the end of the dog

[kirkcudbright]

(To be perfectly clear, we're not talking about the dog in the icon - that's lyonesse's dog. We're talking about a black greyhound, last pictured here.)

Empress Josephine is a dog of very advanced years. She's 14½, and has been noticeably declining for the last couple years. She's lost a lot of weight, and, more importantly, she's lost a lot of muscle mass in her hindquarters. She can't stand up without assistance. She can't climb stairs without assistance. She has to be carried down stairs. She has a number of mysterious lumps, skin tags, etc, and a big fluid sac on one elbow. OTOH, she still eats and drinks, and appears reasonably content. She doesn't seem to be in pain, but I really can't say for sure, since she's never been one to complain.

She's prone to falling on her butt, and recently gashed her tail. I bandaged it, and it seemed to be doing okay, but the other day she fell on it again, and opened it up to the point that the wound went halfway around her tail. We got to the vet 10 minutes before closing time, got it stapled shut, but the vet suggested that we might want to consider her "quality of life", which re-opened a discussion we've been having for about a year.

I want to do the right thing by my pets. I'll do my damndest to keep them alive and healthy, but I'm willing to euthenize when it seems appropriate. The thing is, how do you tell? Our first dog developed lupus about two months after we got her, and died at the vet's while undergoing treatment. The second dog lived with arthritis for years, but declined rapidly when he finally started to go - it was a matter of days from "can't get down the stairs without falling" to "can't lift his head". With Josie, I've been looking for some obvious sign that the threshold has been crossed, but it's all been so gradual.

We talked about it, Francie and Kylie and me, and decided that this really is the time. Saturday is the day. I think it's the right thing, but it feels like hell.

Comments

[feste-sylvain.livejournal.com]

I've been in on such decisions.

I have no advice. But I do have sympathy.

And I do have this: one woman consulted with me about whether to euthanize her cat, and her unwillingness to "play God". I pointed out that her cat was more than half again as old as it would have gotten in the wild; she'd already "played God", it was now time for the hard part.

You all have already done the right thing by Josephine. For many years.

And of course it feels like hell.

Again, my sympathies.

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

she's obviously been well cared for, and seemed in very good spirits, and got lots of scritches at the party. very likable pointy nosed dog.

endings are always difficult.

good thoughts for you all.

#

[lyonesse.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

i'll be around the barn some on saturday if you want any company.

josie's been a great dog for a very, very, very long time, and you've always done your very best by her. which is all anyone, dog or otherwise, can ever ask for.

*more hugs*

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

Honestly, what everyone else said. You've given her a loving, secure, happy, *very* long life. You've done right by her. If she's living in chronic, constant pain and mere existing as opposed to living, which it sounds like she might be, then relieving her from it seems like the kindest thing you can do.

You and F and K are in my thoughts. I know that Josie is a family member and that what you are considering is a major, major decision.

::fiercely supportive vibes sent across the Pond::

[veek.livejournal.com]

Oh, man. I am so sorry.

Hard decisions are hard. And painful. I send you all my support, as you do right by your dog one more time.

[goddessfarmer.livejournal.com]

Yes, what everyone else said. You are doing right by the dog.

[rmd.livejournal.com]

i'm so sorry.

[(Anonymous)]

It is for this reason that the gradual cases are hell.

And I know many friends who realized later that they left it too long, and the guilt that can cause. There's no answer, ever, that will be an easy one when circumstances don't force your hand.

I know Josie will have a love-filled Friday. I only saw her about twice a year but I will miss her.

LB

[lara68.livejournal.com]

sorry :(

[sunspiral.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. It's an incredibly difficult, painful decision to be faced with, but she's had a really good life with your family and must know how much you've loved her. And now her life is really uncomfortable. I saw her at your house just a few weeks ago and yeah, it's the right decision.

[bridgetminerva.livejournal.com]

I was there with Oscar 2 months before Aileen was born. I had to make that decision.

Hugs, I will be thinking of you all on Saturday.

[koshmom.livejournal.com]

If you've decided together that it's time, then It's Time. Sure, there's doubts. Just remember to hold her in your arms, together, and she will be calm and happy to be with you during her passing.

[awfief.livejournal.com]

*hugs* times like these it's good to have family to talk to, and I think you'll feel the least guilty because you talked with everyone that knows and loves her.

[chocorua.livejournal.com]

Saying goodbye to the little ones has been painful for me since the first (I was 7). The world is different afterwards, but it's still full of interest and beauty...

[ceo]

I'm terribly sorry. :-(

[kimberlogic.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry.

*hugs*

So sad...

[firespiral.livejournal.com]

Big hugs to you. I know this is a difficult thing. And hugs to Josie, too.

[roozle.livejournal.com]

When I saw her at your last party, I was thinking about how much loving it takes to keep her as comfortable as she seemed to be even in her obviously weakened state. She will be missed.

[electrictruffle.livejournal.com]

*hug*

[c1.livejournal.com]

Know that all of you are in my thoughts.

[gosling.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. *hug*

[con-girl.livejournal.com]

I am glad that you made the decision and sad that it has come to be time for that for your puppy.

It is a decision that I have yet to have to make.