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
Itotaly agree quality not quantity of life I lost my lab recently he could hardly walk and had a growth in his throat wich was going to strangle him i know it was the right decision xx
I’ve never owned a dog before now, so I can’t talk about my own experience. My dogs are healthy and young, but what I’m sure of is that I completely agree with you Pippa.
Not running or walking is no life for a dog. A dog must not suffer. It makes no sense. Here in Spain some people wouldn’t understand your decision to put your dog to sleep. But I now what I will do (hopefully in a far future) if my dogs are suffering.
Hello,
We have a 13 year old yellow lab Maddie who we have raised since she was 6 weeks old. Over the past six months she has developed a cough, pants a lot and sleeps pretty much all day.
We have her on Vetprofen for her arthritis & she takes this twice a day along with Thyro-tab. She still likes to go on short walks but lately is only eating once a day & has numerous fatty tumors all over. My husband & I have been wondering about her quality of life at this point. She has never had an accident in the house but can no longer go up stairs & uses a ramp to get in the truck. What can or should we do. Just let her continue in old age or let her go:(
I agree. A number of years ago I came home to find my beautiful black lab lying in his own mess. He was clearly distressed. I called the vet to put him to sleep. My two daughters were so up set that day that the poor dog was afraid. The vet arrived and said with treatment he could have more time, so that was what we did. A couple of weeks later I came home to find him lying in his mess again. He has the saddest eyes looking up at me. I helped him outside and as he lay on the grass I gently cleaned him and promised his I would make this stop.
I called the vet and arranged the appointment.
On that day we did his favourite things. I took him to a loch he loved and he got to sniff his favourite smells. His favourite biscuits and a big drink of milk that he loved.
Lying on his blanket in the back of my car we went to the vet. He hated the vet so I arranged fur the vet to come out to the car. She sedated him and I sat with him and talked to him until he was sleepy. Then the final injection.
He had a lovely last day and quietly went to sleep with me holding him and talking quietly to him. It was a good end. So much better than it would have been before with him being so scared because of my girls upset. He always reacted to any of us being upset and would come to you if you cried and put his head on your lap.
The girls were angry with me for not telling them about it until it was over. But they got over it. He had the best end and I regret nothing.
Who ever it is you are losing, whether dog or human, make it the best it can be for them. Ask for whatever you know will make it right and peaceful for them. I followed the same principals when my lovely wee mum was dying and she was surrounded by us chatting quietly about our fun and fond memories and playing her favourite films and music. My daughter continued reading the Harry Potter book mum had started to her too.
Dignity and gentle love and care for those we love. After all you only get one chance to get it right, so put some thought into it now and if you feel you got it right, it will help beyond belief after.
Love and hugs to you all and our wonderful fur babies.
This helped me a lot when I was losing my lab Jake from Arthritis 2 days ago. We had him on supplements but he would still cry and shake. But I’m glad he is in a better place and might get a new jake on the near future
I am struggling with my decision, I know its time. My girls are 13 years one month. We saw an ad the paper and my ex wanted a yellow lab. They only had one female and it was yellow. There was a very small pup in the back of the playpen that looked so lonely I just had to hold her. We bought 2 precious pups born 2-2-02 🙂 A 12 lb yellow and a 6 lb black lab! Rosie (the black one) has been my blessing. By 6 months she was bigger than her sister and cross eyed! She is such a sweet hearted dog! She has an open tumor on her rump and the past month she has been loosing control of her bowels. Lady (yellow) has extreme fear of anything loud especially storms. Ive decided to call the vet. Its time. I have told my ex and my daughter. They have left this decision up to me. I plan on spending the next few days playing with them and loving them and telling them how much their unconditional love will be missed. Rose is just hanging on and I don’t want my Ladybug to die in pain when her anxiety peaks during the spring storms. This is such a hard time:/
Thank you for this blog. I have been struggling for a week now trying to decide what to do for my 13 year old Golden. The vet is pretty sure he has liver cancer. We took two liters of fluid from his belly on Friday. It is starting to fill again already. He is eating, drinking and making snow angels outside. He moans when he lays down from the uncomfortable feeling from the fluid. I am really struggling on when to let him go. Do I do now while he is pretty happy or do I wait? I really wanted to wait until Spring break so I could spend a few days with him before I let him go. Now I am re-thinking that plan. Ugh!!
Today March 4th 2015 at 12:30 pm I said goodbye to my sweet handsome loyal best friend . It has broken my heart. Jack was the kindest spirit I’ve ever met on this earth. I miss him so much and am reminded of him everywhere. I have watched him decline slowly over the past few months, but nothing a holistic diet, goats milk and glucosamine couldn’t manage. Until sunday morning when he could not get out of his bed. His back was dropping low and hind legs were failing him. The vet came monday morning to my house and pumped him with a high dose steroid shot and pain killers. He was a little better for a bit but was still in a great deal of pain. Hip dysplasia, tumors, and a lump in his throat that made it hard to breathe and swallow. He said the other option was euthanasia. I was not ready. Jack licked me and had his arms wrapped around me until the end. These dogs are such a special gift, I am so honored he chose me to be his mom on this journey. I will never forget his ability to make me laugh and the humungous heart he had. I sure hope there is a rainbow bridge because I can’t wait to see you again Jacky poo! This is one of the hardest things I have done and I can’t help but wonder if I should have waited a little longer. He is an amazing spirit. I am so sad.
Sorry for your loss Maggie – best wishes, Pippa
Our fabulous 12 and a half black lab ….. Petra Sunny Soul………only ever gave us love , loyalty and a waggling tail !!! She was very poorly 10 days ago , diagnosed with pancreatitis and also discovered to have diabetes ….With twice daily insulin , she seemed to recover quite quickly from the pancreatitis and began to regain her appetite and her tail began wagging again !!! . She hasn’t yet regained strength and her back legs have become so weak that she cannot grip the floor as it is not carpeted. The awful thing is that just before she was ill , we bought a new puppy ,as people had told us that this would bring her a bit more energy , but I fear that it brought on the acute illness., and decline .Maybe she was stressed because of the pup?? Maybe without the pup , we would have managed her diabetes in a less stressful manner and we could have nursed her back to baseline ? Anyway …. We keep the puppy away from her , and the vet gave us some anti-inflammatories for her legs , but I fear she is not going to improve , and I am broken hearted to see our beautiful girl looking so sad , and unable to get herself around , or even to go up the steps on her own , outside into her lovely garden !! Reading all your stories has made me so sad , but I do realise that I have to agree with my husband , that Petra should not have to suffer and the time has come to let her go……so sad .
