Please forgive me for posting in this section...

jasonstitus · 06-01-2011, 04:34 PM

My name is Jason. My dog, Titus, is the best dog I have ever imagined having. He is 11 years old and can no longer go up and down steps without shuddering and shaking. He falls often going down stairs to go outside. He can't hold his bladder anymore and it is understandable. We have noticed in the past 6 months or so, he wont even leave his chair. His appetite has all but disappered, unless you hand feed him meat or cheese, his tail hardly ever wags anymore, and his eyes look so......blank.
I have remained in good contact with his breeder, who told me yesterday that the time has come to let him go. It's killing me inside to think of not having him in the house any longer, or the pain my wife and kids are going through right know. My 13 year old daughter has all but grown up with him over the past 11 years.
I have made an appointment with the vet tomorrow with the intentions on letting him go if the vet feels it is right. I am second guessing myself so much right now. But I guess I know the time has come.
I used the quality of life scale and can come up with an honest 23-26. My wife said 28-29.

Again, please forgive me for posting in this section, i had noticed that the other section did not get a whole lot of traffic, and, well I guess I am looking for last minute advise or a comforting thought that could make me feel better about what is soon to happen.

Thank You so much.

Jason

GSDBESTK9 · 06-01-2011, 04:38 PM

Hello and Welcome Jason, very sorry you are going through this. Unfortunately, by what you say, it is time.

You have to be strong and do the right thing for him. When a dog doesn't even want to eat tells me a lot. Again, I'm very sorry, but IT IS time. My thoughts are with you and your family. *HUGS*

RogueRed26 · 06-01-2011, 04:43 PM

I am sorry to hear about Titus. I can relate to how you are feeling. I, unfortuately, had to put one of my best friends down almost two years ago. It was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made. But, it was also a brave one. I wanted to be selfish and keep him with me longer, but I also did not want him to suffer anymore. Sometimes, your pet will let you know when it is time. Try your best to help him as much as possible, if there is not much to do, then I would opt to letting him rest in peace. I am sorry again for what you and your family are going through. Words don't always heal at the moment, but I promise time and your memories will. Best wisehs.

kiya · 06-01-2011, 04:44 PM

I'm so sorry you have to go thru this. I have been in your shoes too many times and currently I am also making arrangements to put my horse down. No matter what any one says it is one of the most difficult tasks. You know in your heart it is the right thing to do. I never want to let any of my animals suffer.
If your daughter doesn't know about the Rainbow Bridge, please show her this Rainbows Bridge Poem
My heart goes out to you.

Mac's Mom · 06-01-2011, 04:49 PM

Jason, I am so sorry for you and your family. I can feel the pain in your words. But at the same time I am so happy that Titus lived his life with a family who loves him as much as yours does.

Carrie

brembo · 06-01-2011, 04:57 PM

It's a tough row to hoe, but it sounds like you are doing the right thing for Titus. The only flaw in the canid design is the short lifespan compared to humans.

KZoppa · 06-01-2011, 06:09 PM

i'm sorry to hear you have to let your friend go but it sounds like he's ready. I understand your daughter is having a tough time. I had to have my best friend, my cat Princess put to sleep when i was 14. It was extremely difficult. Sadly our fur friends have such short lifespans compared to ourselves but they fill our lives with such joy and love for the short time they are with us, the least we could do is be there with them as they go (if given the chance). My prayers are with you and your family in this tough time. its never easy. Titus will send another your way when the time is right. Let your heart remain open.

vat · 06-01-2011, 06:18 PM

I am so sorry for the pain your family feels right now. I have had to do this many times myself and know how you feel. Titus has given you many years of devotion and love, now the last gift you can give him is peace. Try to be strong and be there for him as you send him to the rainbow bridge.

In time your pain will ease and you will have very fond memories. KZoppa is correct, when the time is right Titus will send you another to love.

Myamom · 06-01-2011, 06:26 PM

Is he under vet care..what conditions does he have? I would explore all options for addressing his issues first...if not done already. I have to say...I have taken Cheyenne into the vet a few times...thinking we might not come home together...the issues just seemed so terrifying and unsurmountable...but there were miracles to be had with my vet's help. There are meds for incontinence, pain, arthritis, etc. Sometimes dogs won't eat when they are in pain/distressed. I do not know what he has or what you've tried...just throwing that out there in case all options have not been explored. Work closely with your vet...go with your heart. I will keep you in my prayers during your difficult time.

Pattycakes · 06-01-2011, 06:59 PM

Welcome, Jason. I'm so very sorry about Titus. But I have to agree with the others. It does sound like it may be time to let your best friend go.

As heartbreaking as it is (I've been there myself as well), to let him go is probably one of the nicest gifts you can give him.

Hugs to you and your family during this very sad and hard time.

06-01-2011, 04:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
jasonstitus New Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 4	Please forgive me for posting in this section... My name is Jason. My dog, Titus, is the best dog I have ever imagined having. He is 11 years old and can no longer go up and down steps without shuddering and shaking. He falls often going down stairs to go outside. He can't hold his bladder anymore and it is understandable. We have noticed in the past 6 months or so, he wont even leave his chair. His appetite has all but disappered, unless you hand feed him meat or cheese, his tail hardly ever wags anymore, and his eyes look so......blank. I have remained in good contact with his breeder, who told me yesterday that the time has come to let him go. It's killing me inside to think of not having him in the house any longer, or the pain my wife and kids are going through right know. My 13 year old daughter has all but grown up with him over the past 11 years. I have made an appointment with the vet tomorrow with the intentions on letting him go if the vet feels it is right. I am second guessing myself so much right now. But I guess I know the time has come. I used the quality of life scale and can come up with an honest 23-26. My wife said 28-29. Again, please forgive me for posting in this section, i had noticed that the other section did not get a whole lot of traffic, and, well I guess I am looking for last minute advise or a comforting thought that could make me feel better about what is soon to happen. Thank You so much. Jason

06-01-2011, 04:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
GSDBESTK9 Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Maryland Posts: 28,438	Hello and Welcome Jason, very sorry you are going through this. Unfortunately, by what you say, it is time. You have to be strong and do the right thing for him. When a dog doesn't even want to eat tells me a lot. Again, I'm very sorry, but IT IS time. My thoughts are with you and your family. HUGS __________________ Carolina Johnson http://www.johnsonhaus.com http://www.carolinak9photography.com

06-01-2011, 04:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
RogueRed26 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 403	I am sorry to hear about Titus. I can relate to how you are feeling. I, unfortuately, had to put one of my best friends down almost two years ago. It was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made. But, it was also a brave one. I wanted to be selfish and keep him with me longer, but I also did not want him to suffer anymore. Sometimes, your pet will let you know when it is time. Try your best to help him as much as possible, if there is not much to do, then I would opt to letting him rest in peace. I am sorry again for what you and your family are going through. Words don't always heal at the moment, but I promise time and your memories will. Best wisehs. __________________ Texas Lone Star Ranger Black GSD 06/10

06-01-2011, 04:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
kiya Elite Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 1,913	I'm so sorry you have to go thru this. I have been in your shoes too many times and currently I am also making arrangements to put my horse down. No matter what any one says it is one of the most difficult tasks. You know in your heart it is the right thing to do. I never want to let any of my animals suffer. If your daughter doesn't know about the Rainbow Bridge, please show her this Rainbows Bridge Poem My heart goes out to you. __________________ Carolyn Apache - Shiloh Shepherd 12/15/02 Kiya - Shiloh Shepherd 5/15/04 Lakota - WGSD 1/13/10

06-01-2011, 04:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mac's Mom Knighted Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Midwest Posts: 2,035	Jason, I am so sorry for you and your family. I can feel the pain in your words. But at the same time I am so happy that Titus lived his life with a family who loves him as much as yours does. Carrie __________________ Carrie Mac - 2 year old GSD Bart - 4 year old GSD/Akita & 3 Cats Buffy, Rusty & Magoo

06-01-2011, 04:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
brembo Master Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Here, of course Posts: 696	It's a tough row to hoe, but it sounds like you are doing the right thing for Titus. The only flaw in the canid design is the short lifespan compared to humans. __________________ I seem to have misplaced my occipital lobe, and as such cannot search for it. Do you see my dilemma?

06-01-2011, 06:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
KZoppa Crowned Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Maryland kinda missing CO Posts: 13,820	i'm sorry to hear you have to let your friend go but it sounds like he's ready. I understand your daughter is having a tough time. I had to have my best friend, my cat Princess put to sleep when i was 14. It was extremely difficult. Sadly our fur friends have such short lifespans compared to ourselves but they fill our lives with such joy and love for the short time they are with us, the least we could do is be there with them as they go (if given the chance). My prayers are with you and your family in this tough time. its never easy. Titus will send another your way when the time is right. Let your heart remain open. __________________ The more people I meet and talk to,the more I love my dogs and their intelligence. www.krystalscollarcreations.weebly.com Riley GSD/BC 1/10/05 Zena GSD 6/1/03 Shasta GSD 5/5/10

06-01-2011, 06:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
vat Knighted Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Kingston, IL Posts: 3,027	I am so sorry for the pain your family feels right now. I have had to do this many times myself and know how you feel. Titus has given you many years of devotion and love, now the last gift you can give him is peace. Try to be strong and be there for him as you send him to the rainbow bridge. In time your pain will ease and you will have very fond memories. KZoppa is correct, when the time is right Titus will send you another to love. __________________ Valerie Shewana's Maximum Velocity (aka Max) Shewana's Hot-Spice (aka Callan) Kaycee 11/97-5/10 Rio 10/08-2/10 Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you can't eat it or play with it, pee on it and walk away.

06-01-2011, 06:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
Myamom Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: PA Posts: 12,144	Is he under vet care..what conditions does he have? I would explore all options for addressing his issues first...if not done already. I have to say...I have taken Cheyenne into the vet a few times...thinking we might not come home together...the issues just seemed so terrifying and unsurmountable...but there were miracles to be had with my vet's help. There are meds for incontinence, pain, arthritis, etc. Sometimes dogs won't eat when they are in pain/distressed. I do not know what he has or what you've tried...just throwing that out there in case all options have not been explored. Work closely with your vet...go with your heart. I will keep you in my prayers during your difficult time. __________________ Mya - Queen GSD-..the void will never be filled...Love you always and forever! Until we meet again..... Ava - Princess GSD Cheyenne-GSD Buddy-Sweet lap cat - Forever in my heart...until we meet again... Baby - Crazy cat Spencer - Eclectus parrot

06-01-2011, 06:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
Pattycakes Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 1,463	Welcome, Jason. I'm so very sorry about Titus. But I have to agree with the others. It does sound like it may be time to let your best friend go. As heartbreaking as it is (I've been there myself as well), to let him go is probably one of the nicest gifts you can give him. Hugs to you and your family during this very sad and hard time.

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