Not sure how to handle this.

[arby665]

My puppy will be coming home in about 2 weeks. We are very excited! So here is my problem. Or maybe it won't be a problem? We were told that our 12 yr old dog, Tia, didn't have much time left with us. This was about 2 months ago. She is not in the best shape and I know we can't do anything to fix her (cancer & other things) and I didn't expect her to still be here. The terrible part is that I had cried over it for a week and went on to accept that we would be losing her. Now I feel like when the time comes, I will have to go through all of that again.
So, here is what I am worried about: How is she going to deal with a puppy in the house? For the most part she just lays in her bed all day and goes out potty a couple of times a day. She has always been fine with our cats but lately has been kind of snappy with them. Not snappy like "I'm going to eat you" but snappy like "Stay the **** away". For the most part the cats, who used to sleep with her, stay away.
If it were the easy thing to do I would have her put down. Seems like everytime I think she's had enough and I make the decision that I will take her to be put down, she will have a good day and act like she's not sick. My husband says she is just not ready to go yet. I don't know....

[Stevenzachsmom]

In a perfect world, I would have waited until your old girl was gone before bringing in a puppy. As it is, if you put her down, because the puppy is coming, you will feel guilty. Of course, we humans ALWAYS feel guilty when we have to send our beloved pet to the bridge. In all honesty, if you feel it is time for your old girl to go, have her put to sleep. If you can find a vet to come to your home, I highly recommend it. That is what we did for my old girl.

If you opt to wait and your old girl is still here when the puppy comes - keep them separated. It would be very stressful for your senior to deal with a puppy. I would keep them in totally different parts of your home. I really feel for you. I wish you the best in this very difficult situation.

[pyratemom]

I went through Pyrate's last year wondering each month if it would be the last. I got really depressed over it but also talked with my vet about it. He told me I would know when the time was due. Pyrate had his good days and his bad days. One evening he had a stroke or seizure (not sure which) that left him non-cognitive. He didn't know where he was and didn't want to move. I knew that night was our last together and sat up all night with him. The next morning when the vet opened I made that trip and the vet told me I had done the right thing. He hadn't been in pain that night and I think he knew I was with him all night. He was ready to go and I knew. I think getting the puppy may be a challenge for your girl with the pup's energy but if you control their interactions, it may even help her feel better to have a pup around. You have to play it be ear. It really does help to have a pup to cry with when the time comes.

[arby665]

Originally Posted by Stevenzachsmom

In a perfect world, I would have waited until your old girl was gone before bringing in a puppy. As it is, if you put her down, because the puppy is coming, you will feel guilty. Of course, we humans ALWAYS feel guilty when we have to send our beloved pet to the bridge. In all honesty, if you feel it is time for your old girl to go, have her put to sleep. If you can find a vet to come to your home, I highly recommend it. That is what we did for my old girl.

If you opt to wait and your old girl is still here when the puppy comes - keep them separated. It would be very stressful for your senior to deal with a puppy. I would keep them in totally different parts of your home. I really feel for you. I wish you the best in this very difficult situation.

I had no intention of bringing a pup into the house with her. At the time I was told she probably wouldn't make it through the weekend. I don't want to stress her and I just want her final days to be the best they can be. I also wouldn't put her down just because the pup is coming. I'm just afraid of how she will react to it especially with the way she is acting towards the cats. Her friends.
Part of the issue is that I DO think it is time. However, I can't seem to make myself do it. She has had a great life and that no longer exists for her. I tried to get my vet to come to the house because Tia hates going there and I don't want her final moments to be full of fear. My vet says they have to have a special license to do it in the home and she does not have that.

[Jax08]

I can so relate to you. We have a 13 year old Boxer that we thought we would lose so many times and she just keeps bouncing back. My vet told me she is one of the oldest Boxer's they have ever had. We have made arrangements with our vet to come to the house for Banshee when it's her time for the same reasons...I don't want the last feelings she has to be fear. Look for a vet that does farm calls. I don't think PA needs a special license but our vet does farm calls so maybe there is something to that.