Our golden lab Archer was diagnosed with diabetes July last year. He was on insulin twice a day and strict diet. We tried hard to keep him with us, but were unable to get his diabetes under control, then at Christmas time he went blind almost overnight. I couldn’t bear watching him walk into things and being so sad. He would attempt the steps on the back decking and once just fell off completely. Luckily he was OK, another time caught him just in time as he went to walk straight off. He was 11 on 26th Jan. and we made the decision that he had had a good life and had been so faithful to us that it wasn’t fair on him to live on miserably. We had him put to sleep a week later, so our Arch is now at peace.
Sorry for your loss Lynette
On Sunday we had to have our beloved black lab Rupert put to sleep. He was nearly 13 and so much loved. We always said that when the time came we would not allow him to suffer. He had just a day of real ill health, unable to get up or lift his head. His end was peaceful and painless. We stroked him and mine was the last face he saw and my daughter’s voice the last sound he heard. We are so very sad but know we did the right thing by him. I only wish people could be accorded the same compassion and dignity.
Very sorry for your loss Jan
I can only echo the “better a day too soon” mantra. Our beloved 12-yr old “found” lab Bob was having seizures and after blood tests the vet felt it was cancer. I had set a date for the euthanasia, and the day before, we took a last walk on our favorite jogging trail while I took photos, blinking through my tears. Upon returning home, I got a call from the vet suggesting we see a veterinary neurologist to confirm or disprove the cancer diagnosis.
What would you have done?
Yes, I took Bob for an MRI, then a spinal tap to check for white blood cells (meningitis). No mass showed on the MRI, but neither were there significant white blood cells. Still, the neurologist felt Bob had meningitis -which is curable in many cases. And so began a 2 week nightmare. Bob couldn’t be on anti-convulsants for some reason I cannot recall, related to meningitis or the antibiotics for same. So the seizures became more frequent and violent, even a walk to the front lawn was almost more than he could manage, and his Bobbish joy in life entirely disappeared. The neurologist kept urging us to hang on, sometimes it seems worse before it improves, etc., until we finally said we could not subject our lad to any more.
At this point, even the euthanasia was horrific, as the calming pre-pentothal drug sent Bob into constant seizures.
I am so very sorry our Bob had to endure all this, and so wish I had stayed with the original plan. We grasped at a straw of hope that turned to pure poison.
I am so sorry for your pain. I understand it. All too well.
:struggling not trudging although she can only walk a few down steps. She falls downs.
Even when your head knows you are making the right decision, it seems like the heart just can’t. Our 14 1/2 yr old lab is trudging. She has spinal stenosis and advanced chronic arthritis. She can’t get up a lot of the time especially on tile and wood but even on carpet. She hasn’t been able to get up steps for a few years unless they are very shallow, can’t get in to the car. She is a big lab – 75 pounds so I can’t lift her though she has lost a lot of weight in the last few months. She has been pooping in her sleep for a years or so but has now started to urinate as well. She is leaking a lot now which means she is constantly wet. She does try to get outside but the look on face is misery when she doesn’t make it. All was going OK until she is now refusing her pain meds (tramadol and antibiotics). I can’t get the pills down her without a battle. She clamps her jaw shut. Yes, I have tried all of the usual remedies and am now just giving her metacam but she needs antibiotics as well. She sleeps about 22 – 23 hours a day. I know the time is close but am tortured that I am ready to pts because she is becoming a burden to me vs me deciding it is right for her. I am have a vet’s appt this week and I know he will be supportive of whichever direction I go. Just need to get this all off my chest to people who know.
Although the original post is some years old what doesn’t lessen is the fact that we all loved and grieve for a special friend.
Early days for us .. But thank you all for sharing your stories … RIP xx
My 12 year old lab is having accidents on the floor recently and she ha trouble with her back lags, she is on tablets to help but lately they do not seem to be effective.. she normally eats but today she started eating then stopped and left most of it:( she seems to struggle standing up today and yesterday and I have had her since I was around 4 so 12 years I’ve had her:( I don’t want to lose her just don’t know what is wrong with her and what to do…
We today had my 5 and a half year old yellow lab RuRu put to rest. He had terminal cancer. 7 months ago it started suddenly. He vomited and was feeling sick, he quickly developed stomach pain and was arching and crying out. After two trips to the vet and no improvement I had him referred to aht Newmarket, they are meant to be some of the best vets in Europe. He had adenocarcinomas in his intestine. I couldn’t believe what they were telling me. He had life saving surgery and made it through. He was very very poorly for 2 weeks post op and another two weeks were a struggle but then he came back. The old Ru was back. Recovered and with no pain. He also had hip dysplacia from 2 years old but we had it well under control with physio, pain relief, acupuncture and hydrotherapy. He was given 2 months to live after the surgery and managed 7 months. He was completely fine and I was kidding myself that he was a miricle dog and the cancer hadn’t spread. But almost a week ago out of the blue he vomited. I knew at once what it was. The same symptoms returned. He was in increasing pain. On top dose of every pain killer he could have and it still wasn’t fullu controlled. He then developed diarrhoea. He couldn’t play or go for a walk. He was still happy but he would have been happy no matter his suffering because he would do anything and everything for us. He just wanted to be with us. That’s all I wanted too but the pain was too mich. Things were getting worse quickly. He still tried to play with my husband just before we had the vet come out. I question if we have done it at the right time but I think deep down I know how much pain he was covering and masking and I couldn’t see him suffer any more. He was my baby. I have an almost 3 year old and out dog was his best friend. I also have a 12 week old. I feel my Ru held on to see his birth, to welcome him home before the cancer returned.
I can’t live without him. I am in shock and am completely devested. I don’t know how to be without him. I miss him so much already. Life is sad without my pup. My heart will never be the same again. Thank you for the posts and comments. I need to hear these words right now. I don’t know how I will live with this loss.
