Need an opinion on whether to euthanize our beloved pet

[Anonymous]

Have a golden who is going on 13. We are lucky he has lived this long. His arthritis has gotten so bag that he can basically no longer walk. He has no use of his rear legs and lower spine. He is large (about 90 lbs) so getting him in and out is a huge huge effort. Lately he has been going to the bathroom wherever he is sitting because he cannot even stand to go to the bathroom, it requires daily baths/washdowns. Basically he cannot move on his own and 98% if his time is spent on his bed.

What makes this so hard is that he still eats and seems fairly happy yet there is no quality of life for him. My vet has strongly suggested we do this, and I told her it was unthinkable. But I pulled my back the other day trying to get him outside and am starting to have to rethink this. I am feeling like maybe I am keeping him here more for me than him, having never gone through this would really appreciate any input or advice. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Trust your vet.

[Anonymous]

Goldens are troopers. They don't complain. Your dog has lived a good long life. We kept ours alive too long and now I feel terrible that he may have been suffering. I'd let your dog go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Goldens are troopers. They don't complain. Your dog has lived a good long life. We kept ours alive too long and now I feel terrible that he may have been suffering. I'd let your dog go.

+1

Always remember it's better to let them go one week too soon than one day too late.
Hugs, OP. It's so very hard.

[Anonymous]

OP, it is well past time. Animals do not naturally defecate on themselves. That your poor dog is doing this because he cannot get up is deeply shameful to him. He feels like he is letting you down but can't do anything about it.

You can do something about it. You owe it to this dog. Please take him in today.

Vets do not "strongly" recommend euthanasia unless it is DEFINITELY time. They usually present it as one of a range of options except in the most extreme cases. Yours is falling in the range of extreme.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, it is well past time. Animals do not naturally defecate on themselves. That your poor dog is doing this because he cannot get up is deeply shameful to him. He feels like he is letting you down but can't do anything about it.

You can do something about it. You owe it to this dog. Please take him in today.

Vets do not "strongly" recommend euthanasia unless it is DEFINITELY time. They usually present it as one of a range of options except in the most extreme cases. Yours is falling in the range of extreme.

Thank you for your take, I think I know this but when I see him excited to see when I walk in the room or to eat his meal completely it makes me think (perhaps falsely) that he is not ready to give up or has lost his will yet. Does that sound possible?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Goldens are troopers. They don't complain. Your dog has lived a good long life. We kept ours alive too long and now I feel terrible that he may have been suffering. I'd let your dog go.

This. It's time OP. I'm sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, it is well past time. Animals do not naturally defecate on themselves. That your poor dog is doing this because he cannot get up is deeply shameful to him. He feels like he is letting you down but can't do anything about it.

You can do something about it. You owe it to this dog. Please take him in today.

Vets do not "strongly" recommend euthanasia unless it is DEFINITELY time. They usually present it as one of a range of options except in the most extreme cases. Yours is falling in the range of extreme.

Thank you for your take, I think I know this but when I see him excited to see when I walk in the room or to eat his meal completely it makes me think (perhaps falsely) that he is not ready to give up or has lost his will yet. Does that sound possible?

No. He is looking happy for the moments you pet him and the 2 minutes it takes a dog to eat, but he is lying there miserable and unable to move for the other 23.75 hours per day. Euthanasia is a gift we can give our beloved pets because we love them. If you want until he can't even lift his head and his eyes glaze, you are making him suffer a LOT of unnecessary pain.

We "take their pain and make it our own" when we euthanize. I know it isn't easy but dragging it out like this is cruel. ((hugs)) BTDT many times and it is never easy, but you really need to get tough with yourself BECAUSE you love this dog.

[Anonymous]

I believe it's time.

If you're not ready 'today,' at least pick a date, perhaps 1 week from now / 3 days / whatever. However much time you need.

Rent A Dog's Purpose!

[Anonymous]

Yes it's time. I'm sorry OP. It's so hard. Do you want to wait until he's not happy and in awful pain? Can you get a vet to come to the house so you don't have to move him?

[Anonymous]

It is time OP, better one week too soon than a minute took late. I just had to put my beloved dog to sleep, it is so hard but we owe them a good death to free them from their pain. Look into Lap of Love, I highly recommend having it done at your home.

[Anonymous]

OP, I don't know if it's time or not. It's such a difficult decision absent any kind of disease. But when and if you're ready, please think about calling Lap of Love. They do in-home euthanasia and are fantastic. So caring and respectful. I cannot recommend them highly enough. They made my beloved dog's passing incredibly peaceful and loving. Best to you, OP. I know this is a heartbreaking time.

[Anonymous]

You said your dog "has no quality of life". There is your answer. I'm so sorry, I have been in your shoes and it blows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Goldens are troopers. They don't complain. Your dog has lived a good long life. We kept ours alive too long and now I feel terrible that he may have been suffering. I'd let your dog go.

+1 When we finally made that incredibly hard decision, our sweet beagle was 14 years old. In retrospect, we should have let her go about 6 months sooner.

[Anonymous]

I'm so sorry. I agree with others that it's time. We had a golden retriever when I was a kid, and I remember when my dad took her to be put down (she had cancer ... it was horrible). She never complained; goldens just don't do that. It'll be massively tough, but it's for the best. Your dog had a good, long life, and relieving him of his suffering is the best thing you can do for him now.