How do you know when's the right time....

I've been in your position many times, and it never gets easier. It could be that he is missing your Mum. Is there any way you could encourage him to take an interest in something? A gentle walk maybe? Do you have a garden you can get him in to? Is he still eating/drinking? When we have put anyone down in the past, it has been due to lack of food/water or total lack of interest in both. Also, if they start peeing at the slightest movement - usually an indication that they have had enough. What was the vet's advice?

I've been in your position many times, and it never gets easier. It could be that he is missing your Mum. Is there any way you could encourage him to take an interest in something? A gentle walk maybe? Do you have a garden you can get him in to? Is he still eating/drinking? When we have put anyone down in the past, it has been due to lack of food/water or total lack of interest in both. Also, if they start peeing at the slightest movement - usually an indication that they have had enough. What was the vet's advice?

Hi Jabba,

He has been in and out for the toilet etc, he is still very interested in food and drink not had any problems really. Just feeling sorry for himself. But as you say i am not sure if it's because mum has gone away.

I'll wait for Mum to phone me later as i couldn't do anything without her consent unless it was absolutely nessecery (sp?).

Thank you for you post. xx

Whoa....I'd say slow down.
As said he might simply be missing your mum!

If he's eating, drinking, going out without problems, walking, doing his business okay...then he's very likely doing fine. You say he is 15, that's a good age and you can't expect him to be doing an awful lot!

Surely nothing must has changed since your mum left, only hours ago? Did she have any concerns about his behaviour? If not, he's simply an old dog taking life easy 🙂

Barbara
x

My dog is 15 also, and we have been watching her deterioate infront of our very eyes.
She has lost a lot of weight, sleeps most days, doesn't like much fuss but will tolerate some petting before she walks off, but she's now started to urinate in the house.

Usually she gives plenty of warning, scratches the door and goes out, but now she's just doing it without any warning.

She is very interested in her food and abolutely leaps up and down with excitiment when its tea time.

We've taken to putting her in the large utility room at night and throughout the day when we are out at work as if she does wee its easily cleaned up.

We also have had her checked out and she is fine, tends to suffer a little with her kidneys for a few days and then it gets better.

Its awful to watch her inertia and her lack of control but she still enjoys chasing the lawnmower and the hoover.

Reading this has brought a little tear to my eye (the main reason i avoid pet forums usually....(if a poor darling is very ill or dies i can become a sobbing wreck!)
I definately wouldn't get the sweetheart put down yet, unless a vet is saying it's absolutely necessary. Dogs can become very glum when the owner goes away, my little staff does and most dogs we have had seem depressed in some way when we have had to leave them to go away.

I'm so sorry, i know exactly how you're feeling. I've been through this often too.

I remember with my 15 year old dog, Jade. Her hips were bad and was back and forth form the P.D.S.A. and i was told that nothing could be done except painkillers and anti-inflamatories, which made her sick.

Every time i decided that she couldn't carry on like that, and made an appointment to take her, when it came to the day, she seemed brighter, so i was constantly cancelling.

Eventually i did, but i still find it hard to think back to that. But i think the way to know when they're in pain is when they stop eating. Also i have known a few friends dogs, who have become confused and behave as though they don't know where they are.

But i think you will just know, and i wouldn't do anything until your mom comes back if you can; good luck. x

Providing that the dog is still eating and drinking then I would err on the side of caution and would tend to agree that the dog is missing his mum. Don't forget, it's a strange situation for him so as far as possible try to stick to his routine. Have you talked to the dog and told him that his mum has gone on holdiay and will be back in a few days, this may help to reassure him.

You will know instinctively when the time comes to let him go, and to be fair, if that decision was clinically necessary, then the vet would of suggested it by now. Be guided by your dog and the vets.

Also, have you tried any essences with the dog?

This brings back lots of memories from last year, when we lost our Chesapeake she was close to 15.

You will know when the time is right, your dog will tell you and so will the advice from the vet, not to mention your heart.

It's good he is eating and drinking and going to the toilet and you've sought advice from the vet. The older dogs get, they seem to prefer routine, so your mum being on holiday may be the problem. Give him lots of fuss and a favourite treat or even a new one. The season changes can have an effect too.