I have a lab We call RuRu Her real name however is Ariel but she has always been my Ruru , She is 16 tomorrow, and for the last 34 years the vet has told us she wont live long with her cancer but she runs with our yr old lab, she plays, she still jumps up in my bed, she eats, she can still out last me on a walk, So how do you know when the tim is right? I keep waiting for her to be ” sick ” to show some sign , some symptom. I am sorry for your loss of your RuRu , it really hit close to my heart to read your story.
that was 4 years not 34 🙁
I came on here to see if anyone else was having a similar problem as i am…My 12yr old choccy lab (Cadbury) has arthritis in his back legs and is taking medication daily…over the last few months i have noticed that he is really struggling to get about…in his mind he is still a puppy and STILL attempts to run wild in circles when my children play with him, but sadly this is cut short when he stumbles and pays the price later that evening and is stiff as a board. I have also noticed that he is becoming more and more incontinent and will wee as he is walking and is often caught short and will wee anywhere.. If this wasnt bad enough he began to pass his motions as he was walking and i dont think he realised he was doing it. This has now deterreated to pooing whilst he is asleep and laying in it..this has now been for the last month daily.. I tried to rehouse Cadbury in the hope that he was doing these things because I am at work all day (although I do nip home at lunchtime to let him out to do his business) and that somebody with a little more time would be able to give him it. But it now appears that it is not for attention he simply doesnt realise he is doing it…the look on his face when I discover the mess is heartbreaking and it seems like his dignity is going. I thought i was alone in this issue but i now read i am not. I think that it is only fair on Cadbury and myself to “put him to sleep” as it seems to be the only dignified thing to do. It will literally break my heart to see him go in this way but i would hate for him to suffer any longer just to ease my conscience. My only concern niggling at me is ” What if he could be prescribed medication and be ok in a few months and I am considoring cutting his life short too soon?”..I know i sound like i am dragging out his life but i am torn at what to do for the best.
First and foremost discuss your concerns with your vet. My old lab Luke will be sixteen in Mar next year, he as you would expect has very weak back end & has been pooing in his sleep for the last 2 yrs. You get to manage and except this as long as his quality of life is ok. He still has spirit and goes for walk on beach every day. He has a daily supliment of joint aid which i am sure helps his mobility.
My husband and I are currently dealing with when to euthanize our 12 1/2 year old black lab, Bob. He has been finding it increasingly difficult to get around. He is starting to wonder off, out of the yard, (something he has never done), he has pooped in the house several times without any signal to go outside (something else that has never been an issue). He now is starting to have difficulty with steps and/or getting up from wood or tile floors. The concern that is arising now is that he is sometimes starting to growl when he can’t get up and we have to help him. We know the time is near and it will not be easy as we have been in this situation with our previous lab 14 years ago. Bob has always had an excellent temperament and it is just sad to see his body failing him when his spirit is still visible.
I could have written your comment myself. Black Lab, 12.5 years old, and slowly failing. Difficulty walking in the last week, and now today dragging her back legs around behind her. Pooped in the house last night for the third time this week and has sat out in the yard unwilling to come in. She’s not in any visible pain but clearly frustrated with her lack of function. I have a tough appointment in the morning, and know what we need to do to keep her dignity.
Thanks for the article and comments. My first and best dog, Gunny is schedule for Friday. He’s 14 1/2 and is nearly deaf, can’t see well, either or both are ok with me. But, he wakes up each morning in a pile of poop. The shame on his face is too much for me to face each day. While I love him dearly and know it will be very tough to face Friday, I think it’s the right thing. Gunny is and will always be Good Dog Gunny.
My husband and I have been going back and forth for weeks trying to decide what is best for our at least 15 year old rot/dob mix. She was my mother’s dog via my son rescuing her. She became ours when my mom passed ten years ago. A special bond formed between my husband and Kayla. In the past months she has exhibited signs of degenerating mylopathy which have increased. She has severe cataracts and allergies, but she has learned to cope. From her waist up she is a relatively happy dog taking her cue to bark from her best dog buddy. We have wavered deciding if we are “betraying” her by putting her to sleep or by keeping her alive. This, plus she is the last remaining piece of my kid’s grandmother. Your article has helped tremendously by taking the stance that the decision is best made before it is made for you. Thank you so very much.
My 13 year old lab Rocky passed away fifteen days ago , he was put to sleep after being paralysed for 15 days. The two doctors who come to see him said that I should give him a chance although I was sure he wasn’t going to make it .the last two days Rocky wasn’t my Rocky he was pissing on himself a lot couldn’t move and the night before he vomited blood and so the day after .The decision of euthanasia is a tough one but I definitely believe that as soon it is taken the better.Can t hide to everybody that I feel guilty letting him suffer.Miss him so much miss all the unconditional love he gave me, the joy I feel lucky that I had the privilege to live 13 years with Rocky. Oh Rocky I miss you so much.
Nine years ago, my husband and I made the painful decision to put down our retriever/shepard/lab-mix, Odie. She had sever hip dysplasia by the time she was 6 months old. She always had pain. But we pampered her. She was our “baby” before we had any human ones! By the time we did have our first child, her body had aged pretty quickly. And she became very mean towards our daughter. I was 8 months pregnant with our second child and knew we needed to keep our kids safe (as she would growl at our daughter) and it that it wasn’t fair that she was in so much pain.
Now we are faced with our Golden Lab, Krystil that we “rescued” from a security company. She has been the perfect companion for our crazy Lab/Elk hound Zion. They are two peas in a pod. But she came from the security company at a year and a half, sick. She had Lyme disease. She’s been treated several times for it. She also has severe arthritis in her front legs from a genetic disorder, that I guess could have been fixed when she was a young pup. She also has hypothyroid, and I think she’s going deaf. And now she poops about 7 or 8 times a day, on occasion vomits…and she frequently does it in the house. I’m really at the point to where I think it’s time. Our other dog is 6 months younger, but years younger health wise. My husband is stubborn, and doesn’t want to do it. I don’t “want” to either, but I cannot imagine her living life like this. And the vet just keeps adding pills.
