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1
Posted on 7/25/14 at 8:50 pm to REB BEER
When he loses his appetite or isn't mobile. Or both.
Posted on 7/25/14 at 8:54 pm to bbvdd
I agree. Old age isn't usually a reason dogs get real skinny, unless he's REALLY old.
It's possible he has some ailment that can be treated.
As for your initial question, your dog will let you know. He'll stop eating, and he'll show little interest in things that would usually excite him. That's when it's time.
I started talking to my vet about it close to a year before I put my first dog down about 3 and a half years ago. He kept telling me that she'd let me know, and one day she did.
Just enjoy the time you have and know that you've been a great 'dad' to him.
It's possible he has some ailment that can be treated.
As for your initial question, your dog will let you know. He'll stop eating, and he'll show little interest in things that would usually excite him. That's when it's time.
I started talking to my vet about it close to a year before I put my first dog down about 3 and a half years ago. He kept telling me that she'd let me know, and one day she did.
Just enjoy the time you have and know that you've been a great 'dad' to him.
Posted on 7/25/14 at 8:58 pm to CootKilla
quote:
I know it's not time yet but at what point do you "do it?"
Had to put one down last year when she couldn't get outside to pee. Broke our hearts but it was time. Just don't let him suffer but wait as long as you can
Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:25 pm to CootKilla
It's all about quality of life.
Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:29 pm to TIGERFANZZ
quote:
It's all about quality of life.
spot on
arthritic dogs can't complain like people do, and most of the time owners don't know because it is such a gradual onset
Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:39 pm to CootKilla
Toughest question ever. I have a 17 year old healer and it is getting close. Thought I was prepared last month but she pepped up a bit and good thing cause I was not ready. I believe as long as she is not suffering, I am not doing it, but I will not let her suffer. Everyone has said that when the time comes you will know.
Posted on 7/25/14 at 10:32 pm to CootKilla
quote:+
CootKilla
quote:=RIP
dog
Posted on 7/25/14 at 10:49 pm to CootKilla
I feel for you man...
I've got a 15 y.o. female yellow that means more to me than some humans...not only my retired hunting companion, but she was our first child when my wife and I thought we couldn't have kids...
She's arthritic, but still gets around...stumbles a lot and sometimes falls down, but she's still happy to be with us...
My vet(an HRC trainer) once told me, the time is when they no longer wag their tail or pick their head up to greet you as you walk by...
My 14yo son is going to be hit the hardest as he claims her as his own...she sleeps in his bed nightly and he waits on her hand and foot...if she's having a hard time going up or down the stairs to go outside, he will carry her...if she's having a bad day and needs help onto the sofa, he is there to help her...
May God bless you and guide your decision in this matter...
I've got a 15 y.o. female yellow that means more to me than some humans...not only my retired hunting companion, but she was our first child when my wife and I thought we couldn't have kids...
She's arthritic, but still gets around...stumbles a lot and sometimes falls down, but she's still happy to be with us...
My vet(an HRC trainer) once told me, the time is when they no longer wag their tail or pick their head up to greet you as you walk by...
My 14yo son is going to be hit the hardest as he claims her as his own...she sleeps in his bed nightly and he waits on her hand and foot...if she's having a hard time going up or down the stairs to go outside, he will carry her...if she's having a bad day and needs help onto the sofa, he is there to help her...
May God bless you and guide your decision in this matter...
Posted on 7/25/14 at 11:10 pm to CootKilla
I have had many dogs over the years. If they are not in pain and still eating...they good to go.
Posted on 7/25/14 at 11:21 pm to tigerinthebueche
quote:
When he loses his appetite or isn't mobile. Or both.
I still think about our 14 yo lab we had to put down a yeah and a half ago. She was tough as nails till the bitter end, one of the smartest dogs I've been around too.
If he still eats, is mobile, and appears happy, I wouldn't think about it
Posted on 7/26/14 at 6:54 am to stewie
I agree you will know, however at the same time he will tell you. You will be able to look into his eyes and just know.
I had to put my Lacey dog down a year and a half ago, she told me it was time. It is not a fun thing, enjoy him while you have him.
I had to put my Lacey dog down a year and a half ago, she told me it was time. It is not a fun thing, enjoy him while you have him.
