Can someone please tell me when the right time to let a pet pass on is?

[GRADS2009]

My dog Maddy is almost 14 years old and over the past month her health has been failling, slowly at first but quicker now. It started out with her losing her hearing, then one of her eyes rolled back into her head and then came back normal and the docs have no clue what it was. A week later she has all but stopped eating so we took her in again and it turns out she has a big cancerous tumor near her liver or spleen. They say if it is attached to the spleen they could possibly operate and take out the spleen but it is major surgery and not always successful. If it is attached to the liver she's done. This pains me to say this more than anything I've ever done or experienced in my lifetime but when do I end it for her? This dog is my world and I would appreciate your thoughts on what I should do. Thank You

 

[GRADS2009]

I thought it might help if I posted a picture of her from a couple months ago.

 

[Tom Brown]

She's your dog. Her life is in your hands.

I will tell you this, however... if you look at a life filled with love and happiness, that life is far more significant than the last few days, weeks, or even months.

Believe in yourself. Think about the life Maddy has had. If it has been a good life, you can be sure Maddy trusts you to make this call.

I just went through this ten days ago. I hurt for you, Grads.

"To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides." -- David Viscott

 

[riverratmike]

My dog Maddy is almost 14 years old and over the past month her health has been failling, slowly at first but quicker now. It started out with her losing her hearing, then one of her eyes rolledback into head and came back normal and the docs have no clue what it was. A week later she has all but stopped eating so we took her in again and it turns out she a big cancerous tumor near her liver or spleen. They say if it is attached to spleen they could possibly operate and take out the spleen but it is major surgery and not always successful. If it is attached to the liver she's done. This kills and pains me to say this more than anything I've ever done or experienced in my lifetime but when do I end it for her? This dog is my world and I would appreciate your thoughts on what I should do. Thank You

What a cute dog. I am not looking forward to the day Happy Dog passes. She's about 9 years old now and still is in fairly good health. She does everything with me and has for years. I know this day is coming and it's going to be the hardest thing I have to go through. I wish you the best of the best with your dog no matter what happens.

 

[Sleek Freak]

Loosing a good friend always sucks. sounds like your in tune with your longtime companion and you will know when its time. when their quality of life is gone or their in pain just remember dont let them suffer. I had to put down two great lab mix. one I had 14 years got him when I was 15 and took him everywhere. he got tumors in his throat and I had them removed and they grew back so fast they grew right through the stiches. one morning I tried to give him his favorite treat which was a twinkie and he yiped from pain trying to open his mouth wide enough to eat it so I spent the day with him and took him in the next day. that kicked my ass for a long time. I put my other one down at 20 years old. he was deaf almost totally blind and his hips were in bad shape. I had to use hand movement to tell him what to do. he lived a full life so I didn't fell so bad loosing him. good luck and be glad you had your pup as long as you have.

 

[Wakker]

Been through it..

When they get older, and their health starts deteriorating its pretty futile to try and perform surgery after surgery only to remember your dogs last weeks/months as a time spent trying to recover from procedures, etc.

I personally have heard the same song and dance about how its cancer and for a large fee I can hack your dog open and cut a bunch of shit out and we'll see what happens. IMHO when they get old and health fades quickly, its a sign. A sign to enjoy your last days/weeks with your buddy and don't be selfish and let them suffer.

 

[MMD]

Sorry to hear of your dog Maddy's deteriorating health.

Pet owners always have to deal with these issues. They never get easy.

The key IMO is, you gave her all the love and care you could. And she knows that and she gave it back to you. The relationship you two had was everything and it was mutually beneficial filled with love and companionship.

Now you need to continue to show her your love and do the right thing. While it may be terribly painful for you it's the right thing to do for her if you can save her physical pain.

The last thing you want to do is prolong her life and pain so you can avoid making what is a tough decision. Sometimes giving your pet love means making the tough decision to end its life with minimal pain and maximum love.

Good luck. It never gets easy and it's not supposed to.

 

[snake321]

dude, this isn't an "ask everybody's opionion" question.
Can the doc fix him up or not? A good vet will tell you when enough is enough.
If you have a crappy vet, find another and get a second opionion...

 

[TPC]

When they hit the end of their Natural Life Cycle, ya put them down because they are too far along to take care of themselves, in pain or misery, or you can't afford the $12.000 vet bill for them to live another 6 months.

 

[OCMerrill]

Animals (Pets) will live on well past their natural days, in pain, just to please their master. Absolute fact.

It's up to you Grads how much is to much. One of the absolute hardest things I have had to do.

 

[John]

Greg, I'm sure that you will make the right decision, whatever it might be. Maddy is an awesome loving dog and if it is her time, she will be missed greatly.

 

[RitcheyRch]

Sorry to hear about your doggie. I had to do this years ago with my Rottie. It was a tough decision to put her down. I knew it was time when you could see the pain the dogs eyes and face. I waited a long time to get more dogs because of that experience.

 

[92 cole]

Dude, enough has been said by others in this thread. I know the pain involved of letting go but for love you have got to do the right thing!!! This shit has got me teared up over past "best friends I have had" Celabrate the life not the passing.

 

[McRib]

It sucks to hear things like this. Be strong life is life and u play the cards ur delt. When I put my akita down 3 years ago it was a quality of life decision. He had gone blind and could not walk due to joint pain. He like everyone elses dog here went every where with me. As I would leave the house he would agonize himself and hobble to the door to try and go with me. It killed me everytime. We decided it was time and when we had him put down we demanded to be there holding his paws while the lights went out. They were not gonna let us be there. I rose the BS flag on that one. They offered a creamation and a really nice personalized cedar box and he is still with us everyday. It get eaiser everyday after u decided to do it I promise. U never forget loved ones the memories will always be there and when ur new dog (if u get one) does something maddy used to do u will smile and always remember. I will not wish u luck cause luck is not involved here. I will wish u happiness with ur decisions cause u MUST stay stong. Dogs know what is going on. My akita actually huged (dog hug) me and my wife right B4 the end. It was amazing. Remember quality of life is everything.

 

[red ant]

My family feels your pain. My heart is breaking as I read this. In my family, we have taken to adopting rescued greyhounds. Sometimes we don't get to have them for very long. Cancer seems to attack these beautiful dogs. I am sure this is due to starvation and sub standard food. I just got a news letter with a link to these people-for when the time comes and we will have to face our heartbreaking decision. www.homepeteuthanasia.com at least your dog can be comfortable at home and with his family. So sorry for what you are going through.

 

[Gramps]

What you are going thru is a bitch. Good Luck

A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS.........
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10 On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
~Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them.
Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters.
~Now please pass this on to other pet owners. We do not have to wait for Heaven, to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs!