Been there Blink. I know what you're feeling and it sucks. Five years ago (on Father's Day) my wife and I had to let our Golden Retriever go. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Right to the end he tried to keep us happy by not showing his pain but it became clear he was suffering and had very little quality of life.
We chose to take him to a Golden Sanctuary where they gave him the royal treatment: bath, lots of love and they even gave him an ice cream cone in a very peaceful country setting. It may sound corny but it was so much nicer than a cold, sterile vet office. If you have the option of such a place, take advantage of it. Hang in there, and take comfort in knowing you are doing the best thing for your best friend even if it doesn't feel like it right now.

Oh man, I am an animal advocate to the point of probably a slight illness, can't even watch a TV news story about animal abuse. For years I didn't have a pet because it would be so painful to lose it, but then thought if I can give an animal years of TLC, it would be better than it not having a home.
About a year ago I had to go through the anguish of letting one of my cats go, it had kidney failure and was in a lot of pain. My vet, a very caring person, said I would know when it was time. When that time came, I stayed with him beyond the last minute. It is SO HARD to have to deal with, but if it comes to it, you will know what to do.
Goshep, I wish we had a place like you described around here, that is great!

When my black Lab got old and messed all over the house I resisted all the "Have him put to sleep for his own good " advocates and cleaned it up until he couldn't walk anymore. Then I built him a walker out of copper pipe with wheels so he could walk. Still they said it was cruel and the only humane thing to do was kill him. I didn't. I carried the dog around the house and manually evacuated him when I had to until he finally died in my arms one morning. The vet was amazed that I stuck it out for so long, but I was convinced that "humane" does not mean "kill the dog".

I never got another one and still don't want one ever again.

John

I feel with you, Bklink - it's tough for sure!

We had our first cat put to sleep 1 year ago and it was not easy for any of us. My wife wanted a new cat the same day, so we got a new one the same evening. We don't have kids, so the cat gets spoild (just a bid :-))

Take care.

/Ulf

Blink,

We have a cat who had a similar problem, last year. Vet first said incurable, infectuous peritonitis. Went to a feline neurologist, to confirm. Neuro said he thought vestibular syndrome instead, essentially an infection of the inner, inner ear.

Nero put kitty on steroids . . . she was MUCH better in a few days. After weaning off steriods, she's now fine. Takes antihistimine daily.

Good luck!

Greg

Blink, I think most of us feel your pain struggling with the close "bond" with a dieing pet friend, especially a dog. We have many sad stories of life struggles concerning cats, dogs, birds, ...... but dogs are family members, with cats right there too!

If the dog is in great pain with no real cure, then a vet solution maybe the less painful for all. But then if you think there is a chance, and the solution does not effect the family( can't buy medicine for the kids because of vet bills) go for it.

But whatever you do, you have our emotional support---- for what it worth, best of luck and good luck---- and enjoy the time with her!

Blink:

I fully understand your pain and the concerns you are going thru...It's tough for all involved. I've had pets all my life, and have always done whatever I could to prolong their life...At some point however, even the pet knows it's "time to go". For example, I had a cat for 18 years...She always knew when we were going to the vet...I don't know how, usually she loved to be in the car, and would ride for hours without complaint. But a trip to the vet, was a real fight.

As she got older, she developed numerous problems...When we finally reached the conclusion that it was finally "the time", she got in the car willingly, and even went into the vets office willingly...Sitting perfectly still on the exam table, purring the whole time...She NEVER acted that way at the vets...She knew it was time, and it was like she was saying "It's OK". I have never forgotten that experience.

Please accept my condolences and know that everyone here cares about what you're going through.

A few years ago, my best buddy Sam, a sheppard/lab mix was to the point where he no longer could walk. He used to in his younger years go fetch the newspaper from the driveway. As said in previous posts, dogs can sometimes be more than just pets, they become your childeren.
Blink I feel for you. I had to take my "son" to the vet that day, and had to let him go. Me a grown man cried for days after this episode.

