My 14 year old mini poodle - I need advice.

[brightdoglover]

I am fortunate in trusting my vet practice. Once I had my 15-year-old incontinent dog, who I'd virtually carry around in a harness, with mats all over the floor for his incontinence, and all the vet said was, "It seems you have a system worked out for now..." And then one day I saw the fear and panic in the dog's eyes when he fell, and his uncharacteristic messing in his bed, and I took him in.
With my multiple senior adoptions, I am still learning when to draw the line. I hope not to have that learning this year, for a change.

[sheena12]

She is still not doing well. Aside from eating she has really no pleasure in life. she does seem to be in her own world and it seems to be a frightening world at that.
As I fed her tonight i was just struk by the absurdity of the situation of feeding a friend and loyal companion and at the same time contemplating what I have been.
She has also started to walk into walls and tables.
I am so sad and frustrated.
I hate to see her this way.
I so wish that she could speak to me and communicate her desire.

[Ringo1]

You are facing one of the hardest decisions that any pet owner can face. Most of us have been in your shoes at one time or another.

There is no good answer; that much I know.

It's hard to watch your beloved and formerly active pet just 'exist' in their own, silent, world. I did that for a couple of years with my elderly maltese.

It's also hard to contemplate putting your dog to sleep. I felt terrible guilt when I put Casper to sleep; it was very hard at first ~ the feeling that I killed my little dog that I loved so much. With time, and some help from friends, family, and my Vet; I finally came to realize that I had done the right thing.

Casper never did communicate his desire to me. It was the wise counsel of friends and my trusted vet that led me to my decision. It was helpful to hear from people that knew us - but that could stand back and be objective.

Good luck with your decision and may you have peaceful days ahead.

[sheena12]

Thank you Ringo! You are right that I am facing one of life's most difficult tasks and cross roads. At least in the live of an animal lover.
I am sure that your ordeal with Casper was very difficult. I keep hearing from people who reaffirm how hard it is. Yet if I take a step back and think "If this were not MY dog, my baby, if I were not so emotionally involved, as an animal lover, what would I advise a stranger to do in this situation with a dog in her condition?"
The same answer keeps coming back.
I still consider myself as part of the no-kill movement - I am against animals being put to sleep who are healthy and have the even the POTENTIAL of a quality of life - if it is for convenience.
But just as I oppose extraordinary measures for human beings, I also do for animals.
I would not want to be wandering around the house terrified and afraid of being handled by people who love me, trapped inside my own terrifying world, unable to socialize with or enjoy myself in any way with the exception of food.
I know what I would want little Lolita.my Poodie, to do for me. And as I do know her, I know that she would be brave enough to make this choice. She loves me and she is my "spunky feisty little girl".

[Keeper]

I agree you will know when it is time. I just had to put my little Yorkie down. It was a hard decision and I kept thinking I would not know but I did know when he was going down hill by not eating or peeing told me it was time. You do what feels right for you and your poodle. It is the only way you will feel you did the right thing

BTW.. the Ghandi saying is at the bottom of my post