Please Help Old Age - Page 2

Well, I understand you love your dog very much and that is great.  However, it seems to me as if you are thinking about yourself and not the dog.  When I worked at the vet we had a lady bring her GSD in every other day for a bath.  The dog could not stand and urinated on himself.  Everyone was afraid to talk to the lady but I finally talked to her.  I asked her if she thinks that her dog was happy?  She kept saying I love him so much and I can't let go.  She got upset with me and we had to carry the dog back in her vehicle.  5 minutes later she walked back in and made the right decision.  She thanked me for talking to her.

Do me a favor and don't think about your feelings.  Think about what is in the best interest of the dog.

        I had a 14 year old with very similar problems....I always knew she would want to go down dignified...a GSD is a dignified breed IMO....We put her to sleep ...she passed away as noble as she lived..........


                  Kind Regards,,,,

                          Deanna....

 I want to thank everyone for the comments.  I would have replied last night, but I spent the night crying my eyes out, as I am doing now.  I don't think everyone understands that I am only thinking about him right now.  This is not about me at all.  He is barking in the other room right now because he wants to be next to me, so  will take my laptop and go sit by him.  As much as I love him, I will definitely do what is right by him.  I have taken  him to four different vets to get opinions.  One of them being a specialist.  I believe that deep down inside I was hoping one of them would tell me there is something causing pain or discomfort and it would be in his best interest to put him down.  That has not happened.  Actually, the opposite has happened.  I keep getting told there is nothing wrong with him besides the degenerative nerve damage and it is not causing him any pain and as long as I am ok with taking care of him he seems full of spunk and very happy. Cody has brought 17 years of joy to my life.  He is a LOVER and has so many friends.  For 17 years people have been coming over the house to see him.  I have had three GSD's in my life and he is one of a kind.  They were all great dogs, but this one has something about him that causes everyone to fall in love with him instantly.  I have owned SUV's forever so that I can take my dog with me places.  Cody was able to go to work with me for about 8 years.  He would go everywhere with me.  Now, if I am going to take him somewhere with me he gets very excited and enjoys being in the back of the SUV driving around with me.  Even at home he would always follow me everywhere I went in the house.  Now if I am upstairs and he is down he barks until I come and pick him up to bring him upstairs with me.  He love it.  He is still very happy.  You can see it in his eyes.  I think some of my friends like him more than they like me and they all say the same thing, "Too bad for his back end because other than that there is nothing wrong with him".  

As hard as it will be to put him to rest I don't want to do it because I am being selfish and do not want to take care of him anymore.  He still acts like himself and really does not want to leave yet, I believe. Believe me, I am thinking of him.  As much as this hurts Cody has ALWAYS been there for me, so I will be there for him.  Even if that means letting him go.

God, I have never cried this hard in my life.


Keith

Cody:

         I just put down a female of mine Cayla for the same reason I also was carring her in and out and going thru the same issue.

You love your dog as did I and you owe it to him to give him a big kiss and hold him and give him the shot... It still means you love him you have to ask your self to who,s benifit is it for now?. 

I'm going to tell you this with all the love in my heart and tears in my eyes.  This is very difficult to tell:  I was in a similar situation with the dog that was my heart. I have had many dogs and I hate having to make the decision but for reasons that turned out to be my own I couldn't do it this time.   He was 14, not as old as yours, but the situation was very, very similar.  I didn't want to put him down because I was with him 24/7, he still had bright eyes for me, I could take proper care of him, his appetite was great, he even played with his ball and other toys, and he did the exact same barking thing your dog does.  Soi at the time, I told myself he was still happy.  A veterinarian who is a very good friend of mine told me "he knows you can't live without him yet, he is leaving you as slowly as he can".  I didn't really get the deeper meaning of this, and now it haunts me whenever I think of it.  This was no life for that dog, now that I see it clearly from distance, I know I did that great dog a grave disservice.  I should have been stronger and allowed him to go when he should have been allowed to go.  He did it for me, until he couldn't do it any longer.  I only wish I had been a kinder and better owner, maybe half as good an owner as he was a dog.  it really is the one totally unselfish act we can do for them.  I learned a deep and important lesson, one that I hope I never, ever forget.

I know please believe me I know, it's so hard, my heart goes out to you, and breaks for you.  I know right now you think he is not suffering, and in a way, he isn't, but is this the life he would want or is he more worried about you right now, truthfully?

 Keith,

If you are certain you are not going to put your dog down, then do him and you at least one favor and try a cart to see if that cannot give him some mobility. You will still have to make some changes as he won't be able to go up or down stairs, but if his front is strong, perhaps that will work for a little while.

Most people here have told you what you don't want to hear. Many vets will not tell you this either, preferring to let you make the hard decision. I personally think that the time has come, but you are the one who must make that decision. If you think the dog still has an acceptable quality of life, then fine, but try a cart. I, for one, do not think a dog having to lie in his own urine (and eventually he will loose control of his bowels too) is a good thing for the dog, regardless of your being willing to clean him. 

Believe me, I and others here know the pain associated with loosing a good dog and friend. At his age, he is like he is your son. But please, think about the dog, not how much it will hurt you.

Best wishes.

sueincc........

                  Your Quote...

         "    I see it clearly from distance, I know I did that great dog a grave disservice. I should have been stronger and allowed him to go when he should have been allowed to go. He did it for me, until he couldn't do it any longer. I only wish I had been a kinder and better owner, maybe half as good an owner as he was a dog. it really is the one totally unselfish act we can do for them. I learned a deep and important lesson, one that I hope I never, ever forget. "


                Very wise, precious, and true words......

                              


           

Keith,
I too am typing thru my tears to suggest you read Sueincc's post, then re-read it.  Truer words were never spoken.  It sucks but it is time to say goodbye to a brave and loving soul.  He deserves to rest now.

Deb

 Geeeeeeeeeeezus, Sue. 

Makes me want to give them all up rather than go through something like that. They are horrible heartbreakers.

Keith, best wishes to you.

In their eyes, you saw a loving soul, and in your heart, you knew you'd never have a finer friend. 

A dear friend sent this to me after my 15 y GSD who suffered the same disease could no longer hold his head proudly. He was a friend, a family member, a worker, a protector and in the end a beautiful memory.


"Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
Take me where, to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Thank you for setting me free"