Dog euthanasia is something that inevitably impacts many pet parents. When our dogs become old, we face some heartbreaking decisions. And it is important that we have help and support in making them. Although we all hope that our pets will pass peacefully in their sleep, the reality is that often your dog’s quality of life is reduced so much that you need to consider euthanasia.
Chronic pain, long term illness, incontinence and extreme lethargy can all inevitably lead you to the decision you never wanted to make.
Since I first shared my personal views on end of life care and dog euthanasia, many have added their own moving stories to this page. I hope that they will bring you support and comfort at this difficult time.
Putting A Dog To Sleep
The option for humane euthanasia is not available to most humans, but we do have the option of putting a dog to sleep. When is the right time to use that choice, if at all, is an intensely personal and tough decision.
This is my personal slant on a difficult subject that comes up quite regularly in many doggy forums.
I know this won’t be popular with some, but I do feel that there is sometimes a tendency now to drag a dog’s life out to the bitter end. Even when quality of life is really all but gone.
It is probably showing my age, but there seems to be a modern reluctance to ‘let go’ that you didn’t see so much in my youth, and I am not sure that it does dogs any favours. In some cases, I think owners feel they will be judged and disapproved of, if they put their dog to sleep ‘too early’.
Palliative Care For Dogs
When people are dying, we accept that all we can do is make them comfortable. Palliative care is an important branch of medicine that many of us will depend on in our twilight months.
Palliative care for dogs is a somewhat newer concept.
When I was young, if a dog was diagnosed with terminal cancer, as my Golden Retriever was, the dog was normally put to sleep on the spot, or very shortly afterwards.
Our vet made the diagnosis in his surgery and we took our dog home to have a last couple of days together.
The vet then came out to put him to sleep in his own home.
At this point, pain meds controlled his pain absolutely without making him drowsy, in a week or two that would not have been the case.
He was also in full control of his bodily functions. Still continent, and able bodied. Still enjoying life. Later on he would have become incontinent, and may have had problems with his balance.
A Dog’s Quality Of Life
There was no chemotherapy for dogs then, and my parents refused surgery as the side effects would have curtailed his pleasure and joy in life.
No one suggested that we extend his last few weeks with drugs. Though he might have lived for several more months this way, it was not considered to be an option by my family or our vet.
He never suffered, apart from the mild symptoms that had led us to the vet in the first place. And he spent his last couple of days pottering about the house and garden quite happily. I have no regrets about the decision we made.
It was the first time, at just 18 years old, that I had been involved in such a decision, and I have made many such decisions in the intervening years.
Yes, he could probably have had a few more days of joyful living. Possibly a few more weeks. And we may have deprived him of that time. But the risk that he would then begin to suffer was not acceptable to us. And knowing that he never suffered at all, was and still is, a comfort to me.
But he isn’t suffering yet
The heartbreak of losing a dog is so very cruel on the owner, but I believe that putting off what is inevitable may cause much suffering on both sides.
I believe that the course many people take nowadays, the course that they may be encouraged to take by their vet and by friends and family, of waiting for the suffering to start before making that final decision, does not benefit our dogs.
Younger Dog Euthanasia
Of course with younger dogs, especially if the illness is not terminal, then there are a whole range of other factors to consider.
The dog’s quality of life during convalescence has to be balanced against the potential for quality of life in the future. With elderly dogs, once illness has set in, there is very often only one way to go. And that is downhill.
When A Labrador Loses Control Of His Back Legs
A common end of life problem for very old dogs is a loss of control over their back legs. This is heart breaking for owners and poses a dilemma, because the dog is often otherwise well in himself, and not necessarily in pain.
Loss of back end awareness is sometimes accompanied by loss of control over bowels, with the inevitable distress that this causes to both of you.
Does Dignity Matter To Dogs?
I was saddened to read recently about a person who had nursed their own elderly dog through weeks of incontinence before death.
She talked about ‘peri-care’ and ‘diapers’ and the difficulties of caring for aging and incontinent dogs. I was sad for her, and doubly sad for her dog.
For me, that would not be an option. I feel that ‘dignity’ in some sense of the word, does matter to dogs. And that an elderly dog would be very distressed by being unable to keep itself clean.
Knowing that there is no hope of recovery, and believing that a dog has no concept of or fear of death, is enough to keep me from going down that route.
The Wrong Decision For The Right Reasons
Sometimes I think people make the wrong decision for the right reasons.
They hate the mess and stress of caring for a sick old dog, the broken nights, the smell, and the worry. They quite naturally want it to end. But they are afraid that making the decision to end their dog’s life might be based on their own convenience.
So they make the wrong decision. For all the right reasons. They are trying to put the dog first, and to ignore their own needs. So they keep the dog alive for a few more weeks.
Only in this case, it isn’t really a life. It is miserable for the owner, and miserable for the dog too. Ending the dog’s life at an earlier stage would quite probably have been the right decision.
(paid link)Better Too Soon Than Too Late
Many would like to see euthanasia made available for people too. That is a whole other topic, but perhaps we are too reluctant to make use of this option which is readily available for our dogs and can prevent a great deal of suffering.
I read this sentence once, and it stuck with me:
“Better a week too early than a day too late.”
It kind of sums up how I feel. I’m all for quality of life, over quantity.
What do you think? Is there ever a right time to let go? Or should we let just let nature take its course?
The Labrador Site Founder
Pippa Mattinson is the best selling author of The Happy Puppy Handbook, the Labrador Handbook, Choosing The Perfect Puppy, and Total Recall.
She is also the founder of the Gundog Trust and the Dogsnet Online Training Program
Pippa's online training courses were launched in 2019 and you can find the latest course dates on the Dogsnet website
I lost my beautiful 8-year old Lab Bailey last Sunday very suddenly. She was completely fine playing with the kids that morning, then around Noon she started to collapse and I knew almost immediately that it was something serious. I took her to the ER and the Vet gave me devastating news that she had a large Splenic Tumor that was bleeding, she believed to be HSA a very aggressive cancer.
My options were to have an Ultrasound done to see if it had metastisized to other organs, which can not be conclusive. Or, have a Splenectomy done to remove the spleen and biopsy to see if it was HSA. The operation was going to have to be done anyway to save her life. The last option was to put my beautiful baby girl to sleep.
It was gut-wrenching, devastating, and one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. I paused and left the Vet and went home and got my 6-year old daughter to come be with Bailey for what I thought would probably be the last time. I took her home and came back to see the Vet.
