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[slimshadyfan]

Just that.
I have been in tears all night.
My boy is getting old, he has been there with me through thick and thin. He was there before my marriage, before this house and before my children.
He is still eating and drinking.
He is struggling with our walks.
He sat in a puddle this evening which would never ever normally happen as he hates water.

The vets feel he may have cancer. He is too old to undergo tests (I won't take that risk)

Any advice? My heart is breaking.

It goes without saying I am working closely with the vets, he is on pain relief.

Sorry, I should have asked, when do you know when it's time to let go? Can't believe I am writing this 😢

My heart goes out to you. With family dogs we've always been guided by the vets as to whether or not they are in any pain, their mood and their standard of life.

If he's still getting out and taking pain relief I wouldn't consider it right now. I think he'll let you know when he's ok to go. With my childhood dog she pretty much gave up on food & water, started weeing/pooing in the house and started seizing - when she was ready it felt clear. Sometimes the pooch will take the decision out of your hands!

Also there are vets that will come to your house to carry out the end of life process. I've always thought that's more comforting as often dogs get anxious at the vets anyway. That way they can be at home ❤️

I'm a vet and in my experience, many people wait much too long, as with sugarspice's childhood dog. Why wait for utter misery when you can let them go before it gets there?

Everyone has a line in the sand; different people draw it in different places; it often shifts too; and most people make decisions based on their own wants and needs.

I sometimes ask people if they think that their animal is thriving, or just surviving?
Bear in mind that there are conditions like osteoarthritis which will never kill you but may make life quite miserable in the meantime.
So sad for you, he's been such a good friend.

My last girl had been struggling for a while, one day she gave me a lick, hardly ever did this, I just knew she'd had enough. Last kindness for our lovely dog.

If you are asking the question then it’s time

I think it needs to be when there is no treatable ( that you’d do ) options to improve things . Our dog has been very unwell since the New Year , totally out of the blue and there have been days when it’s been painful to see him struggle but he’s now settled on medication , out for short walks , doing the stairs alone , able to jump on the settee and playing with his toys . We are possibly not in the clear but considering the OOH vet on Jan 2nd said she was 90% sure he had a brain tumour ( he doesn’t ) and was happy to PTS if that was what we wanted we are doing ok . Our local pet crematorium has a specialist end of life vet that will do quality of life assessments in your home so something like that might be useful to put things in perspective. 💐and best wishes for whatever you decide

Today is the day for my beloved old girl. Yesterday she refused food and drink, she is breathing weirdly and her eyes are just so sad. She's been suffering from lymphoma and I just can see she's had enough now. I am so sorry you are in the quandary, it's bloody awful and we have been dreading this day. Husband and I are trying to get childcare so we can take her to the vets together, one last kindness for all her years of love.

It's really hard.

Our dog just slept loads, was having accidents in the house and was losing her appetite (even when I was cooking all sorts to tempt her) and we were just thinking constantly "has she had enough?" At that point she was still enjoying her cuddles, loved a car ride, loved visitors, regularly wagging her tail etc.

Then one day she just toppled over when she tried to get up, and I thought enough is enough, she's not getting much out of life anymore. Even when I put took her out to the car to go to the vet she was all excited 😢

Afterwards, I actually thought we had let her go on too long. It's painful, but you do come to terms with it and you will love another dog in future. It's a tough time though 💐

There is a quality of life index our vet recommended HHHHHMM.
It was helpful with our old girl too. We had been wondering for a while - still eating, drinking seeming quite content but reluctant to go out, we had tried lots of things, but her continence was beginning to go and after monitoring the index for only a few days she just seemed really off and I decided it was time. She had been back and forwards to the vets with minor issues and we knew she was ok with bloods and other basic checks but she was also old and her quality of life had significantly declined in the preceding 6 months. I don't think we left it too late and it was a relief not to be trying to coax her outdoors several times a day.

💐for @Goldenphoenix . Hope it goes ok .

I think if you are asking then it is probably time. Better a month too soon than a day too late. Thinking of you.

Thank you @Floralnomad really appreciate that. She's gone, appointment was at 10.15. She went very quickly, was obviously sicker than she had let on. Was very peaceful but absolutely devastating.

Everyone grief stricken, never felt grief like it frankly.

So very sorry @Goldenphoenix Never an easy time. Be kind to yourselves. It will get easier in time.

Thank you @Passmethegin67 although it was expected it's still been an absolute gut punch. Miss her so much.

@slimshadyfan how is your dog doing?