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

We've had Monty three months now. It's only been eight months since we lost Barney. I still feel slightly guilty at having another dog in the house. Sometimes I compare them without meaning to. Monty is lovely though and we have no regrets. I just couldn't be without a dog. It's no reflection on the previous dog and it's not a replacement. You just have this dog shaped hole that you need to fill.

Hi aton, how's it going?

Msadorabelle, good thanks. Still have dog shaped hole in my life.
We are about to move abroad, but Dong Dong (dee dee) is coming with us. She's in my suitcase as I type. Her ashes in a lovely box with a photo of her on the lid.

She'll be with me forever. Xx

I'm so sorry quasi.
I don't think you sound at all heartless. We had our old cat pts a couple of weeks ago and tonight I started a thread about kittens.
We definitely have a vacancy or several
Hope young dog recovers soon and can be rid of the awful cone.

Yes he's not impressed is he?

I've come this far, so I may as well out myself now by showing the old boy. This was a few months ago before he deteriorated.

They're kelpies in case anyone is interested. Look like small Alsatians but behave like collies. Lovely.

Beautiful dogs. I've never met a kelpie. BTW the face in the cone is clearly saying:
A) this is your fault. I blame you.
B) I am not seeing the humour here!

Quasi - what beautiful dogs. Really sorry for your loss.

We had our yorkie pts last week. It was heartbreaking. He was 14 years old and had lived a brilliant and even challenging life. He had glaucoma at 6 and had to have one eye removed and soon went blind in the other. He then had his balls chopped. Poor sod! Few months ago we found a lump on his gum they said it was most definetly cancer snd the aggressive sort. They were straight and said they could operate but it would likely grow back with much worse but as long as he's not in pain an we don't mind spending all the money then we could have more months with him.

It grew back a lot bigger. He still ate and drank and was quite bis normal self until he had a fit. He fell to the floor and shook for around a minute and then was disorientated for an hour. We decided the time needed to come soon. We vowed we'd take him the next day.

We wanted to bury him but guess what it rained the next day and 3 days that followed. We then decided enough was enough. He didn't seem in pain but couldn't relax. He constantly wandered and wad restless. We decided to cremate him and pts that night. It was the kindest thing to do. The Vet said she's never seen a dog go so fast and that he was most definetly ready to go. She only put a smidge of the liquid in and he relaxed and was gone. That was a little comforting. So glad we stayed with him whilst he was pts also. Couldn't bare the thought of him being alone.

I felt guilty for days after like I was playing God and I made that decision but I soon realised it was for the best. Heartbreaking. We have two other dogs so that made it a little easier. His presence is sorely missed and the house is quieter without him although our other dogs have been Barking ar random corners of the room since its happened. Good luck x

Just read the rest of the post. So sorry for your loss xx

So sorry for your loss, you made the kindest decision. FWIW, after we lost our weimaraner suddenly, we said we would leave it six months before thinking about another dog. We lasted 3 weeks.

Thanks everyone.

Cone head and I (minus cone) went for a run this morning. Strange coming back to a house without an elderly boy waiting for his sedate walk.

Btw vet said it was ok to run sore paw. Cone on preferable to wrapping it. He just doesn't leave it alone at rest. And yy wolfie. Definitely not seeing the humour!

He's off to MILs for the day so he's happy.

Have a good day everyone.

Big hugs to you Quasi and run free "old boy"

You too Quasi