I think it’s time to say goodbye to my lovely girl.

[Ownerofasmellydog]

I have a Pyrenean mountain dog who’s now 11. She’s recently started messing in the house (both wees and poos). She’s had wobbly back legs for a little while but couldn’t have medication for arthritis due to her kidneys being a bit rubbish. She’s recently been drinking excessively and twice in the last week her back legs seem to have gone out from underneath her. Spoken to the vet who said we can either investigate her kidney function and test for diabetes but there’s nothing that can be done for the incontinence or arthritis and kindly suggested maybe it would be time to start thinking about letting go. I don’t know how I can make that choice! She’s been my lovely friend for the last decade, been by my side for so much of my life and things I’ve gone through I just can’t imagine not having her there. Don’t really know what I’m posting for to be honest, maybe just some reassurance that I’m doing the right thing and some stories of how it’s not an awful process? I’ve never had to do this before!

[pigsDOfly]

Yes, it does sound like it's time to say goodbye.

Don't put her through a load of pointless treatment that won't make a difference to her quality of life.

She's been a good dog to you and you've loved her and appreciated her, which is why you need to do this last kindness for her and make that decision.

The vet wouldn't have suggested it if it wasn't in your dog's best interest.

It's horrible and terribly sad but she needs this from you.

Take care

[BiteyShark]

I honestly think if your vet is pointing you in that direction with old dogs then they are kindly preparing you that it's time .

[ChardonnaysPrettySister]

It seems it might be time.

It not you who makes the choice, when it's time it's time. What is keeping her longer going to do for her? Is she happy?

It's tough, but it's kindness you are showing her.

[Ownerofasmellydog]

That is what is making it so much harder as she seems happy enough, and she still has an appetite but that’s the only thing she really gets up for. She’s still eating normally but is losing weight alarmingly quickly. I just wish there was a concrete way to tell. We had to have our cat pts last summer but that was due to injuries sustained after he had been hit by a car and that was an immediate he needs to be put out of his pain. It doesn’t seem so clear cut in this case. This is the worst part of having a wonderful companion for sure, feels like I’m about to lose a family member!

[ChardonnaysPrettySister]

It is difficult.

Dogs are stoic, it's hard to say when they are in pain.

What I know from experience is that the "better a day too soon that a day too late" is true. at least for me.

Sorry, OP.

[BiteyShark]

she still has an appetite but that’s the only thing she really gets up for.

Spoil her rotten, feed her the most lovely things she normally can't have. Give her the cuddles both of you need. But I wouldn't wait until the only thing she loves goes as well

[nrpmum]

@Ownerofasmellydog it is such an awful decision to make. I really feel for you.

[Ownerofasmellydog]

Outing myself on this username but just wanted to share a pic of my lovely girl (excuse the washing airers in the background)
She’s a big gentle giant, she’s been raised with two toddlers as a pup and seen a new baby come home and grow into a 7 year old. She’s been a protector of my home and made me feel safe even after my exH left. She’s been a wonderful friend so I know I have to do what is best for her but selfishly I don’t want to let her go!
I’m rambling now! It’s awful!

[BiteyShark]

Aww she looks lovely

[ChardonnaysPrettySister]

She's lovely.

[pigsDOfly]

She's beautiful and of course you don't want to let her go but it sounds like she's ready.

I had to have both my cats pts several years ago and like your dog it wasn't from anything sudden. They were both old and had ongoing illnesses. Apart from looking a bit thin they were still handsome and were eating normally.

However, we'd been back and forth to the vet and both of them just seemed one day to have had enough, one sort of collapsed when going up a couple of steps and the other, after seeming to recover from a flair up of his kidney problem, just sort of withdrew - this was about 6 months apart.

I just knew it was time to let them go.

I've often doubted myself in case I let them go too soon but in my heart I know that it absolutely was the right time for each of them.

Quality of life is everything to an animal. Never leave it until there is absolutely no quality of life left.

It's good that she still enjoys her food but as BiteyShark rightly says, don't leave it until the only thing she loves is gone.

[user1471465525]

She is gorgeous, sorry you are going through this .It sounds like she is ready especially as she is doubly incontinent. .As you said she has been your protecter all these years and now you must be hers .

[DramaAlpaca]

Aww, bless her, she's gorgeous.

From what you say I'd agree that it's time. Someone's already said it, but it's true - better a day too soon than a week too late. Quality of life is so important.

As for the PTS process, in my experience it's quick & they slip away very gently. It's much harder for us than it is for them.

[oarin1900]

I found green-lipped mussel powder really good for arthritis. I had a Pom who was bedridden with spinal arthritis and it got her up and around again. I gave a five kilo dog the contents of one of these capsules a day, sprinked on her food www.xtend-life.com/products/green-lipped-mussel-powder

[Empathy56]

Hi Op,I was in your position a few months ago,it's such a hard decision to make.Especially if they're still eating and managing to get about but with a struggle.You can only do what you feel is right in your heart even though it may break yours.We let our girl go because we believed it was right for her.Thinking of you.