The big decision
Discussion
It seems that Cody, our companion for the past 15 years, a Springer cross Lab cross complete nutter, may have had a stroke last night. She's blind, deaf, incontinent and shows no sign of recognising any of us. My OH just said she's afraid of calling in the vet because "he might put her down". That's exactly why I have just called the surgery, so now I'm a "heartless b
d" and we've just had a huge row.
I can't see any way back for what is, for her breed, a very old dog, so someone has to make the decision, am I making the right one?
Sorry, just had to unload.
d" and we've just had a huge row. I can't see any way back for what is, for her breed, a very old dog, so someone has to make the decision, am I making the right one?
Sorry, just had to unload.
its one of the worse things you can have to do make that decision, but you have to for the sake of the animal and the family that love it.
you will feel like st, i still get down thinking about the animals i have had to make that decision over.
however that's not often these days as i remember the laughs i had when they were around.
sorry that's not much help, but its the dog you have to think of not you at this point, does he have any quality of life etc.
don't mean to sound heartless, sorry
you will feel like s
t, i still get down thinking about the animals i have had to make that decision over.however that's not often these days as i remember the laughs i had when they were around.
sorry that's not much help, but its the dog you have to think of not you at this point, does he have any quality of life etc.
don't mean to sound heartless, sorry
a very hard desision to be made by anyone, my friends family dog was the same way and he had to go back to his parents house and sort it out too, they said he was taking away a amember of the family, where as the vet said on arrival it was the right thing to do, and the best thing for the dog. robbie was also blind, deaf and a diabetic, after his breathing problems it was too painfull for him to keep going. as a dog owner i know how much the love of the dog takes over but i had to put my last one down when i was still single, and again, its what is best for the dog that counts.
i'm very sorry for your loss
i'm very sorry for your loss
We had four cats the youngest was 8 years old, she had a stroke one morning and after a panic and a trip to the vet it was found that her rear end including hers legs were completely paralysed. The decision to make was that she could possibly carry on but obviously with a major disability, say our fare wells.
It's all down to "quality of life" for the animal I'm afraid, so we decided that saying goodbye was best best option for her. The decision had nothing to do with being heartless, I made the decision on behalf.
She died in my arms, and I sobbed my heart out for a week.
I fact it brings a tear to my eye typing this, some 5 years later.
HTH.
It's all down to "quality of life" for the animal I'm afraid, so we decided that saying goodbye was best best option for her. The decision had nothing to do with being heartless, I made the decision on behalf.
She died in my arms, and I sobbed my heart out for a week.
I fact it brings a tear to my eye typing this, some 5 years later.
HTH.
Just about the hardest decision to make, and one of the reasons I'm glad PH set up this forum, so that we can rally round and help without the people that don't "get" animals having a pop.
You know when it's time to make that decision, as has been said, it would be nice to be able to make the same decision with humans too, sometimes.
Just remember the good times.
You know when it's time to make that decision, as has been said, it would be nice to be able to make the same decision with humans too, sometimes.
Just remember the good times.
Just been thru this with Sammie my 8 month old kitten who had feline Infectious peritonitis which is a fatal disease - poor little lad had a green nose and mouth from the liver infection when I saw him at the end. It was a very easy decision for me, he was suffering and I wanted to help him in the last way I could.
As others have said, it's the kind of decision we wish we could take for humans sometimes - take pleasure in eth good times you've had and try and accerpt he's been part of your family for 15 years so you have lots of good times to remember.
It will hurt, there is a mourning period to go thru which I'm still going thru and will for a long time yet, but it's the best thing for your dog.
As others have said, it's the kind of decision we wish we could take for humans sometimes - take pleasure in eth good times you've had and try and accerpt he's been part of your family for 15 years so you have lots of good times to remember.
It will hurt, there is a mourning period to go thru which I'm still going thru and will for a long time yet, but it's the best thing for your dog.
Our cat (14 yrs old) went the same way on the New Year Bank holiday Monday. Called the vet out but she died in the car sat outside waiting for him. She took the decision for us, but I don't think there was a decision to make!
Sorry to hear your story but it has to be made and somebodies got to make it.
We were expecting it one day with the cat (she had cancer) but it still comes as a shock when it does happen.
Sorry to hear your story but it has to be made and somebodies got to make it.
We were expecting it one day with the cat (she had cancer) but it still comes as a shock when it does happen.
Think about how distressed dogs get when they can't find their people, or if they have a toilet accident (usually cos they can't get out to the garden or whatever).
Then think if there is anything at all you can do to mitigate either of those things for Cody.
How about ways to get pleasure?
It's not like with people where we have a huge array of ways to keep a person comfortable, the resources to make sure they're never alone etc.
Given that, there's really no choice.
Your OH will make peace with it but it's not fair to keep Cody hanging around while she does.
I wish her a swift and gentle exit from this world to the next.
Then think if there is anything at all you can do to mitigate either of those things for Cody.
How about ways to get pleasure?
It's not like with people where we have a huge array of ways to keep a person comfortable, the resources to make sure they're never alone etc.
Given that, there's really no choice.
Your OH will make peace with it but it's not fair to keep Cody hanging around while she does.
I wish her a swift and gentle exit from this world to the next.
Hello everybody, Karoness here, he's out in the garden digging a resting place for Cody. It has been a long day for all of us and, yes, Karona has made the right decision. Thank you all for your kind words.
(He'll probably bury me too for posting on his account, but he left it open :-)
(He'll probably bury me too for posting on his account, but he left it open :-)
to Cody!
Had to let my 17.5 year old chum go just recently after she had a stroke in my arms. She had her last sleep on the bed that night and I helped her on her way the next day. She was never going to get better so it was the best I could do for her after everything she had done for me.
You'll know when you've got to do your duty.
Dogs are absolutely by far the best things in the world.
You'll know when you've got to do your duty.
Dogs are absolutely by far the best things in the world.
Very sorry for your loss.
Some friends of ours had a Gordon Setter which we looked after alot when they were away and last year that had a stroke, she was 15 (I think) and she lost the ise of her back legs and was incontinent.
They had to make the same decision, we were upset when we heard but it was the best thing to do.
Some friends of ours had a Gordon Setter which we looked after alot when they were away and last year that had a stroke, she was 15 (I think) and she lost the ise of her back legs and was incontinent.
They had to make the same decision, we were upset when we heard but it was the best thing to do.
You've done your best for your beloved pet. She's had a wonderful life with you and when she was at the point were life was becoming a fight she couldn't win, you supported her and helped her on her final journey. She had the best of care and you helped her to the end.
Brave decision but the right one I feel. I hope if I ever get to that point in my life then someone can help me, should I need it.
I've had two Cairns previously and both were too ill to continue at the end. It really is the kindest of things to do.
Brave decision but the right one I feel. I hope if I ever get to that point in my life then someone can help me, should I need it.
I've had two Cairns previously and both were too ill to continue at the end. It really is the kindest of things to do.
Edited by Z4monster on Friday 28th January 21:25
Edited by Z4monster on Friday 28th January 21:26
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