Is it too soon?
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Anonymous
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Hello,
I have an 13.5 year old cockapoo who was diagnosed with metastatic adrenal cancer last year at this time. He was not a surgical candidate because the tumor was too advanced in the blood vessels. We opted also not to do radiation because it would have involved a long car ride for several days and he hates the car. We were told he had a few months and decided we would give him the best days left we could. It was a devastating diagnosis for myself, my husband and college age daughter. Fast forward to now. He has miraculously survived a year (which was quite shocking to the oncologist and our vets) but the tumor is growing further into the vena cava and seems to be cutting off blood flow to his rear legs (they are really weak) and he is starting to cough and breath hard at night. Otherwise, he still goes for walks (most of the time) but has given us playing ball (his favorite thing in the world) and has starting isolating himself a little bit. He still eats (voraciously) and wags his tail all the time, but I can see despite the pain medication he's been on, he is starting the downhill decline. We currently have our vet scheduled to come to our house on Tuesday at 2:30 so he can be with his three favorite humans and his sibling (3 year old mini bernedoodle) and surrounded with his things. I am doubting myself that it's too soon, but at the same time, have told myself that I'd rather him be happy than suffering. I am a woman of great faith so I have been praying hard on it, but when he smiles and wags at me, I wonder if I'm doing it too soon. My vet tech friend (she's our dog sitter) said it's better to be one day soon than one day too late. He's my best friend and has been been at my side for all the ups and downs of the past 13.5 years. I can barely keep it together to get through the day. I am very blessed to have a wonderful husband and daughter and friends who love me. I have lost my dad, mom, and young brother (37) in the past 10 years (dad died the day after my dog's diagnosis last year). Please tell me your thoughts and be kind. I can't take any verbal beating at this time. And thank you immensely. |
Anonymous
| It’s time. You can’t be too soon - but you can absolutely be too late. |
Anonymous
+1 |
Anonymous
| It is hard to let them suffer. It will also be hard if the bird is having a good day, that day. You all will be sad, but the bird doesn’t understand why they are having the ongoing pain. I am sure you are grateful for the extra year without the suffering that he did not have with treatment and travel to and from appointments. You’ve done welll by him. |
Anonymous
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PP, a cockapoo is a dog, not a bird.
OP, most of us wait too long and then regret it. Put your sweet boy to rest. He has given you everything he has. He is holding on and being strong for you, but it is time to let him go. He will go peacefully surrounded by his loved ones. |
Anonymous
It’s a dog not a bird. |
Anonymous
| I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am going to miss him so much and cannot imagine life without him. |
Anonymous
| I teared up reading your post. I think you're doing the right thing. |
Anonymous
It will be hard and you will make it. You will be glad you did this very difficult and tremendously kind thing for him. |
Anonymous
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You're looking for absolutes when this situation has no absolutes. The right time could be tomorrow, or in one month. It probably shouldn't be next year.
I hope you can find peace in the knowledge that you care very much about his pain and comfort levels. Tuesday sounds like a good time. It's very disturbing for a pet owner to make that end-of-life decision, so it's perfectly understandable you'd be disturbed, OP! Accept those feelings. They are legitimate. Wishing you the best. Hug your little dog for me. |
Anonymous
| You are absolutely doing the right thing. It is really difficult but it is the most loving, compassionate thing to do for your pup. |