I asked her, “are you absolutely sure you think this is a cancerous tumor?” She said she could not be completely sure until a histology was done after surgery. However, she said I’m really good with an ultrasound and have seen many of these tumors and from my experience this one in particular looks like its cancerous and most likely HSA. I said OK, of course crying the whole time, then I asked “if you where me, what would you do?” She said, oh I’m just giving you options based on what I know. I said NO! If you are going to make this call on what you think, you need to step into my shoes for a minute and think about it. She said “if I were you and I had that little daughter and know what I know right now, I would do what you are thinking”.
So, I’ve had a very tough couple of years financially and knew that the $3,500 to $5,000 for the surgery would bring me tremendous hardship, but I was ready to find the money if that was what it took to save my Bailey! However, the fact that I had a less than 10-15% chance that the tumor was benign, and Vet who I believed was really bright and knew felt she knew what she was talking about say that she believed it was cancerous. I could logically risk financially with those kind of odds trying to save my precious Bailey at this point.
It was gut-wrenching, heart breaking, and just awful to make the decision to put my baby girl to sleep. I told the Vet to bring her in and said my goodbye’s gave my baby a big kiss and knew she was not in pain and at peace. The Vet came in and I put her head on my lap and my hand on her heart and said “goodbye” for the final to time to a dog that was my best friend, loving companion, and one of the best things to ever happen to me!
I struggled afterwards with the decision and second guessed myself. I have come to the realization that it was my decision and it was my responsibility to make the call. I did the very best I could for my beloved Bailey with the information I had and will just have to be content that she is in a better place and she is at peace and lived a full, fun, filled life with her Daddy.
I went and picked her up Wednesday and she make took one last ride with me. I put her body in her seat in the back of my Tahoe and drove her one last time. This morning I want and personally got to say my last time with her and placed her body to be cremated. It was a peaceful closer to a very difficult week.
I’m thankful for my Bailey and know she will always be with me and taught me so much and friendship and love.
“God speed my sweet Bailey girl – R.I.P”
So sorry for your loss David, another brave decision, and thank you for sharing your story with us. I know it brings comfort to others in your position.
hi there, just had to make the hardest decision of my life to let my 12yr old chocolate lab go to sleep in the early hours of this morning, it happened so quickly he started with a cough similar to a goose honking he was given anitibiotics and seemed to respond to these but then he stopped eating and looked really unhappy, i took him to vets last night where a blood test revealed he had cancer of the liver totally devasted me as he too was my heart, i write this with tears streaming down my face and a very heavy heart, i love him so much and do hope he didn’t suffer so very very sad
So sorry for your loss Mellissa, it is the hardest decision. Pippa
I and my wife are about to have this horrible rite of passage come onto our two kids. We have had labs for 28 out of 29 years of our marriage and we are on our fourth generation. Our first, Kona lived into her 14th year. She had a good long life and we were able to cope with the decision.
Her daughter Cider 11, was diagnosed with lung cancer shortly after and it hit us hard because she was in great health until she was stricken suddenly. That one was hard, but we coped knowing that she provided us with another wonderful girl, Captain Morgan. We had bred each of the first two twice. Morgan, is now nearing 15 and we know her time is soon. Morgan provided us with one litter of two males. We kept one and gave the other to a friend. This was our first male and we were not sure how Admiral Porter would fit.
Porter wound up being my constant sidekick. Not that the others were not, as I have a small business and have always been able to take them to work with me, but he attached himself to me like glue. We trained all to be obedient, but the fourth child was spoiled a little more. He was the first hunter in the family and enjoys going out in the field, pointing and retrieving. He is a natural. With no formal hunting training, he has given days of enjoyment and pride to me.
It is no wonder that when he was diagnosed with terminal lymphoma over the weekend it has hit me like a ton of bricks. I love this pup (yes, still at 9 he still acts like a pup) so much, it is tearing my heart out to have to let him go. I know it will be the right thing to do but I am really struggling. He has been put on Prednisone and seems to have gotten his appetite back tonight and is resting well. But I know this will only be temporary.
We will keep monitoring his condition and as soon as he starts feeling bad again, we will have our vet come to the house. We will do Porter and his mother Morgan at the same time so they can go to that Rainbow Bridge together…and they’ll be taking a big piece of us with them.
Thank you to all that have contributed their stories and given us courage to make the right choice.
Thank you Pippa for your very insightful article. It resonated particularly as we have a 13 year old cocker who is ‘fading away’ rather fast. We had to put our last dog cocker to sleep at age 10. She developed kidney failure and there was no treatment. It broke my heart because she was alert, keen to play and had a zest for life. The vet tried IV treatments for a couple of weeks but we could see our dear dog deteriorating. The morning we made the decision she was bounding around the garden, however by the afternoon she had dipped and was lethargic. My husband and I called he vet, who came to our home and our beloved girl died at home in our arms. I have to admit I kept second guessing myself for weeks after that. I still tear up when I think of that day. It was the second time in my life I have had to euthanize a beloved pet. It gets more and more difficult. We are at that point now with our darling boy. He has a congestive heart condition and has been on medication for the past 3 years. He has been a happy, responsible and devoted pet. However in the last few months, we can see a daily deterioration. He has lost most of his eye sight and is quite deaf. He gets startled when we touch him, and has started bumping into things. He wants to be left alone rather than sit with us and enjoy a cuddle. He sleeps most of her day. He is unsteady on his feet and ‘forgets’ things. I think it’s a form of dementia. He still loves his food though. I am finding it more and more difficult to medicate him as he is getting fussy. He has an eye infection and he hates the ointment and drops he needs. I fear I won’t be able to manage for much longer. The question is, is my dog a happy dog? He is not the same dog, but we still love him. He is uncomfortable but as he has always been a stoic dog I can’t tell if he is in pain. He does take his time when sitting down or getting up. Right now he is asleep on our bed, his absolutely favourite place. I pray that he leaves us peacefully in his sleep and I do not have to make the decision. We also have an 11 year old cocker who is so confused by what is happening to his companion. I feel he has abandoned the older dog. Does he sense something?
It is difficult to know what other dogs in the family think and feel at sad times like this. I do hope your old friend passes peacefully. Best wishes, Pippa
My girl Dewey. The best! She’s my chocolate that is now 14 and I love her so much. Your article was very accurate. I hate giving her pain meds, i hate seeing her fall down because her legs have given out and i have to help her up, i hate the grunting noises of pain she makes each time i pick her up to carry her in and out of the house. Until i read your article, i felt very selfish any time i thought about putting her down early. I just hate not seeing her the way she used to be. I don’t want her to suffer. And now she’s starting to dry-heave a lot lore. My wife is a ER RN and tells me it seems she has fluid in her lungs and cardiac arrest will be next. I cant bear the thought. Maybe i let it ride and have another 6 months? Maybe she has a heart attack tomorrow when we’re at work and i’m not by her side? That would kill me for sure. I’ve never had to put a dog down…this is my first. Toughest decision i’ve ever had to make though. Whatever happens, i pray that really all dogs go to Heaven, because i sure want to see my girl Dewey again.
