please help

[wendilla]

I have a very big decision to make .I have a 12 year old golden labrador. He has been on tablets for over a year for his legs. Recently he is struggling to get up the back 2 steps and also the front step. I have gradually watched him go downhill. He has started to wee from the night but that dont bother me but he is drinking lots more water than usual. I know my daughter is waiting for me to make the decision .She will be over soon as I have her son today but tomorrow school is back and it is her day off so I know she will come with me.I look at him sometimes and I think he is not happy and other times he looks ok. .I am not sleeping worrying about this as it is going to be a huge wrench from my life as he has been so faithful. Please give me some courage and kind words.Am I doing the right thing.?

[kita1]

I presume you mean you are taking him to the vet tomorrow?

If you are then the vet may suggest some medication or tests that will improve his life.

If it comes to the worst then only you can make that decision (you are the only one who truly knows the dog), the vet will advise you and I would really listen to what they say.

Be totally straight with the vet, tell them what you are thinking and ask what they would do in your situation.

If it comes to the worst you can either leave the dog with the vet or you can stay with them until the end (I always stay with mine, but my OH cannot stand to be there). You can also call the vet out to your house if you wish.

Decide beforehand what you want to do afterwards. Some people bury the dog in a 'special' place in their garden. You can get them cremated and their ashes returned in a casket (usually about 100 pounds). It may help to write down your wishes - you may be too upset at the vets to talk.

It is hard when they go, you never 'get over' it, but after a while you do remember the good times and the pain does subside.

Sadly it is something all pet owners have to go through - we don't think at the time we will get through it, but we do.

Be strong for his sake, he really needs you now more than ever before.

[wendilla]

Just to let you know after telling my daughter I had made a decision she rang the vet and her hubby came over and they took him .She could not watch but they did go in afterwards. She agreed we could not let him struggle anymore and the vet agreed . Thank you very much for your reply I was in a state this morning ..It will be hard as he was so intelligent but I know I have done the right thing.

[paddywak]

Wendilla, I'm so sorry for your loss, virtually every pet owner has gone through the same thing at some time, You never forget them but it does get better as time goes by and who knows you may eventually get another friend, but till them think about the happiness he brought you and remember what lankeela has said many times that no matter how hard it is to make the decision it's better to let your friend go then to delay and let him suffer

[murphyman]

I am so sorry for your loss. We had a similar dilemma with our labrador when his back legs started to fail from about 12 years old, We had to lift his back end to help him upstairs and into the car. Apart from that his health was good. He actually lived until he was 14 and a half when he had a stroke and we had to have him put to sleep. I know it is a very difficult decision - it is such a wrench to let go but I am sure you have done the right thing for him.

[divegirl]

So sorry for your loss :O{
You did do the right thing.....you saw it in his eyes.
Run free big man....wait for you Mum at the Bridge.

My thoughts and love are with you

Lisa x

[Jan1957]

I am so sorry to hear about your dog wendilla. I know it is such a difficult decision to make but please try to think about the happy times he had with you. I am sure you will miss him a lot but at least he is no longer in pain. xx

[wendilla]

Thank you all yes Divegirl I did see it in his eyes. He used to screw his eyes like a smile to people he saw regular.But over the last 2 weeks that had gone.It is hard tonight the house is dead. I had nothing to do .Yes he had a long and happy life . Thank you all.

[brenda]

wendilla-- am so very sorry to read about your pet ,you must be feeling very low .Try if you can to think of all the love that was there between you and of all the good times you had together.
You have made the right decision and you wouldn't have liked him to suffer.
Will be thinking of you, sincerely.Brenda..

[ruthann58]

wendilla you did the last thing that you could do for him you let him go peacefully and did not prolong his life when he was ready to go ,he is still with you just not in sight ,take care ,ruth xxx

[lankeela]

As paddywak said, better a day too soon than a moment too late. I am sorry I could not answer earlier, but have only just come home. I am sure you know you did the right thing, we all know when the time comes, and no matter how many dogs or other animals you have, it doesn't get any easier. At least we can do this one last act of love for our pets, and I am sure many would dearly love to be able to do it for our human loved ones when they are suffering.
Thinking of you, and all of my furries that have gone before.

[blackcat77]

Wendilla - so sorry for your loss, you did the right thing for him, just think of the lovely times you had together. I send you my very best wishes as I know how hard the decision can be but it does get better with time.

[perithetiger]

Hi wendilla - you absolutely did the right thing for your precious pet. A few years ago we had to make the same decision about our 17 year old cat and I went in with her which I thought I would never do and it is very peaceful for them in the end. You can relax in one way knowing he's not in pain anymore - I know that meant a lot to me. Grieve and indulge yourself over the next while. Take care - Peri

[caththecrazy]

Wendilla it's a sad time but when it's the right time it is the only thing to do.

You couldn't have let him suffer and he'll always be with you in your heart and in your memory.

[chrissa1]

Just want to say, like everyone has said, you did the right thing. We went through exactly the same thing with our black Lab Jumbo. He was distressed every morning too and as the Vet said there was nothing he could do for him, we made the awful decision. My daughter and I took him and we both held him while he just went to sleep.

I'm so sorry for your loss, but just remember the good times with love and affection.

Chrissa.

[wendilla]

Thank you all so very very much .The worse thing again was when I got up this morning no one to greet me .Always brought his teddy to me . Reading through all your replies goes to my heart as I know this happens to lots of animal lovers. Thank you all and I say R.I.P.to my lovely Lab and to all the loving pets .