I’m sad and angry because I have taken pains to provide my 15 yr old cocker, Allie, with the most care I could afford and she continues to need constant care. She’s blind, has congestive heart failure, has constant ear and skin issues, wears a diaper which she used to just urinate in now she’s pooping in it several times a day – and as someone said in a previous comment – I am miserable. She takes more meds than I do and vet bill has been horrendous. She even has a prosthetic eye (put in before the other eye went blind) From the same article, I now know she’s miserable,too, and that I need to make a dreaded decision. In spite of her health issues, she barks when she wants me and eats voraciously like she always has done. So is it time? I welcome your thoughts.
my 13 year old patterdale terrier started to look dazed and confused when out on a walk, 3 weeks later I woke to her screaming, ran to her, she was foaming at the mouth unable to move, took her outside, comforted her, she gradually came to but was still a bit wobbly. took her to the vets who said its something to do with her brain, could be a tumor. she gave us some pills which were for circulation. my dog seemed ok for a couple of days but then things got bad again, she couldnt get out of her bed in the mornings, when i did get her up she was falling all over the place, and was incontinent while she was doing this, she always came to and seemed happy, ate well, it always happened in the mornings for some reason. after speaking to the vet again and her saying she wanted to try another pill for her, i decided to let her be put to sleep because i didnt want her to suffer like this any more, i feel so guilty, like i sentenced her to death, its an awful feeling, maybe these pills would have worked or maybe i was just prolonging the inevitable
Hi Cathy I feel exactly the same as you my gorgeous Border Collie who had hip dysplaycia woke up screaming Saturday morning vet gave him two injections and pain killers and said call me in the morning to see how he is well he was still in pain all Saturday and just say whimpering so I hnew the time had come as he looked so so sad vet wanted to try Tramadol but I declined he wasput tosleep with my hubby and me beside him now feel so quilty as he had been so fit and always running around although I knew he had bad hips from 7yrs old but reading this makes me realise better a week early than a week late miss him so much ….
Meant just sat …
In the last 18 months I have had to let two of my labs go. Freaky was diagnosed with bone cancer on the Tuesday, I kept him home with me till Friday so my husband could say goodbye and we let him go. To say that I was/am devastated would be an understatement. We just had to let Trouble go three weeks ago because she blew out her cruchet ligament and the vet said that because she is bow legged she would not be a candidate for surgery. I tried resting her and kept her for a week, carried her to bed every night, gave her naturopathic meds for her pain but in the end we also let her go too. Both times it was the hardest decision of my life. But I took them home to my family farm and buried them in the bush where we so often roamed together as a family, just the three of us. When Trouble passed the vet made the worst comment in the world because her heart did not stop right away. He told me that “she did not want to leave me” and I did not want her to leave. That comment by the vet made me second guess my decision, however after some soul searching it was the right decision, I could not watch my girl, whom I loved so much suffer. There will never be a right time, there would have never been enough time, I still miss her (both of them) every day. But they are no longer suffering, I know that they brought me so much love, I had to do the right thing for them in the end.
Thank you; your article helped me a lot.
Was wondering what other people think. I have a 14 yr old black lab, Eddie, my first ‘baby’ who has simply been the best dog I could ever have wanted. Sadly he now has arthritis which is getting worse and worse, has very little muscle on his rear legs and hind quarters, and is very weak, and a back injury which flares up. He is on tramadol 3 times a day which I have been told is keeping him pain free. He still is a typical hungry lab and eats all I give him but can no longer enjoy the walks he used to love, even 20 yards at a slow pace leaves him panting for breath. He has collapsed a few times but then rallies and is ok again. He no longer gets up to greet me when I come home as the effort to get up is too great. He is losing his hearing and has cataracts. Recently he has started to lose bowel control, starting to go before he gets outside. This to me is not a problem as it can be easily cleaned but he looks so ashamed and although i tell him its ok, does he understand? Last week he got stuck behind the front door and couldn’t get up. I managed to host him up myself, once he was back on his feet he was ok again. He has always been a man’s dog and adores my husband who works away for weeks at a time.
My problem is that I know that sometime in the near future Eddie is likely to go off his legs. He was so distressed when he couldn’t get up before, I would hate to see him go through that again. He was just looking at me for help. But next time i might not be able to get him up again and his last hours would b those of fear and stress. I would dearly like to take him to the beach with my husband for a last ‘walk’, get him a bag of chips and an ice cream, all the things he used to enjoy eating off the promenade before we could catch him (!), then take him home and have the vet come out to put him to sleep with both his mum and dad there to cuddle him. However I feel so guilty at the thought of maybe taking away a few months of life from him. He does still love his food and wants to go for a walk even though he struggles along and is quickly exhausted.He isn’t at the stage of not eating or drinking and his pain is manageable so is it the better thing to let him carry on as he is? Or should I just give him a great day and end on a happy note for him? Anyway without him is a day too soon 🙁
Such a difficult decision for you. I can’t really add to what I put in the article, but I do wish you and your lovely old boy all the best. Pippa
our golden lab is 12, over the past few moths shes been struggling to get up and down the stairs, last week me and my mum came home and she couldnt get up to greet us, she dragged her self to us by her front legs, she was like this for a few days reluctant to get up, we took her back to the vets had blood tests and she was bright and perky again, wanting to run around and greet people, but now were back to square one, struggling to walk. struggling to make it to the garden, the vet has said to keep her comfortable and maybe the next step is x rays and ultrasounds. but is this worth it? she just looks at us wagging dying to get up and say hello but she just cant. is this cruel to keep her alive? were having a hard time making this decision.
Hi Emily,
I know exactly how you feel and what a difficult decision this is. We lost our beloved 14 yr old labrador in Feb this year. He had been on arthritis treatment for two years, but finally it was evident that this was no longer helping. For a few weeks we helped him in and out of the garden, in the last week we had a few accidents – he just couldn’t make it to the garden in time. On the last day, I came home and he couldn’t stand to greet me, though wagged his tail. I knew then that it was time to make sadly an inevitable decision. Five months later, I’m still heartbroken but take comfort that I definitely made the right decision, he had a peaceful passing and did not suffer as I know at that point he would not have recovered. Labs are such dignified dogs, it was awful seeing him so incapacitated. If in doubt, have the tests, so you feel you have explored the what ifs, but ask your vet to be honest – ours was if she is continuing to struggle. Hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, so thinking of you.
