Wow ~ 19.5 Years Old!

[ChancetheGSD]

I'm sorry but there comes a point where keeping an animal alive becomes cruel and Baxter seems like one of those cases. I'm sure he was very loved but he couldn't even walk because of his age and possibly a medical condition. It's not just about the ability to walk but the ability to live. Considering his lack of mobility, this dog was probably peeing and pooping all over himself on a daily basis, putting him at risk for burns and infections, for god knows how long before passing. Seeing as he couldn't move anything but his head (and barely that) there is also bedsore risk. Even with the best care I'm sure this dog had a lot of problems and was at a high risk for natural problems that come from a lack of mobility.

I know putting an animal to sleep is hard, especially one who has been in your life for so long, but there comes a time when we need to set aside our emotions and attachments and do what is best for the animal.

I couldn't even watch it all because it was too depressing, this dog obviously had no quality of life left.

Don't get me wrong though, I think it is wonderful that this lady takes the time out of her day to bring therapy dogs in to bring joy to people but I really don't think Baxter, at the end of his life, was fit for it. I think it was retirement time and that a younger dog would be a better choice to work with.

[KZoppa]

19.5 years old is a good long life for a dog. However, whether he was good or not, dogs, even old dogs, unable to walk, should have been let go. You have no idea how sad it makes an animal when they cant walk. Thats a basic instinct and without the ability, they can become depressed. I imagine in his prime he was a beautiful dog but personally feel he was past time to let go. I know my dogs would be upset if they lost their ability to move about on their own.

[GSDLoverII]

Somebody should set up a poll and see what everybody thinks.
I don't know how to do that?
Obviously, there are mixed opinions here....
But that is what makes the world go round.
I personally, don't "think" i could euthanize my dogs if they weren't suffering.
However, I have not experienced this, (thank God), and I don't know if I would still make the same choice after actually living it.

[DharmasMom]

That is pitiful. Even if he is not suffering, he should have been pampered at home and not been dragged through a hospice.

[Lucy Dog]

Originally Posted by GSDLoverII

I personally, don't "think" i could euthanize my dogs if they weren't suffering.

Assuming the dog was in absolutely no pain or discomfort, i don't think i could do it either. If the dogs still eating, coherent, and still having good days than I wouldn't do it. Let the dog die naturally and peacefully.

Originally Posted by DharmasMom

That is pitiful. Even if he is not suffering, he should have been pampered at home and not been dragged through a hospice.

Agreed

[selzer]

A member of the board had several paralyzed GSDs. The dogs were enjoying some form of life. They were young but due to slipped disks or whatever, they were paralyzed in the back end.

One of the hardest things about putting my boy down was that he was young and he still seemed to have a strong life spark. The vet said surgery was not a good idea and they agreed that the best thing to do was euthanize. They said that it would be extremely difficult to keep him from getting sores and infections, and I felt that with the other dogs he would always feel a lot of anxiety not being able to get around. So I went ahead and euthanized him.

I do not think anyone should question someone's decision to euthanize or not to euthanize. The people that live with the dog are the ones that know whether the dog seems to be experiencing some quality of life. It is a hard decision to make, and it takes some of us longer to make it than others. I was lifting my cat in to his litter box and then cleaning him off before I finally decided it was time. I may have waited too long, but I would not have wanted someone else to make that decision for me.

[selzer]

We do not know what the dog really likes. Maybe he likes to see different things go by. maybe he likes going with his owners in his wagon.

Sometimes people just do not see how far gone their animal is.

If the animal really did not want to be there, it would have probably grumbled or even snarled at people.

I think it depends on the dog.

[zyppi]

I'd question quality of life too, but, at almost 20 he was loved, needed and provided a great service to some people in his same condition.

He licked, they smiled -- at least there was that.

I hope, should I ever end up in Hospice that someone brings me a fur person to feel and love.

[CHawkins]

I have mixed emotions about this dog.

[Eva von Selah]

People, Baxter died in October 2009.

give him honors and stop talking about what "I would do", enough.