Can't see her suffer, please help me make the decision

[applefalls]

My beautiful Weimaraner has PLE and is wasting away. She's been on a huge cocktail of drugs but barely eats and is exhausted, can't stand unaided and I fear will soon be incontinent.

She's only six. The vets say it's incurable and we can only ever manage the condition.

She's been ill for months, we are all heartbroken but can't bear to see her like this. She should be running about the hills like she used to.

I need to let her go, don't I?

I've never had a dog before and was completely unprepared for how much love there is.

i would be so grateful for any words of advice.

[TheFirstMrsDV]

If she is suffering and her AND your quality of life is suffering then yes you do.
I know its awful but its the last thing we can do for our pets.

The saying goes something like 'better a week early than a day late'.

[applefalls]

Thank you so much. I feel so selfish thinking of our quality of life too but there has been such a pall of sadness over us all for months now.

She's just a skeleton with patches of fur.

I hope she knows how profoundly she has been loved.

[mirren3]

Of course she knows how much she is loved, and you know deep down your have to make the right decision for her. It's so hard when they look at you with the big sad eyes, but you have to do what is right for her.
Can you get the vet to come to you, it might help you if you don't have to take her there, she'll probably be more comfortable at home anyway.

[applefalls]

Do they come to your house? I didn't know that. Would they take her away afterwards?

Her eyes are so sunked and glued up with gunk I can hardly see them now.

I just keep thinking I'll hear her clattering about looking for scraps. There's a roast chicken going cold because none of us want it. She'd have had it off the surface before.

[Foldedtshirt]

It's heartbreaking
Can you talk to the vet about a home visit?

[mirren3]

Our vet does, I think it probably makes it easier for the vet too, although that's not the point. It depends what you want done afterwards, our vet will take them away and can arrange for them to be cremated if you want that.
It's the hardest thing to do for a much loved pet, but also the kindest, I'm sure you don't want her suffering, but we found once we had made the decision a bit of a relief.

[applefalls]

I think I'd like her ashes to scatter on her favourite walk. Is that ok to ask for?

[BifsWif]

I think you know what you have to do OP, as heartbreaking as it is. You'd hate to see her suffer even more. I'm so sorry

[Garnethair]

If she's suffering then it's time. Our beautiful dog died at the same age last year.

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

It's time to let her go.

Better a day too soon than an hour too late, but it seems she's ready.

[ChorusLine69]

So sorry, it's so hard to do this but it sounds like the right thing. Been in this position too, and my heart goes out to you.

[applefalls]

Thank you all. It seems so cruel when she's only half way through.

But yes, it is time, isn't it?

Really really stupid question, but can't say aloud IRL. Did any of you tell your wonderful dogs that you were going to let them go?

[AverysillyoldHector]

Oh OP, poor you This is the last act of love you can do for her. It sounds like it is time to let her rest now.

Our vet will come to the house, so worth asking, if that's what you want. We took our girl to the vets when the time came but she was in her bed in the back of our car and he came out to her in the car park. When it was all over, the vet and nurse gently carried her inside and a few days later we received her ashes back. It was all as lovely as is possible given the circumstances.

Sending you and a big unmumsnetty hug.

[ErrolTheDragon]

Its the disease which is cruel - letting her go is hard but it does sound as though it will be a pure kindness to her at this point.

We scattered our last dog's ashes on a field where he loved to bounce in the long grass.

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

You can tell her anything, she'll know. Tell her you love her and that's it's time. She knows.

[applefalls]

Thank you.

I felt stupid asking, but of course dog people get it.

I was very ill a few years ago and she was there every time in the middle of the night licking away the tears and it's so hard not being able to do the same for her.

I didn't have the easiest time growing up and she has taught me what unconditional love really means.

Thank you all so very very much for your kind words.

[BifsWif]

I told my boy 8 years ago. I lay with him on the kitchen floor and hugged him and kissed him, and told him I loved him but that it was time for him to go. It broke my heart, and I'm welling up writing about it, but I could not bear to see him suffer.

[applefalls]

bif

[Garnethair]

Thinking of you OP. Answering your question about what we told our animals - yes, I've always told mine.

I've also been with several horses when they have been pts. We've always told them we love them and that their pain will end. When the vet has given the final injection he has stroked them and told them to 'run free now'. It has always been peaceful.

[applefalls]

That's exactly how it was today. Peaceful and beautiful.

She knew, I felt her relief.

Thank you. I'll hopefully have stopped crying by 2018...

[Garnethair]

Bless you xx

[Sugarpiehoneyeye]

I'm so very sorry OP.
I've just read your thread, your posts made me cry.
She was an incredibly lucky girl, to be so very loved.
You did her, the greatest final kindness, setting her free from her illness.
Be kind to yourself, and know that you definitely did the right thing. 🌺🌺🌺

[BifsWif]

I've been thinking of you and your lovely girl. You showed her such kindness in your decision. She was very lucky to have you. Take care x

[applefalls]

Thank you. I feel desperately bereft but I know that we were right to set her free and the vets were so incredibly deft and gentle.

We were so lucky to have known her love.

[ThreeFish]

You have done a kind and generous thing.