When do you know it's time to let go?

[Username2101]

Hello all

I have a 14 year old Shih Tzu named Tyson and I have been having the above dilemma with myself for some time now.

I have had him since he was 8 weeks old. He developed an user on his eye shortly after we got him and had to have it removed. Since then he has had numerous operations on this eye, due to fluid build ups.
We have to take him to the very every month to have this drained.
But I feel like he's just had enough now. He sleeps 23 hours a day, he is incontinent now and I'm not sure he recognises his own name anymore. I can't take him walking further than the end of the street because he simply struggles.

I know all this sounds bad. But what makes me doubt is the rare occasions he is awake he's like my puppy again, he bounces around the living room and is still very very food driven.

It's going to break my heart when he goes and my children will be devastated, they have never known life without him here.

So how do you know when it's time to let go?

When they are suffering and have no quality of life it is a kindness to let them peacefully go. If his good days are rare then I would say it sounds like it is time.

We had a 14 year old Staffy, she was getting very like your dog. She couldn't climb onto the sofa or bed anymore so I bought her steps. She was getting us up twice a night to go out for a wee, but we were also using reusable nappies as was often incontinent.

We were wondering if we would have to make the call soon when last week she suddenly started to walk funny and collapsed we rushed her to the vet who thought she had had a seizure.

She was given a anti seizure in section and we went to take her home.

Talking to DH about whether we should call it as we left the vet she suddenly had another massive seizure and we turned around and took her back.

I was broken hearted as she was my companion as I'm disabled and she was always with me.

We couldn't have kept her going for my sake though.

This was last week and I still keep looking for her.

So sorry @LordJohnGrey it's heartbreaking it really is.

I'm at the same point with my GSD OP. I think I'm going to have make the decision on his behalf, but it's so utterly heartbreaking 💔

Hi, I think it's time when you have to ask the question if I'm honest and I say this from a place of kindness I really do.

Deep down you probably already know this. It's very sad, we had to make this decision twice in the space of 6 weeks very, very recently and we're still very upset but we know both our girls had git to a point where they were suffering, to an extent.

It's the last act of love you can show your beloved pet. I read somewhere yesterday that we want them to be with us all our lives when in fact the best thing is for us to be with them all their lives.

I discussed it with DH last week and we both felt like the worst people in the world for even thinking it.

But I look at my little gremlin struggling and I feel awful for letting him suffer. Despite all his medical issues he's always had a great life. Rolling a ball around the house like circus act and throwing his dish at us when he wanted a drink and snoring so loud the neighbours complained once. He can't do any of this anymore and it seems cruel to keep him going for my sake. But how do I cope without him.

We lost our big lad in October, it's just awful.
I think it's always best to think better a day early, rather than a day too late.
Thinking of you, hope everything goes well.

I asked our vet this when we adopted our cats. He told me that it was when they stopped eating and drinking and started lying in their own filth. I knew it was time with our cat as she had pretty much stopped eating and I found her lying in her own urine. I planned to take her in the following day and then found her in immense pain in the morning. She had a blood clot. I rushed her to the vet and they put her to sleep immediately. If I had made the decision a few days earlier it would have spared her that pain.

I’d add that sometimes animals give you a beseeching look as if to say "get me out of this".

We had to make this decision last year and I understand how hard it is to do. One thing my lovely vet said that stayed with me is your boy doesn’t care when he dies, he has no concept of the future. He only cares about the minute he’s in, and if he’s comfortable, fed and loved. I think, with hindsight, if you’re even considering the option, then it’s probably time.

Oh this is a heartbreaking thread, I’m so sorry you’re going through this OP. And I’m sorry to all the PP’s who have lost their furry best friends

Our boy is only 2 but for me it’ll be when he’s going to the toilet inside. I hate the thought of him not having his dignity and dread the day this happens

it really is an act of love to let them go, I can’t imagine your pain right now but your beautiful boy has been there for you when you need him and you’re nearing the time to return the favour. Again I am so sorry, I’ll be thinking of you ❤️