Old dog. At what point you say good bye?

I was under the impression that you were the authority on issues such as this.

When he gets so skinny that his collar won't stay on anymore?

Seriously, I wouldn't do anything unless he was in pain or suffering, and the vet couldn't really do anything to help. You kind of just know.

True story here...my grandfather had a bird dog that was awesome to me from the time I started quail hunting with Pappaw. He got on up in age and my Pappaw took me with him quail hunting with 'Buck'. Buck got to where he wouldn't retrieve and even made perfect points except he was pointing rats. Pappaw called him back, removed his collar, and sent him back out. Seconds later, my Pappaw shot him. Cried my eyes out that day.

I think when his quality of life isn't good anymore.

My wife has a dog she's had since before we got married 10 years ago. She's a worthless little mini schnauzer. Dumb as a rock. But her health has really started to slip the past few months. She's pretty much deaf, has skin issues, sleeps all the time, and has just started pissing herself at night. As much as I've never really liked the dog much, I know it's going to be tough. Just something about dogs. I'll probably cry like a baby when my Doberman gets to that point.

It's all about quality of life.

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CootKilla

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dog

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=RIP

I have had many dogs over the years. If they are not in pain and still eating...they good to go.

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.

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I am not ready to bring him to the vet yet. He is nothing but skin and bones but he eats like a horse.

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Da fuq? Healthy dog loses alot of weight for no reason but you aren't going to take him to the vet? Or am I reading this wrong?