[Paula Lynn]

I'm so sorry. Putting down a pet is very hard. I had my 14 year old cat put down 2 years ago. I wish I hadn't waited so long, because by the time I finally took her to the vet, she was pretty much comatose. Seemed like she had more good days than bad days, so I kept putting if off. Anyway, she went very peaceful. She got a sedative, and I held her for about 10 minutes. I felt like she was sleeping. I apologize for the details.

But ..... I had her cremated. I have her mixed with green and white gravel in a crystal caraff, and a rose for the cover. Only the best for my "Princess".

Your kitty now has wings .........

Paula

[CelticLady1]

Jeraldine,

You are a "mess", because you learned to care about them. It's as simple as that. May I give you a piece of advice? If you like the other two cats, don't be in a hurry to give them away. That would actually be harder, both on you and the cats. Give yourself some time, first, before you do anything.

Having pets is a wonderful thing. They give you unconditional love and companionship. I have had horses, dogs, cats, rabbits, etc. The list goes on...And, yes, it is very hard to lose one. It has happened many times to me, in the past, and I know it will continue to happen, 'though I don't dwell on that aspect. It's something I accept, just as I accept that I will lose family and friends. It's part of life, and we just deal with it, to the best of our ability. I don't mean that to sound trite. It's just that I've gone through this many times. And, in spite of how horrible I feel, when I lose one, I just can't imagine going through life without having any animals. I cry, and mourn for them, but eventually, I feel better. And, you will, too. My thoughts are with you.

[HDL]

My 12 year old female dobie was x-rayed last fall and has a bad right hip and a bad left knee. Because of her age and the bad knee, the vet doesn't recommend hip surgery (not that I could afford it if he did as it starts around $3500 & up) At the time, my vet's office had just gotten a new therapy called the K Laser so I decided to try that on my dog. But after 3 weeks and $325 dollars, there was no noticeable improvement .

Since that time last fall, I have had her on high amounts of glucosamine. I currently have her on glucosamine tablets and aspirin on occasion as well as Proin 50 (aka PPA) for incontinence. But in the last couple of days, she is REALLY struggling to stand up and walk. She does end up standing, but half the time she collapses. She's even slid back down the stairs .

I've searched the web for doggie wheelchairs/karts, but I don't think they are going to work in my home with all the stairs both inside and leading out and also the doggie doors. Plus, the wheelchairs don't let the dog lie down. So for now, I've decided not to pursue this avenue.

I put a call into my vet today to ask him what options I have left (like additional meds or acupuncture, etc.), but I'm afraid what he's going to tell me. My sweet girl does not look ready to go yet . She's like a person who just needs a wheelchair to get around. And it's so hard to think of losing her (where's an icon with BIG tears running down its' face when you need it??).

Now I know WHY God brought the last dog into my life when I didn't want a 3rd dog. It will lessen the pain for me when I have to let this second dog go, if only a bit, knowing I still have my sweet Sammy left . Why oh why must it be so hard?

[vpcats]

Happydawglady- I feel awful for the dobie, and for you. You are trying as best you can to extend her life because we don't want to lose them. I've been there. Sometimes you just can't do any more though. Dobies are BIG dogs. I think it would be so difficult on your dog to adjust to the different aids and gadgets. It seems to me that a little dog might fare better with those but I don't really know.

I have a philosophy that I will do whatever I can to save my animals and will get them any treatment that is within my means. But once it gets to a "terminal" stage where I can't afford to keep them alive any more, or if they look like they're in pain and suffering, or if I and the vet think there is not a good prognosis despite what you can actually do for the pet, well, I have to put them to sleep. I think overall, in the grand scheme of things, it's probably the most humane thing you can do.

[tet tea]

vpcats I totally agree with you. Very good advice. Sometimes you just have to let go. You need to think of the quality of life the pet would have in the short or long term.

I feel for each and every one of the pet owners on this thread. I just went through a horrible experience with one of my 11 year old dogs. Thankfully he pulled through and is back to his normal self. I almost had to make that ulimate decision, and I know when the time comes is not going to be easy.

[HDL]

Since I went through this same thing last year with my other senior dog Roxy, I have a good idea what an ill pet looks and acts like and also the criteria for letting them go . This dog looks and acts fine. It's just that darn 'hip' issue that seems to plague large breed dogs. That's why I used the example of a person needing a wheelchair. You wouldn't say that a person in a wheelchair should be put down because they can't walk.

I remember years ago a coworker of mine who had adult children telling her that she should put her dog down. Her pet was much smaller and much sicker than mine. It couldn't walk and she had to carry it up stairs (and down) and outside to go potty. She asked her children "Is that how you're going to treat me when I need care?". I've never forgotten what she said and vowed not to give up on my dogs' before their time. That's the truly "tough" part though. Knowing when it's time and acting

Right now, she can still walk, albeit with difficulty. She's still eating, peeing, pooping and rolling on her back in the grass . Things could change soon though and that's what makes me teary eyed . In the meantime, I just want to do all I can to help her through this .

Thank you for your posts and prayers.

[Racelady88]

Here is a link to a website that you may find useful. They have products for helping with stairs, as well as mobility carts. They also have an excellent support network.

http://www.handicappedpets.com/prodwalk.htm (broken link)

[vpcats]

Oh, oh, oh. Please I hope you didn't misunderstand what I said. I adore animals and would never want to put one to sleep unless it was the ONLY thing left to do. But you have to know how far you can go financially and emotionally.
Animals are not people though, no matter how good they are and how bad a person might be. They can be loving, bright, even seem like they really understand everything we are saying to them and they do talk back but they are responding to sound, tone, circumstances, a few commands they've picked up, etc. They don't really go through a reasoning process like humans are supposed to be able to do. So of course you wouldn't put a person to sleep just because they're in a wheel-chair but a person can think through this and rationalize it.... oh this can get very long... I hope you hear what I'm trying to say.

You said that the dobie has difficulty getting up and that she fell down the stairs. She may have good days and bad days but I would be so scared of her getting more hurt and have more pain, it would be agonizing for the dog and for me. I would prefer to not put us through all that.

You can stick it out and delay things as much as you and the dog can bear but please don't let her suffer needlessly.

[vpcats]

Evey I had seen some of these pet aids on TV and I just checked that website you posted. That is amazing. I didn't know about all the things that are available. Good to know. My dogs and cats are still young but you never know when something can happen.
Thanks for posting that.

[kokoweloveyou]

We just had our 13 year old Shih Tzu put to sleep this afternoon. It was absolutely the saddest experience I've ever had, but it was for his benefit. He stopped eating for a week and you can imagine the pain he was in from liver disease. He didn't do anything the last few days and won't even eat treats and ice cream offered to him which he usually loves. We decided to do it because it would be hard for him to lay and starve to death. He was the best pet anyone could ask for. We're having his body cremated. If your dog is sick, I know its hard, but this process took only seconds and they dog is in no pain, but is able to escape the pain he was enduring. RIP Koko, we love you, you little monkey.