Life Another dog thread

Brianfo · 04-23-2011, 05:58 PM

Sorry to burden CP with another dog thread, but my wife and I are really questioning what we should do. We have a black lab and he has been with us almost as long as we have been together. He has been the most amazing dog and it is painfully obvious that his quality of life is not good. I think he has terrible hip dysplasia and I don't know what to do. I am in tears as I write this, as I want nothing more than to take his pain away. I think that it's time to ease him of his pain, but selfishly speaking I want to spend more time with him. We got him from a pound when he was a puppy and he is such a part of our life. I can still remember the day that we brought him home, and what he chewed up that night. Any vets out there or anyone else been thru the same situation. I have 3 kids and I think that I love this dog as much as them. That sounds really shallow, but we didn't know if we would ever be able to have kids and he has been thru everything with us. I have had to carry him back to his bed the last 3 days. I love that damn dog so much. What should we do?? I already know the answer, but love him so much!!!!

04-23-2011, 06:04 PM

Then buy some expensive medicine so he can get around for another couple months if you don't want to pull the trigger yet. When you get tired of springing for medicine that is simply giving you a little bit more time you'll do what you need to do.

I think that people should recognize the end is near for their old dogs early and bring in a puppy. There's no better training for a puppy than emulating what old dog does.

**Bwana** · 04-23-2011, 06:05 PM

It sounds like you know what to do and yes, it sucks. I'm going to be in the same position within the next year. Best of luck, it's never easy bud.

factortobe · 04-23-2011, 06:06 PM

I'm so sorry to hear that my prayers are with you labs are great friends

**Gonzo** · 04-23-2011, 06:07 PM

It's always a tough decision man. I have had a dog all of my life, (the same blood line of Brittany's) and I've had to make this decision 3 times.
Ask yourself, is there any quality of life? Does he enjoy anything anymore? Is the pain so overwhelming that he's bed-ridden? How much longer does he have?

As this dogs owner, the nicest decision you can make is the final one. Don't hang on for you because that's not fair.
Posted via Mobile Device

COchief · 04-23-2011, 06:09 PM

As hard as it is for you and your family to let go, please do not make him suffer anymore and let him go as peacefully and painlessly as possible.

Sorry to hear about your buddy, we just lost a family dog suddenly and boy does it hurt.

Demonpenz · 04-23-2011, 06:17 PM

my dog's back was thrown out, my mom carried that song around day and night. Someone told me, well if the dog doesn't seem to be in pain and your mom seems to be ok with taking care of it. So when I came back from Ireland it was gone, my dad had to put it to sleep. At some point I think your time and energy can be best served by helping other people or dogs and humans are triggered with happiness when you do help other people

Lonewolf Ed · 04-23-2011, 06:20 PM

I lost my beloved rottweiler 3 months ago. She was in a great deal of pain and her back leg was not right. I had to lift her up and down the two steps to get outside because she couldn't hop up the steps and I saw her fall a time or two going down them. It's a horribly hard thing to have to do, that one last trip to the vet. My dog would have held on longer for my sake, and how knows if she'd still be here today, but even in worse shape. I resolved that I couldn't ask her to suffer any longer on my behalf, so I took her to the vet and had her put to sleep.

I was close to leaving the room when it was about to happen, but I am so glad I stayed for her sake. She gave me more time than she should have had, so I owed it to her to stay for her last moments. Once the pain of losing your dog begins to subside, I bet you will feel like I do in that I am glad I didn't let her hang around and get worse and worse when there really is only one thing you can do and do right by the dog. Don't end up feeling guilty for prolonging it. With a dog in particular, it is the quality of life that matters above all.

It takes a lot of strength, but assure yourself, it is for the dog's best interest and your dog looks to you for that.

Brock · 04-23-2011, 06:21 PM

Need to put him down. He's in agony. It's tough but he's really suffering.

threebag · 04-23-2011, 06:25 PM

Labs are awesome and while my thoughts are with you it will be easy to attach to your next one

**Bowser** · 04-23-2011, 06:28 PM

Apologies for being blunt, but if the dog means that much to you, you need to put him down so he doesn't suffer anymore. Buying him medicine to give you a few more weeks with him is selfish as it won't heal him, just numb him. We're not far from making the same decision with our dog, too.

Sorry you're going through this.

Brianfo · 04-23-2011, 06:46 PM

Thanks for all of the replys. We know what we need to do. My wife and I just love him so much. Sucks!! Like I said we have 3 children, should we include them in this, or just tell them that Zeke passed away while they were at school. I have told them to give him all of their love in the last week, as I knew the end is near, but they just don't understand.

04-23-2011, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianfo

Thanks for all of the replys. We know what we need to do. My wife and I just love him so much. Sucks!! Like I said we have 3 children, should we include them in this, or just tell them that Zeke passed away while they were at school. I have told them to give him all of their love in the last week, as I knew the end is near, but they just don't understand.

Life sucks a lot sometimes. Do you want to teach your kids that or do you want them to find out on their own after you're no longer around to shelter them?

**CrazyPhuD** · 04-23-2011, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianfo

Thanks for all of the replys. We know what we need to do. My wife and I just love him so much. Sucks!! Like I said we have 3 children, should we include them in this, or just tell them that Zeke passed away while they were at school. I have told them to give him all of their love in the last week, as I knew the end is near, but they just don't understand.

That depends upon how old they are. Personally I would probably give them a chance to say their goodbyes. The truth will eventually come out and you can only protect them so long. If they are very young then maybe not but if they are kindergarten or older then I would probably include them. One of the worst things in life is never getting to say goodbye.

