Decision is made for tomorrow :( Woody has given me the signs that I needed to see and feel

[Marianne *OZZY & ZOEY]

This is the hardest thing I have had to do...New Jersey Doodles will know my "Doodlenot" Woody.  He would go to the doodle romps he is a golden lab mix just missing the poodle but, we did not want to leave him out..  He is now 16 and a half.  His health is failing fast.  In July our vet told us maybe 3 months if we were lucky and then he lives on morphine because of the pain.  He pants all the time, he is now walking and limping on every leg.  He is full of tumors not sure if they are cancer or not.  Now he is falling as he walks he seems happy but, yesterday when I threw his ball he only wanted to go catch one time. (If you know Woody you would know why this upsets me).  People tell me the dog will let me know when it is time. To watch this dog in pain and the struggle to walk is killing me. HELP I don't know what to do.  I would just like to hear from anyone that has had to make this terrible call.  

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

This photo of Ozzy looking after Woody really shows the Christmas spirit!  What a gift!  Merry Christmas Woody! 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Merry Christmas, to you, Woody! You sure look content!

[Bonnie and Kona]

What a sweet photo of Ozzy hugging Woody.

[Marianne *OZZY & ZOEY]

I have thought  lots about this and read everything everyone had to say and I have decided that as long as Woody is happy I am going to wait for God's time.  Ozzy looks after his big brother and Woody has learned to walk with 3 legs, and they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks..I brought him back to the vet and they have assured me that he will let me know when he can't take it anymore.  So since he is going to be 17 we thought we would get him a car for Christmas since he can't walk LOL  Thank you everyone 

[Bonnie and Kona]

Marianne, No one knows our baby like we do. They cannot see what you see, that's why this hard decision falls to you. I'm so sorry... For you and for your sweet boy.

[Marianne *OZZY & ZOEY]

Thank you everyone  - all of your posts are hitting home for me and I am getting more than you will ever know from these messages.  I too am the one that has to make the decisions for this, my husband says he looks happy..ok but, how could my golden not look happy??  My dog would jump through fire for me and look happy!! I am sure you know what I mean here.

Today is Sunday and the only good leg he seemed to have is now the worst leg.  Maybe a broken bone, never thought of that, he is laying on the floor shaking as if he is freezing.  My dog used to sleep on a snow pile and love it.  My family is saying it is nothing he is fine probably just his muscles are weak.  rrrrrrrr not that I want to put him down but, why can't they see what I see?  Keep you posted on what happens next.

Thanks everyone!

[Lauria Orr]

This photo really sums them up, doesn't it? There is Woody, the first one in line for the ball.......so sweet.

[Lauria Orr]

I am so sorry, Marianne. This is indeed one of the greatest sources of pain I know of. Would we have missed the opportunity to have a life with our believed pets? Likely not. Doodlenot has lived a good long time, though I wish dogs lived much longer and in good health than that.
I am thinking of you, sending you well wishes as you face this most difficult decision. As merciful as it is, it is certainly hard. Let Ozzie and Zoey cover you with kisses. They are your healing balm.

[Traz, Karen & Dale]

It's been 5 years since we had to put our miniature schnauzer down because his health was failing.  We had him for over 14 years and he grew up with our boys.  It was a very tough decision to make, but he could barely move anymore, and we didn't want him to suffer any longer.  So, we said our good byes and brought him to the vet.  I didn't realize until after it was done that we had put him down on Valentines Day.  It was out of our love for our Mickey that we did it.  He will forever be in our hearts and we know he had a great life while he was with us.  We are blessed to have Traz, our Labradoodle now after waiting all this time to get another dog.  Hugs to you and your family, Marianne.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I'm sorry Marianne.  I've had to make this decision too many times but the hardest was my last dog, Teddy.  When his quality of life had become so small because of his blindness and deafness that he was falling and hurting himself again and again, and we could no longer walk, even with my hand on top of his head as we did for almost a year, I realized that the only gift of love that I still had to give was a peaceful, pain free and dignified release.  He had a long happy life and I tried to remember that.  I have his ashes still, but I really believe he's happy, healthy and running free again somewhere and someday he'll be waiting for me. It's never easy. Sending hugs to you.