Dog Trouble

S

Shann

Joined
Sep 2, 2004
Messages
5,250
Some of you know that the Vet thinks my Rhodesian Ridgeback has degenerative myelepathy. She has been failing for a couple of months now. She is still eating and has control of her bowels\bladder, but has a lot of trouble walking and falls down a lot. I have a "Hartman's Hip Helper" and with that on I can still take her on very short (3-4 minute) walks around the yard. It also helps her with going to the bathroom but she has a hard time doing a BM with it on.

She still likes to eat supper and lay on the couch with me but I think its a matter of a week or two at this point :mad:

Add that to my St. Bernard\Shepard cross who is nearing 15 (according to my Vet he "should have" statistically been dead 5 years ago) and all his problems and the pure point of joy in my life has become so hard.

I used to love going home to see the dogs, now I dread getting home because they are failing so much. (although my old boy just gives me the look that says he will live forever).

I know all pet owners go through this, but it doesn't make it any easier for me. It's especially hard with the RR, because when she is laying on the couch, she is "fine". She is alert, likes to be patted, loves treats, etc.

Thanks for listening to me vent.

Shann
 
Very sad.
Dogs should be treated better as a whole and I sure wished they lived much longer.
I've been in your position many times and am not looking forward to when I'll be there again with my current Malinois.
I had to put one down about a year ago and still haven't recovered.
Good luck.
Booze helps.
 
I'm sorry your faced with this. Before our dog Friend died, our Vet told us we'd know when it was time for her to be put to sleep, and she was right. Enjoy and love your dogs until that moment comes.
 
I know this is so hard. But think of the blessing of HAVING them in your life this far. I know it is painful to watch them like this, but try to focus on the positives. Your dogs WILL tell you when it is time for them to go. I will send you and your dogs prayers.
 
Death is part of life for us all. I like to think there's something to life other than just what we see and experience here. I've had friends get killed in car accidents, people I love die of old age. I've had many beloved dogs die and buried them.
I think that I gave the dogs a much better life than they would have had if they had not been with me. Most of my dogs have been ones that were unwanted. They would have been on earth if I'd taken them in or not. Sure it's sad when they have to leave, but I think there's much more to life than we know. And that goes for all living things not just humans.
 
Try not to dread going home, this is hard I know. Think of it this way, enjoy the precious time you and your friend still have left together.
 
Thanks for the support. I went home last night, strapped her into her harness and she went outside eagerly and we walked for about 10 minutes! She then ate a nice big supper, I put her in her recliner and she laid there watching tv with me until it was time to go to bed. I think she had a good night.

Bear was grumpy, and refused to eat supper, but ate a big breakfast this morning.

I know that my dogs are better off with us in their life (my RR was going to be put down when a friend of mine rescued her and gave her to me). I will enjoy them as much and as long as I can and as long as they have a good quality of life.
 
I have been there twice-and sort of put my story in the W& C-which in turn is the wrong place to put it...
anyway, I had a Rottie for 14 &1/2 years-Luke, he was such a cool mate-had almost the same thing-no pain but hips giving out on him-a very sad day when I sat with him and decided that was the day-I had the vert come round to my place-as he hated going to the vets-so why should I put him in that position as his last momement?...he left me on his bed that I had out on the deck for him-perhaps you should think of the same?...most of our mates HATE the vets-the extra cost for a vet visit-just doesnt compare to the last comforting momements.
My second bud had to be put down because of cancer behind his eye-I was holding him on my bed-he lifted his head up and licked me-then died and his head fell in my hands....it still breaks me up-BUT it was in the comfort of his home.

your dogs need you so much-and I know you are gauging their comfort level-it was the same as my old Rottie-he was still so alert in his mind-still a puppy and yet his body just wouldnt do what he wanted.

Nothing you can do now but make their time extra quality-your dogs undying love and devotion to you is being paid back right now-that is something you should be proud of...giving your dogs a awesome home.
If your dog doesnt like the vets though-please dont take them there for their last momement with you.
As it has been said above...just enjoy the momements, and good luck .
 
Shann said:
Some of you know that the Vet thinks my Rhodesian Ridgeback has degenerative myelepathy. She has been failing for a couple of months now. She is still eating and has control of her bowels\bladder, but has a lot of trouble walking and falls down a lot. I have a "Hartman's Hip Helper" and with that on I can still take her on very short (3-4 minute) walks around the yard. It also helps her with going to the bathroom but she has a hard time doing a BM with it on.

She still likes to eat supper and lay on the couch with me but I think its a matter of a week or two at this point :mad:

Add that to my St. Bernard\Shepard cross who is nearing 15 (according to my Vet he "should have" statistically been dead 5 years ago) and all his problems and the pure point of joy in my life has become so hard.

I used to love going home to see the dogs, now I dread getting home because they are failing so much. (although my old boy just gives me the look that says he will live forever).

I know all pet owners go through this, but it doesn't make it any easier for me. It's especially hard with the RR, because when she is laying on the couch, she is "fine". She is alert, likes to be patted, loves treats, etc.

Thanks for listening to me vent.

Shann
Click to expand...

I really feel for you a lot! I understand exactly what you are going through. I love my dogs and they have had surgeries and meds for years and I just recently noticed one of my dogs is having problems getting up and moving around. And I counted up the years and realized he is now 10. Kind of gets you worried.
 
Campbellclanman said:
I have been there twice-and sort of put my story in the W& C-which in turn is the wrong place to put it...
anyway, I had a Rottie for 14 &1/2 years-Luke, he was such a cool mate-had almost the same thing-no pain but hips giving out on him-a very sad day when I sat with him and decided that was the day-I had the vert come round to my place-as he hated going to the vets-so why should I put him in that position as his last momement?...he left me on his bed that I had out on the deck for him-perhaps you should think of the same?...most of our mates HATE the vets-the extra cost for a vet visit-just doesnt compare to the last comforting momements.
My second bud had to be put down because of cancer behind his eye-I was holding him on my bed-he lifted his head up and licked me-then died and his head fell in my hands....it still breaks me up-BUT it was in the comfort of his home.

your dogs need you so much-and I know you are gauging their comfort level-it was the same as my old Rottie-he was still so alert in his mind-still a puppy and yet his body just wouldnt do what he wanted.

Nothing you can do now but make their time extra quality-your dogs undying love and devotion to you is being paid back right now-that is something you should be proud of...giving your dogs a awesome home.
If your dog doesnt like the vets though-please dont take them there for their last momement with you.
As it has been said above...just enjoy the momements, and good luck .
Click to expand...

I agree with you. I've contacted a friend who is a vet who will come to our house when it needs to be done. No sense in making her last hour on earth scary.
 
You have my sympathies.

My wife and I adopted our first dog together a few months back, having both had dogs when we were younger. She's a year old, having spent most of her life in a shelter or with a foster family. We miss her every minute we're not with her.

Knowing that some day I'll have to say "it's time" makes me sad, and deeply aware of every day we have with her, but I know it's the price I pay for the joy she brings. I'm sure she'll tell me when.
 
Just remember, all dogs share common traits. Most-- if not all-- of those traits are very appealing to dog owners.

That is why we love our dog-friends and when it is time for them to go, we say goodbye and they come back to us when we get our next dog-friend.

Plus, they are with us in the end.
 
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