Brock · 04-23-2011, 06:59 PM

They don't need to know how the dog died.

04-23-2011, 05:58 PM	Topic Starter
Brianfo Veteran Join Date: Apr 2002 Casino cash: $10004900	Another dog thread Sorry to burden CP with another dog thread, but my wife and I are really questioning what we should do. We have a black lab and he has been with us almost as long as we have been together. He has been the most amazing dog and it is painfully obvious that his quality of life is not good. I think he has terrible hip dysplasia and I don't know what to do. I am in tears as I write this, as I want nothing more than to take his pain away. I think that it's time to ease him of his pain, but selfishly speaking I want to spend more time with him. We got him from a pound when he was a puppy and he is such a part of our life. I can still remember the day that we brought him home, and what he chewed up that night. Any vets out there or anyone else been thru the same situation. I have 3 kids and I think that I love this dog as much as them. That sounds really shallow, but we didn't know if we would ever be able to have kids and he has been thru everything with us. I have had to carry him back to his bed the last 3 days. I love that damn dog so much. What should we do?? I already know the answer, but love him so much!!!!
Posts: 1,325

04-23-2011, 06:04 PM	#2
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	Then buy some expensive medicine so he can get around for another couple months if you don't want to pull the trigger yet. When you get tired of springing for medicine that is simply giving you a little bit more time you'll do what you need to do. I think that people should recognize the end is near for their old dogs early and bring in a puppy. There's no better training for a puppy than emulating what old dog does.
Posts: n/a

04-23-2011, 06:05 PM	#3
Bwana It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Billings, Montana Casino cash: $2139563647	It sounds like you know what to do and yes, it sucks. I'm going to be in the same position within the next year. Best of luck, it's never easy bud. __________________ Adventure is dangerous....but monotony can kill you.
Posts: 69,736

04-23-2011, 06:06 PM	#4
factortobe The Dark Knight Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Andover, KS Casino cash: $10005036	I'm so sorry to hear that my prayers are with you labs are great friends
Posts: 140

04-23-2011, 06:07 PM	#5
Gonzo Stuff & Things Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Yukon Casino cash: $10126924	It's always a tough decision man. I have had a dog all of my life, (the same blood line of Brittany's) and I've had to make this decision 3 times. Ask yourself, is there any quality of life? Does he enjoy anything anymore? Is the pain so overwhelming that he's bed-ridden? How much longer does he have? As this dogs owner, the nicest decision you can make is the final one. Don't hang on for you because that's not fair. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 21,498

04-23-2011, 06:09 PM	#6
COchief Blame it on the Henne Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Donk-town Casino cash: $6883231	As hard as it is for you and your family to let go, please do not make him suffer anymore and let him go as peacefully and painlessly as possible. Sorry to hear about your buddy, we just lost a family dog suddenly and boy does it hurt.
Posts: 2,973

04-23-2011, 06:17 PM	#7
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3142136	my dog's back was thrown out, my mom carried that song around day and night. Someone told me, well if the dog doesn't seem to be in pain and your mom seems to be ok with taking care of it. So when I came back from Ireland it was gone, my dad had to put it to sleep. At some point I think your time and energy can be best served by helping other people or dogs and humans are triggered with happiness when you do help other people __________________
Posts: 54,271

04-23-2011, 06:20 PM	#8
Lonewolf Ed Veteran Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Olathe, KS Casino cash: $10606233	I lost my beloved rottweiler 3 months ago. She was in a great deal of pain and her back leg was not right. I had to lift her up and down the two steps to get outside because she couldn't hop up the steps and I saw her fall a time or two going down them. It's a horribly hard thing to have to do, that one last trip to the vet. My dog would have held on longer for my sake, and how knows if she'd still be here today, but even in worse shape. I resolved that I couldn't ask her to suffer any longer on my behalf, so I took her to the vet and had her put to sleep. I was close to leaving the room when it was about to happen, but I am so glad I stayed for her sake. She gave me more time than she should have had, so I owed it to her to stay for her last moments. Once the pain of losing your dog begins to subside, I bet you will feel like I do in that I am glad I didn't let her hang around and get worse and worse when there really is only one thing you can do and do right by the dog. Don't end up feeling guilty for prolonging it. With a dog in particular, it is the quality of life that matters above all. It takes a lot of strength, but assure yourself, it is for the dog's best interest and your dog looks to you for that.
Posts: 3,774

04-23-2011, 06:21 PM	#9
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	Need to put him down. He's in agony. It's tough but he's really suffering.
Posts: 47,314

04-23-2011, 06:25 PM	#10
threebag Snacks Are Under My Apron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Edge Casino cash: $3031660	Labs are awesome and while my thoughts are with you it will be easy to attach to your next one __________________ Free DeBerg HayWire Greatest Mod Ever In big nasty kcnut we trust
Posts: 23,864

04-23-2011, 06:28 PM	#11
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3461616	Apologies for being blunt, but if the dog means that much to you, you need to put him down so he doesn't suffer anymore. Buying him medicine to give you a few more weeks with him is selfish as it won't heal him, just numb him. We're not far from making the same decision with our dog, too. Sorry you're going through this.
Posts: 100,603

04-23-2011, 06:46 PM	#12
Brianfo Veteran Join Date: Apr 2002 Casino cash: $10004900	Thanks for all of the replys. We know what we need to do. My wife and I just love him so much. Sucks!! Like I said we have 3 children, should we include them in this, or just tell them that Zeke passed away while they were at school. I have told them to give him all of their love in the last week, as I knew the end is near, but they just don't understand.
Posts: 1,325

04-23-2011, 06:59 PM	#15
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	They don't need to know how the dog died.
Posts: 47,314