I had two labs last week. one is 9 months and one is 5 years. Last monday, left them in kitchen and came back after one hour finding the puppy having convulsions and then died .. there was no other symptoms. Wednesday after .. the 5 years old died but I haven’t seen this one die … any ideas what is the reason ? how did they die
I have found comfort in reading all the articles whilst sitting in my garden with tears in my eyes missing my dearest boy Ollie a English springer spaniel just 7 years and 10 months old. It was all so quick just 6 short weeks ago we were in Cornwall and he was tugging me along to get to the beach. Just the week before he had trouble jumping in the car so we took him to the vet who prescribed Metacam for arthritis and we bought a dog ramp. On return he was very quiet and lethargic another trip to the vet and a virus diagnosed (not arthritis after all). The vet then called me and said he had a kidney infection and they wanted him in to flush him through. This was done on the 18 June. When Ollie came home on the Friday he was a different dog wouldn’t eat and really tired I was forcing his antibiotics down him with food even though he didn’t want to eat. Our funny lively clever dog became a stiff sad figure. Many more trips to the vet as he was losing weight but they said he was depressed but I thought he would get better. Finally on the 28 June he was groaning and trembling and the vet referred him to a private hospital at the cost of £2500 they found he had prostrate cancer that had spread to his lungs and spine. I loved that little mischievous dog so much and as he was already sedated I made the decision to not let him suffer anymore. I feel very sad that the last few weeks of his life was spent having drugs he didn’t need and flushing through which probably aggrevated his prostrate even more. His ashes came back to me on Tuesday so I have found him one of his favourite spots in the garden. I cry every day and wake with night panics I just wish I had known sooner so he could have had palliative care, I would have done the right thing by him because his personality had brought so much fun and happiness to all that knew him a truly beautiful boy who I miss so very much.
Very sorry for your loss Jenny, glad you found this page of some comfort. Best wishes, Pippa
Hi Pippa,
I as well, have an arthritic lab. She still is happy, and the new puppy, we got in January, brought a spark to her life. She is over 11 yrs. We rescued her,so think it is 11. She is on rimadyl, and tramadol. However, tramadol is making her vomit. She has been getting lower, in the back, and can’t get up from the tile, usually, unless I help. She loves the tile, though it is cooler. She can grip on the carpet. Anyways, the waking up in the middle of the night and panting, until she falls back to sleep, concerns me. I know she is in discomfort. Well, here is my emotional dilemma. My husband , and has liver disease, and is now on transplant lists. Still have a time before that, as he isn’t bad enough yet, but caring for him is 24/7 pretty much. I won’t have a place for my elderly dog, if we had to be out of town for weeks. My dad, will take the smaller one. I know she is in pain, and I will make the decision sooner, rather than later to help her to the over the rainbow bridge. We lost our black lab a year in September. She an injured eye, and then blind, and was 12 1/2. She was doing ok, but all of a sudden she went down, dramatically. Falling over, and incontinent. Had to find an vet ER, as it was a holiday. We won’t let her suffer. So we paid the extra for the emergency vet.
Splenic tumor was there, as with many labs. They often aren’t discovered in palpation, but the xray we got before her euthanization showed it. I sprung for the xray, just for my comfort. We have had three large dogs, and the last two both had to be put down due to an acute emergent situation. I don’t want my beloved Luckee to go through that too. And, I have my husband. She has been an angel , and has helped the new puppy acclimate. Harper, is Cavalier King Charles. They just loved each other from day one. When we weren’t there to hold the new puppy, he would curl up besides Luckee’s big body, and feel secure. Anyways, long story. Sorry, but I am in the midst of soon making that decision. All these posts have helped me . Thank you so much, Pippa for starting this conversation. Denise, Las Vegas
Sorry to hear you are having such tough times Denise, I wish you and your family all the best.
We are putting our 18 year and 1 month old lab, Penny, to sleep today. She is a full blooded AKC registered lab … lived longer than any lab I have ever known … and I used to train them for hunting … so I have been associated with a bunch of them. The whole family will accompany her to the vet. She was a wonderful hunting partner till she was retired at 10 years old and been an even better pet to our kids and grandkids … everyone always kidded that she would lick you to death! Tough decision, but her quality of life has diminished to where she struggles to get up on all fours and has lost the “gleam” in her eyes. She will be sadly missed by all the people that walked in our neighborhood and have been greeted by her every morning since 1996 … but most of all by our family who she was so devoted and faithful to for 18 years!
Very sorry to hear this. Eighteen is an amazing age for a Labrador. What a lovely old lady she must be – and how kind of you to send her peacefully on her way. I’m sure you will miss her very much. Best wishes Pippa
My sweet tuffy was died on last saturday , he was only 9 months old. before of his death, he was ill & getting fever of 104. but before two day of death . he was perfectly fine. but sinddenly saturday morning he was die.,Can you Pls tell me what symptom or cause of death of my dog(labra). I am curious to know & i m in shokked.
Pls reply ………..Thanks
Hi Neelu, I am very sorry for your loss, but no-one can tell you what killed your dog via the internet. The best person to talk to is your vet. Pippa
This morning we found out that our beautiful 2 & 1/2 year old Marley Moo (we have always said was our first born baby) has bone cancer in his shoulder & has spread to his lymph gland & hes deteriorating rapidly. Yes you read right hes 2 & 1/2 years old! Weve had him since he was 6 weeks old! Hes our baby. We have a 1 yr old daughter & they are best friends. He started limping 4 weeks ago & after £600+ at the vets they said trama & threw painkillers at him but then his shoulder became extremely swollen. He was crying in pain, waking me in the night as if to say ‘mummy it hurts’ so I returned him to the vets where they referred him to a private vets & after bloods & ct scans & £2000 later they have decided its cancer! Me & my husband are a mess. Thankfully our beautiful boy has been able to come home. Painkillers have eased the pain & hes still his happy gorgeous playful puppy self! Hopping around on 3 legs. Wagging his tail. Barking in the garden. Playing with our daughter. We have discussed & decided to book our vet to come to our home this Friday to send our Marley to heaven. Many people wont agree. Many people will say keep him alive til he gets really bad. Many will say why didnt u let him go today but like the vet said & like me & my husband agree, hes happy, hes home, wed prefer to remember him for these last few days at home with us being himself & going to sleep at home Friday with us. Its the hardest thing iv ever had to go through & im dreading Friday. I just keep cuddling him & kissing him & telling him we love him… what more can I do?.
