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Post by maxandpaddy on Jan 6, 2017 9:33:54 GMT
Our old boy Labrador is the most wonderful, kind gentleman on the planet, hes brought up 5 children ( I take no credit ) he's not once shown any nastiness or lack of patience, he lives for food, is anyone's for a biscuit, spends his free time protecting his castle from clouds and scary dinosaur birds. He's 14 in a few weeks, his arthritis has gradually got worse over the years but this last year its got a lot worse. He has little feeling or use of his back end so has developed a way of bunny hopping both back legs together to move about...its pretty cool He's fecal incontinent now and has been for about 6 mths, I thought this would be the time to say goodbye as hes a proud clean dog, and we would of done rather than see him distressed and upset, but he immediately had his own way of handling it, he doesnt get upset at all and because I make no issue of it he ignores it, he even refuses to look at it...its like its not there and we'l just pretend that didnt happen. We know hes near the end now, after a chat with the vet we decided to have one last Christmas with him then re look how he was doing in the New Year, he's on high doses of Loxicom, Zydol and allowed paracetamol on bad days ( vet prescribed ) Our vet is wonderful, she herself is a Labrador owner and told me about the journey of saying goodbye to one of her beloved dogs, she said " Labradors are one of the trickiest dogs to treat, even at deaths door or seriously ill unlike most other breeds they'l still eat and they'l still wag ...you have to make the decision for them rather than wait for them to make it for you, and on the day you do its sods law they'l have a good day and you'l doubt the decision" Christmas over and hes gone down hill a bit, he's sleeping more. Maybe he hung on and waited to spend it with us ...it really wouldn't surprise me. We've thought it was time to let him go a few times over the last few months.....we'd never let him suffer, he sees the vet regularly for check ups and chats about how hes doing, we'd never see him in pain or depressed and upset BUT EVERY time we think its time HE PERKS BACK UP!! He plays with the red setter, fetches shopping in from the car (one of his loves in life) eats like a horse, bunny hops around the garden, fetches us a ball or a shoe - he loves shoes, given half a chance he greets you at the door with a shoe but never chews them...that would be rude I cant imagine life without him, hes as much a part of this family as any one of us.... how do I know? Do I say goodbye while hes happy rather than wait for him to get worse? ...I know i'm avoiding a hard decision. But I blame him, hes not letting go either xxx  |
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Jan 6, 2017 10:14:41 GMT
Don't blame him, dogs don't think as we do, he just knows he's having a good day or a bad one. In my experience leaving them too long is worse on you than a mite too soon, if he suddenly goes really downhill you'll wish you'd done it earlier. I've been there, and I know it's not easy.
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Post by Dipsy on Jan 6, 2017 13:04:41 GMT
You know when its time, if you need to talk you know where I am..... huge huge hugs xxxxxx
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Post by brindlerainbow on Jan 6, 2017 13:42:58 GMT
Let him go while he's still got a wag in his tail and a spark in his eye. Don't wait until you have to make that emergency call to the vet because he has suddenly gone rapidly down hill. No dog deserves that. You have given each other the perfect life and he is now ready to make his next journey. You will be heart broken but know you did what was best for him. I know how you feel, my dogs are my life and every time I have to let 1 go they take a piece of my heart with them but I always know that I put their best interests before my own feelings. Hardest decision to make, thoughts with you at what will no doubt be a very difficult time
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Post by Philippa on Jan 6, 2017 14:11:30 GMT
Crying reading this, its the hardest decision ever - ive sadly had to make it too many times with ponies and dogs. As Br says they each take a piece of your heart when they go but you have given the best life to him. Give him what he deserves.
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Post by maxandpaddy on Jan 6, 2017 17:27:39 GMT
I dont really blame him sarahp, I just hoped for a peaceful end and hoped I'd know when the time was right, that he'd let me know when the time was right but as usual he just keeps wagging
I've had him since he was 10 weeks old, he was a fairly boring puppy as puppy's go, he was born laid back and easy going preferring a snooze in his bed with a shoe - always a shoe - and food - lots of food given half a chance, he was never naughty or disruptive
Two husbands later, and 5 children two of which were born after his arrival hes the biggest constant in my life, always there through good and bad never asking anything of anyone, he just gives. Hes been nanny and agony aunt on many many occasions, he practically taught the boys how to play football he was amazing at tackling! The only time I ever genuinely saw him look vicious was about 10 years ago walking home after picking up my elder two children from school, we passed a white van and a man stepped out right in front of us on the pavement. He threw himself forwards nearly pulling my arm out putting himself between us and the man, teeth showing ready to protect, says it all really
I cant imagine my life without him
He didn't finish his food today, I think I'm hoping hes letting me know
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Post by judyh on Jan 6, 2017 17:38:03 GMT
Please don't keep him until it becomes an emergency. Be strong enough to do the best for him when he has be so devoted to you .
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Post by Dipsy on Jan 6, 2017 22:14:22 GMT
I dont really blame him sarahp, I just hoped for a peaceful end and hoped I'd know when the time was right, that he'd let me know when the time was right but as usual he just keeps wagging I've had him since he was 10 weeks old, he was a fairly boring puppy as puppy's go, he was born laid back and easy going preferring a snooze in his bed with a shoe - always a shoe - and food - lots of food given half a chance, he was never naughty or disruptive Two husbands later, and 5 children two of which were born after his arrival hes the biggest constant in my life, always there through good and bad never asking anything of anyone, he just gives. Hes been nanny and agony aunt on many many occasions, he practically taught the boys how to play football he was amazing at tackling! The only time I ever genuinely saw him look vicious was about 10 years ago walking home after picking up my elder two children from school, we passed a white van and a man stepped out right in front of us on the pavement. He threw himself forwards nearly pulling my arm out putting himself between us and the man, teeth showing ready to protect, says it all really I cant imagine my life without him He didn't finish his food today, I think I'm hoping hes letting me know Phone me if you need anything.... I'm here for you xx |
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Post by maxandpaddy on Jan 7, 2017 23:18:10 GMT
Thank you honey xxx Yet again hes perked up, we've been staggering his Christmas presents this year so today he carried this one proudly round for 3 hours (no exaggeration) without putting it down once..... before opening it  We're watching him very closely and taking on board all the advice...thank you everyone its really helped me xx  |
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Post by canbuttry on Jan 17, 2017 7:59:43 GMT
I have had both ends to deel with .
We had to say goodbye to our German pointer called Barron atjust before he was 13yrs old .the decision was made really as he got up one day and was very unwell ,turned out he had a massive tumour in his stomach ,we took him into the emergency vets.
We were heart broken ,this left his very devoted sister with no brother ,after 13 yrs together!
She fell to bits ,we couldn't get her to settle at night she had another dog to keep her company at night but didn't count,she has months of being very stressed and us questioning if we should let her go too !
As she has got older she has become a stress pants ,she has had incontanance problems ,but won't wee in the house ,so every night we are woken up with Holly barking to go out for a wee !
She has had a mini stroke,but still insists on coming out every morning to do the horses ,still goes for walks ( although very wobbly) she hasn't given up at all !
I often question if I should call it a day ,but I look into her misty eyes and still see her love for life !
She is 16yrs old in Feb ,I can't believe we have done this for 2 hole years !
The Christmas before the vet had said it would most probably be our last ,as she hadn't been very well ,but this Christmas she was fantastic!
It's so hard and like you I want to do what right by her .
I just think you have to take each day as it comes,enjoy every special minute you have .
We haven't left her over night for over a year as the one time we did ,my boys didn't here her barking and she ended up wee in the house ,she was devestaded!
Just enjoy him and do what I truly believe you will know when the time is right ❤
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Post by maxandpaddy on Jan 17, 2017 19:50:05 GMT
Hes been on fine form since Christmas, the "perk" up has kept going up until this week, so we're now yet again watching him like a hawk for any signs of distress. His dips mean he doesnt want to defend his castle - he wants his bed, he doesnt wolf his food down - he actually doesnt finish it, he looks down - - there's a different look in his eye
I'l keep you posted...thank you everyone xxx
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Post by Philippa on Jan 17, 2017 21:44:29 GMT
Xxxx
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Post by mady on Jan 25, 2017 20:50:38 GMT
I have had both ends to deel with . We had to say goodbye to our German pointer called Barron atjust before he was 13yrs old .the decision was made really as he got up one day and was very unwell ,turned out he had a massive tumour in his stomach ,we took him into the emergency vets. We were heart broken ,this left his very devoted sister with no brother ,after 13 yrs together! She fell to bits ,we couldn't get her to settle at night she had another dog to keep her company at night but didn't count,she has months of being very stressed and us questioning if we should let her go too ! As she has got older she has become a stress pants ,she has had incontanance problems ,but won't wee in the house ,so every night we are woken up with Holly barking to go out for a wee ! She has had a mini stroke,but still insists on coming out every morning to do the horses ,still goes for walks ( although very wobbly) she hasn't given up at all ! I often question if I should call it a day ,but I look into her misty eyes and still see her love for life ! She is 16yrs old in Feb ,I can't believe we have done this for 2 hole years ! The Christmas before the vet had said it would most probably be our last ,as she hadn't been very well ,but this Christmas she was fantastic! It's so hard and like you I want to do what right by her . I just think you have to take each day as it comes,enjoy every special minute you have . We haven't left her over night for over a year as the one time we did ,my boys didn't here her barking and she ended up wee in the house ,she was devestaded! Just enjoy him and do what I truly believe you will know when the time is right ❤ We are very similar to you canburry. Our Weimaraner is 16 1/2yrs and has good days and bad. She has mini fits which wipe her out for a day but then comes bouncing back itching to go for a walk. She is incontinent but does it on a towel as embarrassed to let us see. We think it's the day then she amazes us. We will know when the time is right ❤ |