You can get really attached to your animals, but unfortunately like everything else in life, there comes an end...

Ted

Blink,

I'm so sorry to hear this. This is truly one of the most difficult decisions a person can face. My mom had to make this decision for her last two dogs. She knew that their quality of life was so bad that she put aside her love for her "pets" and did what was right for them. The first one she took for a ride by the ocean. I had to fight back the tears as she told me that she sang, "You are my sunshine" and was holding him and petting him just prior to saying goodbye at the vets. Her second dog, a large Rottweiler, got to the point where he couldn't even move and would just go to the bathroom where he was. She said it tore her up inside to see this once strong dog struggling to even take a step. She had to call for some people to come to her house and have him put to sleep. To make matters worse they only sent one person and made her help carry her now dead dog to the van.

Fortunately, I have never had to make that decision. I DO understand the anguish of losing a trusted friend. Our family came home one day to see our dog "sleeping" under our deck. I was working on my computer while my wife and boys went out to give him a bath. My oldest son came in yelling, "Something's wrong with Stormy, he won't move." Stormy was a large Samoyed that resembled a very cute Polar Bear. I loved that dog and cried for hours that day. I still miss him but we now have a beautiful Golden Retriever. She was apparently mistreated at one point in her life and we've done our best to give her a wonderful home.

You're in my prayers.

It is a major bitch,, my dog marley had so many things wrong with her it broke my heart every day for months.... she is gone now and I swore I would never , ever ,,,get another dog,,, I just can't take it.!!!!! We miss Marley bunches but am getting along pretty well the new mutt Martin.

Been there Blink. We had a cat, all black, that when I would do my VO sessions would always accompany me in and stay with me till I would get done and then follow me out. Always was next to me when I was sick, and always napped on top the monitor when I was editing.

From what I understand he had sort of a stroke and for one day would just wander, into walls, into mic stands, etc. Finally he lay down but was still breathing hard like he just ran 50 miles. It was the hardest thing that my daughter and I could do, but we just had to put him down.

My daughter found a small 6" statue of a black cat, and that now resides on the shelf above the monitor. It's only fitting for 15 years of companionship. It will also be my luck that when I show up at the VO session in heaven someday, the little bugger will be there and weave in between my legs and trip me like he did for 15 years. I think he saw some humor in that. :)

Here's a book I would recommend to every animal lover: http://www.amazon.com/Rescuing-Sprite-Lovers-Story-Anguish/dp/1416559132. Read the comments as well. You'll find that there are many people who can relate to this situation.

Thank you for all the kind words. I certainly don't want to sound like I wish this on other people... couldn't anything further than the truth! But it sure is nice to know that there are those that can relate.

Another trip to the Vet today revealed "Vestibular Disease". The Vet described it as being on a boat in high seas and not stopping in motion. If you look into her eyes they're going around sort of lke it would be as if you just stepped off a fast moving marry-go-round

I'm not sure if she is feeling better or merely adapting to it, but at least she has stopped vomiting (from the motion sickness) A blurb I found on the internet explains it exactly as it is seen in her. As for its seriousness, it can range from anything to a simple inner ear infection to a tumor on the nerve.

We'll give it another week or so and see which direction it's going to go. I don't think this is too fun for her, but I'm reasonably sure she's not hurting for the moment at least. She's pretty much completely deaf now (that's been sneaking up for the last year or so) so hearing damage is not something I need to worry about.

Time will tell I guess. Meanwhile, the wife and I are trying to prepare ourselves in case things turn bad... even harder.... trying to figure out how to make our 4 year old understand..... they're quite close.

As for pets in the future.... gawd.... I don't know if I can ever go through this again.

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_vestibular_disease.html

While you feel there is hope the time has not come.
When I took our companion of 15 years on his last trip to the vet I knew his time had come, somehow he had told me. Your friend will do the same.
Your 4 year old will understand, perhaps better than you will.

Yes, you will go through this again. Not to would be to deny the joy and companionship that you've had from and given to your friend.