You are very brave Charlene, and are putting your dog’s welfare first. What a terribly sad situation, I am so sorry. Pippa
You may find some solace in realising that letting the dog go is the last good deed you can do for him.
They say that when we get to Heaven, all the dogs we have ever owned will be there – fully fit – waiting to greet us. That is a day when all will need ear plugs!
Do a search for Rainbow Bridge. I printed it out and framed it with a picture of my dog
Yesterday I let my best friend go. She was a 15 1/2 year old border collie. She was always there for me. She was always very active, even after being diagnosed at 6 with hip dysphasia arthritis. At the start of this year she started to have fits, she was incontinent, heart murmur and lost so much weight. This week her legs and twitching got so bad she couldn’t support herself. 24 hours before the last goodbye she was brighter and wandering about the garden. Now I’m sitting here and the hurt is unbearable with what I’ve done and I feel so confused with my decision 🙁
So sorry for your loss Sharon. You are bound to be hurting, but have confidence in your decision. It sounds as though your dog was not going to get well again and she needed you to let her go. You did the right thing. Pippa
Sadly, Just put my black lab of 13 years down 2 weeks ago…Foster was my constant companion, and truly taught me what love is…The pain was pretty intense, As I was the one making that decision. But on a lighter note, We are getting our new Lab puppy this week ! It has helped refocus us both on the cycle of life.Plus sleep is over rated?
Sorry about your old friend Dennis, good luck with your puppy. Pippa
This site has helped make my decision for my poor Jake a chocolate lab 10 years old he is such a sweet dog will still raise his head she. I call him. But currently he is in a bad way I have gone through a lot with this pretty boy some bad skin. Issues horrible yeast smell but Thursday when I got home from work he normally barks the time I pull in the driveway like hey mom time to eat. I couldn’t find him we have big fenced in yard he wasn’t waiting on me as usual. I thought oh god something is wrong I got my step son to go look in this little plastic log cabin he goes in some times I thought he has died I can’t walk up on that. But he was alive in another part of the yard under some trees its like he is paralyzed in his rear can’t get up urinating & pooping on his self want eat or drink flies r getting all over him I bathed him down with water tried to get him to drink & eat to no avail nothing I have tried has helped have no money for. Large vet bills so we will be seeing vet to put him down I can’t take seeing him like this please pray I am making right decision God Bless Jake
Hi…We have just had to put our 12 yr old yellow lab to sleep on Monday 19th May 2014..He had really bad skin from when we got him from the rspca. ..He had also developed a few lumps which was removed ..but then one that grew really big on his side and we was pretty sure it was cancerous. ..then because of his ongoing skin condition he got what was his second haematoma (swelling/fluid) in his ear…The vet said it was the best thing to do to put him to sleep…devastated is an understatement …just feel we let him down by taking him…I know it was for the best…but can’t pull myself together…The empty house feeling is terrible…miss him badly sleep tight paddyx
Very sorry for your loss Colin. Pippa
I accidently ran into this site today and needed it so badly. On Valentines Day I had my baby boy Roo put to sleep. He was almost 14 and was diagnosed with a tumor on his spleen that had already started to fill his little tummy with bloody fluid. I couldnt ket him suffer…he was my reason for living, my heart and my soul. He was a child to me and I am completely heartbroken. I found peace in reading these tho…having felt emence guilt for ending my babys life. Even tho I know it was the right thing to do. Not sure I’ll ever be ok again but happy he passed with peace as me and my husband held him abd sang “You are my sunshine” to him.
So sorry for your loss Alicia
Yesterday our black Labrador Bella was bitten by a snake. She is only a year old, and that it how I ended up stumbling upon this site, and then this article. While Bella will be fine according to the vet, and we are very thankful. I think that the whole thing is sad no matter ones view. I witnessed my yellow lab go blind, deaf, become incontinent, etc before she finally passed. I was a teenager, a silly teenage girl, and the pain I felt, and I know Samantha felt, was more than I care to remember. There was no quality of life for much too long for a dog that I remember as an adorable ball of fur, and later as my best friend. I can not know why my mother chose this path for her, I remember thinking of ways to put her down myself. I have never harmed an animal, nor would I ever, but seeing her as she became, well THAT was inhumane. Dogs do have dignity. If you shave a dog (such as a Pomeranian), they act different. I’ve seen it. Dogs have personalities. They have hearts, and they deserve to be loved enough, to be allowed to pass peacefully. My mothers choice was probably due to her divorce from my father, which wasn’t long before Sam got sick. I love Bella enough to know that if it came down to it, I would choose quality over quantity of life. Also, for the sake of my children (3&5). Dogs die, we live much longer, and sadly, it’s a part of life. I just wanted to add my two cents, I’m 26, and I think your view has nothing to do with your age, but more to do with your heart. You are a lab lover after all, and we are a special breed. 😉
Help! I am going through a tough time deciding what to do with my 17 yr old golden. He has been an outside dog his whole life and only had his puppy shots, and then one year shots and none since. He has lived a happy life and now suffers from chronic diarrhea. He eats and drinks but is bones. He is blind and partially deaf. I guess I need permission to put him down. I asked a vet and they said it would be $80 for a check up and if they deemed euthanasia to be needed then it would be $100 more. He would be too stressed out to leave the yard. A friend said it is past time. Any words of wisdom?
I just had to put my beloved 15 year old best friend to sleep yesterday. He was a black lab/newfi mix and was my constant companion. He always was there for me and unfaltering in his loyalty and affection. I swear he was more human than dog. I went away for a couple of days to come home to a sick dog. I immediately took him to emergency and they diagnosed him with pancreatitis and sent me home with pain meds and fluids. The next morning he hadn’t moved for 12 hours. I took him back where they informed me that he had an intestinal blockage from a foreign object. We put him on IV fluids to see if the object would start to pass. The dog was previously vomiting and wouldn’t eat. Yesterday, the object hadn’t moved and I made the very difficult decision to put him to sleep. I had an autopsy done and he had eaten a sock whole. It makes no sense. He has NEVER eaten anything but food in his entire life. Why now would he eat a sock? In retrospect, I am having pangs of guilt that I should have had abdominal surgery to remove the sock, but I worried about recovery and his quality of life. He was getting around only for a couple of 10 minute walks a day because of his bad legs and weakness in his hind end. He has some other medical issues too, but nothing fatal. I held his head through the whole thing and told him I loved him. This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do and I literally cannot stop sobbing. I love you Houdini.