All labs go to heaven John,god has made a place for her and she is waiting for you.Just went thur the same thing may 26th with my chocolate hunting dog he was 13.We all feel guilty when this happens,but you are protecting your dog from a lot of future pain and suffering that they don’t deserve.Take care and you can be sure our god is good and he is taking care of Dewey.
We are struggling with what to do with our 9-year old labrador. Maggie was diagnosed a year and a half ago with advanced lymphoma and was just recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She is her happy-go-lucky self and is still eating but she has been sleeping a lot lately. We are military, living in Germany, and are due to relocate to Okinawa, Japan soon and I honestly don’t know what the stress of the relocation will do to her. Advice please?
I have a 14yr old black lab she she has trouble walking and doesnt want to get up and will not go up stairs and when she has a bowel movement she is walking she use to stand there and have one is it time to put her down
Hi Cindy, sorry to hear about your Labrador’s troubles. Only you can decide when is the right time to let your dog go, and the best way to do this, is usually to talk to your vet and listen to his advice. Sometimes problems that we think are just old age, can be a remedied with treatment. Sometimes they cannot. Only your vet can give you the right advice on this. Best wishes, Pippa
Today I had my 14 year old Golden Retriever put to sleep. It was so hard to make this decision, she has been poorly on and off for a few weeks. She went off her food then she would eat again, she had the runs and then went back to normal. Its been a roller coaster few weeks. I read the comments on here the other night and the one that stuck with me said ” better to do it a month early than 1 day too late” those words stuck with me. The last thing I wanted to do was for my girl to suffer. This morning she just wasn’t interested in anything and I kept thinking I need to do this now. I just couldn’t pick the phone up to ring the vet, and then she was sick, she brought up reddish brown fluid and I knew than there was no way I could leave her a moment longer. I rang the vet, he did what he needed to do, sedated her before putting her to sleep. I stayed with her all the way through, its something I have never experienced before and it wasn’t as bad as I thought. If anyone has an ageing dog and they are suffering please do the kindest thing. I’m heartbroken but I’m glad I didn’t keep my girl going a minute longer, miss her so much.
Sorry for your loss Jane, such a difficult decision to have to make.
Hello everyone,
We have read many of your comments. Our Lab mix is 16 years old. Her back legs have been giving way when she tries to get up on something. Now about 11:30 PM hers completely stopped working. We have all slept by her side all night. She is having seizures. Like many of you she is a huge part of our family. Do we take her to the vet or let nature take it’s course. But I do not want her to suffer either. Prayers…
I am so sorry I left my comment but did not acknowledge all the wonderful comments. This page and all of your stories gave me what I needed to release lance. Thank all of you.
My BEST FEIEND is gone. It’s been 2 hour’s, but honestly he was taken by pain long ago. His licks of my face stopped as living became his fulltime job as well as mine. It was not easy taking the trip to the vet. I wanted to stop it! but I thought of him at 3 am sitting like a statue from pain. I love him so much. Thank you for this site as there are few people who understand how difficult the decision was. Sure I could have waited until he needed to be carried in. But to anyone reading, that will never leave you. Do the right thing. To live silently in pain is a terrible thing.
Very sorry for your loss George. Best wishes Pippa
Hello, we are making the decision to put our 18 year old Chocolate Lab/Chesapeake mix to sleep. He is a very loved family member, but has been showing signs of hurting. Can’t get up, but then seems to bounce back each time, can’t make up his mind about wanting to stay in or go out. He is still in control of his bodily functions for now but he seems jittery. He is not on any meds nor has he been diagnosed with any disease other than arthritis. This is so hard on our adult children as they have grown up with Hunter their whole lives it seems.
How sad, a very difficult time for you 🙁
I want to thank this forum for giving me the courage to put down my 14 yr 10 month labador this week. He had stopped eating and back legs started not to work. I appreciate all the good advice given me to get me thru this decision.
I miss him, he was my friend, and I think I was a good master. I just have to get thru the grief.
Sorry for your loss Bill, best wishes, Pippa
My husband and I have been struggling with this same issue! Our 13 year old lab has really bad hips and has starting losing control of her bowels while sleeping. I have a hard time because around my kids she’s so happy. Your article was able to pin point exactly how I feel! Thank you for writing it and soothing us pet owners who are having a hard time deciding what’s best:(
Sorry to hear about your dog. It is a difficult time. Best wishes, Pippa
Today we are putting our 7 year old yellow lab Holly down. She started having strange symptoms a few weeks ago and we got the devastating news that she had Lyme Nephritis. It is a complication of Lyme Disease that labs and goldens are prone too. I religiously used Frontline. Of course we are totally devastated, we adopted her only three years ago. She had a great life with us but it was cut way too short. I am waiting for the vet to call right now and feel so awful.
So sorry to hear that Liz, how very sad. Best wishes, Pippa
I had my Labrador put to sleep in July. It was the worst thing that ever happened to me because he was my best friend. My dad got him a few years before I was born. He was 14 when we had to put him down because he couldn’t walk because he had terrible arthritis in his back legs. When he was like this, my parents had gone to the store for some groceries. I couldn’t help myself so I ran out to the garage and I stood there with him, shooing off the flies, and hugging him until they got home-two hours later. The next day he was walking perfectly fine but my dad said we should put him down because we didn’t want him to suffer like the day before again. We called the vet, me and my dad went inside and she put him down. My mom didn’t want me to watch, but I had to. I stared out our window the whole time. I didn’t cry, because I knew it was the best for him. I hope he is in heaven now because he was the greatest dog ever. I’m almost crying, reliving the moment. Saddest day of my life. -I’m only eleven years old. ;(
So very sorry Lizzie
Just put my best friend, other than my wife, to sleep yesterday.
She was closing in on 13 years old and had developed an infection with the only cure surgery, and really not an option for her. I left work early to spend a couple of hours with her before we took her to the vet.
She was still able to take one last slow walk with me. She would walk and sniff the air, and wag her tail.
She still had quality of life which I was very happy for, but made the decision even harder.
