Border terrier

[Mazzabear55]

My Border Terrier (Buzz) is thirteen and a half. He is taken outside often but then toilets in the house, We have him in nappies but that doesnt help when he poos. He has no interest in going out, he's become blind. He's forgotten how to give a high five, paw etc and has no interest in us or his toys. He grumbles if we even look at him and barks at my face. I am in tears typing this. Is it time to let him go? We give him Galiprant, a probiotic and a few other meds. We don't have much money but thats not the worry. Is my fur baby happy? Are we making him miserable by in our vets words "keeping him going?"

As an outsider reading this your DDog doesn't sound happy, especially if he's barking in your face.

It's easy for me to say from the outside that it's time to let him go but I can't imagine how hard that decision could be.

How about phoning the vet this morning to discuss it and possibly making an appointment for Monday and then having some time with him this weekend to say goodbye?

You might want to have this moved to the Doghouse section for more replies

I had to make this decision for my 16yo JRT, it’s heartbreaking - but she was distressed most of the time - walking round and round in circles, incontinent, and finding herself in corners and not being able to work out how to get out. She would no longer interact with us and was barely eating. The vet was so good, and when she was out to sleep she looked so peaceful although it was upsetting it was the right thing to do. We paid extra to have her ashes back.

Oh how sad, I’m so sorry.
I’d definitely get the vet’s advice on this. If the thought has crossed your mind, then maybe you’re beginning to make your mind up already? If he has no quality of life, and all the things that matter to a dog such as human contact, walks, and even being clean in the house, are gone then he must be so miserable. I really feel for you, it’s such a hard time.

My dog had a stroke and the vet said he could do scans, perhaps offer some rehabilitation and medical treatment, I looked at him and said ‘what would YOU do?’
He said ‘I’d do the kind thing’. So I did, and felt like a bloody murderer. However, it was quick and painless, and in hindsight absolutely, definitely the right thing for him (though not for me). I wish we had the option for humans xx

Hello, OP. We're sorry to hear about this. We'll move your thread to The Doghouse for you now, and hopefully you'll find lots more support there.

Yes. I'm really sorry, but I think it's time to let him go. It doesn't sound as if he's enjoying much quality of life if he's scared and barking at the people he loves the most. If the vet told you it was time, would you feel relief that the decision was out of your hands?

I say this with the biggest sympathy: we had to let our BT go last year and it broke my heart. I'm welling up, still, thinking of him. They are such wonderful dogs. Your boy's had 13.5 years of happiness and security with you, and if you decide with the vet that the time's come to say goodbye, you're looking after him right to the end.

Dogs like to be clean, I think once they are old and start having toilet issues sadly it is time to let them go. Before our BT we had to make the same agonising decision with our previous dog, and looking back now I know it was the kindest thing to do, she left with her dignity intact. On the day I took her, I held her until she finally went to sleep for the last time. I’m so sorry 💐

It's the hardest thing ever 😞 He doesn't sound happy anymore, I think you know deep down. I lost my border terrier recently so I absolutely know your pain 💐

Oh OP, I'm so sorry.
I think you know what to do.

I was in your situation not a long time ago, and chose to put an end to it, it was utterly heartbreaking but it was the right thing to do, and as much as I miss him, I'm happy that I made that decision and still think of that day as a peaceful and beautiful one.
Give yourself that chance to do the kindest thing for your beautiful boy.

He doesn’t seem happy. For me that would be the time to let him go kindly. Putting a pet to sleep by the vet is a very peaceful process.

Hi OP. We have a 14 yo border terrier. We have some of the same issues. He has also forgotten commands, but we think he is deaf as he doesn't react to the door and often doesn't notice we have come home. He also startles easily and has snapped at us randomly.

Same toileting issues, though we seem to go through phases of that. he hasn't been in the house at all this week but last week just pooed randomly in front of us after coming in from outside. We have just put up with it for the time being. I spoke to the vet who examined him and said it is likely to be cognitive decline.

Our border hasn't been walked in a couple of months. Like yours, just has no interest at all and seems unhappy out of the house. We might start walking him again when the weather warms up. He's happy enough pottering in the garden for five minutes but that's all he wants and he sleeps for about 20 hours a day!

We've had a lot of conversations about what to do with our dog but ultimately decided we will keep going and put up with his pooing and occasional snappiness as long as he is generally happy and ours definitely is. He shows no distress and still loves a cuddle. But the day he is no longer happy we will need to make the hard decision you are facing. I'd suggest taking your dog to the vet to see if there is anything obvious that is causing him pain at the moment because you might find they can give him something that makes him more comfortable and then he goes another year. Sympathy to you, they are such wonderful dogs!

Thank you so much for your kind, thoughtful and useful comments.

Buzz goes to the vets in a regular basis and having thought over some of what she has said recently, I think she’s been waiting for me to gather the strength to do what’s right. I was out yesterday and Buzz and his “Dad”, were out in the garden and he was so pleased to see me. Like humans with dementia, some days are better than others. Like the previous comment, we’ll hold on for a wee while till there are no good days. I know it won’t be long and I understand the heartache is the price of love. Thank you all once again x

❤️ He looks so much like my boy! All the best to you OP x

Bless him, so cute

vet.osu.edu/vmc/sites/default/files/import/assets/pdf/hospital/companionAnimals/HonoringtheBond/HowDoIKnowWhen.pdf

I found this quality of life survey invaluable when my old boy was nearing the end. Worth a look?

Good luck to Buzz and yourself. I miss my border terribly but I'm crying less and smiling more.

@Mazzabear55 - I have a thread about my oldest BT - he is 15. I have read the average life expectancy is 13 - 15 for Border Terriers. But I have met an 18 yr old one. They are hardy little dogs so tomorrow mine is going for a big checkup to see if anything really wrong with him. He has been a bit grumbly and not great round his jaw ( his teeth are bad ) but he will run in the park and pick up a ball. What a beautiful dog - I love Borders - I hope this will give you a smile - I always think Borders are little dogs who think they are big dogs and so friendly www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=border+terrier+don%27t+stop+me+now&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&safari_group=9#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:11ad4ccc,vid:NqHxkjIL48U

@BasiliskStare I recognise that video. I think it's the little border who lost his life to a fox 😞

@userxx - I think you are right & how sad but I just find it joyful that little dog just enjoyed his life whilst he had it. Dh took youngest border on a huge bike ride / run over the moors in Scotland when we were on holiday & he loved it. By goodness BiTs can run .