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Message
re: Advice needed for dying dog
Posted on 11/30/17 at 3:11 pm to Tiger_n_Texas
Posted on 11/30/17 at 3:11 pm to Tiger_n_Texas
quote:
As for the girls, I'll continue to get them to spend time with her and take pictures. I don't think I am going to tell them until she passes or takes a turn for the worst.
Everyone parents differently, and I don't think you are doing anything wrong. However, if it was me, I would discuss the death of the dog with the children. Death is the only certainty in life. While your children are young, they are unfortunately going to have family and possibly friends die. Death isn't some taboo topic. It is going to happen. I would try to make it as factual and swift of a process as possible. Although the dog is an important part of your family's life, it's not a human. Introducing the topic of death to a child may help down the road when it comes to dealing with the loss of a human life.
This may totally screw your children up and have them worrying about death for their entire childhood though, so good luck. There isn't a right or wrong answer here. You can only do what you think is best for your children. Don't worry about what other people say. You only get one chance at raising the children, but you can have tons of dogs.
0
Posted on 11/30/17 at 3:13 pm to LEASTBAY
quote:
Use the money you would spend on treatment and feed the dog steaks every day.
Would be very bad for the OP's pup. Treats and love is best. Once your pup starts going down, rice chicken soup is good for them. Control your thoughts when it comes down to having to put your pup to sleep. Do what is best for your pup.
Posted on 11/30/17 at 3:46 pm to fishfighter
Side note about steak, many many dogs are allergic to beef. A beef allergy is the most common allergy in dogs. Like others have said, she will let you know when it's time. Hopefully, she will pass in her sleep without any pain or suffering. Also remember that dogs are pretty empathetic. Try to stay normal and upbeat for her. I know it will be very tough for everyone. I hate it for you.
Posted on 11/30/17 at 4:18 pm to Tiger_n_Texas
Last year I was faced with the same thing. My son's were older but the thing that helped them the most was reading The Rainbow Bridge.
Rainbow Bridge
Rainbow Bridge
This post was edited on 11/30/17 at 4:21 pm
Posted on 11/30/17 at 4:55 pm to Tiger_n_Texas
My grandma passed away this year. Her 11 year old german shepard had to go stay with a cousin. They found a 10 lb tumor in the dogs chest back in August. They said same thing dog was to old too do anything. Here it is almost december and the dog is doing fine showing no,signs.
Posted on 11/30/17 at 5:07 pm to FournetteForEver7
quote:
My grandma passed away this year. Her 11 year old german shepard had to go stay with a cousin. They found a 10 lb tumor in the dogs chest back in August. They said same thing dog was to old too do anything. Here it is almost december and the dog is doing fine showing no,signs.
This is why I don't want to tell my kids yet. I'm hoping for something similar. Where she is fine and herself for a long time. Only reason they found it is because they were looking for pancreatitis related to a slight fever and loss of appetite.
Posted on 11/30/17 at 5:11 pm to Tiger_n_Texas
quote:
I'm just looking for advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation. How and when do I tell my 4yo and 7yo their dog is dying
Our beloved 13 year old Boxer died last year. We knew she was sick, but couldn’t predict when she would go. My kids handled it better than I did.
My one piece of advice that I really really mean is that you should bury the dog yourself. It was a very cathartic experience that brought closure and felt like I was giving her the respect she deserved for being such a good friend.
Posted on 11/30/17 at 5:13 pm to uway
quote:
My one piece of advice that I really really mean is that you should bury the dog yourself. It was a very cathartic experience that brought closure and felt like I was giving her the respect she deserved for being such a good friend.
Agree completely. My FIL and I spent 5 hours digging a hole in the heat of summer one year, to bury my wife's dog. It sucked, but glad we did it.
Posted on 11/30/17 at 5:53 pm to Tiger_n_Texas
Don't be dramatic. Unfortunately death is part of the life cycle. Use it as a teachable moment, making sure you make the dog a nice steak the night before you put it down.
Posted on 11/30/17 at 6:31 pm to Tiger_n_Texas
We lost our 17 yo rat terrier a few years ago.
2 weeks later my mom showed up with a beagle from the side of the road. No one was happy as the grief was very raw but after a day we were all in love.
Our 12 yo rat had no issues with the new dog.
I really think getting a new dog sooner rather than later helps.
You can always stop by the shelter & see how they react with another dog.
Good luck, there is no right or wrong answer. You will know what’s best for your family when it’s time.