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Post by gillwales on Jan 25, 2017 21:02:49 GMT
We had 6 black ones, all wonderful members of the family. My old lady, our first, had a heart attack and when I got home I could see in her eyes that she had had enough so I made the call. The Vet came out and basically acused me of wanting to murder my dog saying "would you put down a human because they had a heart attack? " He guilted me into keeping her going. She was utterly miserable, became incointentant which she hated and when I called out the Vet 3 days later as she lost the use of her back legs he said "well you can't keep her going like this" He put her through 3 days pf living hell and I will never forgive him. Dont keep your old boy going for you, only for him. I did it for a mare I had and I never forgave myself; it still haunts me.
My heart goes out to you, however just remember it only hurts so much because when you loose an animal member of your family when they are that, part of your family. x
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Post by maxandpaddy on Mar 25, 2017 19:39:25 GMT
We said goodbye to him on the 17th Feb it's taken me this long to write about it. Hurt and proud all at the same time, my eldest didn't want to be there but came the day before full of wisdom and sound words, then when leaving fell apart saying bye to his old friend, my eldest daughter again couldn't face being there so she took our red setter off for a walk. But my second eldest son who it's safe to say is the emotional, erratic nuttiest member of our family and Moos best friend said he wanted to be with him, with us. My two youngest were at school and unaware ... we made it a Moo day, all his favourite things - I wrapped up prezzies and treats so he could open them, one of his loves in life, I put shopping in the boot for him to carry in, I opened the front door (in the pic) so he could watch out for family coming home. It was peaceful, yep heartbreaking but he went with dignity at home with the people he loved around him ... thanks everyone for your posts they really helped, I read them many times xxx
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Post by maxandpaddy on Mar 25, 2017 19:54:36 GMT
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Post by sjw87 on Mar 25, 2017 20:29:31 GMT
Oh, what a beautiful boy he was. You can see in his face how loved he was and how much he loved his life and his family.
Well done for doing the right thing for him. Lots of love and thinking of you all. Every time we lose a friend they take a piece of our hearts with them.
Sent from my SM-A300FU using proboards
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Post by Philippa on Mar 25, 2017 21:08:59 GMT
I'm sat in tears reading your post. We've been there, it's never easy and it breaks my heart every time.
I know what you are going through and send you massive hugs xxxx
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Post by brindlerainbow on Mar 26, 2017 8:43:19 GMT
What Philippa said
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Post by gillwales on Mar 26, 2017 13:06:57 GMT
Oh I know how you feel, I have just lost my Darling Baby girl; Holly, she was only 4 years old and had consumed something that caused all of her organs to break down. It has broken my heart, but she died in my arms. I ended the suffering after 3 days on a drip. We have been sorting out her garden today were she now rests.
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Post by Philippa on Mar 26, 2017 18:07:24 GMT
So sorry for your loss too GW massive hugs to you too. Xxx
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Post by gillwales on Mar 27, 2017 16:01:20 GMT
Thank you Phillipa x
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Post by maxandpaddy on Mar 28, 2017 6:12:24 GMT
Hugs to you GW you cant explain the hurt can you. I'm left feeling empty, even though he slept A LOT of the time just him being there made me feel safe and loved. If ever a dog could smile it was him...I miss his smile
Thanks for the kind words everyone xxxx
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Post by gillwales on Mar 28, 2017 15:14:32 GMT
Thank you Max and Paddy, it has always comforted me in the past when I have lost the four legged members of my family that they have had a full and happy life; I hope you get some comfort too with your old boy. But with Holly it was so bad because she was so young, however unlike you the choice was made for me. TBH Im not sure in a way which is worse. They do leave a huge gap in your life. Sorry I had no intention of hi-jacking your post xx
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