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ok, serious subject.....

we have an old dog (she's 14 1/2)

a yellow lab... she's a big dog

lately she's having trouble getting around.... and she's breathing heavy (her throat is collapsing) when she's excited....

many of our friends have told us the humane thing to do is put her down....

but honest to goodness, I think she still has too much heart!!!

friends have told me I don't see how much she's hurting because I don't want to.... and that I can believe because I went through the same thing when my husband was dying.....

I won't make the call.... she is Ralph's dog....

but I'm just curious.... how do y'all feel about the subject in general?

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I did it once ...

She was in really bad shape, her internal organs were shutting down and she could barely walk.  The vet recommended it, and I think it was the right decision.

But when I took her in, I felt like I was betraying the best thing that ever happened to me.  And when the vet asked if I wanted to be present, I just couldn't ... I totally lost it ... I fell apart.

Had to take two days off work I was so upset.  And the vet's wife wrote me a really nice, personal letter.

That was about 12 years ago.

I still have her picture on my dresser.

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I think that Ralph is probably the only one who can make the call ... and you, Jann, should support whatever he decides.

It's been about three years since we lost our beloved Sheltie, Shelby ... she too was old, hard time getting around the house with hip dysplasia.  She still smiled and had that spark in her eye but we knew it was near her end.  I talked to the kids about it being time to seriously discuss putting her down.  Called and made the appointment to get vet's opinion for that Friday.  Thursday morning, I got a call at work from my son saying that Shelby did not wake up that morning.  So very fortunate that God took her ... and we did not have to although I was prepared to do the right thing for her.

I'm crying as I write this ... because she was such a special part of my life and my kids' as they grew up ... best dog ever !   We still tell all the Shelby stories ... and smile when we think of her.  Her pictures are all over the house ... and embedded in our hearts and all our memories of my kids growing up.   She was a huge part of the family.

It's one of the most difficult things to do.

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I will absolutely support Ralph in whatever he decides.....

He has had Sam since shortly after his last wife died.... and, as I did with my Sam, he had to make the call to end her life.

I think the death of our spouses.... and the guilt we both lived with afterwards.... is playing a heavy part in our decision. I don't feel I have the right to say what he should do as I have only been a part of the dog's life for  little over a year.

I know we both hope that she will just go to sleep and not wake up....  or miraculously get better!

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... losing a loved one is so very difficult in and of itself ... having to decide makes it that much harder.  

God's will be done ... praying for you all (((Jann))).

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I had to make that decision a few years ago myself.  It was a very difficult decision.  but it needed to be made. The vet we used was very humane about it. Before the "final shot" they gave her a shot of anesthetic for her to fall asleep first. So we stayed with her then.. The boys and I were all in agreement that we all wanted her last memories to be of her loved ones.. not the vet and nurses.. strangers..

This past summer, one of my other furbabies passed away at home. I couldnt bring myself to put him down..I came home from work one night and he was at the door, passed away.  I can honestly say, I dont know which was worse.  I felt horrible bc it was just him and his brother home.. we werent there to be with him, and to comfort him.  

But I do agree..if the dog is suffering, and they arent going to get better there is no humane reason to keep them suffering.  It will only be worse for all of you.

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I considered doing it some time ago. A cat I very much loved developed a tumor between her shoulder blades that the vet suggested might have been influenced by the "Shots" vets routinely give (angry smiley here!) In time, the tumor got really large and she lost so much weight, but she didn't show any 'obvious' signs of marked to severe discomfort. In conversations with my vet, it seemed more humane to allow her to enjoy the remainder of her life in peace so long as she didn't appear to be suffering badly.

I'm not at all opposed to euthanizing pets, but I feel it's favorable to take each situation uniquely. If there's medical treatment that proves promising, then I feel it's favorable to explore it. I did this last summer and I thank GOD I did because my other cat I have is still with me because of it. But, upscale vets are also businesspersons (businesspersons?) and I feel it's necessary to really feel them out to make sure they're not just trying to sell you a procedure rather than sincerely trying to help and improve the health of your pet.

Off the wall a bit... one procedure they tried selling me was a feeding tube. It's a great idea, and they give it a great sales pitch. But, when you talk to your own small-town vets who are likely more reverent of pets overall, they'll be quick to make sure you're aware of the fact that MANY pets resist feeding tubes and can scratch and dig at them causing all kinds of other problems. The upscale big-city vets never thought to mention that to me. And knowing my cat, I feel my small town vet was right.

Back on euthanasia; I feel it's important to keep our thoughts geared more towards what's ultimately best for the pet and their quality of life. I know first hand that it's so easy to become selfish in this regard, but owning up to that is so painful, especially during a time of medical crisis. In my past, since I trust my small-town vet, I leaned on their advice (with the support of my best friend whom I dearly love) and prayed that I made the right decision. And in both my cases thus far, euthanasia didn't seem the favorable choice.

Jann, I do pray that you're able to come to a decision you can live with that's best for both you and your pet. I love my cat so much and I've been there and I know it's such a tough choice.

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My story is similar to Scott's...

Our German Shepherd could hardly walk...her hind end was actually dragging and I knew she was miserable.  No one in the family would take her to the vet.

So, I picked her up and drove her there.  They came out with a stretcher to get her and also asked me if I wanted to be present....
WHAT????  NO WAY!

As I drove off in Tears...it is something I will NEVER forget.

We got a puppy 2 days later  

Let Ralph make the call...

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They are our furbabies ... very much a part of the family.

Tonya, I totally understand you and your boys staying ... I would have stayed with Shelby until she took her last breath.  Fortunate for us, we did not have to make that decision.  Having experience being present for the death of a dear loved one, I see it as an honor ... a gift of experiencing that last breath  ... sad as it may be.  Not something everyone wants to do, it's an individual choice.  

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we had to  make the decision 6 yrs ago to put our black lab  "blackie" down  she was in a lot of pain and was tripping down the stairs and at times  could hardly walk.  she was my sons best friend that he grew up with  and he loved her more than anything in the world, so he went with us  and helped make the decision to put her down  and we stayed there till she was gone, the vet gave my son some of her hair and we paid $500 to have her creamated , my son still has her hair and ashes in a oreo cookie jar(her fairote cookie)  that was one of the hardest  things to do espically when you know its best for them but yet you feel like you are still betraying them.  hope everything works out for the best jann