2 weeks later my mom showed up with a beagle from the side of the road. No one was happy as the grief was very raw but after a day we were all in love.
Our 12 yo rat had no issues with the new dog.
I really think getting a new dog sooner rather than later helps.
You can always stop by the shelter & see how they react with another dog.
Good luck, there is no right or wrong answer. You will know what’s best for your family when it’s time.
Posted on 11/30/17 at 6:54 pm to Tiger_n_Texas
I am so sorry. I've had two beagles put down, and it's rough. When I was little, an old timer told me that dogs are the most noble and generous creatures in the world, and they are ok with passing on when they are old because they know there are a lot of abandoned puppies that need good homes out in the world. That helped me deal with the sadness a bit.
Posted on 11/30/17 at 7:58 pm to LA2La
I know how you feel. My 14 year old golden died last Saturday night. We were in Rosemary Beach when the vet called to tell us something was not rite. We left the beach immediately to pick her up. Our two girls got to spoil her and take lots of pics Saturday night. Around 1 AM I noticed she had passed in her sleep. As hard as it was for my 9 and 7 year old, I truly believe that it was the best case scenario.
The kids keep asking for another dog but I am not going to rush into it just to “replace” our dog.
It is not easy but the best thing you can do is help your kids understand that God has a plan. I really think what resonated with them was that our dog was in heaven and was no longer the 14 year old dog but a puppy playing with other loved ones (and pets) that have passed. God bless and good luck!!!
The kids keep asking for another dog but I am not going to rush into it just to “replace” our dog.
It is not easy but the best thing you can do is help your kids understand that God has a plan. I really think what resonated with them was that our dog was in heaven and was no longer the 14 year old dog but a puppy playing with other loved ones (and pets) that have passed. God bless and good luck!!!
Posted on 11/30/17 at 8:01 pm to LSUJML
quote:
really think getting a new dog sooner rather than later helps
I feel the same way. You're not replacing a dog...you're adding to the family.
Posted on 11/30/17 at 8:09 pm to Tiger_n_Texas
with regard to the cancer...
if it's a friable tumor (internal bleeding) you can extend his/her life with yunan bayao
get it at any Asian market
if it's a friable tumor (internal bleeding) you can extend his/her life with yunan bayao
get it at any Asian market
Posted on 11/30/17 at 8:36 pm to SportTiger1
quote:
My one piece of advice that I really really mean is that you should bury the dog yourself. It was a very cathartic experience that brought closure and felt like I was giving her the respect she deserved for being such a good friend.
+1 on this. But what's crazy is when it's at a vet and I've heard a couple people say something like "Its too sad, I could never be in the room when they put her down..." I'm thinking "Wtf! After 10 years you want the last face she sees to be some stranger?" Crazy.
Posted on 11/30/17 at 8:44 pm to Tiger_n_Texas
As the others say, I wouldn't make it any more dramatic than you have to when you tell them. I would not plan to get another dog until a little time has passed after your current dog is gone.
fwiw, every single time I have had a dying dog, when all was done, I felt a little guilty about holding on so long before putting her down...since dogs have no concept of lifespan, you are really only putting it off for your own reasons.
as far as how you know when the time is right, when I had a dog with cancer, he looked fine until he very suddenly stopped eating...when that happens, the time has arrived, as he will decline very quickly after that.
fwiw, every single time I have had a dying dog, when all was done, I felt a little guilty about holding on so long before putting her down...since dogs have no concept of lifespan, you are really only putting it off for your own reasons.
as far as how you know when the time is right, when I had a dog with cancer, he looked fine until he very suddenly stopped eating...when that happens, the time has arrived, as he will decline very quickly after that.
Posted on 11/30/17 at 8:50 pm to Tiger_n_Texas
Well unfortunately I have been in your shoes. We just had to put our Jack Russel down after 16 years. Heartbreaking to say the least. Make the dog as comfortable as possible. When the dog can no longer control their bowel movements and/or gets immobile it’s time to consider letting them go because they are probably getting near the end. Your bet can assist you at that time to help and make an educated decision. Take your time getting another dog to make sure you get what you want. Don’t hurry that decision. Your heart will guide you. Be with the dog until the end. You will be glad you stayed with them at the very end. You will cry and grieve but that’s a natural part of the process. This is fresh in my mind because it just happened on Tuesday. Follow your heart and all will be ok but it will also be tough. That’s the cost of being a pet lover!
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