How far should we go to save our beloved pets?
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| I'm so sorry to hear of Rosie's ill health. I have had similiar experiences with one of my dogs and my last siamese cat. Having spent lots of time, emotional energy and money on treating their health conditions I felt that I had perhaps been unfair to them and thinking of myself when their health deteriorated further. In the end I realised that I could only do what I thought best at the time and I couldn't have the benefit of hindsight. It didn't help me make the difficult decision of when to help them over the bridge but it did allow me to let go of the past a little and focus on what to do now. You can never know what will be or what would have been. You can only do the best you can with what you've got now. Is your vet someone who you trust and who you can talk to? I had a long discussion with one of my vets about my siamese. One vet comes from a farming background and is more pragmatic but the other has a big pet focus and was helpful in giving me some perspective. Of course they shouldn't necesssarily tell you what to do, just offer you some idea of what to expect in terms of different decisions. Thinking of you at this heart wrenching time.  |
My sympathies, I know it will be the hardest decisions I will ever have to make, my heart goes out to you.  |
| It's a hard decision to make and no, nobody wants to make it. But I believe we are the caretakers, the custodians, of our animals and we need to do what is best for them, even if it means breaking our hearts. A vet put it the best "don't let their last day be their worst." It sounds like the quality of Rosie's life is rapidly deteriorating. I hate to be blunt, but maybe it is time. Especially is you are moving. It will be quite upsetting to her especially being blind. |
| Paula is spot on. We've been through this a lot in the last five or so years and it's never easy. It does help knowing that we did do what we and our Vet felt was right. It's all about the pet in question. Do what you would want someone to do for you. Would you want your last day to be the worst? Not me. I'll never let a pet suffer unnecessarily. If we can comfortably, afford-ably and sensibly extend their days without pain and not diminishing their quality of life, we would. Otherwise, we must let them go, peacefully and with dignity. Good luck and God speed. Vance |
| I think its worth mentioning that blindness in and off itself is not necessarily a deal breaker. Many dogs do ok blind as long as their people know how to manage things. An acquaintance cocker spaniel went blind young with PRA recently and the vet advised her that most dogs are ok and explained what to do. It sounds like Rosie has a lot of other issues as well that in combination make a different scenario. Thinking of you at this difficult time. |
| It's such a personal decision, so many facets to when it's the "right" time to let a dear pupper go. I'm sorry I don't have any answers even though I went through this just recently myself. I do know that with hindsight, everything is suddenly crystal clear... not the way it is though when we're making decisions along the way, choosing which paths to take. There is physical suffering but there is also emotional suffering. As Mim says, blindness alone isn't a deal breaker. I don't know if any of this would be of any help... it's going to depend on where Rosie is emotionally and if you can help her to become more confident, what Maggie will tolerate. Have you read the book, "Living With Blind Dogs" by Caroline Levin? http://www.petcarebooks.com/books/living_blind.htm I've only glanced through it but it comes highly recommended. I've given my copy away a couple of times but always keep a copy on hand. You might put different sounding bells on you and Maggie... anyone else in the home. I've worn an anklet with tiny bells on it so Kaytee can follow. So much has become second nature over the years... when I walk outdoors, I pat my thigh so she can follow and I talk to her. The neighbors likely think I'm nuts. I tell her step-step when we reach the steps though she's got them figured out well. I holler "careful" if something is in her path. With the new home, I'd personally confine her to one room to start and let her get to know it, map it out in her head. Water and food dishes always in the same place... don't pick up or carry a blind dog because they loose their positioning. Instead, put a leash on her and walk her to the door that leads to her play/potty area. Doing it several times to help her figure it out. If the dogs are fighting, separate them during nap time, times they can't be supervised. Have the dogs sleep in designated areas... or put just one in a separate room even or crate. Seeing dogs don't usually appreciate being walked all over as the blind dog is trying to navigate. I always talk to Kayt before I touch her... they can have a startle reflex too. You can make a halo or doggy walking "cane"... http://handicappedpets.com/pet-care-art ... rness.html http://angelvest.homestead.com/index.html I know you're struggling right now. If I can be of any help let me know... Paula... my greatest fear was that Bumble would go into respiratory distress or failure and I'd be unable to find a vet that could help. It was a rare condition, vets weren't familiar with the port he had inside him, direct chest taps on both sides had failed along with the port during one vet visit with our regular vet though we would later get it working again here at home, there was only one on-call vet here at night and over the weekend and none understood the condition. He was getting weaker, lying down often, heavier breathing... he would never get "better". I was adamant that his last days not be terrifying because he was unable to breath. Your vet's words guided me. Thanks for sharing them. :') |
| This is never an easy decision. We all want them around forever, but we know that isn't possible. I agree with "don't let their last days be their worst". I know that with Pooh Bear. I couldn't bear to let him go, hoping he would bounce back, but he didn't. Had my husband make the call to the vet to make arrangements, since the decision was tearing me to pieces. Looking back, we probably should have done it one day earlier, but my heart wasn't letting me let go of him yet. That is the hardest part....letting go.....stills brings the tears more than a year later. You will know when the time is right....trust your heart to know....you can see the look in their faces. |
| I am so sorry you're facing such a painful decision. I agree with what Mim said and also what Vance said about not having your last day be your worst. That's how we decided Hannah's last day because she literally lost the use of all 4 of her legs on the day we decided. Because she was so happy that day. For some reason my logic took hold on that day foreseeing what the future would be for her when she was completely unable to get up. Our Hannah didn't have cushings but many auto immune related stuff. So having gone through that I can totally commend you for doing all that you've done up to this point because they still enjoy a very high quality of life. I hope you don't beat yourself up, because I bet when all this clears you may look back and be glad you did what you did. Hannah also became blind but slowly and she did very well. I think three weeks into it if it's happened suddenly the adjustment period hasn't set in. Maybe once Rosie adjusts she will do better. I think you will make the best decision for your baby. I have complete confidence in you and I know that you will know what's best. I also think that had you went the other route you spoke about there would have always been what ifs. When you love so deeply, there will be questions and afterthoughts for all decisions. Wishing you strength, great clarity and good quality days ahead with Rosie, how ever many days there may be. Please give Rosie a big  |
| Thank you all for your advice...it truly helped. This morning at 11:45 Rosie went to run free at the bridge. It wasn't just the blindness...Cushings was destroying her organs and brain, she could hardly move without hitting her face into something. The advice that her last day shouldn't be her worst helped the most. We are so going to miss her...worry about Maggie as all four years had Rosie by her side. Rosie lived to love and be loved, truly added 12 years of love to my life. |
| I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your sweet baby. She can run free and well at the Rainbow Bridge now. Strength to you in your time of grief. |
| I am so sorry for your loss. Know that she lived a good life thanks to your love and devotion. Run free Rosie |
| I am so sorry for your loss. Doesn't matter how young/old they are. We always have this feeling that is was too soon. But they rely on us. What is "too soon" is really because we as humans can't let them go...Our dogs rely on us to take care of them and to unfortunately make life decisions for them. You did what you needed to do and may all the memories bring you peace. Sending our hugs and prayers |
| Very sorry about your loss. We have been there and know the pain you are feeling. Once again, very sorry about your loss of Rosie. |
| I'm so sorry for your loss, Linda. It's more difficult when we have to make that decision for our beloved companions... but we do it out of love and compassion. |
| So sorry for your loss of Rosie. The hardest decision a pet owner will ever have to make. May the happy memories of her dampen your pain. |
| I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful Rosie! She was lucky to have you. Please give Maggie an extra hug from us. |
| I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Wishing you happy memories and a peaceful heart. |
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