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Posted

If they are suffering or just have a really crappy quality of life (ask yourself if you'd want to continue on under those conditions), then the last act of kindness you can give them is to help them move on peacefully.  

I'm sorry you're dealing with it. It sucks.

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Posted
4 hours ago, TexasGary said:

This is Buddy.

I am facing "The Decision" and I just don't know how to make it.  There isn't any one thing wrong.  He is around 13 and has many problems.  He is mostly blind, his back legs are failing, he has a large tumor near his rear end, and he has dementia.  He has recently started waking up in the middle of the night screaming.  If you have never woken up that way you really don't know what you are missing.

We're there with Gumbo.  Almost identical symptoms, plus skin infections.  We just haven't found the right day for everyone to be on board and send her off with grace.

I will say this:  your dog's name is Buddy.  He's your buddy.  He would make the call for you if he had to.  I know that's preposterous, but take it in the spirit intended.  We have a responsibility.  I don't know why we can't make the same call for humans in our families, but that's another discussion.

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Posted
On 8/8/2025 at 1:06 PM, jimmyjazz said:

No, they're fine with us keeping the body.  It would be a pretty big hole, I think we'll either go with the cremation or 311 route.  I mostly just want my kids present when she passes, they need to experience it (which may sound cruel but it is obviously part of life and a huge part of pet ownership).  My son has already said he's gonna make her a steak and my daughter is offering up cupcakes.  I was very touched by that.

Our kids were 12 and 16 when Rocket died and they were at the vet with us. It's hard, of course, but they understood what a lovely thing it is to be there for your pet when they take their last breath. Rocket got to go out with all his humans petting him and telling him they loved him. We should all be so lucky.

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Posted
3 minutes ago, austingirl said:

they understood what a lovely thing it is to be there for your pet when they take their last breath.

When I put Penny down last month, she never took her eyes off mine during the process. She passed without even closing them. 

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Posted
On 8/18/2025 at 12:29 PM, TexasGary said:

This is Buddy.

image.thumb.jpeg.41e8cd2745be619ce2994a8b4fedca4a.jpeg

 

I am facing "The Decision" and I just don't know how to make it.  There isn't any one thing wrong.  He is around 13 and has many problems.  He is mostly blind, his back legs are failing, he has a large tumor near his rear end, and he has dementia.  He has recently started waking up in the middle of the night screaming.  If you have never woken up that way you really don't know what you are missing.

 

 

On 8/18/2025 at 4:57 PM, jimmyjazz said:

We're there with Gumbo.  Almost identical symptoms, plus skin infections.  We just haven't found the right day for everyone to be on board and send her off with grace.

I will say this:  your dog's name is Buddy.  He's your buddy.  He would make the call for you if he had to.  I know that's preposterous, but take it in the spirit intended.  We have a responsibility.  I don't know why we can't make the same call for humans in our families, but that's another discussion.

It’s not our decision to make for you, but based on that description alone, I would think it was time if it were my companion. 

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Posted
1 minute ago, Pato del Muerto said:

It’s not our decision to make for you, but based on that description alone, I would think it was time if it were my companion. 

Oh, no question.  We just need to get the two younger kids together with us at the same time.  The older two aren't dog people and really never had a relationship with Gumbo.  It is what it is.

Posted

Sometimes it's hard to do what is best for your friend rather than what you think is best for you.

8 minutes ago, Deej said:

When I put Penny down last month, she never took her eyes off mine during the process. She passed without even closing them. 

I've always considered that a dog maintaining eye contact with you to be a true sign of their love.  I'm sure she she felt your love as she crossed over the bridge.

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Posted

I don't doubt it. Whenever I'd be out and about with her, I'd regularly get comments from random people like "That dog loves you. Just look at how she looks at you." 

Part of it was playing me for a sucker with those big hound eyes. She wasn't stupid. 

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