Posted on 7/26/14 at 9:43 am to Geauxtiga
quote:
If he's not suffering, I'm not even thinking about it.
Yep.
Posted on 7/26/14 at 10:23 am to Pepperidge
You (and that dog) are building a fine and responsible young man right there .
That we care and serve those that we love and are responsible for; that will be her ever-lasting gift to him.
That we care and serve those that we love and are responsible for; that will be her ever-lasting gift to him.
Posted on 7/26/14 at 10:39 am to VetteGuy
Mine is only a puppy but I dread the day. She is a little shite but I wouldn't trade her for anything.
Posted on 8/25/14 at 10:36 am to CootKilla
I have read several threads about this and seems to me the consensus is that "its time when they are starting to suffer" or "you will know when its time". I will be making the drive to the vet this afternoon because I know "its time". Heidi (Red Heeler) is 1 month shy of her 17 yo B-Day. Got her when my son was 1 and she has been a constant companion and very loyal and great natured dog. she had a rough weekend and I knew the time was getting close so I started to talk about it with the family. Walked by the window last night about 9 and Hunt66 Jr was just laying with her on the ground petting her - all 6'3" of him just like they used to do all the time
Honestly did not think she would make it through last night - Checked on her several times and at 5:00 am I thought for sure she had passed. Glad the kids got another morning with her and I am certainly not looking forward to this afternoon - but it is time. RIP Heidi! Thanks for all the good times and memories.
Honestly did not think she would make it through last night - Checked on her several times and at 5:00 am I thought for sure she had passed. Glad the kids got another morning with her and I am certainly not looking forward to this afternoon - but it is time. RIP Heidi! Thanks for all the good times and memories.
Posted on 8/25/14 at 10:47 am to CootKilla
Had to make that hard decision back in April. I realized it when I thought about how much time and effort I was spending taking care of my Precious. She was a lab mix and the first pup the wife and I had together.
I realized I was keeping her alive for me. She was suffering. I had to all but carry her 70-80 pound self down the steps outside. Had to basically feed her separately from the others because she had special food as well as supplements we had to add to it. Sometimes I had to feed her where ever she was lying down. When she started snapping and biting at us I knew she was hurting and struggling. Towards the end she actually made it easier (if there is such a thing) to let her go and say good-bye. I always preferred just to let them go, in fact she was the first I've ever personally put down. Dad put down my Golden when I was in college due to his siezures...but I totally understood that one. It's rough, no doubt.
For me the rationale was simple: Am I keeping the friend around for me or are they still enjoying life? If you find yourself answering yes to the first question, maybe it's time. If the answer is yes to the second, then it's not time yet.
I realized I was keeping her alive for me. She was suffering. I had to all but carry her 70-80 pound self down the steps outside. Had to basically feed her separately from the others because she had special food as well as supplements we had to add to it. Sometimes I had to feed her where ever she was lying down. When she started snapping and biting at us I knew she was hurting and struggling. Towards the end she actually made it easier (if there is such a thing) to let her go and say good-bye. I always preferred just to let them go, in fact she was the first I've ever personally put down. Dad put down my Golden when I was in college due to his siezures...but I totally understood that one. It's rough, no doubt.
For me the rationale was simple: Am I keeping the friend around for me or are they still enjoying life? If you find yourself answering yes to the first question, maybe it's time. If the answer is yes to the second, then it's not time yet.
Posted on 8/25/14 at 10:47 am to hunt66
Coot
What BVDD said makes sense it could be diabetes, I had a 100+lb lab that got diabetes and was very skinny before he was diagnosed. Ended up giving him daily insulin shots for bout 2 yrs, it made a huge difference. It might be a good idea to get him checked out and make him as comfortable as you can. The insulin wasn’t expensive and we did the shots ourselves, it was a few mls of insulin and gave the shot in loose skin at shoulder.
On a similar note my oldest went off to college on weekend and dog was not happy, while he is my dog, my son and the dog are buds – dog would not stay out of his room (hes not allowed in there) but dog would go lay on the rug by his bed any chance he got – ya its bittersweet day, ya want them to grow up and move on but in a lot of ways you don’t either
What BVDD said makes sense it could be diabetes, I had a 100+lb lab that got diabetes and was very skinny before he was diagnosed. Ended up giving him daily insulin shots for bout 2 yrs, it made a huge difference. It might be a good idea to get him checked out and make him as comfortable as you can. The insulin wasn’t expensive and we did the shots ourselves, it was a few mls of insulin and gave the shot in loose skin at shoulder.