The vet was awesome. He told me it was our decision, but that she would only get worse and could develop pain and nausea. I know I did the right thing, but I can’t remember crying so much in my life. I can’t wait for the day that I can remember Ryly and smile versus crying everytime I think about her.
Sorry for your loss Ryan. It is a tough decision. Pippa
I have had my golden Labrador for thirteen years, since I was two years old and he was put down on the 30th September.
I feel it happened too fast.
Jake was very healthy for his age, and looking at him you really couldn’t tell that he was in his elderly years.
Jake had arthiritus in his legs but they never stopped him from getting up and walking around.
About 3 weeks before we made a decision that had changed my life dramatically, We noticed Jake was sitting outside for a while which was odd because Jake would normally follow my mother everywhere.
After three agonizing hours he finally got up when he heard the gate being opened and hopped onto his feet.
Jake had no problems in between, he started acting like a puppy full of energy and didn’t struggle getting up so we just assumed his arthiritus was bad.
He went from being this energetic dog to sad and depressed, it almost looked as if he had aged years though it was only two weeks.
I forced myself into a stage of denial and convinced myself that he was gong to be fine, I was hoping we would go to the vets and try would give us some medication for Jake’s legs and that was the end if it.
Death was not even a question in my mind.
It got to the point where he could not stand at all, he tried once and lost his balance completely.
He could not walk into the garden to go to the toilet and we also noticed that Jake’s poo looked like internal bleeding, which shook me up immensely.
We took him to the vets to discover that he had masses of tumours in his stomach, and it felt like someone had ripped my heart out.
They said that to even perform a biopsy to see I the cancer was curable Jake would need to have a blood transfusion as he was too weak.
Dogs live to please their owners and when they feel they aren’t they think that they have no purpose.
The thought of Jake being in pain broke my heart.
All in one day we found out that Jake had cancer and he was put down
I’m still having trouble coping with this but I’m glad That in not the only one dealing with this inbearable pain.
Jake walked into the veterinary room with no help, and with dignity. The least we could do was end his suffering and that’s what we did.
Thank you for sharing your story
I’m so glad to of felt some comfort in this article.
Sorry for your loss Shannon, it is the hardest decision. Pippa
Having read a lot of comments on here I am of the same feelings as many others on what to do. Our black lab is now 15 and 7 months old and has been struggling for a while, she is getting lower on her rear end, struggles with the door step and is no longer the happy loveable dog she was and a very slow walker. She is eating and drinking ok but has lost weight, she is slightly bowel incontinent and pants a lot, she is on Metacam daily. I and the family know the time is near but when do we say this is the day?
We also have her daughter who is almost 12 (slight arthritic) and we feel that her loosing her mum would bring something onto her.
It is a very tough decision indeed 🙁
PK, we put our Lab to sleep two days ago. He was 15 years, 7 months, and was going through the exact same progression as you described. From reading your description, it could have been our dog. He was eating and drinking with great gusto right up to the end, and even playing with his toys on occasion. But during the times it was rough, I could tell that he was soldiering on, tolerating his increasing discomfort for our sake. He was also just on Metacam, no other mess.
I made the decision because we didn’t want things to progress any further. It would not have been fair to him. Could he have hung on for a couple of months? Surely. Would he have been able to enjoy the first snowfall when it came? No.
I felt that if I waited till I was sure, it would be too late. I am not sure how the chips have fallen with your dog, but your post was my story up until now, and I wanted to respond.
Pippa, thank you for such a thoughtful article. It gave me a lot of peace of mind as I wrestled with the decision these past few weeks. My dog left us on a high, and that is how we always want to remember him.
When it comes to geriatric dogs…I’ve seen it a lot. People hang on…they hang on to the memories. But dogs live in the moment. They really do. Truly knowing your dog and having that bond, you know when it’s time. It’s just harder for us to accept than for them. We understand suffering moreso via words. Our four-legged friends can’t tell us but they can show us. It’s up to us to really understand.
Today the vet told me the x-rays showed metastatic liver cancer. My heart sank as I realized that my beautiful Jewel was not going to make it to 12. My husband has been looking forward to retiring in 3 weeks so we could finally travel in our new travel trailer with Jewel and her 9 year old son Zeppy. This wont happen, but I realize she wont know that. I cant imagine how I will get through the next day or so knowing they will be our last with her. She is my heart. I will do my best to love and care for her goofy sweet son in her absence. He has never been apart from her for 5 minutes. Labs are remarkable. I cant imagine my daily life without my best friend. I dont know how to do this….
hello to whomever wrote this….
i have to thank you for you honest and kind words. it was when reading this i knew it was time as God puts things in front of me exactly at the right moment. Sheba was still eating and even swimming in her favorite pond chasing balls and sticks, greeting us most of the time waggging her tail looking for her belly rub hello, licking our plates and snubbing the kitty.. It was when that fun great stuff wasn’t happening like at night times when she was breathing harder and not able to go poop without trying 10 different places and just wanting to be alone is when I the human had to really look at the truth. Sheba had a good death with much grace and dignity 2 days after reading this story. When I opened my eyes and heart I was able to listen to what she wanted and needed. She would nuzzle me to the place of knocking me over or just follow me around actually loved on the kitty a few times. She would push herself to be happy joyus and free but the closer i stayed the more i knew it was time. So we all gathered together in van me in the back with Sheba and went to portsmouth. She was tired after a long day of visiting and saying so long to many friends and had her last swimm in her favorite pond. We sat with her while she walked the rainbow bridge with all her friends and met her Parker there as well. God has truely blessed us with 13 yrs of unconditional love Im so very grateful I could give her a peaceful goodbye with minimal suffering. God bless you and all of those pet lovers out there. Open your heart so God can help you know the right time even if it looks different as what you expected. xo
So sorry for your loss Rebecca, Pippa
We had our 9 year old black lab put to sleep last night. He was severely ill. Had an enlarged heart enormously, kidney failure, scarred intestines and enlarged liver. All he organs were failing. It all came very suddenly and he was showing little sign until his last few days were he just collapsed and wouldnt move or eat. Then we knew and saw in his eyes that it was time to go. Looking in his eyes we saw pain. He was hiding away in strange places. We’d lay with him all day for the last 2 days. In the vets they said we can have him xrayed and possibly more treatment, but we knew how serious his heart and kidney were, we knew that would be extra trauma for him. He needed his suffering ended. Putting him down spared him all the pain to come, because he was only getting worse. We made the right choice and i hope he had a wonderful time with us and we will never ever forget him.
Sorry for your loss Amanda, a very tough decision to have to make.
