How do you know when it's 'time'? (Euthanasia)

[Quasicrystals1456]

Oh god I can't believe I'm writing this.

If you've made a decision to have your dog pts, how did you know it was time?

If there's an 'event' or diagnosis that is definitely causing pain/distressed I can imagine making the decision. However my dog is old, and is sick a lot. His appetite isn't great. Doesn't really enjoy walks now. Wants to be alone most of the time (previously unheard of). I'm looking at his lovely grey muzzle wondering whether it's soon going to be time to consider pts. He's not the happy dog he was.

He's on medication for arthritis. He's on a special diet. We've arranged our days to try and make the best of his life.

But...

How do you know when enough is enough?

Thanks for reading

2 vets visits 2 weeks apart. Terminal heart failure diagnosed at the first visit, that night I sat on the floor and she came for cuddles and washed me contentedly. Night before the second night, I sat on the floor again, she didn't stay nearly so long for cuddles, wanted to lie down but couldn't settle or get comfy, panting continuously.
Explained what was going on to my daughters, 5 and 8 and arranged that their Godfather would take them out when I took the dog to the vet.
The vet could have done further tests, urine sample, bloods and an X-ray, but we already had heart failure - likely liver failure or a tumour too. I said that I thouht that it was time and she agreed. I held my gorgeous woof as she was PTS, it was peaceful and quick but very hard to be there, but only right after her years of love and loyalty.
My daughters were very matter of fact about it and have tried to answer questions briefly and honestly. Woof will be cremated - my older daughter asked if we could scatter her ashes inside instead of in the garden! We have other dogs so we are not without but it's still quiet without the leader of the pack.
This only happened this week, the girls are OK but I'm far more wobbly!
I've never heard the 'better a week too soon than a day too late' but I agree with it. We are lucky to have the ability to choose when the time has come for our animals but that doesn't make it an easy decision, neither should it be.
A tough time, remember to be kind to yourself too and take care.

china I think he's actually just getting by. We've just moved his basket downstairs but he's lying in the hallway with his head against the wall (too hot?). I hate the gap in the lounge

Thanks welly

The vet took my old girls body away with her, couldn't bury at home and cremation alone to keep her ashes was too far outside my ability to pay, so had to let her body go, but wasn't her by then. I did make her paw prints into a clay slab I prepared, I'm going to carve her name into it and once fired and glazed, will be a stepping stone in my garden as her memorial.
My younger dog sat by us as she was pts, when I told her it was time to say goodbye, she came over and kissed my old girls muzzle a couple of times before lying back down beside me. As old girl went, my young one moved away, vet said other dogs always tell when the pack are has gone, they suddenly lose interest and wander off, and it's what's happen both times I've had to have one of mine pts.
I'm just so very grateful to the vet who came over in her own time so it could be done at home

*packmate

Wow. Clever creatures.

Dh is just going out for an evening stroll, and old boy is up and wanting to go.

A bit off the point and sorry you are having to deal with this OP but if you source a pet crematorium yourself it is IME about half the price that a vet will quote you ( for having ashes returned) . When I had our large bunny PTS last year the vet quoted about £170 and my local pet crem ( who I have used several times for everything from rabbits to horses) did him and returned his ashes for approx £70 . Not a particularly palatable topic for discussion but it is worth knowing your options in advance .

That is definitely worth knowing. Thank you.

Feel for you, been through this very recently. We had him PTS at vet, then took him to private crem. Spent time with him there (with other dog), they did little service, then we went back three hours later to collect ashes. Vet supplied paper to put underneath him for car journey, albeit we already had sofa throws to absorb any fluids. This is third time we've been through this. If it's vet you know and like then it feels OK. On one occasion it was specialist vet whom we'd not met before. She became known as the vet who killed our dog. With our recent experience we knew the time was right, he was in pain despite painkillers and his appetite had started to go. It had been on the cards for a long time. Good luck when your time comes.

I'm sorry you're going through this, it's very hard to know what to do for the best. Just a thought if you can't cope with PTS at home, could you take him to the vet and have it done in the car boot.....sounds grim but a compromise of the stress at the vets and the difficulty of home. It does help the other dog if they see their friend too, I had to have a pony PTS away from home and the distress of my horse was gut wrenching, he called for him for 3 days whereas when I had to have my first horse PTS it happened at home in the field and the others saw him afterwards and seemed to take it on board and carried on as normal.

