Anonymous
Post 12/01/2023 16:43     Subject: How do you know when it is time?
Anonymous wrote:My dog is almost 17. He has been going downhill for the last 6 months or so. How do you know when it is time? He still likes to eat and get pets. He is having trouble walking and I have to carry him outside for the bathroom and sometimes he goes inside (he never, ever did this before). He still seems happy but I just don’t know. Today he urinated on himself because he couldn’t get up. This is so hard.


I feel for you OP. Went through this a couple years ago with the only pup our kids every had. Thinking back on it now, it still makes me tear up. She went downhill quick at 14, but as others have said, when they lose control of their bladders and have a hard time getting up, it's time to take them to the vet, fully prepared that they may not come home.
Anonymous
Post 12/01/2023 15:31     Subject: How do you know when it is time?
Anonymous wrote:Pets don't really communicate pain. I've said goodbye to 3 dogs that I loved dearly. My philosophy has always been that it's better to say goodbye a few days too early than a few days too late. When they get close to the end, you have to ask yourself who is that extra few days/weeks really for. I've heard too many stories of waiting too long.


OP, you cannot imagine the panicky, miserable feeling of having scheduled a visit from Lap of Love, the first one they had available, and realizing the day before that you really needed to let your pet go sooner, but the only possible alternative was a horrific trip to whatever vet could do the deed, assuming you could find one.
Anonymous
Post 12/01/2023 13:10     Subject: How do you know when it is time?
Anonymous wrote:I think when they're soiling or peeing on themselves, it's time.


Don't let their last day be their worst day. Give them their dream day and let them go.

I'm so sorry


this
Anonymous
Post 12/01/2023 13:08     Subject: How do you know when it is time?
Pets don't really communicate pain. I've said goodbye to 3 dogs that I loved dearly. My philosophy has always been that it's better to say goodbye a few days too early than a few days too late. When they get close to the end, you have to ask yourself who is that extra few days/weeks really for. I've heard too many stories of waiting too long.
Anonymous
Post 12/01/2023 12:59     Subject: How do you know when it is time?
Our vet told us to choose three things most important to our dog’s quality of life. When they were gone, we’d know it was time.
Anonymous
Post 11/30/2023 16:52     Subject: How do you know when it is time?
I think when they're soiling or peeing on themselves, it's time.


Don't let their last day be their worst day. Give them their dream day and let them go.

I'm so sorry
Anonymous
Post 11/30/2023 14:55     Subject: How do you know when it is time?
dog is old Op
anytime
this decision does not need to be maximized
Anonymous
Post 11/30/2023 14:53     Subject: How do you know when it is time?
The Right Time is when you are ready
Anonymous
Post 11/30/2023 13:38     Subject: How do you know when it is time?
We had to make this difficult decision with our 14 yr old German Shepherd last spring, and what finally pushed me to do it was when she was panting pretty much constantly, even when it was cold outside. I took that as a sign that her body was just not working properly and shutting down.

All of my dogs have eaten hardily up until the last, so that was never a sign for us.