Pippa
I have a 14 and a half years old golden lab. I got him when he was only six weeks old. He has been a family dog ever since. He grew up with my three daughters who love him to bits. At the moment he is on metacam and seraquine for his athritis and he is doing very well.
I will like to hear from any one whose Lab has ever lived up to 18 years or even longer. I want to know how they have been able to cope in the dog’s ripe old age. I will do anything to keep Simba alive for much longer as long as his quality of life remains very good. I will not let him suffer if I can help it, but putting him down at any point will be excruciating and hard for me.
I was seeking out informations that would convince me that my choice to schedule a euthanasia apt. Or my 12 yr old lab was to be reversed. Today he growled at me and he seemed to not want to snap out of it. I threw him in the kennel I anger and rage after running off and taking the BmD with him, muddy in a mudnpnd and then upon finding him in another rd, failed to come to me. when i found him, I noticed he seemed to not follow my sounds well or could locate me from the distance I was and had moved to. I found this odd. He has arthritis, but acute-not chronic however, his fuse has been short for the last couple months. My neighbors had to diffuse a battle among him and the BMD in the kennel one day….odd fighting, again, he flipped and didn’t want to let up. I have a 3 yr old who we have to monitor her actions towards him (climbing in him, trying to lead him around, dressing up etc) as u can tell he is a ornate old grumpy man. He still does the lab hop and tries to jump in the back of the Prius (but fails every time), it use to be the tundra….that has changed the past yr. when we exercised last week, I had to stop to wait for him to catch up and at one pt, he stopped on a hill and just looked at me. I decided today, his quality isn’t what it used to be, he almost seems to have more try in him than capability now days. Am I Doing the wrong thing? I know wht he was for 11 yrs, but this past yr has really changed mood, energy, excitement and tolorate levels. I can’t risk an attack or snap at my daughter and today, he showed me something that I have never seen before. So it is tomorrow, he gets Ben and Jerry’s icecream, a steak and other treats that he would not normally get but would relentlessly beg for. His apt. Will come sooner than I desire tomorrow, so for tonight, he lays in bed next to me as a special good bye.
I would like some advice as I have 13 (aprox) yr old lab that we rescued when he was 2 1/2 we think. He has been quite incontinent for 6 months that I can manage. He has been on steroids and anti bitics and ear drops for a very bad ear infection for 2 weeks and will be checked again next week. I have spent £250 in the last two weeks and my vet is going to do a urine sample when off the pills to see if it is old age or due to kidneys. Then maybe a blood test at £95. It’s not the money, though money is tight I just don’t know when it’s time to stop as I have never had to think of this before. He is happy but sleeps a lot and won’t jump in the car and his bottom has dropped a bit. I don’t want to rely on the vet as it is a business after all but just want a happy dog but don’t want to do it too early.
Hi Miranda, sorry to hear your elderly dog has health problems. It is quite common now for people to keep incontinent dogs alive, though some people feel that incontinence is reason enough to euthanise a dog. No-one can tell you when the time has come to end your dog’s life but your vet should be an important part of that decision. A good vet will not let his business head interfere with offering you the right medical advice. I can only reiterate my own personal view that a week too soon is better than a day too late. I’m sorry I cannot help you to make this most difficult of decisions and urge you to talk again to your vet, or failing that to get a second veterinary opinion.
With all best wishes,
Pippa
I wanted to write to tell you how much this site has helped me in these past few days.
Our beloved lab, Casey, had to be put down yesterday. Casey did not have a terminal disease or organ failure like some of the poor dogs I’ve read about here. She had battled with chronic severe ear infections and more recently skin staph infections. She nearly died about a year and a half ago of a horrible systemic infection, but with antibiotics, rallied and seemed to come back to us. She was 14 1/2 years old and my constant companion. My youngest son helped pick her out when he was just 14, so he had her with us half his life.
We did rounds of steroids to calm her poor ears, and countless courses of various antibiotics to battle the staph infection on her skin that would wax and wane. Because these ailments were caused by her allergies, we put up a fight to keep her comfortable while she seemed to still enjoy a decent quality of life.
Recently, however, this last battle with her ears and skin took its toll (along with her advanced age and arthritis that comes with that), and when I noticed she was incontinent of urine when she sleeps (which had become most of the time), we came to the agonizing decision to finally let her have relief.
Putting her down was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life. Our vet was incredible, and now I know Casey is in heaven running with pain free joints and ears and eating all the boiled chicken she wants.
I feel her loss enormously, and have spent most of the past few days weeping. There will never be another dog like her for me. She was just the best friend a girl could ask for. I will miss her as long as I live.
Thanks for this forum. Just putting down these words helps greatly. The words “better a week too early than a day too late” have brought me much comfort. Thank you for that.
So sorry for your loss Patty.
Pippa
I am so glad I found your page. I think you are spot on. I’ve been wrestling with feelings but before reading your page I had reached the same conclusion – that it was better for him to leave us in a ‘good’ state and have that be our last memories of him. Thank you for your insight and thoughts. You’ve bolstered my feeling that this is the right time.
I was hoping to read a response your situation is nearly indentical to ours with outr sweet 131/2 year old lab,
Hi Heather and Kim,
I am so sorry for your sad situation. I can only repeat my personal feeling that it is better a week or even a month too soon, than a day too late.
Only you can know when the time is right, but I don’t believe it is ever ‘wrong’ to act a bit sooner, rather than later.
It is tough on you though… and the most difficult decision.
I wish you all the best.
Pippa
Let be tell you Baxter’s story and then maybe you all could offer me some feedback. My lab mix Wallabee was 13 years old when I had to make the heart wrenching decision to let her go, but I knew it was the right thing for her because she knew it was her time. Several months later I inheireted Baxter from a dear friend of mine. He was 10 when I got him and he just turned 13 in February. Baxter has hip problems as well as stenonis in his back. Makes it very difficult for him to get up and more difficult to do stairs. He takes Deramaxx for the arthritis and Tramadol for the pain. He also takes a twice daily med for his thyroid. I believe he has some cognitive dysfunction as well. Also he has laryngeal paralysis which restricts the airway, thus he pants hard all the time. Several months ago he began with having poop aciidents in the house, but they are easy to clean up. Just recently he has begun to have some urinary incontinence inside as well. I know it bothers him that he is doing this in the house, as he had been very good at always going outside. He still likes to eat, and he likes to sleep once he can get comfortable, but that is about it. I am at a point where I have to think about Baxter’s quality of life versus dignity of life. Part of me says let him go before he suffers any more, the other part says lets wait until it gets worse, which I know it will. He is my heart and soul and I want to do what is best for him, not me. Can anyone help me out or give me some guidance? Baxter and I thank you!
