To think this is immoral? Dog euthanasia

[Endopossibly]

My friends dog is in bad shape, she can barely walk, constantly barks and is on a lot of medication, she is a 12 year old Border Collie. She is adamant that she will not be putting the dog down, that it’s not in her hands but in gods, and that no one should play god. To me, the dog has clearly not got a good quality of life, especially compared to just last year. AIBU?

But if left to God the poor dog would probably have died a while ago. It’s man made medicine keeping it alive.

I agree with you, but it’s such a difficult and personal decision I wouldn’t interfere. The only thing you would achieve is the loss of a friendship.

I try to avoid getting into a discussion about it, it makes me very sad tbh. She loves her more than life itself and I don’t think she’s ready to let go, but I think this is the time where selflessness is the highest form of love

I think vets should have more ethical guidelines. I've known of elderly dogs who have been put through surgery and have lived in misery, after it. I know someone who ran a gull rescue and she had vets refusing to treat some of her rescue birds, because the quality of life would have been so poor, afterwards. They should do the same for pets.

It’s much harder when you’re the one making the decision, than looking in from the outside.

With my dog… it was so so hard to know what the right decision was. I have no idea what quality of life means or looks like for a pet at a point - it isn’t the same as for a human.

I'd far rather be a day early rather than a day late, and prolong my beloved companion's suffering. And I'd find it bloody hard not to vociferously advocate for an animal that is being caused to suffer for selfishness masquerading as fatalism.

I agree with you @Endopossibly

I used to see a man dragging his dog round our streets each day - the dog was old, blind, very arthritic and riddled with cancer. We moved away so I don't know how much longer this went on for.

I used to think - poor thing. The man admitted he couldn't emotionally cope with getting the dog put down but it wasn't the kindest thing, in my opinion.

Yup, but good luck getting her to see this, all thats likely to happen is her no longer speaking to you, rather than her actually doing the right thing for her dog.

My close doggy friends and I have an agreement that if we ever think one of us is being a dick about a dogs quality of life, we WILL tell them, kindly, but clearly.

When we've had wobbly old dogs, we've discussed things and done quality of life checks with one another, like 'can Fluffy still do xyz' 'how much medication is Fluffy on and does that have side effects' etc.

So far (over the last 20 years) its been helpful, no ones taken things too far and no ones been upset or fallen out with one another - though it probably does help we are also all dog trainers/behaviourists etc.

This is such a personal decision though. You are seeing things as an outsider without the same level of emotion attached.

I hate it when people do this. I had my Ddog pts when it was time. It broke me, but it’s what you do if you love them. Totally agree that it’s medication keeping it alive, not god. God would have ended its suffering by now.

But emotional attachment shouldn't come before an animal's quality of life. That's the agreement you enter into when you get a dog - you love them, but you also have to say goodbye to them. You're not a good owner if you keep an animal alive purely for your own benefit.

The kindest thing you can do for your much loved pet is know when their pain or ailments outweigh any quality of life, and have them euthanised in a calm and gentle manner.

its not the same, but I had my elderly cat put to sleep today. He’d quickly got to the stage where the good and bad days were about even. I love my cat and it’s been so so difficult.

its such a hard decision to make, especially if it’s the first time having to do it.

but very few domesticated animals die naturally of old age, so you just have to be the adult and do the right thing for them. It’s about their quality of life.

and everyone dies eventually, so it’s selfish and self centered to only think what’s right for you and not your pet.

if you’re looking for an opinion you either need to distance yourself or have a frank discussion about why your friends ultimately so selfish she’s putting her needs above her pet. And just putting off the inevitable.

I’m so sorry about your cat, even though you clearly know it was the right and kind thing for him. It’s very difficult for us when we are left behind though.

Our vet didn't do a biopsy on our dog as the anesthetic would have likely killed him. As he seemed to be ok, we left it

He died of a stroke a few years later

I agree with you and I have had to make this decision before, and I know its hard.

I am just pointing out that OP's friend is the only one that can make this decision for her dog.

Isn't she being advised by the vet? Is the dog eating and able to toilet independently? If so the quality of life is acceptable - personally I would have PTS but I am quite black and white when it comes to quality of life.
The vet may have advised to pts but can't force the owner to do so which imo is wrong.
Barking is possible due to dementia.

I would put the dog before my friendship and tell her straight that she's being a selfish bitch and exceptionally cruel. Sometimes harsh words are needed for somebody to do the right thing by their dog (any animal).

I am sorry about your dcat.

Constantly barking - totally irrelevant.

12 years old - really not old for a collie. All of mine have lived to at least 16.

On a lot of medication - is taking this medication distressing for the dog?

Barely walks - the only point of concern in your post. It really depends on what exactly this means.

You really have to look at the whole picture. Is the dog not walking much but spends its days snoozing happily, eating well, always keen for a pet, enjoys going out in the car, and is generally perky and not in pain?
Or is the dog depressed all day, in agony, not eating, and has no quality of life whatsoever?

Presumably she's been happy to allow medication for the dog, thus "playing god" herself ?

Plainly the dog is approaching the end of life but appetite and pain are the two markers I look for when trying to measure a pets quality of life. If they still enjoy their food and don’t show signs of pain then we’re not at euthanasia stage yet. Being on medication and reduced mobility are not definite signs of this although obviously they are signs of generalised decline.

I’ll never understand why we’re supposed to be fine with having our pets euthanised yet we keep humans alive at all costs, regardless as to how ill it in pain they are.

One of my parents’ cats was ill (muscular problems in back legs) and they took him to the vet and they said they said he would have to be euthanised as he’ll lose the use of his back legs and will be in considerable pain and would pass away within around a year as a result. 6 years later, they still had their beautiful cat as they refused to have him put to sleep. They used to massage his back legs and spine a few times a day, gave him more protein to help his muscles and gave him a heat pad. He used to purr and was happy and could walk well with only a slight dragging movement of one back leg. He was 22 when he passed away peacefully in his sleep.

Say something enigmatic to her, like "God is dog backwards, so he obviously wants her sooner rather than later".
If she's gullible enough to believe what she told you, then this also has a high % chance of working. 🙄

I think it’s really cruel what she is doing.

Me and my husband have had a conversation about dog yesterday. We know that by the end of the year we will probably have to let him go. He has arthritis in is hips (medicated) so no longer wants to go out. We’ve put different things in place to help him in the home and to prevent him from hurting himself.

We now believe he actually has dementia. He is weeing in the house on furniture. Has anxiety with us leaving. He sleeps most of the day now. And other things. But he still gets excited. He’s still eating fine. He is still “there”. So right now we will manage his symptoms and work with the vets. When it’s time, as heart breaking as it is, we will let him go. He’s 15, had a great life and is loved.

Cats purr due to pain, it isn't always a sign of pleasure.