I'm having a hard time with this- MOVED from trial board

[mouse_chalk]

BoTheBunny wrote:

Ok, I am really struggling and I think I know the answer....... but I just can't bring myself to do it.

See, we have KC dog...... she's 15 years old. I got her for my husband after we lived here a few months. He always wanted a lab. She's a mix but very lab like. She loves outside. She wants to be outside. She lived in the house for the first few months and then she didn't want to come in. Maybe for a visit but she would take off back to her house at the back of our property...... she guarded the neighbors' yards, the pond behind us and the kittens that we had at times. She and Prissy were best buddies. We lost Prissy last year.

KC has been in the house for the past month or so. We have to keep her in the laundry room cause she doesn't do well loose...... cats, other dog, bunnies..... doesn't know not to pee on the floor really..... she's gotten pretty senile.

Her old eyes are foggy, her muzzle, once black is now white. She has times when she struggles to get up if she's been asleep for some time. She coughs like her lungs are filling..... heart failure.

She's lost weight and we're feeding her more. But..... she's still happy little KC.

It's time. I know it's time but I can't do it.

 

[mouse_chalk]

BlueGiants wrote:

Awww gee Bo... I'm sorry you are facing such a tough decision. Don't rush into it. See how she gets through each day. As long as she is happy and content, no pain or discomfort.

Has she seen the vet? Anything he can give her to ease the symptoms? Vicky was on anti-inflamitories and it seemed to help for a while. (Yeah, I know, $)

That being said, only you will know when it's best. But I'm sure you whatever decision you make will be for the best. I can not watch them suffer and deteriorate to the point of not being themselves... {{{{ HUGS}}}} to you hun.

JimD wrote:

: <----- sad!!

I'm so sorry that you need to deal with this.

BoTheBunny wrote:

Thanks

I wish the weather would warm up. I want her to get to enjoy another spring day... just one. She loves being out there guarding..... her tail just wags... she barks at the birds. She used to share her dog chow with the ducks from the pond. LOL! Such a bird dog there!

My mom is going to lose one soon and my sister inlaw is going to lose my dog's 1/2 sister soon..... they're all 15. Their dogs don't look as bad as KC. she's been outside most of her life. She's been good and tough.... now it's depressing to see her inside and not enjoying the snow.

When I take her out.. she bites the snow and hops around as best she can for a couple of minutes and then she's tired.

There's not much they can do for her now. She's just an old girl.

It just sort of hit me this morning how bad she's gotten. She's so skinny. She still goes out and pottys and tries to get into the trash LOL! but she's old. She's so old.

I haven't cried until now........ Now I'm a blubbering idiot...... I tend to deny.... then it hits.... and now my heart is breaking.

naturestee1 wrote:

*hugs*

Furry wrote:

<<<<HUGS>>>>>

if she's not in any discomfort...let her tell you when it's time..

I know it sounds odd..but you will know when it's time..

NorthernAutumn wrote:

I am so sorry that her days are becoming more fragile. I'm certain you will feel it when it is time to let her go... *hugs*
My parents' dog lives to run. It is his most favourite thing in the world. He doesn't enjoy being around us all that much.. he'd rather run and explore. If he couldn't do that anymore, I'm sure he'd waste away quickly. I guess my personal POV is that when the quality of life is gone, and she can't do the things she enjoys anymore, its time to go.

BoTheBunny wrote:

Yeah, it's my personal feeling of "More pain than pleasure"..... and pain can come in a few different forms...... heartache, saddness.....

She's pretty happy now. She was snuggled in some laundry she pulled down LOL! she has a blankie, but of course the laundry was much more comfy..... ah well.... at least she's comfy..... and our jeans and hoodies will wash just fine....

BlueGiants wrote:

How is KC this morning???? Still content on the pile of laundry?

bassetluv wrote:

Oh Bo...it's one of the hardest times in an animal lover's life, isn't it...when we know goodbyes are coming soon. And it never gets any easier.

Huge (((HUGS))) to you, and to KC...

mouse_chalk wrote:

I'm so sorry you're going through this Pennie. It kinda made me think, because we're sort of going through the same thing with our dog Kim at the moment (lives with my parents). He's 15 as well, and has a lot of health problems. He is on so much daily medication, and doesn't walk far anymore. He gets daily metacam and my mum and dad carry him up and down the stairs because his arthritis is bad. But he is still happy in that he enjoys playing, loves his food (too much lol!), and loves cuddles. But I think we all know that he wont be around for much longer...

I think that as long as they aren't suffering and can still get some ejnoyement out of life, it's not cruel to keep them going.... I wish I had some great words of wisdom, but all I can do is send you big hugs... :hug:

BoTheBunny wrote:

We have enjoyed a long time with her. She's protected the kids, the cats, the yard... the ducks, sheep... etc., but yes, it's close.

We decided to put her on some puppy chow and extra food each day to try to get her weight up. If she does better, I'll see if we can get her something for her cough/fluid - I know she won't last much longer even if we do, but I'll try.

She was in the room today and I had to pop in there.... I didn't take the time to talk to her and pet her - I'm trying to get things done to take my son for his senior photos....... and when I left, she barked until I came back to say hello, tell her she's a good dawg and pet her! LOL! She's fine now. She still loves her attention and praise! so cute!