On a similar note my oldest went off to college on weekend and dog was not happy, while he is my dog, my son and the dog are buds – dog would not stay out of his room (hes not allowed in there) but dog would go lay on the rug by his bed any chance he got – ya its bittersweet day, ya want them to grow up and move on but in a lot of ways you don’t either
Posted on 8/25/14 at 10:50 am to hunt66
God bless you man. Tough time, but you're doing the right thing.
I have a 16 yo golden retriever and a 2.5yo golden. The young dog is legitimately mine, but the old dog is "mine" in the sense that we grew up together. I got him for Christmas when I was 9. That dog and me legitimately did everything together. He was a coon dog, a duck dog, a quail dog, and a squirrel dog all in a golden retriever body. We hunted everything, from yard birds with pellet guns, to coons with traps, to everything you can shoot with a shotgun, and loved every minute of it. That dog found so many deer for me before I learned how to shoot straight. We fished together, rode fourwheelers together, and when there wasn't room for him, he would run as fast as he could along side until we got to wherever we were going. Sometimes when it was hot, we'd completely lose sight of him behind us, get a mile down the road, and 10 minutes later ol Harley comes running around the corner tongue out tail wagging. He fought a rottweiler off of my mom and I. He was not only my best friend, but also a best friend to the 4 guys I grew up with. He was part of our crew.
Then I went to college/law school, got another pup, and Harley stayed with the parents. He was really slowing down, but I swear when I got Koa it took 5 years off his life. He became a lot happier, always wanted to play when she was around, bounced around like a puppy, etc. Vet says his joints are still good and he's healthy. He has a little bit of a tough time walking around sometimes and he's terrified of weather, and can't hear that well anymore, but he's happy, still eats like a vacuum, and still acts like a puppy when my younger dog is around.
I'm rambling, but I guess my point is I know the time is coming, but I know it's not here yet. I grew apart from him when I moved out of the house, and my current dog is pretty much my child, but damn I love that fatass dog.
Photo:
I have a 16 yo golden retriever and a 2.5yo golden. The young dog is legitimately mine, but the old dog is "mine" in the sense that we grew up together. I got him for Christmas when I was 9. That dog and me legitimately did everything together. He was a coon dog, a duck dog, a quail dog, and a squirrel dog all in a golden retriever body. We hunted everything, from yard birds with pellet guns, to coons with traps, to everything you can shoot with a shotgun, and loved every minute of it. That dog found so many deer for me before I learned how to shoot straight. We fished together, rode fourwheelers together, and when there wasn't room for him, he would run as fast as he could along side until we got to wherever we were going. Sometimes when it was hot, we'd completely lose sight of him behind us, get a mile down the road, and 10 minutes later ol Harley comes running around the corner tongue out tail wagging. He fought a rottweiler off of my mom and I. He was not only my best friend, but also a best friend to the 4 guys I grew up with. He was part of our crew.
Then I went to college/law school, got another pup, and Harley stayed with the parents. He was really slowing down, but I swear when I got Koa it took 5 years off his life. He became a lot happier, always wanted to play when she was around, bounced around like a puppy, etc. Vet says his joints are still good and he's healthy. He has a little bit of a tough time walking around sometimes and he's terrified of weather, and can't hear that well anymore, but he's happy, still eats like a vacuum, and still acts like a puppy when my younger dog is around.
I'm rambling, but I guess my point is I know the time is coming, but I know it's not here yet. I grew apart from him when I moved out of the house, and my current dog is pretty much my child, but damn I love that fatass dog.
Photo:
This post was edited on 8/25/14 at 10:51 am
Posted on 8/25/14 at 10:51 am to hunt66
I had to put mine down last December. We made the decision because you could tell she was in alot of pain constantly and there wasnt anything we could do for her. She quit eating pretty much. Could hardly walk. Tripped trying to step over a threshold and would then just lay there looking embaressed.
In short, you will know. When there is no longer any quality of life is when its time IMO
In short, you will know. When there is no longer any quality of life is when its time IMO
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