I,m so glad it isn’t just me who feels they may have given up too soon and perhaps could have done more to save, my handsome and very much loved yellow labrador, Joshua.
Joshua was 9 years old (nearly 10). He had been slowing down for some time but we put this down to him getting older. But, one day he couldn’t get up and was limping very badly. We took him to the vet, who carried out some X-rays. We fully expected the vet to say he had arthritis and would probably be on tablets for the rest of his life. What she actually said was that he had a large mass on his spleen and although they could operate it would only extend his life 6-9 months. My world collapsed and I never heard anything she said after that.
Anyway to cut a long story short and even though I wanted to hold onto my baby, I had to make the right decision for him because I knew he wasn’t well enough for the operation and the mass could burst at any time.
We had my beautiful boy laid to rest on 26 April 2013 and it was the worst day of life and I think I,ve shed a tear for him every day since. Initially I felt soooo guilty, perhaps he should have had the operation but I know in my heart I did the right thing – but I miss him but like to think he’s still with me every day.
Hi I am reading these wonderful articles and advice as my 11 y.o lab “Zoe” is having back problems , I’m shedding tears already at the thought of her not being in our lives , she is our fourth child and such a big part of our family .i will see the vet and make a decision based on his thoughts I think , I just don’t think I’m ready to put her to sleep .
So sorry that your dog is having back problems. I hope you vet is able to provide her with some effective treatment and pain relief. Best wishes, Pippa
Hi, I had my beloved 14 year old lab Toby pts on the 31/01/2013. He was recovering from his second vs attack, but unfortunately had another relapse after 7 days. I only made the connection about the relapse after i noticed he needed more support each morning getting up. One side of his face also appeared to be parcialy paralised. It was at this point i could no longer see him suffer and had him pts. My brilliant vet did offer to examine him on the day but i declined. I am still dealing with the guilt that i gave up to early and not taking the opportunity to have my vet examine him.
Hi Ian,
Sorry to hear you lost your 14 year old lab recently. I think it is natural to feel guilty and worry about whether you did enough. But ultimately it is impossible to know without hindsight when the ‘right time’ actually was. And far far better to be too soon, than too late. You gave your old friend a good life and saved him from further suffering. At 14, most labs are coming to the end of their time with us. You did the right thing and I hope you feel better soon.
Pippa
Pippa, many thanks for your kind words, just to add to my comments about my beloved Lab Toby, i thought it is worth mentioning that his brother Luke also suffered his first vs attack whilst Toby was suffering his second vs attack in January this year. This for the family was particularly a stressful time having to deal with both brothers with the same syptoms. Fortunately Luke has recovered very well and hopefully will be us for a while yet.
Our “Leo” almost made it to 11, but an inoperable tumor finally crossed to his liver and did him in a few days ago. We had our vet to the house that afternoon and we all said good-bye, but not before one last hike that morning in the woods. It was a slow, deeply melancholy time to reflect on our time together. That’s how we will remember him, sweet boy, while he was still getting around and able to smile and look at us.
Sorry for your loss Paul
Best wishes
Pippa
I’m having such a hard time deciding whether it’s time to say goodbye to Cooper. He’ll be 14 in a few weeks. Had him since he was 8 weeks old. He’s such a good friend…has been to work with me just about everyday of his life, where an office full of employees love on him. Lately he’s had issues vomiting, almost where it looks as though he’s dying. Yet, this passes and he’s back to being what looks like a “lazy” dog. Also, lately, he poops in his sleep, and inside frequently, almost as an uncontrolable happening. I think I know it’s time, it’s just more difficult than I imagined it would be. As most, I guess I just assumes (hoped) that he would find a spot in the flowerbed and go to sleep.
Hi there, it is a very difficult situation, and sadly, most dogs don’t just ‘go to sleep’, they need a little help. However, it is important to take your vet’s prognosis into account. There may be an easily remedied reason for the vomiting.
Best wishes
Pippa
Hi Matt,
You just know when it’s the right time, you’ve given him a wonderful long and happy life, now the qualitys gone, it always has to be quality over quantity. To many people keep their dogs too long where by the dogs have a miserably last few months, it has to be much better to let them go before it gets to that stage, our lab rosy is 12 now her back legs are going, so on Monday we have the vet coming to our house to put her to sleep, as with cooper her quality is gone, she’s unhappy and never wants to go out now, so where is the point in keeping her alive, it is much better for us to let her go, it will break our hearts too we’ve had her from 8 weeks too. But we know it’s the right thing to do for her.we’ll spend the weekend cuddling her, we want her put to sleep at home because it’s much less stressful for her, she’ll just lay on the bed and go to sleep. Best wishes Matt.
I have just read your article with tears running down my face I have just put my 13 year old dog to sleep and feel that I have killed her how could I do this to something I love so much she had been unwell she already had a lung issue they found that last year but she stopped wanting to go out and look sad I took her to the vet they took some X-rays and found she had an enlargerd liver spleen heart that had become deformed on the left side we came home and for some reason she went down hill I think the X-ray may have caused it as she started to leak from down below I just lay there with her I cried and cried I new there was something very wrong I went back to the vet the next day she seemed to be well again looking around and wanting to run for the door I did not know what to do now she was so ill the night before the vet could not tell me what to do but he told me we would be here again sooner rather than later just on her lung issue I feel I let her down
Hi Tina,
You made a very brave decision based on what was best for your dog.
You are bound to feel awful, you have just lost your friend of 13 years. But it sounds to me that it was the right time to let her go. So many people wait and wait for the dog to get terribly sick before they take action.
The x-ray could not have caused her to go downhill like that, and she needed it. You did everything you could and did not let your dog down.
Don’t blame yourself, focus on the good life that you gave your dog and the fact that you saved her from inevitable suffering and pain.
Best wishes,
Pippa
Thank you pippa for your kind words
Sweetheart you never let her down, you did the right thing by her. The wrong thing would have been to try and keep her longer. You loved her very much as we all do, but the kindest thing to do it to do what you’ve done and put the dogs welfare first. You are wonderful.
Hi,well our 13 1/2 year old yellow lab is finding the back door a struggle – but coping. Quite frequent bowel accidents in the kitchen…..Our we hanging onto her for ourselves but just how do you know when it’s time to let go?
Panting alot when standing in the evenings but otherwise happily lays on her bed most of the day. Still eating and drinking…..
Any advice/tips appreciated…..
Hi Louise, sorry to hear your elderly dog is showing signs of being uncomfortable.
