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Just wanted to offer you some hugs. Losing a pet it the worst, and making the "its time" decision is impossible.
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@IRunForFun: I can't read the responses to your post because I will cry here at work!!
I have two small dogs (high five for small dogs!) and I have not yet had to face this decision. It is the one that Wagon Sr. and I are so dreading. We sometimes even let the dread overtake our ability to enjoy our time with them while they are perfectly healthy and happy and looking for our attention. So I am so, so sorry you are going through this and my whole heart goes out to you at this time.
I love @mrs. bird: 's suggestion!
I would also second several others' suggestions of speaking with the vet or any vet techs that you like and trust. I am fortunate to have a vet tech as a close friend, and the fact that she has seen and treated my dogs personally as well as has seen so many families in the same situation make these decisions would make me value her opinion greatly. I know it's ultimately your decision, but if I were stuck, I would go to her and ask her for some objective advice and perspective.
Wagon Sr. and I love dogs and will always have dogs. But the fact that they aren't supposed to outlive you... so heartbreaking. Many many snuggles and kisses to your furbaby. Btw I totally started crying when I saw her picture.
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I'm so sorry you have to go through this! You can only do the best you can, to your abilities. I hope you will find peace w/ whatever decisions you make!
I was told that sometimes the dogs let you know when they're ready. No matter how bad of a condition they are in, they either have that will to live on, or they will let you know somehow that it's time.
My dog was 7 when she had cancer. Thankfully, we were able to afford the surgery to remove the tumor and no chemo/additional treatments were needed. Since then, we definitely think a lot about our dog's health. It's a really tough choice to make, but know that if you already provided Lucy with a happy and healthy life, she will always thank you no matter what!
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It's no help now, but if you were to get another pet, we got insurance for our dogs to avoid exactly this type of situation. It won't cover everything, but it will help take financial worries out of the picture in these sorts of debates.
I'm SO sorry you're going through this. I can't imagine how hard it would be to make this kind of decision.
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I haven't read all the responses, because I am absolutely, 150% crazy about my dogs and the thought of having to say goodbye to them makes my heart twist so much. I have a 10.5-yo Yorkie who is my heart, my love, and I honestly do not know what I am going to do when it's time. Like @mrs. wagon: , sometimes I dread what is to come so much that I cannot enjoy my present with her. It's something I'm constantly working on
I am so, so, so sorry for what you are going through. Personally for me, I will go through any lengths, in terms of finances, treatments, time, etc if it meant my dog could spend even one more day with me. Sometimes I feel like I'm being selfish... even if she's suffering, I honestly don't think I can let her go, even if it might be the *right* thing to do... I just don't know how I'm going to live without her.
Okay, now I'm crying. Again, I'm so sorry you are facing this. My heart breaks for you.
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@Torchwood: You're absolutely right, I am kicking myself for not getting pet insurance.
@pinkcupcake:
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@IRunForFun: I think if she is eating, enjoying snuggling or being in the sun, and wagging her tail, I would be unable to put her down. But if she can no longer control her bowels, then it might be time.......
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@mrs. wagon: I just started to read them and I am crying, now
I know where you are coming from, I have two senior dogs, 16 and 14. They are both still so lively that it's hard for me to imagine that they may only be around for another year or two
I'd follow Mrs. Bird's suggestion about making a list of the things your pup enjoys.
I can't imagine having to make that decision (and it's hard because I know that I will have to eventually).
Just try to enjoy the snuggles for now, and I think that you will know when it's time. I wouldn't want to say goodbye to that face, either.
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I'm so sorry you are going through this. For me, I think my family missed "the right time". We were so devastated at the thought of losing our family cat. We had him since he was a kitten and discovered he had a brain tumor when he was about 8 years old. One morning, we found him in a trance like state just staring at the wall. We brought him to the vet and they sent us to a specialist so he could get an MRI. It was confirmed that he had a brain tumor, and it was inoperable. They prescribed him a steroid pill to slow the swelling and that definitely helped bring him back to normal, but the vet was very clear that that would only work for an indefinite amount of time. Anyway, fast forward a month and one morning we found him again in a zombie like state, only this time he was screaming in pain and totally out of it. We rushed him to the vet immediately and put him to sleep that morning. We all felt horrible for not doing it sooner. To see him suffer like that was awful and on our part a bit selfish. We just wanted the medication to work so badly, that even though he was "fine" while on it, we knew at some point it would stop working and we all wished we had just put him to sleep when we found out about the tumor. Having that extra month with him was great and all, but not worth the pain he had to go through in the end. I know this is a personal decision for everybody and I just thought I'd give you an idea of our situation so perhaps you can have some peace of mind if you do chose the right time. I always tell friends/family when they are in situations like this to not wait too long like we did.
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