Bob.

Sorry Blink that’s tough

Its obviously hurting you to see her go through this
Why not ask a good friend to take “ fido” sorry you didn’t mention her name “to the vet for you?

I lost three in the span of a year.

The first to go had been the most special friend. He was a sickly runt who survived mostly by months of tlc and we bonded during that time. He was also the smartest cat i have ever known. I remember one time i was assembling a bookcase. Installing each shelf required a hammer, a wrench, and a screwdriver. He sensed the pattern and started pushing the right tool to me when i needed it next. After a 3 year battle with diabetes it was finally time to let go. I was holding him in my lap and when i realized it was the end i started crying. He reached up a paw and wiped the tear from my cheek. He died peacefully in my arms later that night.

The next one was the most playful and remained kittenish up to about age 16. She started slowing down after that, and due to kidney problems eventually became rather stiff and immobile. I took her to the vet for a checkup and was told she probably had less than 2 days to live. The vet suggested i leave her with him, but i wasn't ready to let go that suddenly. I asked if there was anything he could do to make her more comfortable. He did a hydration treatment, intravenously replacing all the lost fluids. On the way home she roused herself and started to be very curious and aware again. We spent the evening running around the house, chasing balls and string. She ate a big meal for the first time in months and settled down in bed with me purring louder than ever. I woke up in the middle of the night to find her curled up on my legs, her arms wrapped around me, letting out her last breath ever.

The last one hung on until his 18th birthday. During the last month his body started shutting down little by little. He went from 20 pounds down to 4. All his joints got stiff and unsteady. But, as he deteriorated he also became more cuddly and affectionate. The last night i was sure he wouldn't make it until morning. I sat up with him all night, holding him and trying to comfort him. Around 4am i realized he was having trouble breathing and discovered he was mostly paralyzed, obviously in pain, but he wasn't letting go. Unfortunately the vet's office wouldn't be open for another 5 hours, and i had to be headed out of town for a conference before then anyway. I knew i couldn't leave him in that condition but wasn't sure what to do about it. I finally came up with one of the toughest decisions i ever had to make. I gently carried him outside, started the car, and held him under the exhaust. In his weakened state it only took about 5 seconds. He gazed up at me, licked my hand a few times, then closed his eyes and looked peaceful and happy for the first time in weeks. I buried him next to the other two and stumbled off to the airport.

Would i go through it again? Absolutely. I have two new young feline friends now and i couldn't dream of being without them. In fact, i adopted one of them while the other three were still around and he learned from them. I can see a little bit of each of those three in him and the way he behaves and that always comforts me. :)

Hey Blink,

Sorry to hear of your situation.
I have had a few dogs since I was a kid, it totally sucks sharing all those moments with your companion, only to have to let them go.
My one dog that I had untill I was 11 had a brain tumor and walked around in circles. It just got worse, my mom took her while we were at school and had her put to sleep. We were told she passed on her own, only to learn later what the real deal was, but we understood.

My dog right now is only 4, has so much personality it's amazing.
I am not looking forward to the day that I am faced with a choice like yours.
You will know in your heart what you should do and when you should do it. Good luck and I'm sure all our hearts go out to you.

Blink

I can hardly read these posts, because like all of you...I've been there. A couple of times. My wife & I lost two loving pets in the past 12 years, and we now have another that's getting up there in years. In fact we thought we were going to lose him about a month ago, but things turned around for the time being. But he's getting on in years, and we all know that it's inevitable.

I can't even think of something to tell you besides what has been already said here, except to say that we've been there. You're not alone, because we all feel for you friend. And we all know that it could be us the next time around; not that it helps with your current situation. I loved the story about taking your pet to a peaceful country setting when its time had come--it would be great do something like that if at all possible.

Good luck to you in this terribly difficult time, and God Bless your pet and your family.

