At what point, if ever do you decide to play god?

[Amapoleon]

I have a very elderly dog, he is about 15. I will give you a bit of background on him.

When we moved into our house about 7 years ago, he moved himself in with us. He was a neighbours and when her father died the dog was for all intent and purposes abandoned.

He was left to wander around our urbanisation, looking after himself. He would go to different houses to get food, sometimes burying it for later. He was a real little hustler and survived quite well.

When we arrived, he saw which side his bread was buttered on and promptly moved himself in. He was really clever and even showed us short cuts to the beach around our urbanisation.

We took him to the vet to get him checked over and the vet told us that at some point he had had a broken leg which had been left to heal on its own. So his only real problem was arthritis in that leg.

We also found out that he had saved the life of his past master, who had collapsed whilst out walking and our little dog had run to a friends house and barked and barked until the friend followed him.

He has also survived testicular cancer in recent years.

I write all this because his time is drawing to an end and I just wanted to show what a plucky little dog he is.

Unfortunately, now he is virtually blind and almost completely deaf. He can no longer go for walks, he can't walk very well. On bad days I carry him in to the garden and back in again because it's too much for him.

He has started to poo and wee in the house, which isn't the end of the world as we have no carpets but it is unhygienic. I live in a hot country and we are inundated with flies.

He can no longer keep himself clean and his fur is getting very matted. We bathe and brush him regularly but he is still a bit stinky.

So, saying all this would it be kinder to have him put to sleep as really all he does is sleep, wee and eat? He still has a great appetite and isn't really ill. I know it sounds awful but I wish he would just die in his sleep. Considering the dog he was, his life isn't dignified and it's no real quality of life but really other than being old, he isn't actually ill.

Anyway, I'm sorry for such a long post, you can see how much I love this little old dog but can't see clearly if I am being cruel or kind. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I don't know. When we had our last dog she got leukemia and the vet said we would know when it was the right time for her to go and we did. I think you will know too, it kind of comes upon you. You have my sympathies.

Thank you for reading my huge post!

Aw, am so sorry you are in this situation. I have to be brief right now, but I just wanted to say that I would probably put him to sleep if I were you.

I used to be a vet nurse and I actually believe we are very fortunate to be able to call a halt to a pet's suffering, or let them go quickly and painlessly when their quality of life has become very poor. And in your chap's case, I'd say the latter is certainly true.

Not an easy decision to make, I know, but one that I would say was the right one.

Wishing you all the best.

Thank you Bella, you have made cry with your kind words.

Sometimes we just need somebody to tell us it is okay to do it. Like I said, a hard decision to take, but at least your boy's situation is pretty clear cut.

As a nurse, I saw very few animals put to sleep too soon, but many that should have been let go sooner, simply because it is something the owner has to come to terms with. And of course, as an owner, I've had toface the same decision.

Call your vet for a chat, maybe?

Sending you lots of love and sympathy x

Thank you, that's exactly it.

I'm waiting to make that decision, not got as far as you have yet. You've got my sympathy. It's not an easy decision to have to make.

I think to be honest though, the toileting accidents are a serious sign that the time has come to say goodbye. Pets that are normally house-trained get distressed by accidents :(

We had one of our cats pts last year. It was really very peaceful and in the end the kindest thing to do :(

thinking of you xx

Okay, well I'll stick my neck out and say that not only is it okay, it would be the kindest thing for him.

Am sorry, Amapoleon - but at least we can do our beloved pets one last kindness

I know you are right, I just can't face it yet.

Poor doggy - he sounds amazing :)

So sorry to hear of your situation, it really is so very sad when they start going downhill.

I suppose you just have to ask yourself what quality of life he has and if he is happy with it. When my grans dog started to go like this we held off as long as we could - that is to say as long as it was clear that he was still happy enough in himself. When he was miserable we just knew it was time.

Thinking of you xxx

Thank you. He has good days, when he's quite perky, well relatively. Sometimes he does look a bit sorry for himself. He doesn't seem to mind about the poo and wee. He always goes in the same spots as if he has decided that's where he does it now.

It's okay, Amapoleon. Am not pressuring you. It is a decision you have to be comfortable with.

Go easy on yourself

No, I appreciate your advice Bella and I know in my head what I should do. It's the heart that's the problem, hahaha.

Aw, I really feel for you, it's so horrible.

For me the telling things are you say that he has ho dignity or quality of life.

In terms of suffering I always feel it is kindness to let them go a day too early than a day too late.

He sounds like he has been a wonderful dog who has had a wonderful life and was very lucky to find you.

It is such an injustice that their lives are shorter than ours.

I would ask if he seems to be happy doing the bathing/bathing or is it a struggle for him? I recently had my 18yr old cat pts. It was really hard but I knew time was right. She had been diagnosed as having kidney failure & prob cancer, due to suspicious lump. Was still eating & drinking but for last week of life moved between lying on floor beside water dish to lying on floor beside litter tray, altho still responding to greeting. I kept expecting every day to be 'the day', but then decided to leave it & not think about until further deterioration. On 'the day', I really knew it as found she was lying in own urine, made decision for me & I don't feel we took her too late, up til then she was able to move about, come for pet/treats. I really miss her