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My dog Gracie is almost 14.5 years old. She's a shepherd lab mix - about 70 pounds. She has a lot of the "old dog" ailments, but was getting along OK until 2 weeks ago when she came up lame in her front paws. The vet thinks it's either cancer or valley fever in her bones.
Up until 2 weeks ago we were still walking twice, sometimes three times a day. Almost 2 miles a day!
She's never missed a meal, but she can't control her bladder or her bowels and just today can't get comfortable. She can't lay down.
I always heard "When they stop eating, then you'll know it's time". She's looking for cookies right now.
I'm sick with guilt if I'm doing the right thing.
Thank you. I let her go today. Had a euthanasia service come to my home.
It was very quick and peaceful.
The pain of losing her is unbearable. If she was at a point where she wasn't eating it would have been so much easier.
It's been a year this weekend since we lost our Roxy. A few days earlier I had consulted with the vet for guidance regarding the difficult decision; one vet said "If I can't guarantee that life will be any easier tomorrow for her, then it's time and you'll probably know" which was quite nebulous and noncommittal. The other vet in the office was more forward... "She is likely not getting better, only worse, prolonging her life is your call but please account for distress she may be in." We had actually scheduled a day her euthanasia but were continually asking ourselves "Is this the best choice?" and "What right or power do we have to make this choice?" When Roxy stopped eating and drinking and then seized the day before she made that choice so much easier. There was no more doubt. We have a duty to ensure our best friends are well taken care of in life, and at the end of that life we need to ensure likewise that they are comfortable and loved. There should be no guilt; you gave Gracie the love she needed for 14+ years.
The "you'll know it's time when they stop eating" philosophy isn't always true. My dog was in liver failure and wanted to eat everything in sight literally right before I had to put him down.
You stopped her from suffering when there was no hope that she would get any better. It sounds like you did the right thing. Please don't second guess yourself.
It's been a year this weekend since we lost our Roxy. A few days earlier I had consulted with the vet for guidance regarding the difficult decision; one vet said "If I can't guarantee that life will be any easier tomorrow for her, then it's time and you'll probably know" which was quite nebulous and noncommittal. The other vet in the office was more forward... "She is likely not getting better, only worse, prolonging her life is your call but please account for distress she may be in." We had actually scheduled a day her euthanasia but were continually asking ourselves "Is this the best choice?" and "What right or power do we have to make this choice?" When Roxy stopped eating and drinking and then seized the day before she made that choice so much easier. There was no more doubt. We have a duty to ensure our best friends are well taken care of in life, and at the end of that life we need to ensure likewise that they are comfortable and loved. There should be no guilt; you gave Gracie the love she needed for 14+ years.
Sluggish, Sorry about your sweet Roxy. Your "more forward" vet sounds just like Gracie's. I asked all the same questions. I have to stop beating myself up.
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