My Golden is 12 1/2 now - my vet found that he had some signs of kidney disease a few years back but we caught it early enough that by putting him on a special food for it and starting him up on daily medication, we were really able to prolong the ill-effects and keep him in pretty good health.
A few days ago, I noticed that he was starting to look noticeably thinner and was really not eating much. He's slowed down in recent years naturally - he's around 80 in human years, so it's to be expected - but lately on our walks, he's been really slowing down.
Of course I took him to the vet yesterday to have blood work done and figure out what's going on.
Just got a call back and his kidneys are really failing him at this point. There's just nothing I can really do. He's still able to get up and go for walks with me, I've been getting him to eat a little bit at a time. He'll still gladly eat his treats, drinks his water, etc. But he seems weak and his energy level is markedly lower.
Basically, we're at a point now where I'm going to have to decide when the right time is.
I don't want him to suffer. I don't think it's time yet - he's still going to the bathroom outside, he's not vomiting or anything. But I know I'm going to have to ultimately make this decision sooner than later and I'm pretty heartbroken. This dog has been by my side for the vast majority of his life.
The vet told me that eventually the nausea is probably going to make him vomit a bit and that's really when I'll know it's time.
I don't know if anyone has been through something similar here - just kind of beside myself right now. He was doing so well and this really kind of seemed to come out of nowhere.
Sorry for venting - I know we've got a lot of dog owners here, though. I figured maybe some of you would have some advice or something to help me through.
My only advise it don't allow your emotions to put off the inevitable to the point to where he suffers.
I want to caution you it is a very hard thing to do. With my last guy I chose to stay with him to the very end because I didn't want his last moments to be scarier for him then they had to be and for him to only be with strangers. I was able to comfort him by petting him and talking with him, and as hard as it was I felt better for having been with him.
But every time, he'd make a full recovery once the cluster gave him some relief. It would take 2, 3 and sometimes 4-5 days, but he'd eventually be back to his puppy smiles and big wagging jags.
We guess he's between 10 and 11 (adopted him from the Humane Society when he was "eh, maybe 1.5 or 2," they guessed). He has hip dysplasia, which is typical for larger breeds (he's had this issue since he was maybe 5-6.
Knock on wood, he's been clear of a cluster for a month or so now. Just added the 4th med a bit ago, so we're hoping we finally have it all in check.
As long as his blood work is solid (which it remains), and he's a smiler and a wagger, and he keeps eating like a medium-sized thoroughbred, we're good.
But we know reality. And we pay tons of attention to him every day. Hard to guess how much time he has, but as everyone always tells us ... he will let us know when it's time. He hasn't yet.
Long live Archie "Moonlight" Graham!
I'm happy to give you my email if you want to vent privately about it as the dreaded day gets closer.
I've dreaded this time for a while now.. I think it's hard because it really just happened so suddenly. As recently as a week ago, he was scarfing his food and treats down and even though he had lost a step, he seemed to be doing really well for his age.
Some new neighbors actually just met him a couple weeks ago and they couldn't believe he was this old - they thought he was a puppy. He looks and acts so young.
But this past weekend I could tell right away he wasn't himself.
I've already decided that I am going to be by his side until the very end. I know it's going to be one of the hardest things I'll do - but I owe it to him to feel comforted and safe before he goes.
Man, this is fucking hard. The reality setting in is so hard.
I know that if it comes down to having to transport him to the vet's office, I'll be there for him. I know my son will be there, too.
Not sure about my daughter. She might. My wife ... probably would not do well with that.
But like you, I think about Archie ... I want him to hear our voices and know we're there, maybe have a bit of comfort in that, as he drifts off.
As hard as that would or will be, I'd prefer it, for him, over us coming home one day to find him.
Our vet said that unless something else develops it is going to be a quality of life decision for us. Her recommendation was to pick 3 things that he likes. Once those things start going, it's time to have that conversation. Until then, I'm going to spoil him the best I can.
I know it's going to wreck me mentally for a while, though.
I was in a similar situation last year with my dog(lymphoma) and I tried to maximize every moment with him while he was still alive. Use these last moments to appreciate him and your time together.
Sorry bud.
but i know there will be a time that i will have to put him down. dogs live all their lives only knowing to love their owner.
My advice is this. you are the owner and you love that dog. You will make the right decision. Your dog is what you have to base the decision on. Be kind and be wise to this decision. The dog loves you and always will. His life was only here for you.
I know that if it comes down to having to transport him to the vet's office, I'll be there for him. I know my son will be there, too.
Not sure about my daughter. She might. My wife ... probably would not do well with that.
