How do you know when the time has come? 🥲

[WouldBeGood]

Just that really

Oh I’m sorry @WouldBeGood

We had to make that decision recently and it’s so very hard. We knew it was coming but then I’d look at her and she’d wag her tail at me and I’d convince myself that she was fine. Then the next day I’d feel worse knowing that I was making excuses and she was a little bit weaker than she’d been the day before.

I know a lot of people say “when you know you know” but that wasn’t the case for me. I had to apply logic and, in our case, she was at the stage where she was having fewer great moments than bad ones and her quality of life was deteriorating. I could see she was tired but restless and suffering.

It’s an awful thing to have to do, my heart goes out to you.

Our ddog had a suspected brain tumour last year... Looking at her eyes I knew she had had enough. I felt guilty that night that she should have gone that bit sooner...
What quality of life has your ddog currently got op?

No answers but is a terrible thing to go through, sorry that you're in this place.

Sending strength, OP.

I am so sorry OP, it's a horrible decision to make. Our dog was put to sleep last September after being diagnosed with cancer five years earlier. She was healthy and happy until September. Suddenly she just began sleeping all the time. And although she still responded to us she began to have less energy. She looked worn out, the vet also advised us she was now in pain. That was our line but it's so hard and you have all my sympathy ❤️

Thank you all. She’s an old girl but has had a history of various things. Her back legs have been left weak and she struggles to use them consistently, but also seems happy a lot of the time. But very needy when I’m around (Not others!) it’s really awful, I keep worrying in case she’s suffering, but hoping I’ll just know…

She’s the most lovely, gentle, stoic dog

It's a cliche because it's true - better a week too soon than a day too late. It's the last and truest love you can give them.

I’m struggling as it’s just me to decide. Hence asking on here

It had been a steady decline over a few months (old age) and in the last couple of weeks I knew it wouldn't be long as she was getting more wobbly and out of breath, barely managing a very slow walk around the block.

But the morning she couldn't even get out of her bed or lift her head up I knew that was the end

I’m kind of hoping for such a clear cut moment @CasaBonita

It's awful when you know the end is coming but also scared as to when to make that final call. I didn't want to do it too hastily but on the final morning it was very clear what needed to be done.

So sorry for you, it's heartbreaking

Thanks. It is so awful. These shared experiences are very much appreciated

Hi OP, I had to make this decision last Monday. I had an 18 year old Westie. His legs would shake a little occasionally when he walked and he couldn't get up steps anymore so I would lift him up. On the odd occasion he peed in the house but I didn't blame him, it was as if sometimes he forgot where he was, other times he would roll on his back like he did as a pup. I noticed he would lower himself to sit down slowly. I asked the vet to check him over, and she said he had arthritis in his back legs.She also said dogs would try their best to please you but trying hard to keep up with you on walks etc. My dog had painkillers for a week which didn't make much difference really.

I made the appointment for a week later. It was heartbreaking. Right up until arriving at tge vets I questioned myself. On the last day I took hi
For a last short walk and cooked him sausages and bacon. When the time came I held him whilst he was being
sedated and talked to him and cuddled him. I couldn't ring myself to stay for the second final injection but he was completely sedated and heard my voice and was cuddled until he was fully sedated. I had had him from 8 weeks old but I could see the light was going out in his eyes and the struggle he had. I had to make the decision from love and I know I made the right one at the right time. You know what to do.

@gonnabeok 💐

@WouldBeGood, if it’s any consolation, I didn’t regret my decision. I’m still utterly heartbroken but know 100% that we did the right thing for her. I was hanging on to her for my benefit, and not hers.

When we took her to the vet (we told him over the phone what we wanted the appointment for), he examined her and told us that if we hadn’t told him we wanted to have her PTS, it’s what he would have been recommending anyway. That was oddly reassuring.

Oh, that’s weird @BadWow, I was just wondering if the vet had expressed an opinion to anyone.

A previous poster has said that the light went out of their eyes, that's exactly it. Imvho if your dog is happy, continent, not in pain that would be ok.

@WouldBeGood

Oh, that’s weird *@BadWow*, I was just wondering if the vet had expressed an opinion to anyone.

It was very reassuring. At least I knew for definite that it was the right thing to do and I was able to stop second-guessing myself.

A friend of mine also had her dog PTS recently. She didn’t realise it was getting to that stage but the dog had deteriorated so she brought him to the vet and that was his recommendation. She was able to take her dog him, spend another day with him, and then brought him back to the vet the following morning.

Thanks @Beelzebop. I understand this. When she was six she had a mystery illness and my then vet suggested PTS. But she looked at me, and was too sentient. Couldn’t do it, and got her investigated. She had a weird arthritis thing, and was cured! But if left residual damage, and she’s now twelve. A big dog

We had our lovely girl PTS earlier this year. I’ve been dreading it for years, but I feel weirdly content that we were able to make the decision for her and give her a safe and reassuring end (if that makes sense?). She too had lost most of the strength from her back legs and I sometimes felt like we were keeping her with us for our own good. We didn’t have a clear-cut moment, but we did realise that she wasn’t able to do the things that made her happy without our intervention, plus her lack of strength meant that she sometimes got quite distressed if we weren’t there to help.

I think if you’re wondering, then it might be coming soon. I feel really lucky that I was able to be with her til the end, cuddling her and telling her how much we loved her and what a good girl she was.

That sounds very like where I’m at @Guineapiggiesmalls 💐

@WouldBeGood

I’m kind of hoping for such a clear cut moment *@CasaBonita*

If you are hoping for a clear cut moment, the time has probably come. So sorry but please let your lovely girl go. Yes, dogs are stoic, but the stoic demeanour can hide so much pain.

As @Sarahlou63 says - ^better a week too soon than a day too late. It's the last and truest love you can give them.^

We had our 15 yr old pts a few weeks ago, he had been deteriorating for a few months but as he was still greeting me, happy to potter round the garden, go for a short walk and eat treats and food I was convincing myself he was okay. However he then started ignoring us and taking himself off into a different room, like he knew he was dying...it was so upsetting. Then I came home from work one day and he didn't greet me or wag his tail.

It is the most heartbreaking thing and I still have days when I cry and cry. Picking up a new puppy tomorrow though.

Good luck op.

I know @FlowerArranger. She is medicated and regularly at vet but I think you’re right. It’s just so hard, as I’ve never had to decide this, and I’m on my own with my dogs and my ds, so it’s all down to me