Death and Dignity - Page 1

I have a retired Police Dog that is going die probably tonight or tomorrow. The vet says he is just too old. I am unsure about his age, somewhere between 11 and 13 years old. He was a canine dog for the South Lebanon, Ohio polie department, which no longer exists. I wrote about him recently. Some may remember him. His name is Norris. I only got him (rescued him) one month ago, from his original police officer handler who went through a divorce and the dog got lost in the shuffle and ended up with his ex-wife and basically abandoned in a cage. Anyway, I have done the best that I could for him this past month and he is a joy to be with. He could barely walk then but tried to play ball with me. Now, he can not walk. This is not the first dog I have lost in my life (I am 53) but it is always painful. I have had vets put two dogs down because of medical problems that were not treatable and have had a couple just die and I buried them. My question is this. How do others handle the death or imminent death of a loved pet. Do you just comfort them and treat for pain and let nature take its course or when you and your vet know that they are on their "last leg" and it's only days away, do you have them put down? Norris is obviously uncomfortable but not crying or yelping. Just lying there and laboring. I am rubbing his belly and telling him how good a boy he is. He is sedated but is just too old. Damn it. What do others do?

Let me preface this by saying how kind you are to make this dogs last days happy ones..it is a shame not all dogs have that courtesy granted to them. It is a difficult thing to do, but to let a noble dog linger and suffer is just not fair in my opinion. If he cannot walk anymore, and is experiencing discomfort, I would have to say it is his time to leave us. Be there to hold him, if you can have the vet come to the house, this would be good for him, and let him go in the environment that has made his life so happy for these last precious weeks. It is not easy to go through this, but I truly feel we owe them the right to some dignity..if you really "listen" to the dog, I think he will tell you with his eyes..not easy to put into words, but even if this is your first dog to part ways with, he will "tell" you. So sorry for all you are going through right now, but keep the happy times close to you, it will help you through this..you have done a wonderful thing for this dog..no matter how short his time with you.

my empathy to you -- you truely are dog's best friend !! my admiration and prayers are sent to you -- yes the dog will tell you , sometimes they don't appear as if they are suffering.. but mentally /spiritually / or physically they may be -- i do believe they are quite cognizant that they are failing [ i also pick up from my other pack members hey too sense/scent that one is failing] --- perhaps it is just more day -- as a guide that i go by -- : is the condition and quality of life so deteriorated that the decision to part is better .. or.... is the pain and suffering more than he deserves to bear. ?? i often tell my firends -- whether a person or canine -- " it is the hardest trial in life.. to lose that which you love the most and in like , to lose that which loves you most " - alphapup

I am so sorry that Norris didn't have more time to spend being your pet. Bless you for giving him what you could. I am a bad person to advise when the time is right to send a beloved pet to the bridge. I always obsess over the decision myself. Most never die on their own it seems. I am reminded of my first GSD's valiant struggle with lymphosarcoma. His chemo wasn't working and I could see the life going out of his beautiful eyes. So, I made the appointment and when I went to place him in the car for the trip, he picked up his football and carried it to me; he wanted to play. I called the vet and cancelled, how could I end the life of a dog who still wanted to play ball? In a few weeks the right thing to do finally became clear to me - I was keeping Dylan alive for my own sake, not for his. That day we released him from a 7 1/2 year life of illness, meds and vets. I would give 5 years of my life to have him back. I think most just know when the time has come; the dog gets that blank look in his eyes; the joy is no longer there. You will make the right decision. I feel for you.

Do what you feel is right if he is moaning then maybe cobsider putting him down. I have been there before and the decision is not a easy one for sure. Sorry for Norris but glad he had such a nice home many service dogs do not get as lucky as he is to have a happy home life after retiring. Marlene AlabamaK9

My heart goes out to you. I too am facing a very very tough decision. My oldest dog is a 13 1/2 year old Irk von Arminius granddaughter that I have had since she was a puppy. She has become lame in her rear end. She has been battling cancer for almost a year but I think she also has the degenerative spinal condition. Her mind is still sharp and she tries to get up. She has been laying by my bed for almost a week. For a while she would let me assist her to get up and go outside. She did so on Thursday. Since then when I try to help her she snaps at me but doesn't bite. I have her on Rimidyl to ease the pain. I know what I have to do but can't force myself to make the call. Please God, take her tonight.

This is one of the hardest things I think we could ever have to do... No matter how many (and I've never had any who just die in their sleep) or the circumstances it is just plain sucks, pardon my french. I seem to be able to see clearly though when the time is right and how best to let the dog go. We must remember humans are really the only species that fears death. Our dogs don't even know what it is ... I do however, usually let my dogs go before they are really bad off.. I want them to go out feeling pretty good, just the way I handle it. It is a very personal decision and never comes easy. Do remember that Norris was a very lucky dog tp have had you come into his life and make his last days good ones.... That's how I do it.... peace to you

He could linger in pain and discomfort, struggling to breath, to walk, to even sleep comfortably - for weeks or even months before he passed away on his own - maybe even years depending on his specific problem. Dogs trust us to take care of their needs in life - their meals, their exercise, their attention, grooming, love, direction, companionship - now he needs you to take care of his needs at the end of his life and be with him for that last moment, to comfort and be a companion to him. You know what the right thing is to do for him, it is very hard but best for him. Take care, he'll be waiting for you loyally, back in the best of health again. molly

Some years ago I was very poor, unemployed and my dog was suffering so I did what I had to do. The good book says a rightious man has regard for his beast. I recently bought a 10 yr. old dog and immediately put him on liquid glucosamine and ester-c and brewers yeast and bilberry. The difference in his appearence is incredible, his coat is soft and shiny, his eyes are clearer and his lower eyelids no longer sag giving him that "ancient" look. He moves better too. This dog was bred at the Godinghofer kennel in Germany, imported by Bill Fleischer, sold to one man, then his brother and finally to me. He is part of our family now and will be til the end. I feel for you and wish I could do more to help. Love is painful sometimes, do what you feel is best, and if you need to talk you can write to me at Houseofchristina@aol.com. Everything is going to be ok, I promise. :)

I have been through this seveal times myself and my heart aches for you, I have found that the dogs seem almost to tell you when they have had enough, one became incontinent and was in a lot of pain when I made the desision, but I think I should have called it a day earlier for him and I regret not making the desision the week before. Most times it is easier, when they can no longer enjoy life and seem to have given up that is I think the right time, let them go out with dignity, it's the one thing we can do for them, when my time comes I hope someone makes that desision for me.