my poor wee dog

[slinky.kate]

rex is a 15 year old cross between a jack russell/greyhound.this past 6/9 months he is going downhill quite rapidly,he is piddling everywhere which he never done before,he whimpers a lot,he is going blind and deaf,yet sometimes he is running about like a young thing,when he eats he bangs his nose of his dish and cries,it is so sad as we all love him to bits especially my son who got him for his eight birthday and he wants to keep him as long as possible,which i respect,only i get fed up with the washing floors,cushions,bedlinen etc.WHEN is the right time to let go ?????

[northernmonkey]

Firstly, I'm extremely sorry to hear about the ill health of Rex.

The best thing I would say you could possibly do is, sit down with your son and explain that your dog is very old now (each year is 7 for dog's if im not wrong??) and he's very poorly and it's time for him to go to doggy heaven. (something along those lines) It's no life for Rex.

Once again, I'm very very sorry about Rex.

[LoftyLottie]

You will know exactly when the time is right to let go. You won't have to think about it. I am in the same situation with my 15 year old little dog. We know he is on the downward path and as soon as I feel that life holds nothing for him any more we will let him go. It sounds as if your little dog is still getting some enjoyment, even though the piddling is making life difficult for you.

It is so sad, isn't it Kate when we have to make a decision like this for a very loved pet. All I know is that we must let them go when it is right for them and we shouldn't keep them alive for our own sakes. Your son, who I presume is now about 23 will probably secretly feel the same.

I have been through this with very loved dogs many times and believe me - you won't have to think too hard - you will know when the time is right.

Today I have been trying to coax our dog to eat, after a period of sickness. He is happy in himself, although he is sleeping quite a lot, but just has no appetite.

Best wishes.

[vulcan]

Sorry to say but the time is probably now. A whimper at this age and condition usually indicates the dog is in Pain.

[LoftyLottie]

Vulcan, it is also a sign of old age and dementia (which is quite common in elderly dogs and cats).

[slinky.kate]

the vet did say he has dementia,he is eating fine but i've noticed he stands and shakes a lot as if he's scared.

[poodicat]

Yes kate, it is you know that,your son reminds me so much of my nephew who has a elderly cat who is 19years old and is sadly going down the heaven path but stiil tells his mum to keep trying,but its right to let go isnt it!

[karenmac60]

I wouldn't say whimpering necessarily means he is in pain. As Kate has said, he is losing his site and a whimper or yelp often is just an indication of surprise or a wee fright. My dog does it quite often and he is young (just a bit dense). I know you probably can't even bear to think of it just now, but when the time comes you will know and have absolutely no hesitation as you'll know you are doing the right thing. I know how sad this is for you just now - I had to have my 17 year old cat put to sleep last year and I couldn't even contemplate doing it, but when it came to it I knew I was doing the right thing for her which made it a lot easier. Good luck.

[LoftyLottie]

That's quite common in really old, frail dogs Kate. If he is eating, he is not in pain. You will know, I promise you.

[slinky.kate]

thank you loftylottie,its nice to chat to someone who understands the situation i'm in,i get so angry and then feel so guilty,i know he cant help it,its when i have hade to throw out carpets etc.that i get mad.

[LoftyLottie]

I know. I have been through all that and cried at having to clear up every day. But at the end of the day, the dog is like a member of the family and we have to take the bad with the good - it's what has to happen when we take on a pet for life. If you feel you have to let him go, please don't feel guilty. He has had a lovely life with you.

[lankeela]

My criteria for old dogs is when they are no longer able to go outside by themselves to wee or poo, and have to do it where they are. To me this is a terrible loss of dignity and we all owe it to our pets to let them go before they become too bad. They cannot decide for themselves, and very few animals actually die peacefully in their sleep, they end up suffering without us knowing how poorly they are, and having to be put down, perhaps later than we should have. Better a day too soon than a moment too late.

[LoftyLottie]

I can honestly say that having kept dogs and cats for most of my life I have never let one just live on until they die naturally. They have all lived until old age except for a couple of cats with health problems. I wish we could give humans the same dignity at the end of their lives.

[slinky.kate]

Here is my point of view:

Rex is 14 and yes I know he is getting old, but it's not the right time to put him down, and to be honest, I would rather get him put down than him suffer or be in any pain.

He isn't in pain and the crying is only for attention, as I work from early morning to quite late most nights, he doesn't get as much attention as I would like him to get.

As Lofty said, he's part of the family and you have to take the bad with the good, fair enough things haven't been as good as usual but the dog still has a quality of life.

With regards to him not being able to see, when I am walking him, it's quite obvious his eye-sight is still very good, not as good as what it was but he can still see dogs from the other side of the area where I walk him (approx 75 m distance).

I know the time will be coming soon but I am not going to get him put down until I know he is in pain or his quality of life is decreased enough that it is going to benefit him.

Although I know when the day comes it will actually kill me, I'll get it done cos I know it's the best for him, but not until then!!!

[slinky.kate]

By the way, that was slinky kate's son that sent that :P.

[LoftyLottie]

Hello slinky.kate's son. I totally agree with you and I think your Mum does too. But, having kept lots of pets until old age I also know how tiring it can be to keep clearing up after elderly animals, so just give Mum a hug and please show her what you have written on here if you haven't already!

You sound like a lovely caring family. Love to Rex too, he certainly sounds as if he is still enjoying his life. And let's face it, as intelligent as they are, they do not think as we do and he will just take life as it comes and will not be worrying about his dementia or failing health.

Best wishes xx

[LoftyLottie]

To Slinky.Kate's son:

And by the way, my own son (in his 20's) drove down from the other side of the country when his own beloved cat had obviously reached the point where she needed to be let go. When she saw him (she was devoted to him) she got up walked over to him and nestled up to him and purred. She hadn't moved since the day before. He spent a couple of hours with her and was there when the vet arrived at our home and stayed with her stroking her until she peacefully passed away.

I would strongly advise you to be with Rex at the end and to have the vet come to your home so that Rex has no stress. It really will help him and you as well. And cry loads!! You will get over it, but Rex will never leave you and will always be the most special dog you will ever have in your family.

[slinky.kate]

i have just read what my son wrote and i'm all choked up,i did'nt know that he had wrote that

[LoftyLottie]

Nice, isn't it Kate. I would be proud of him. A nice man. I think he is right, but I can see how tired you must be with all the clearing up. He has had Rex since he was eight and they will be devoted to each other. I think you must respect his wishes on this and am sure you will.

Take care

xxxx

[carmalee]

the law states we can make the decision when an animals life can be terminated. For domestic pets this is a blessing providing the owner is strong enouigh to make the right decision. At the end of the day it's not about what the human wants, (ie your son,) it's about what is right for the animal. Don't let your dog go with a backdrop of resentment brought about by you constantly washing linen- call the vet to the house and show how much you love him to bits by gently stroking him as the vet does the necessary. I don't dispute how hard this is (have just done it) but it is the right thing to do. Go well