But like you, I think about Archie ... I want him to hear our voices and know we're there, maybe have a bit of comfort in that, as he drifts off.
As hard as that would or will be, I'd prefer it, for him, over us coming home one day to find him.
IMHO having the family along for the ride is OK, but I would recommend they stay in the car. I wouldn't put them through that, it's too hard.
I know it's going to wreck me mentally for a while, though.
It was harder than I expected, and I expected it to be hard.
He never had any other serious issues. He still gets up and down the stairs on his own, still climbs in the car.
I can tell he doesn't feel well now, though. He's just been sleeping a lot and his energy isn't there.
Makes me kind of miss the days growing up when the dogs we had would get old and my step father would just bring them "to the farm" to live out their days happily around all the other dogs and farm animals.
no idea the farm really meant putting them down. Sort of changed things for me (obviously?).
You're right, it is the hardest part. Hang in there.
8 is young, but if there's a such thing as an "ideal" way for them to go - it's peacefully like that.
The unpredictability factor makes it especially hard. I really don't know how much time I have with him.
I guess I can't worry about that and just need to embrace what I do have right now.
I just don't want to see him in really awful shape.
To get weird and "out there" for a second, though - I do think there's a special spiritual connection between dogs and their primary owners. He'll let me know when he's ready I think.
Quote:
My 8 year old English Bulldog passed away last April. I was lucky, though. She was having a normal morning, and came over to where I was sitting on the couch, licked my leg a couple of times, then laid down with her butt on my foot, and her nose nuzzled up to my 5 year old who was sitting on the floor reading a book. A few minutes later, he and I got up and started doing stuff, she never did. She died in her sleep right between us. It really sucked, but at the same time it was as beautiful and sweet. I miss her.
8 is young, but if there's a such thing as an "ideal" way for them to go - it's peacefully like that.
The unpredictability factor makes it especially hard. I really don't know how much time I have with him.
I guess I can't worry about that and just need to embrace what I do have right now.
I just don't want to see him in really awful shape.
To get weird and "out there" for a second, though - I do think there's a special spiritual connection between dogs and their primary owners. He'll let me know when he's ready I think.
Roxie was the fifth dog I've owned, and the only one to go like that. The other four, unfortunately, hard decisions had to be made.
I think you're right, he'll let you know.
I do know that there are vet services where they will come to your house and allow you to put them to sleep peacefully in their favorite spot inside, or in the yard perhaps. And then will take them for you. So they don't have the trauma of going in the car, or to the vet and being in a foreign place.
Best of luck, I know it's hard.
Just kind of needed to get it off my chest and I know there are a lot of dog owners here who have been through the same and understand how hard it is.
Friends will be there for me too but I'm not really the type of guy who tells everyone around him when things aren't going so well. I tend to keep this stuff to myself more often than not.
Can't imagine what you are going through emotionally. It makes my eyes water up just thinking about it.
We provide, food, shelter, medicine and protection from predators. Because we do this we are burdened with the decision of when to put them down.
Next big decision is staying with the dog thru the process. I did and it was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my adult life.
I wish you the best..
the real terrible thing is that they know something is wrong and they look to you to make it better like you have probably done before. But you can't.
Hope it goes as well as it can
I've been taking my 14 year old yorkie to weekly chemo treatments which I never thought i'd be willing to pay for. Turns out neither my wife or I were ready to let go and while it has been hard, he continues to fight to be by our side. As long as he is visibly enjoying being here, we are committed to doing whatever is needed to help him.
You don't.
One big tell from him is that he almost always sleeps right next to my bed - but lately, he's been sleeping in places where he usually doesn't.
Last night he laid down in my bedroom but after an hour or so, he got up and walked out into another room. He was back in the morning, but it's definitely not like him. He seems to be spending more time alone even though I keep going wherever he is, petting him, and encouraging him to follow me back upstairs or into my room.
It's rough. I know he doesn't feel well but he's still making his way around and wants to go for walks as soon as I grab his leash. He's slow but he doesn't need me to help him with the stairs or anything.
I guess I just want to do the right thing - for him more than anything else. Probably overthinking it. I'll know.
Things like this are why I still post here. A lot of bullshit to go around, but there are still a lot of really great people here.
Means a lot.
there's a lot of pain in losing your pal - one who's been completely unselfish, giving and appreciative of you in a very unqualified fashion
just make sure when the quality of life gets to the point that they are either suffering or diminished - that you help them out by putting them out of it -- it's the best thing to do for both of you
I myself had to go right out and get another pal -- it doesn't make the pain go away - but it sure helped me
keep your eye on all the great memories you have
I feel for you and please know that you gave him a good life and are saving him from suffering.