Anne, things happen for a reason. Everything does. You did what was best for Houdini, and deep down you know you did. At 15, it is hard to say what that kind of surgery could have caused, and there is no way to know. Veterinary medicine has come a long way, but is still not where human medicine is. Please do not feel guilt over this, I believe our puppies, regardless of age, would like to be remembered as the bundles of energy that have loved us unconditionally. God bless you.
I think this is an amazing site where people gain the courage that they need from others, when having to make one of the hardest decisions ever for their dog that they obviously love so much. I posted here a month ago when we had to have our beautiful boy Jack put to sleep. It was one of the saddest times of my life and we miss him every moment of every day. But I do now know it was the right time and prolonging his life would have been for my sake not his. I kept hoping that maybe he would get better, but really looking back I now know that was just wishful thinking. My story of Jack and many of the others are so very similar. We all know in our hearts when it is the right time but it doesn’t make it easier.To know you are not alone though ,I found certainly helped and the saying better a week too early than a day too late I think is so very true x
Poppy
I understand your grief. I went thru it almost a year ago next month. My 11 yr old Murphy had alot of the same symptoms. I believe his excessive panting was due to pain. He had trouble getting around, his appetite was good bu he had lost that light in his eyes. He couldn’t rest easily at night and I had to make the decision to let him go. Sleeping all day and pain is no quality of life. I think of him every day and miss him terribly. He was my best friend. Better to take her a day early than a day late. She has had a wonderful life. Time will heal your broken heart and letting her go is the kindest thing you could do for her.
I am thinking of you-please make the right decision
Kelly
I can’t tell you how much this means to. It’s actually tearing me apart inside – but I can’t keep wondering whether ‘she’ll be better tomorrow’ ad then be left with that eternal thought that I’d just prolonged her pain. I have made the decision to take her to the vet tomorrow or to call a vet out. I wouldn’t want her last moment to be further distress at being in an unknown place. It’s my birthday tomorrow and whereas I know that it will be a horrid memory to always have I just can’t go on letting her suffer. Your words have truly helped. xxx
My lovely 13 and half year old chocolate labrador (her father was a collie) has suddenly started to go down hill over the past few weeks. Her sister (who was owned by my sister) sadly had to be put to sleep in December 2013 which was so very distressing but the right thing to do.
I have noticed her back legs going over the last few months but she can still manage a gentle walk. Other than that she is very quiet and spend most of her day in bed sleeping and not really engaging or happy to greet people as she always has been. Her appetite is still good – though she drinks litres of water each day and is always thirsty. She pants excessively when standing and moreover she has started urinating around the house and often soaking her over the last few days.
I keep thinking she might well get better and am putting off the inevitable because I couldn’t bear the pain of wondering whether this is just a blip and she’ll bounce back as I read about even older dogs and she’s always been so resilient. I also rationalise that I know this is not true as she’s still an old girl who may have just suddenly aged dramatically in every way as she is now struggling with her sight and hearing too. I simply don’t know what to do….by waiting for her to (in my mind) recover then I’m dragging things out but I also believe I’m being selfish as I can’t bear to let her go ‘yet’. I wish she could talk to me and tell me she’s unhappy and in pain – it would make my decision easier to bear…. 🙁
I found this forum quite by chance this morning and its helped me so much. We lost our beloved Charlie on 19th February 2014. I have cried every day since and miss him terribly but we did the kindest thing having him out to sleep, at home in peace and with as little stress as possible. We were lucky he was 15 and hadn’t suffered ill health but the shock of seeing him stop eating in mid February and his sudden weight loss was terrible. The weight loss meant he was losing the use of his back legs. He was only eating little amounts nothing like he usually was. We suspected cancer as he had lots of lumps and bumps but at 15 we didn’t want to put him through lots of tests. I was in denial for a few days and just couldn’t face making the final decision. I called our vet on 19th feb and they were wonderful they said better a week too soon than a day too late. I arranged for them to come to the house that evening. we took Charlie for his final little walk he was still trying bless him, which made it worse. then came the dreaded knock on the door. I will never forget the vets words, he said you are doing a final act of kindness, your all very brave and unselfish. It helped. We all love Charlie our beautiful yellow Labrador who we rescued at 2 years old from Battersea in Old Windsor. His ashes are now at home with us and we will never forget him. He was my soul mate I’m devastated but I couldn’t witness him suffering anymore it would only have got worse. Thank you to everyone who has written on this site and thank you Pippa it’s given me some peace from the feelings of guilt and doubt. God bless you all and mostly god bless our wonderful Charlie a One in a million dog, we were so lucky to have you in our lives. X
hello,
this site has helped me a lot,
at Christmas my 15 year old lab, cally, was looking old and in pain and not herself atall, she was wetting herself everyday and I read the week too soon day too late comment but still couldn’t go through with the final act,
untill this Tuesday our 14 year old lab, barney was not himself atall on his walk, the first sunny day of the year and he wasn’t pulling me on the leash, this was wrong, the next morning he was paralized completely, we had to carry him to the ver,
well keeping in mind I was dragging on my 15 year old labs life, then the 14 year old was told he had no chance, well that was the only way I could let them go… TOGETHER….
the guilt I feel for both keeping one alive a bit longer and letting the other one go the same day he fell ill is immense but I know it was right for both my lab babies… to stay together….
we sprinkled their ashes in their favorite river last night. xxxx
So sorry Amanda, very very hard for you to lose them both together. A brave and kind decision.
So interesting reading how others are coping in the same situation as myself. We have a 14 year old setter, she has had arthritis of the spine for a number of years. Recently she has had seizures and has tremor attacks which she took meds for. The latest visit to the vets confirmed renal failure, incontinence mainly at nighttime and loss of bowel control along with her inability to stand up fully is leaving me with the big dilemma. She eats well and still wonders around the garden. Would you think this is the time?