Best wishes
Peppermint

i get down days when i dont wanna move, no energy, feel and look fed up even lol but i would hate for anyone to come and whisk me off to put me to sleep... definately apply the breaks here, the vet would advise on the best course of action and i would definately say that any change in routine is enough to knock even young dogs let alone ones of a good age. Would your mum have gone on holiday if she thought today was the day?? or even this week sometime? he may have days, weeks, months but if he is showing no pain then i would leave it. Dont even think it. Give him positive energies and positive vibes, give him a reason to live dont let him think you are giving up on him too.

Hi, I have a 14 year old lurcher he's got a dicky ticker and arthritis in his legs but manages to get around OK. I have confidence in my vet to say when the time is up, I do ask the question when I take the dog to the vet and he says that so long as he has a quality of life (which he has) and is not in any pain (he's not) then the dog is fine.

We lost our rottie to cancer earlier this year, Harvey was only just turned 5. He'd had chemo for over a year and the last few days it was clear he was ready to go, his face said it all.

I say that you and your mum know your dog best and when the time is right you will know, provided he has a quality of life a vet will support you.

regards Aly

is it time?

hi Lolly.....i have a 15 + alsation.he has been a good loyal and fun friend.he now has a manky coat.bad eyes, hard of hearing, constantly sick,progressively getting thinner,falls down randomly,struggles to get upstairs,squeaks rather than barks...and i have waited for him just to go naturally..like in the park or in his sleep.i hate having to make that final trip..but sadly tomorrow is his final trip..my children have said there farewells and the grandchildren have hung around him..today is bad enough but tomorrow will be worse..i will miss him desperatly...and its because we love them.do not do anything untill your mum gets back..he may just be missing her, as she is part of the pack. they get fretfull when things are different and if she is the alfa he will definately be confused.wishing you well for the future.L:)

Hi Rayne1958, Just to let you know I'm thinking of you and so are many others. It's the hardest part of sharing our lives with pets.

Love and best wishes
Peppermint

Dear Lolly,

I wonder how things are now? What I will say in answer to your question is that you WILL know! Be prepared, find out what will happen, and how. Discuss this all with the vet NOW so that you are in a better state emotionally to work the whole thing through, and decide rationally what you and your mum want to happen. Awful things like disposal of the body, cost and place need to be discussed and those are always better discussed early on.
The first time I lost a dog of mine I was in so much shock, I wish I had been more prepared, I would have kept a lock of her hair, her collar, and taken more photos, it doesn't make the fact easier but it does make it all more smoother and easier to cope with if we know what, when, how etc etc.

Sending you much love and reiki xxxxx

I hope she didn't kill the dog just because he was bored! The only reasons to put an animal down are if they can't eat, can't pee or poop or are in great pain. Maybe if she played with the dog or brushed him or otherwise showed him some attention, he'd perk up.

I hope she didn't kill the dog just because he was bored! The only reasons to put an animal down are if they can't eat, can't pee or poop or are in great pain. Maybe if she played with the dog or brushed him or otherwise showed him some attention, he'd perk up.

Learning, if your reply is in response to posts #1 and #3, it seems that the dog is in fact still alive and fairly well. Perhaps re-reading may clarify? :rolleyes:

Holistic

worst day ever

This is the worst day. my friend went to today and as a family it is devastating. it will not be the same in the house without him.we have another and she is confused. im so sad.xxx

The right time......

2 years ago we had to make the decision to set, Trixie, our rescued collie x, free, it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do.
She had been unwell for about 6 months with AIHA (Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia) I had never heard of this before. We did all we could.

Trixie spent 1 week in Bristol hospital and underwent test, blood transfusions etc. She was on lots of medication but finally we could see she would not get any better, she was failing.

Our Vet told us one morning, the kindest thing to do would be to let her go - it still seems like it happened yesterday.

My daughter and I were with her when she passed - I told Trixie, we loved her so much we had to set her free.

Two days later, my daughter saw Trixie in the kitchen, she was heading towards the door which leads to the garden, my daughter said, she looked different, much slimmer and younger, she also noticed Trixie looked kind of transparent.

A week later I felt Trixie on my bed on night, I could feel her body pressed up against mine and heard her breathing. I was afraid to open my eyes and I didn't want to lose the moment:).

I told myself I could never go through something like that again, however, one year later, We now have two rescued doggies and they are also beautiful.
Tricia x