IS IT TIME?

[Chris & Boys]

Two years ago, my ex-husband told me I should have my 14 year old GR, Boomer, put down, and as usual, he was wrong! ;-) Boomer has been suffering with arthritis for about 3-4 years. It is quite bad he is taking rimadyl 2x per day. He will only go outside to go potty when absolutely necessary. Sometimes he eats, sometimes he has to be coaxed. If I need to move him, like for instance, when he is in front of the door, blocking my exit and refusing to move, and I try to move him, he will growl, show his teeth and move toward my hand, but never biting me. He has not had a single accident in the house since he was a pup and seems to be fairly healthy,except for some blood and protein in his urine. Is it time?

[Debbie and Thomas]

Chris-we just went through this last October. All I can say is that vets are usually very blunt about this sort of thing and that is because your dog is "their patient" and they sincerely care. If your vet wants to try something-I personally would try it. It may really help. Do you give him Glucosimine capsules? My friens lab could hardly get up or even walk and he gave her some capsules each day and she was jumping off the dock at the cottage. Check with your vet though. Also-re your decision- I think you will know in your own heart when it is time. We had to let our boy go-but he was very ill in intensive care with no hope of recovery-so the decision was made without a doubt in our mind that we had tried everything. Trust your heart and my good thoughts are sent to you and Boomer.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We wrestled with this with our old Springer. She was about 15. She was mostly deaf and blind with cataracts but she was so sweet - never a growl or snap no matter what happened. Because she was still alert to us and loving, we kept putting it off. We had to help her up so that she could go outside to pee and poop, and lift her 60 pound body into and out of the RV when we traveled. She also never had an accident but started falling down outside and peeing on herself before she could get to the grass. That was when we realized that if we weren't home to help her up, she couldn't even get a drink. It was the hardest decision to make and I still miss my sweet Lilly. I wish you comfort in your decision.

[Chris & Boys]

Boomer's legs also give out on him frequently. Unfortunately, Fozzy did not improve his attitude or condition. His bark is SO weak, it is hard to listen to.
My parents came over last night, and Boomer was so happy to see my mom. I watched him smile at her and realized he still has joy in his life. But now I found a growth near his tail, so, I will take him to the vet, get her opinion about trying new meds and at least try to let him enjoy the rest of the summer at the lake. I will stop out and pick him up a life jacket on the way to the lake tomorrow. I saw them at Petco last week. And I will take it one day at a time, unless the vet feels differently.

[Kyoko]

During the heavy snow, and when Butter's legs hurts, I give him baby asprin. This past winter was bad, and I thought he was not going to make it, because his legs were just hurting so much and sometimes gave out....
Our vet said that, if the baby aspirin does not seem to work any longer, there are some other meds he can give him, but first need to so the blood work to see if his kidney or liver ( I forgot which it was ) can deal with this meds or not. That scared me. But once the weather got better, and Charlie got here, he seems to got some youth back. I know it is coming to me, too... But I just don't want to think about it. If Boomer has some "quality of life moment", may be he can keep going for little longer...

[Lorraine Bromley]

I know that I have alot of pain issues and water is probably the only time I get pain releif. He likely instinctively kknows water feels good. I would worry that he over did the swimming on his joints but I bet a life jacket would allow him to float and not have to paddle so much especially if he got to trust it. We just started our lab/shepx 15 yrs on medicam and it has made an immense difference in her physical condition and you can see the improvement in her disposition as well. Her tail wags more, she is able to shake a paw while standing again. She is eating again and drinking. Sleeping less. Jumped into the truck from the ground something she hasn't done in years. Even takes a jaunt at the dog park or to thedoor. I know my vet would tell us if she should have been pt down. Get a second vet opinion. If necessary have the procedure done at home where he is comfortable and happy with his favorite smells and people and pets with him. I can't even say it or hear others say it about my Jazzie. You will be strong and love him no matter how hard it is everyday and forever.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

Oh dear. Is it ever time? That is the absolute hardest thing. (((hugs))) I wish you peace with whatever you choose. I think you will know when it is absolute time or not.

[Michele Barton]

Oh, does this bring back memories. We had the same issue with our GR Katie, 3 years ago. She was almost 15 years old, and was also on Rimadyl. At the time, there were no other medicines she could be put on, and she was already taking the maximum amount of Rimadyl. She could not get up on her own and could barely walk, we had to always help her, and sometimes she would just lay there and pee. Her only joy was that we would lay down and snuggle next to her, and pet her and talk to her. However, she never lost her appetite and never cried, but when we took her to the vet he said that if she were a person, she would be on a morphine drip 24/7. So we had her put down right then. It is an awful, awful decision to make, I could have 100 dogs and never get used to it. But it is one that only you can make; you need to consider if Boomer is still enjoying his life. I think that Katie was actually being stoic, not wanting to let on as to how bad she really felt (she had done this in the past with other injuries). I am so sorry that you are having to deal with this.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I think if the vet wants to try some new things, that is worth it. Mr. Jake (parent's dog with cancer) is on pain medicine and anti-inflammatories. They make him very tired, but he seems comfortable. And he still smiles when he gets to go out front for his "squirrel patrol".

Basically, I agree with Linda and think if you start noticing that he is in pain, I would consider letting him go. Then again, I have not had to put down one of my own animals before - my parents have had to put down 5 in my lifetime (so I guess they were "my" animals) and they have had the vet come to their home to do this.

[Chris & Boys]

Thank you. I have been struggling with this for months. He doesn't cry, but you can see how hard it is for him to get up. But yet this weekend, as soon as he saw the lake, in he went! He loved it! But I am second guessing myself, #1, because I have never had to put an animal down before, and #2, because the vet keeps wanting to try new meds.....maybe I am jumping the gun, afterall, if I was still married, he would have been gone 2 years ago.....

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

So sorry about Boomer. This is one of the toughest decisions to make. Just think about what is best for the dog. Is he in a lot of pain? If so, that would bother me. Think about his quality of life and only you can decide.