Hi Lin, only you can know when the right time is. It is a tough decision, but it sounds as though things are not going to get any better. Wishing you all the best at this difficult time. Pippa
12 3/4 year old black lab that was truly my best friend…… I loved that dog as much as anyone could love anything. He stopped eating for 4 days and was rapidly losing weight. In addition, he could not even keep water down and ha the rapid breathing and panting. I felt it my duty to put him to sleep but now having second thoughts that maybe I should have taken him to a specialist or had a feeding tube put in to see if he could have rebounded. I miss my buddy…….
You are bound to miss your old friend, but it sounds as though you made the right decision. Pippa
As I write this I’m preparing for what’s to come with my 12 yr 4 month old black lab, Rafael. I see his hips starting to fail, difficulty doing the stairs and getting up. And, he’s a lab…still loves to eat and would chase that ball till he drops and never admit he’s getting on.
It will be my job to make that hard decision for him and it will break my heart. But, I also know he expects me to make that decision for him.
I waited too long with my first dog and always regret that. Thought we did it too soon with another. It’s always so difficult to know when. Your pet will always love you and be grateful. I watched both elderly parents go through the process of dying recently and would have made the same decision for them if I could have.
I really need some advice, my gorgeous lab is 10 and for the last 12 months has been suffering with tumours on his paws. The vet has amputated two front toes but sadly the tumour has come back and spread further up his leg. It is about 2 inches in length, weeps and bleeds almost constantly and poor Pickles can no longer put his paw down at all. Another tumour has now appeared on his back paw and is getting larger by the week. Both smell dreadful and bleed almost all of the time. The vet has said there is no longer anymore they can do. Pickles now rarely moves, he sits on the sofa and looks really sad. He is still eating and alert and wags his tail whenever any of us talk to him. He is at the heart of our family and the thought of letting him go when he is still alert seems wrong but after reading the comments on this site, I’m wondering whether I’m actually being cruel. I’d welcome your thoughts and advice.
Hi James, I’m sorry to read of your dog’s troubles. It sounds as though you need to talk to your vet about whether it is possible to improve your dog’s quality of life, or whether it would be kinder to let him go now. It is a difficult decision and your vet should be able to support you in making it. Pippa
Thank-you. Thank-you. Thank-you for this site. I have been wandering my empty house for the past 2 days in tears and questioning whether I made the right decision putting our 11-1/2 year old lab down but after reading the article and the comments, for the first time since Sunday, I feel at peace. For the past year Maddie has shown signs of arthritis in her hip and for the past 2 months with her condition deteriorating I have tried everything to help her. She was on various arthritic medicines, etc and I was even using a towel sling to take her outside to “do her business”. She could walk in the house but going outside seemed too much for her so I helped her. She was eating fine and wagging her tail which I thought were good signs but she was not moving much and even collapsing outside not being able to make it all the way back in even with my help. I wrestled so long with making the decision and 2 days ago I felt it was time. Yet it was so hard taking her to the vet, in her towel sling of course, but with her tail wagging and happy to see everyone at the office. It took everything in me not to turn around and head back home with her but I knew it was not going to get better and with each passing week she was with us there was always some new sign that she was not going to get better and that her days of “being a dog” were gone. Needless to say I felt such extreme guilt that I may have let her go too early and that I should have done more. But after reading your article and other comments similar to mine, I now know that I let her go at the right time and that I eliminated what suffering was to come. I cannot express enough how much this site has helped me. She was my constant companion and always at my side with her unconditional love. I kept saying that I should have kept her with us longer as I know I could have but I now feel I did the right thing.
Nancy, I am so sorry for your loss. Yours was a brave and unselfish decision. Thank you for sharing your story and I am glad that this page has been of some comfort to you. Best wishes, Pippa
you are totally right, when the quality of life has gone, we must do what is best for our dogs. Our dog Rosy was just turned 12 she had suffered with very bad arthritis since she was under two, yet she never complained of whimpered, when she was seven she under went a pioneering operation where the elbow was replaced, this was pioneered in America and she was the 25 in this country back then in June 2010 it was a success but as time went on all the other joint problems just got worse, she was on meta am and 6 tramadol for the past three years. But a couple of weeks ago her back legs were failing, she started panting heavily a lot of the time, she just stared at the floor looking so sad! her little sparkle was gone, then she stopped eating and didn’t want to go out anymore, we knew that she was telling us it was time to leave us. We were heart broken, we’d had her from eight weeks, and that seems not so long ago, time just goes so fast these days. She was so poorly on sat evening panting and wanting to lay in the garden at three four and five am, we knew that come the morning she would have to be put to sleep. Our daughters and friends all came to cuddle her and say goodbye and gave her treats that she did eat, we got some lovely pictures that I still can’t look at right now, it just breaks us up. Then at 12am we drove to our vets where she gave her a sedative, then the anisthetic as we cuddled her for the last time, and she peacefully slipped away. It was such a sad thing to have to do to a golden Labrador that we loved so very much! But had we tried to keep her a few more weeks it would have been selfish, for ourselves, so we went ahead because it was the best thing for our wonderful Rosy. We’ve now spread her ashes on the cliffs near to St. Mary’s light house, and when our time comes we’ll be there with her. She will forever be in our hearts.
Your website has helped me make the hardest decision of my life.
Our little westie jacks health had gone down hill since christmas. He was 13 and we had nursed him through so many health problems in his life. Since christmas his arthritis had slowed him to the point he really didn’t want to get out of his bed. My heart said he might rally, my head knew it wasn’t going to happen. Yesterday was one of his better days ,but not to the point that it was the quality of life a dog should have.The fact it was one of his better days made the decision harder but the thought of his last day being a good one or the thought of his last day being in pain pushed us to keep the appointment. ‘Better a week to early than a day too late “. We carried him from the car to our local golf course where he had a little sniff and a wander, I fed him his favourite things and we spent the day curled together on the sofa.
The end came very fast, it even seemed peaceful.
Today I am heartbroken at the emptiness I feel. But in my heart I know it was the kindest thing for Jack.
He lit up our lives , he was an amazing friend and we are going to miss him so much. God bless my beautiful boy x
You are so brave Debbie. He was a lucky boy.
I understand you, I am going through same, Kimmie my beautiful labrador/collie aged 15 went off her legs yet her beautiful heart and mind were sound. Still breaking my heart here.