Deciding on the best course of action for her is really a decision best reached in consultation with your veterinary surgeon. There are so many factors to take into account, including any health problems she may have, and the reasons for her incontinence and panting. Dogs sometimes carry on eating and drinking when seriously ill and are often very good at concealing symptoms of pain.
Hope you get some good help and advice soon. Best wishes, Pippa.
(Tanners Story, a tribute)
I sadly said goodbye to my sweet and wonderful Yellow lab and “Service Dog” Tanner this mid – October 2012.
She had fought her whole life to live, be happy and share her HUGE love towards all — as that was the only thing on her “Bucket list” ..
As a pup invitro she contracted parvo-virus from her mom – 1/2 her litter was dead at birth – Tanner was the runt – I took her knowing that (most likely) she would have major health issues down the road (and she did) All was well until she was 2, and then all hell broke loose . She soon was found to have serious auto-immune issues and her pancrease also was damaged and she had in 13 years 4 nasty bouts with it — but I made her a Vegetarian by RX Dog food and supplements of fresh steamed veggies and fresh fruit as snacks and she would always bounce back well and happy. She looked her whole life like a lab pup, she was not over weight and had that puppy look — Even at 12 yrs. people would stop to ask me how old my puppy was? And they were in awe, when I’d reply ” She is 12 yrs old” LOL
She was a bit over 13 and we together – had a wonderful life..
In the last 6 mons she was diognoised with “Crohns” disease and she almost died when it came on very suddenly — I almost lost her a couple times over a 10 day period – but she came out of it (after my nursing her at home with IV’s and meds and not getting sleep for 48 hrs one night alone in that period) I am a former licensed vet. tech. And yet again we cheated the odds and She and I got another (Quality) 6 mons… But these last 6 mons. I was begining to notice that her back legs were starting to vibrate- shake and I could tell that things were becoming unstable – then the last month – a couple of times I found her “spread out” like a eagle swimming – trying to get up off my tile floor .. Ok, so down went many a carpet streamer – to help her get traction and it worked – but I knew, from the first incident a decision needed to be made and sooner than later – ( Remember, when quality of life is not going to get better for our furry family – we have to let go…
I made the appt. – she LOVED going to to see my Vet. and our friend..
They all loved her as well at our Vet. Hosp.
I cooked this Lil Lady a “Filet Mignon” to which she had smelled me cooking many times — but COULD NEVER taste – due to the above health issues.. I also cooked her fresh steamed Asparagus, which was her favorite veggie. We went for a ” Quality of life Evaluation” that I requested… At the meeting I was told it old age had finally caught up w/her.
Spine and Hips were begining to wear out and she was in zero pain — also he did not feel it was time to do this that day, but did say that this was only going to get worse with time and he said the decision was left up to me..
I went out to my car, got that steak and asparagus and had one of the girls there warm it in the microwave for her — and I fed her every bite by hand .. Believe me – SHE LOVED EVERY BITE! and slowly savored ever morsel (smile) And then I held my baby while she drifted off in my arms to ‘Rainbow Bridge” I wispered and told her she was my little “Tangle” and to wait for mom at the bridge as I too will be there on day — our happy reunion.
She went in peace that day.. And with her body, brain and dignity – still in tact.. I will not lie – this is the deepest pain I have ever felt ( she was my heart dog) I have been so lost, and I still am looking for my baby every AM and PM – T. was my day, my night — but twas the right decision…
This is the price we pay – for all the years of service and love we get.. Not fair – agreed. But you have to do whats right for your furry child..
There will never be another like T.
Mom loves and misses you sweet baby – and always will….
Thanks for sharing Marla, so sorry for your loss. Pippa
Sorry for your loss Nicola, it is the hardest decision.
Pippa
Molly who was 13 yrs and 18 days old was put to sleep yday. she was a black labrador retriever and our best friend and we all miss her so much. she had alot of health problems over the yrs but bounced back. cancer, arthritis and old age caught up with her and we couldnt be selfish. friends and family came to say their goodbyes and give her hugs. we took her to the vets together and we sat and hugged her while the vet injected her. we are now waiting for her ashes to be returned to us, back home where she belongs. the pain is awful and our family is not complete. but we know she is no longer in pain, just us from our loss.
Thank you very much for this article ; it helped me to make a very painful decision – to have my 13 year old siamese cat put to sleep . She had been ill with chronic pancreatitis for about a year and a scan showed signs of other serious abnormalities . I did not want to leave it till she had another flare up of her illness and was in severe pain so I had her put to sleep this week . It was hard to judge the right time to do it but , as your article said , it was better to do it a little too soon rather than regret leaving it till a bit too late . It was the last thing that I could do for her and , though I’m still heartbroken , I have no regrets .
Very sorry for your loss Evie, thank you for sharing your story with us. A brave decision. Pippa
Hi folks, I put off reading Pippa’s most recent article because it’s so close to home. My 15 year old Labrador Juno was put to sleep only in July after a short illness and for a while I thought we were about to loose our beautiful boy Finnegan, he’s only two (but a stupid Irish Wolfhound) and currently an inpatient at the vets after major surgery yesterday for the second time in just over a year. So far so so good, he’s not out of the woods yet but he’s bright and perky just not ready to come home yet – it’s an as yet undiagnosed digestive problem, last year was a stolen plastic bottle top which may well prove to be the root cause. He should be home in a day or so, but if not or if he’s suffering then we won’t hesitate no matter how much it breaks our hearts (plural because he’s not actually my dog, he’s my Mum’s and she knows he’ll be her last which makes it that bit harder). Our mantra is as long as the dog is happy and not suffering then all is fine. My first girl simply decided she’d had enough and went to sleep at just short of sixteen, so kind to all of us, our second got lymphoma, there was no treatment but she was happy and could enjoy her walks and food (well, she was a lab after all) but when she started coughing we knew it was time. Juno was diagnosed with an inoperable tumour and the decision was a balance on her quality of life, I hope I made the right decision, she went down hill rapidly in less than a day, before that she’d been happy and keen to wander around the garden (she was 15 so wasn’t up for long walks anyway), so I like to think I got the balance right. The one that haunts me is our previous Wolfhound, Cara, she was fine and then had an upset stomach, it took 10 agonising days whilst we tried to get a diagnosis and finally it was pancreatitis, we still think it was a pancreatic cancer, the vet would have kept fighting for her but she was suffering and we took the decision. It was only ten days but it was a few too many and she will haunt me for a long time. For Juno I grieve for my companion but take comfort in the fact that she didn’t suffer and was happy right up until the end, in fact if she hadn’t been an idiot and fallen down the stairs behaving like a two year old we probably wouldn’t have found the tumour and she might have detoriated like Cara. When you take on your dog you know that, all things being equal, you will outlive it and I think it’s our responsibility as their owners to ensure the whole of their lives is as good as we can make it and part of that means being as unselfish as we can be to ensure they have a good end and to remember them with love and affection as the bouncing, loving canince compaions with whom we are so honoured to share our loves.