JimD wrote:

such a sweety puppy

missyscove wrote:

I'm sorry that you're having to deal with this, Bo.
Big hugs to you and your family. She sounds like she's been a great dog.

kherrmann3 wrote:

I am sorry that you have to go through this *hug* As long as she is eating and still happy, I would let her be. Dogs are good at letting us humans know when it's time. My parent's dogs let us know when they were ready. They stopped eating and laid down and waited. They are very good at letting you know. Until then, just enjoy the time that you have together. As long as they're happy, you should be happy.

BoTheBunny wrote:

Well, she ate really good this morning, she's relaxing on her newest pile of laundry but she's gotten so senile...... you can tell she's not really sure of what is going on all the time. Still, she barks if she needs to go out..... pretty good for an old girl.

She didn't eat tonight..... that's what worries me.

SHe wants to go out so bad ..... tomorrow it will be in the 40's so she's gonna go out to her house for a bit. Maybe she'll feel better.

baxter-01 wrote:

I'm going to put up a similiar post for my cat who is 19.5 and am just doing the best I can to walk her to the bridge... There is not apparently the "answer" that any individual can give you. But that being said,you know your friend and you make them comfortable until they "tell you" or "give you that" look". It's hard and this is not my first "dance" with passing - but you 2nd guess your intentions -which is probably wise. Sorry your in this spot - but others are right there with you.

kherrmann3 wrote:

My first dog was senile, too. She was hard of hearing, as well. She also had cataracts and was pretty much blind. She still would come a'runnin' through the kitchen when you came home, tail wagging furiously behind her. She got lymphoma, would struggle to eat, whine at times, but we still kept her around because she was fighting. At one point, she gave up, laid down, and refused food/drink. We could not move her from that spot. We had to carry her. That was how we knew it was time. She was a stinky, senile, old girl, but she was happy to the end, and we know that she wasn't ready to go prior to that.

BoTheBunny wrote:

Thank you all *hugs*

Julie, I wish you didn't have this going on with your cat. It's heartbreaking!

KC has been barking nearly non-stop every few hours. She knows the temps are warmer and she wants OUT! At 2 a.m. we had to go out and check on the yard.. in 10 inches of snow! :twitch:I didn't get mad LOL!

This morning, she decided it was time for me to get up...... we went out....... and she chased the neighbor dogs home!!! (and I was holding her lead...... running through the snow.... yelling...... OK!! KC they left!!!) You should have heard that old bird barking/grumbling at them! LOL! Sydney was mad cause they are her best buddies!

She's not eating well..... she wants to go eat the snow (I think she has decided over the years that it's like ice cream or something! YUM!) Silly girl.

 

[Bo B Bunny]

KC is slowing down. I see it daily but she's still happy and funny as ever! She sure enjoyed her homemade mac and cheese on top of her regular food tonight! I think she inhaled it rather than ate it! LOL!

 

[myheart]

My girlfriend and I had similar experiences... We would always call each other and say "Should I make the appointment...?"

The best thing to do is to watch her eyes and keep tabs on her sense of humor. I did that for my girlie even though the vet-techs were all saying that I should start thinking about the "alternative" because she had a bone tumor that spread to her ribs and lungs. I could have never done the "alternative" until I saw the light go out of her eyes and her sense of humor deminish.

Basically, wait until KC is no longer KC. She will let you know...you just have to watch for the signs.

myheart

 

[tonyshuman]

Oh dear. Huge hugs to you and the family. You will know when it's time.

 

[MyLOVEABLES!!]

I agree with everyone else i htink you'll know when.

 

[Bo B Bunny]

myheart wrote:

My girlfriend and I had similar experiences... We would always call each other and say "Should I make the appointment...?"

The best thing to do is to watch her eyes and keep tabs on her sense of humor. I did that for my girlie even though the vet-techs were all saying that I should start thinking about the "alternative" because she had a bone tumor that spread to her ribs and lungs. I could have never done the "alternative" until I saw the light go out of her eyes and her sense of humor deminish.

Basically, wait until KC is no longer KC. She will let you know...you just have to watch for the signs.

myheart

This is really what has kept me from doing anything at this point! She's still the silly old girl she's been! Of course, right now, it's 4:18 and I've been up for about an hour........ SOMEONE had to go potty! and let me know...... "bark bark,.... bark..... BARK!BARKBARK!"

When I finally found my shoes and went to get her...... she just wagged her tail, and did her little prancing walk to the door "lalalala... got mama outta bed to see me!" and we went out to pee..... and sniff..... and eat snow..... in 14°weather........

When it was time to come back in (my teeth were chattering) she was more than happy to trot herself back to her bed...... she's such a turd!

 

[Flashy]

She definitely sounds like she still wants to live. It's so hard, but all you can do is follow her lead, and given you are doing that, you're going about a tough situation in the right way. She's lucky to be loved so much

 

[Leaf]

Bo, :mail2:

 

[Bo B Bunny]

She's a happy little girl. She used to seem bigger to me...... now I have the MOOSE... Sydney. LOL!

Leaf, you are the sweetest! :hug: