How do we know?

[Catori]

I have just joined, so pardon the strange face...but I am finding myself struggling these past few months with the condition of my 13 year old GSD, Lucky. This dog has been my companion, best friend, team mate, etc, ever since she was 8 weeks old and I was only 5. I couldn't have found a better play mate anywhere. She's everything to me, and I have been dreading this moment for the longest time.

She had been fairly healthy through her adult years, even with bad allergies. Though as she has gotten older, she has had trouble walking and especially lately...sometimes her back legs will just go out from under her and sometimes she needs help getting up. She has an immune disorder, and an anal fissure because of it. Along with this list she is starting to lose her eye sight, and she has some tumors ( a baseball sized one on her right flank). We have not had a biopsy done because of her age. She has some days where all she does is sleep, and other days when she is very up and about and seems to move better.

I was watching my girl trying to run today...and I could only cry. She loves to run, and now she has difficulty walking let alone running. And it made me realize how short my time with her is... How do we know when the time is right to say good bye? I don't want to be selfish, but I don't want to say good bye any sooner than I have to. She does not seem to be in any physical pain, but I can't be for sure. She's on prednizone for her immune disorder to keep her fissure in check, and the vet says that will probably also help with any discomfort in her joints as well. I just want her to have a good quality of life in her golden years. I just want to ask those that have said good bye...how do we know when to let go? How much is too much... I just dread this decision and I almost wish someone else would make it for me.

[AliciaMaria]

Reading this makes me cry.. My husky is almost 9 and Im not dealing with his age very well... give her lots of hugs and cuddle with her.. you'll NEVER regret it later on..

Whenever I see my Tex laying around, snoozing, relaxing, whatever, I make it a point to get up and go lay with him or rub his tummy.. Im trying to make the best out of what time I have left with him.. It has crept up so quickly.

[Cluemanti]

I think you will know when its time. I've never been put in that situation so I'm really not sure. Hopefully her golden years aren't too bad on her but sounds like she had a great life.

[Catori]

You're right...the time just seems to go by so quickly. We think we have so much time, but we really don't. I am just trying to do whatever she wants these days, walks if she's up to it, or just lounging with a good belly rub. She never was much of a cuddler, which never really seemed to bother me until now.

I do hope she will let me know when... just so I won't have to decide entirely on my own. They have their ways of talking to us, even if it isn't what we want to hear. A great life for her and great memories for me. It definitely is something a girl never forgets.

[Lucy Dog]

You sound like you've got a good head on your shoulders, so i think you'll just know.

You can always do a google search for a "quality of life scale". It may help you make the decision.

Reading posts and threads like this makes me cherish everyday I spend with Lucy even more.

[Mary Beth]

My thoughts are with you and your lovely dog. I went through this with my Husky and my Aussie. Yes, you hope they will die in their sleep, and you dread making the decision. I know how hard and how precious each day is for you. Practical matters, if you have carpet on your floors that will help the footing. Try to adapt things that you do. My Aussie loved pig ears, when he got very old, they were too much for his teeth. So I found another special treat that was soft (ice cream). My Husky loved to run, so instead, I would take her on slow leash walks - let her sniff and I would sit on a park bench pretending to be tired, so she could rest. I would prasie her for being so good on the leash. I once saw a man with his elderly retriever. When other dogs and people would come on the sidewalk, he would have his dog hold a perfect sit/stay until they passed, and he would praise her. She looked so proud and regal. I also saw him just sit with her on a blanket in the park. This time is so precious and just being with you is what she wants. Also, there's going to be a bad day followed by good days. As Cluemanti said, you will know. Just take it day by day and enjoy the time you have with her. It helped me to keep it in perspective, I keep telling myself that I was blessed to have my dogs live so long to have an old age.

[AliciaMaria]

Remember to take lots of pictures and videos of her now.. so that years later, you can watch and look at them and smile..

[Stosh]

I just read another posting like this a few days ago...someone struggling with how and when to make the most difficult decision. All I can say is that most of us have been there, I had to with our shepherd Omy, truly the best dog that ever lived. She began having seizures about age 11, seemed like a series of mild strokes, lack of consciousness, confusion, however, she was in good shape physically. The big question was the quality of life she was faced with because the neurological problems caused her to become fearful, confused, lacking confidence. She kept looking to me to take care of her even though she had devoted her life to taking care of us. Lucky loves and trusts you to do what's best for her and knows you'll make the right decision. But it's the most miserable of times, I'm so sorry

[Catori]

Mary Beth, it's very helpful to take the one day at a time approach and I'm so grateful that she'd been with us this long. I try to take pictures when I see her so calm and or happy, to remember that look, it's like she smiles. Not that I think I will ever forget. And Stosh you are right...she's given everything to me and I owe her to do the right thing for her. But very miserable... And it doesn't help when you have people telling you that "oh, it's just a dog" Thank you all very much for the support.

[katieliz]

spend as much time with her as you can. spend as little time as you can with anyone who would say those thoughtless words. one day at a time is all you can do at this stage in her life. knowing when to make the decision and then making it is so incredibly hard, but something we must do. i think the quality of life questionaire is helpful, but ultimately it's just something you have to trust yourself to "know". pictures are wonderful.