A excellent article on a tough topic. Thanks for the author of covering this.
Every dog owner should realize that they are probably going to outlive their dogs. Therefore this issue should be considered in the very beginning, when selecting a new puppy.
It is no easy decision to make. It is always too soon. For me it is matter personal duty, honor and respect towards my hunting companion for making this decision in a dignified manner and time. I have no certainty what my dog feels about it, but I am sure it suffers and feels pain from cancer, failing hips or other condition that prevents it from performing in the field.
Quality over quantity – absolutely!
Life is full of coincidences. After writing my comment above just two days ago, my border terrier became very ill and he was gone yesterday evening. There was a seemingly benign tumor in his stomach that had erupted.
Although my terrier was already 12 years, it was too soon.
So sorry to hear that. 🙁
I think most of holding on concerns facing your own mortality. I got my wife a pup 13 years ago when she moved to LA with me. Sort of a living engagement ring. Due to severe arthritis I put her down in april (the dog) after months of mess etc…but probably should have done it last august. I just couldn’t face that we weren’t kids living in a crappy apartment, getting by somehow and starting our weekends on Wednesday. we’d gotten older, had kids, bought a nice house etc…and our friend was aging and we barely noticed til one day she couldn’t get up….then we were like, “where did all that time go?”
You were there for them when they needed you, and that’s what counts.
An excellent and sensitive article and one with which I wholeheartedly agree . I am a volunteer for the Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support Service and hear sad stories of loss all the time , I am never ever judgemental but I do so feel for the dogs who have been kept lingering on when all hope has gone .
My own Lab Tess suffered a thankfully short illness in July of last year , dogs hide their symptoms so well and are programmed to carry on regardless . She was diagnosed with terminal liver disease , she lost her joyful love of life and so I helped her on her way whilst she still had her dignity . Then just months later, my JR Lily who had suffered seizures for two years, was diagnosed with a brain tumour , we made that hardest but kindest of decisions for her too . I will never regret what I did for my girls, never forget them and the love that they gave and received .
I’ve had various dogs over the past 40+ years. From German Shepherds to Whippets and terriers; from pedigree breeds to cross-breeds.
Since 1984, after my last GSD died of cancer, I have dedicated my time to re-homing unwanted dogs rather than buying puppies. My present two rescue dogs are a 13 year old Labrador cross and a 9 year old Springador, but as I’m suffering with ill health, they may well be my last ever dogs.
Dogs have been a major part of my life and I will say this much, it never gets easier when it’s your dog’s time to leave. Indeed it’s their shortened lifespan compared to my species that is the only thing that I hate about dogs.
I have lost my dogs due to various illnesses, accidents and one ran off chasing a rabbit, never to be seen again even after a major prolonged search for him.
However, the only dog that I took to a vet to put to sleep due to old age was my 18 year old Border Collie back in 2006. It’s his death that has left me with a feeling of regret because, though I know I did the right thing, I am haunted by the feeling that I had shortened his life somewhat.
You see Shep belonged to an older brother who was killed in an RTA in 1993. I didn’t hesitate for a micro-second to welcome Shep into my life where he was loved for a further 14 years.
Shep was such a fantastic, though determined dog, and he seemed to know the purpose of his last visit to the vet. I remember him screaming and struggled to get up onto his four paws and out of his basket to escape the room. When the veterinarian surgeon administered the lethal dose and Shep was finally at peace and perhaps reunited with my late brother in death, instead of feeling that I had done the right thing by him, I felt the opposite. That I had let him down and that the last tangible link I had with my late brother was severed forever.
I know it sounds silly and selfish but I cannot exorcise these thoughts and no doubt they will be with me right up to the time of my departure.
One thing I can promise the readers of my post is that I will not fail in my duties when the time comes for my present dogs, though I hope that is far in to the future.
I too have had several dogs in my 65 years, all of which were euthanized when the time came. I had a rough collie many years ago who at 13yrs. was blind and deaf, arthritic and then suffered a stroke which caused her to walk in circles. When I took her to the vet to be euthanized, she cried and fought him all through the process. It was one of the worst experiences of my life. It broke my heart and still brings a tear to my eyes when I think about it.
We have had many animals as our children grew up and each was loved very much. I have had to have a dog put down due to arthritis in his back legs and I had a very heavy heart. Afterwards I thought that the dog had given us so many faithful years of his life that he deserved the right to a peaceful death. This thought helped me through. We now have a black Lab who is 10 years old and Im dreading the day when……..
I agree with much of what you say. I have my regrets of keeping one dog just a few days too long. Never again.
In the last couple of weeks, close friends of mine asked my advice on what they should do about their 15 year old lab. Her back legs were going and she had frequent episodes of diarrhoea. Very distressing for both of them. They were very worried about their sons reaction of having her put down. I pleaded with them to do it as it was for Jess, not them. I said they should ask the vet to come to the house as I have always done this, and believe it is the least stressful option. It should always be for the dog not the owner.
Some vets are reluctant to tell the client that it is time, believing you know the dog best. I have 2 Labradoodles, 6 years and 6 months and hope after they have lived long and happy lives I will do the right thing by them.
Thanks Gill, I think an ‘at home’ option is a good one if it can be arranged.
I wholeheartedly agree, I read that as well about the woman and her diapers etc., how degrading for the dog. I had my beloved Seamus put to sleep because the arthritis in his back legs meant he could no longer get up the 2 steps to the back garden and whined when standing up because of discomfort. He was nearly 12 and had been the best friend ever. I owed it to him that he should not suffer.
A brave decision Carol, and very unselfish.
I had a similar problem with my dog about 15 years ago and his quality of life had gone and it was the right thing to do, it was so hard. My best dog of 6 so far. Sadly missed.
I lost my 9 year old lab 12 weeks ago he had his spleen removed and tests came back saying he had cancer we had the choice then to let him go but we didn’t we had an extra 3 month with him and he was like a new puppy but within 2 dyas he went down hill fast and had filled up with fluid we knew then it was time to let him go. We now have a new 15 wek old lab and he has helped us alot but our Beautiful boy will never be forgotten.
It is so tough to lose a good friend, glad you have a new little one to share your life 🙂