Thanks all. Appointment booked today.

Lots of reasons that I can type out later.

I'm taking both of them together as youngdog has a sore paw to be looked at and requires his boosters anyway. Great timing.

I'll type more tonight. Kids are ok.

Husband is not. I'm holding it all together but will be a wreck later no doubt.

Thanks for all your messages. Really appreciate them.

Like others have said.... the fact you're so worried about this shows how much you love him....

I had to make the difficult decision of having my 19 yo cat (who I got from a rescue centre when he was a kitten) pts earlier this year. He had various health problems but had been 'stable' for a while. Then after a couple of days of no appetite for food and barely moving out of his basket - made the decision. Sat with him in his basket on my lap that night giving him his last strokes and cuddles....

The vets were lovely and I was with him when he went to sleep. I had him individually cremated (scattered his ashes around the garden) and have a tag for him at the PDSA memorial garden.

It is a horrible thing to have to do - but do it when you think he's not got any quality of life left. Sending hugs...

All done. Very peaceful. Everyone present. Tears all round. Never seen Dh so upset. Vet was lovely. I had ddog's head on my arm and that was it -just no more.

In other news young dog has a cone on his head due to a sore paw. He's on Antibiotics.

Who'd have dogs eh?

Oh Quasi.

You know you did the right thing. It happens to everyone sooner or later and although you always want that little bit more time, it's kindest to do it sooner.

You'll always have the memories.

(((Hugs)))

this thread had me in tears - so sorry for you having to make this so hard decision.
my current 'lurch' is 11 and I know I will cry buckets when it is time (when he doesn't want to get off his bed or enjoy his walks)
x 100

I'm getting funny looks from the kids, because I keep wiping my eyes. I'd rather put some people down than my dog.

Oh you poor things. I am sorry. Shedding a tear ( or ten) for you.
My Dh was beside himself too when we had to have our girl pts.

Sounds like you did the responsible thing. (( hugs)).

Mr2vfr - I couldn't agree with you more.

Msadoeabelle - hello.

Sorry for making you all cry. Although it's lovely to know others have the similar affection for our canine friends.

We've had a quiet afternoon but DH and I got a chance to have a long uninterrupted conversation about it this evening. We both feel it was definitely time to do it. We will be left with no regrets about the timing.

I'm glad the vet didn't try and question the reasoning. Dh took young dog in before me (and old boy) so had a chance to clarify what was happening before I got there.

Old boy was so peaceful. I lifted him on to the table no mean feat and he just lay down. He didn't whimper, cry or try to scratch around. He wasn't even tense. He just lay there whilst the vet and I chatted. The kids and Dh then came into the room. The other dog was being held outside the room by the vet nurse. I let them touch noses before going in. They're not that fussed about each other though. I always say they're like irritating flat mates.

The vet shaved old boy's leg, explained what was happening, I cuddled ddog, the kids came and held/stroked/kisses him and then it was over. I was in a lovely position so he knew he was in familiar company. He wasn't frightened at all. The vet left the room and we were all in tears. I just wept into his fur. We then all went out, were greeted by crazy young dog who clearly didn't care about the other one. Fickle bugger.

Young dog is fine in himself but bothered about his cone. It's a welcome distraction really.

So here we are.

I don't think it'll be long before we look to rescue another. Not to replace, but because we have a 'vacancy' at our house. Doesn't mean we love old buy any less, just that we have a strong affection for rescue dogs so no point waiting forever.

I am so sorry for your loss Quasi, it such a hard thing to do for them isn't it?

I understand the need to fill the hole that is left behind, within weeks of losing our lovely boy last year we had rescued a crazy puppy, a collie. She will never replace Smudge but she has taken her own very special place in our lives. Our old dog lives on in her because she had a little chew on his ashes the cowbag.

Oh I am pleased to read that. I was thinking I sounded a bit heartless.

I am a sucker for a rescue dog. and I have a good bit of Annual leave over the summer

So sorry Quasi