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Lucy update.
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This morning Lucy was a bit more active and after an arthritic start spent an hour wandering in the garden. She had eaten a little last night but it looks as if it may have been her teeth causing problems. The usual spark and tailwag had gone but she still hung around me when I was out there.
The family were all out and it suddenly occurred to me that I could simply and quickly put her in the Landrover and take her to the vet and he could come out to her. I put a clean bed in there and called her over. She always used to get very excited about travelling and she perked up when I put her in.
I phoned the vet and I could come straight away. I spent a little time with her, gave her a cuddle, said goodbye. I must admit I wavered a bit when she seemed to be so normal but I knew it had to be done and I'd made up my mind to get it over.
The vet came out to the Landrover and was very gentle and quick. Lucy was calm, didn't even flinch and was gone within seconds.
Having considered all the options everyone suggested I think this turned out to be the best for her, and me, that could have possibly been done. Many thanks.
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I've got a lump in my throat. It must have been so painful for you but I'm glad you found a way to do it that left you feeling you had handled it as well as possible. Endings are always so difficult to deal with but after the initial sadness has gone I hope you'll be left with lots of happy memories. Open a bottle of something nice tonight and celebrate her life and the loving contribution she has made to your family.
I am going through this at the moment with my lovely dog who is 17 and am facing the hardest decision just like you have.Jade is very arthritic and on anti-inflammatories every day...she has recovered well from a stroke 2 months ago but apart from that is alert and seems happy as well as eating like a pig! I just don't know what to do for the best as each time something happens she just bounces back.This thread has really made me think as I feel her life is not as happy as it should be.I am so upset writing this and feel so much for you. I have read all the advice given to you and try to relate it to her situation but am still in a dilemma. Can anyone help? Lots of love to you.
Stanleyman, you did the very best you could for her.
Told you it would be peaceful and I only wish we could do this for people.
Barb, I use as a decision maker whether the dog can still get out to go to the toilet on its own - if it cannot do this then it has no dignity left, and no quality of life.
I have had dogs who would still eat even if they could not move.
Think of your dog first and foremost, and ask yourself if you are prolonging its life for yourself rather than for the dog. Only you can answer this and I hope you are able to make the right decision at the right time. Better a day too soon than a minute too late!
Hi barb1314, I think you need to post a question to get a good response about Jade.
My own view is that it is all about quality of life. At what point does the pain, disability, indignity etc. being suffered, begin to interfere with the joy of life. If you think about it it does not take much. If this can be sensibly controlled by drugs or surgery so that a reasonable life can continue then fine. But how can we tell, your pet can't let you know other than in its general behavior? Even then change can be so imperceptable that we don't notice it. It is important to get your vets honest opinion with regular evaluations as to what is best for your pet. If it is old it is probably suffering in some way and as someone has already said, if it needs to, better to end it earlier rather than later, there are no prizes for the oldest pet.
It goes without saying that I know how you feel, good luck to you and Jade, I hope she is ok for now but I also hope you will do the right thing if she is not.
Stanleyman. I can say no more than the others, so just please accept my good wishes. You have done a wonderful thing for Lucy.
Barb. I have had loads of animals over the years and they have all lived until a good old age. My vet's advice has always been that you will know instinctively when the time is right to let your pet go. You will always know if an animal is in pain or depressed. If Jade seems happy and is eating well then let her enjoy her remaining life. My old dog Amy had a stroke and bounced back and lived on happily for another few years. She slept most of the time, but still enjoyed a slow walk and loved her food. I will say, thought, that I would not put an elderly frail dog through operations just to extend it's life a few years due to the trauma this would put them through.
Stanleyman I am so sorry for your loss of Lucy. I was once in the vets waiting area and couple took their Retriever in the surgery and came out without her. I just sat bawling my eyes out.
I had to make the decision to have my beloved cat Layla to sleep in 1998 after selfishly hanging on to her for 2 months. It was the worst thing I ever had to do.
My labrador Daisy is 5 and already I'm dreading that possibilty if it comes. There have been some beautiful posts on this subject - have cried buckets - and I hope they have comforted you.
Big hugs to you and your family.
Elaine x
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