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Originally Posted by Mosbonian
Would love some input from parent on here who have Special Needs children/adults who have pets......we have a male Shitzu-Pekingnese mix that has been a dear member of the family for about 18 years now....we got him when he was just 8 weeks old and he has been the constant companion to my kids when they were young and more of a comfort animal to my Adult Special Needs son over the past 6 or 7 years.
My son and this dog have this bond....the dog has always sensed when my son was having a troubling moment and would sit near him or on his lap. But the last couple of years have been a bit of a struggle......especially this last year. Pepper, his name, is much more feeble, has trouble seeing well, has what one vet called "Doggie Alzheimers" and struggles with incontinence.
Most of the time now he stays outside on the back porch or in the gazebo. My son struggles with seeing him this way and at times refuses to even go outside to see him for fear of what he might find. On the flip side, any discussion we have about "doing the right thing by him" ends up with my son getting upset.
My wife and I struggle with what is the right thing to do.....continue to let a dearly loved member of the family still struggle out of comfort for my son, or end the pain for someone who has brought a great deal of joy to us for the past 18 years. I told myself that i would never let an animal get to this point, but I also know how this would deeply affect my son.
Anyone else ever have to deal with something like this? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
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I had to put down one of my dogs last year. She had a bone tumor on her back leg. The vet recommended I put her down immediately but I waited for the right time. It was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make.
I do recommend paying for a home vet to come to your house and put the animal down at home. They are much more calm and at least they go where they are comfortable. That is probably the best advice I can give.
Now on when to do it. That is completely up to you. I thought I had waited to long and should of done it sooner. Until the day I was suppose put her down she fought it the whole time. One of the worst and sickest feelings I have ever witnessed. She knew what was up and even though she could barely walk and had never ran from me she took off out the door and tried to sprint as far as she could. Made it down the block and I had to carry her back. She even tried to bite the vet as they tried to give her a sedative before the final shot.
I guess if I could do it again I wouldn't listen to anybody on when is the right time. The dog will let you know when they are ready to pass. If you are questioning it then it probably isn't the time.