TB

Blink, Sorry to hear about your family member being sick; because that's what they are. We know that they are more than pets. My dog, Kelly Guinness (an Irish Setter named after my favorite beer ;-) ) is almost 2 years old now but he was diagnosed with HOD (a debilitating bone disorder) when we has just 4 months old and he spent the next 6 months immobile. We had to carry him outside to void and give him sponge baths to keep him clean. The vet told us it was the worst case they had ever seen and when he got pneumonia from being down for so long, they recommended that we put him to sleep. He didn't look like he wanted to give up and we took shifts round the clock and keeping ice packs on his joints and nursed him back to health. Six months later the vet was shocked to see him walking back into their office (no thanks to them). You will know what the right thing to do is in your heart. Hang in there. I will remember you in my prayers.

~jr

Sorry to hear about this, not an easy thing by any stretch. I skimmed over the replies and didn't see anyone mention this but if it has sorry for being redundant. I went through something similar with my dog a couple years back, she was well up there in age and her quality of life had deteriorated significantly. It took awhile to come to grips but in the end I decided it was best to let her go. Though earlier in her life she had no issues getting in the car and going places, near the end it became a stressor and she would get visibly shaken anytime I needed to take her anywhere. I loathed the thought of her last day being a miserably one and found a mobile vet that came to the house to perform the procedure. It was two women and while nothing could take away the pain that I went through, they simply couldn't have made it easier. Instead of Shadow going on a cold doctors table shaking like a leaf we were able to do it at home where she was relaxed and comfortable. They first gave her something to let her sleep and then went outside so I could say my goodbyes, was heart wrenching, and when they were done they wrapped her in a blanket and took her with them. I opted to have her ashes and they delivered them the next week. I know my decision was the best one, though at the time that was of little comfort, but I am so greatful to have found someone to come to my home.

- Ray
Some of my stuff on Vimeo
www.undergroundplanet.com

Blink, sorry to here about that, that is a tough decision. Is your dog still eating, losing weight, making it outside to relieve itself, is it in pain? Personally I would not go through any surgery procedure for my 14 year old. I was at the vet when a woman with an eight year old Burmese Mountain Dog was over $10,000 in vet bills, her dog jumped out of a 3rd story window onto the sidewalk.

I lost my 16 year old Jack Russell last year, he was in bad shape (Cushings disease among other problems), and I still feel that my decision was the right one. I had a vet come over to my house, he euthanized him in my arms.

Jeff

Even if its redundant, I gotta share. Several years back, I had just came home from - lets say a military assignment - when my two very young daughters presented me with a cat they had found tied to a tree near our apartment on Base, begging to keep it. The cat was obviously injured and in pain. How could I said no to them? The vet comfimed that the cat was seriously injured and it cost me a months pay for the cure. Well, Chuck adopted us from then on, and endured several trips back and forth from overseas assignments. On one of these overseas assignments he lost a back leg due to Cancer, brought on by an earlier injury involving an overdose of catnip and him trying to ourun his tail. I retired from the military in 89, and we made the final trip home. Did I tell you he absolutely did not like traveling? By then he was 14 yrs old, down to 3 legs, one eye, couldn't hear well, and not so many teeth. After a year home, his eating and drinking slowed down, and was falling into his litterbox when he tried to relief himself. My wife and daughter cried watching him struggle, and after several weeks, decided they couldn't see him suffer more, and me and Chuck were off to the vet. Now, Chuck is/was a big cat, was about 19 pounds (Not as big as Felix, but thats another story) in his prime, and even with 3 legs moved like a bullet, and stood his ground before any dog. By the time I took him to Vet, he was just a shadow of his former self. However, an intern at the vet's office seemed to rub him the wrong way, so he, sicker than - a dog-, proceeded to corral the intern, the nurse, and an aide into a corner. I was never so proud of him, still fighting at the end. I remember telling the intern, "Would it help any if I told you he's been declawed?" Well, Chuck died from the excitement a little later, and I brought him home, and buried him, crying the whole time. Damn that cat. I hope I have half his spunk when my time comes.