Personally, I would keep the puppy separated if Tia is grumpy with her. It's really hard to tell how they might react. The do react differently to cats than to "one of their own kind", for a lack of better description.

[arby665]

Originally Posted by Jax08

I can so relate to you. We have a 13 year old Boxer that we thought we would lose so many times and she just keeps bouncing back. My vet told me she is one of the oldest Boxer's they have ever had. We have made arrangements with our vet to come to the house for Banshee when it's her time for the same reasons...I don't want the last feelings she has to be fear. Look for a vet that does farm calls. I don't think PA needs a special license but our vet does farm calls so maybe there is something to that.

Personally, I would keep the puppy separated if Tia is grumpy with her. It's really hard to tell how they might react. The do react differently to cats than to "one of their own kind", for a lack of better description.

While I hate that you are going through that, it helps to know that others know how I feel. Sometimes I just feel like a total ass for keeping her around. Even my 15 yr old daughter has told me "Mom, it's time". I just wish she would peacefully go to sleep. I'm thinking it's not likely.

[Jax08]

We took Banshee into the vet a couple months ago and thought we weren't bringing her home. Xrays, pred for a month, inflammation down, mass is now gone and her limp from compressed disc is gone now. At that time, we asked our vet what he would do if she were his dog because we weren't sure we could made a decision. If you trust your vet, talk to them. It helps to have an outside party give their opinion and your vet knows her medical condition best. Is there life left for her? Is she in pain? Those are my two questions always...I know if we take her in and he says "it's time" then he has exhausted all avenues and feels it's best for her. I do urge you to discuss quality of life with your vet and take that into consideration. That may give new options to helping her with discomfort or may help you make a decision for what is best for her.

[Bear GSD]

I'm really sorry that you're going through this. It should be a happy time for you in getting a new puppy and yet you still have your old girl Tia to think about.
I agree with others, I would keep the puppy away from Tia and not have them interact if it's only a matter of time for Tia.
With my last dog, I knew that it was a matter of time and I had made special arrangements with a company called "Home to Heaven" that came out and allowed my last dog to pass at home with everyone there with her. You might be able to look into something like that for Tia when you know it's time.
Again, I'm really sorry, I hope things work out for you.

[arby665]

Originally Posted by Jax08

We took Banshee into the vet a couple months ago and thought we weren't bringing her home. Xrays, pred for a month, inflammation down, mass is now gone and her limp from compressed disc is gone now. At that time, we asked our vet what he would do if she were his dog because we weren't sure we could made a decision. If you trust your vet, talk to them. It helps to have an outside party give their opinion and your vet knows her medical condition best. Is there life left for her? Is she in pain? Those are my two questions always...I know if we take her in and he says "it's time" then he has exhausted all avenues and feels it's best for her. I do urge you to discuss quality of life with your vet and take that into consideration. That may give new options to helping her with discomfort or may help you make a decision for what is best for her.

I took Tia to a specialist after my vet couldn't determine what was going on and that doc wanted to do surgery. I stopped and spoke to my vet on the way home. I said, and my vet agreed, that I wouldn't put her through that. I also decided that we won't take any life saving measures. My vet also agreed that is the best thing.

I have had several conversations about this with my vet. She told me that she can't decide for me but whenever I am ready she is ok with it. I can't blame her for not giving me a straight up answer. I'm sure she doesn't want anyone coming back on her because they regret it. But, I think what she did say tells me how she feels about it. I mean her saying she is ok with it and not trying to suggest some sort of treatment.

Well, we have a couple of weeks and who knows, maybe this won't even be an issue by then. Sometimes I wish I didn't love my animals so much.

[pyratemom]

Originally Posted by arby665

Well, we have a couple of weeks and who knows, maybe this won't even be an issue by then. Sometimes I wish I didn't love my animals so much.

No you don't wish that. It's just that you are going through a hard time. You will love them just as much as you always have. It's obviously in your nature by the way you have taken care of your older girl. You will love the pup just as much. You never know about nature. The next two weeks will tell but you may not have to worry as things will always work out the way they are intended to. Good luck to you. Hugs!