time is up. He deserves iit. And he really isn't choosing to be senile to get on people's nerves, he can't help it.
In my oppinion the old pup needs a little more compassion as his days are numbered as it is.
Good luck!
2007-12-02 19:41:07 · answer #8 · answered by driven 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
He is "loosing it". Many older dogs do go through a period of dementia before they die. The fact that he is whining is a cause for concern. Whatever you decide, this is Mom and Dad's house, so their opinion matters quite a bit. I am sorry you are so upset.
2007-12-02 21:34:29 · answer #9 · answered by mama woof 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe it's time.
A dog acting like this is not a happy loving dog.
I know it is hard but a dog that has lived to be 16 has had a good life and I'm sure he's been there for you through hte good and the bad. It's time to do him the favor of letting him go :0(
Here is a poem htat may help;;
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 PUT ME TO REST
2007-12-02 22:00:27 · answer #10 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