When To Say Goodbye....

[TrishB]

Finish this sentence:

You know it's time to say goodbye when....

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...you know that your dog presents a liability to itself, you, your family and / or the public; be it safety, quaility of life or otherwise.

[StephanieandToby]

Originally Posted by TrishB

Finish this sentence:

You know it's time to say goodbye when....

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.....There is no cure.
There is no relief from pain....
The dog is aggressive.

[Judi W]

I posted a quote from Cathy's and Linda's book in the thread about the dog that could not get down the stairs. I'll copy it here.

Sadly, it is very rare that our dogs die peacefully in their sleep. From Linda Michaels and Cathy Thompson's book Centuries of Service "Rottweilers deserve their dignity at any age.............. The pride, aloofness and independence that cause us to love the breed are the same characteristics that help us decide if it is time for euthanasia. If Rottweilers cannot exhibit these characteristics they are not happy and their quality of life is very poor."

[MonteRiehl]

when I have recognized that it's my selfish reasons to keep him around longer than he wants to be. And that he would continue to stay and suffer longer if I asked him too....

you picked a sad thread for a friday afternoon on a long weekend trish.

[Judi W]

Originally Posted by MonteRiehl

when I have recognized that it's my selfish reasons to keep him around longer than he wants to be. And that he would continue to stay and suffer longer if I asked him too....

Ah, Monte, and therein lies the tragedy for many a dog. You have the self-awareness and respect for the dog and it is evident in all you say. Not all dogs are so priveleged.

[LavenderRott]

My Chase could have been put on pain meds that would have "taken the edge" off of her pain. Eight years of being the best friend I could ask for is not repayed by "taking the edge off"!

The vet told me that he could give her the meds and I could take her home for the weekend and "think about it". All I could think of was the look of total humilitation on her face as my daughter and I carried her down the stairs to get to the vet. She was the most dignified dog I have ever known. I could never humiliate her like that just so that I could have a couple more days with her.

I don't think there is a single easy answer to the question.

[Brooke&Ryan]

....when the light leaves his/her eyes.
....when the animal is suffering.
....when I am keeping the animal around just for my own selfish reasons.

Brooke

[Judi W]

Most ethical decisions are not as unclear as those who want to avoid them pretend them to be.

[pazzo]

I don't think I can add anything cause you guys summmed it up so elequently. I learned it was terminal, it broke our hearts, when he didn't sleep on the bed that night, it ripped our hearts out. Morning came and our boy walked into the vet on his own, and with the dignity and respect he was born with he died in my arms where he always was safest. We were aware of his cancer for only 2 days. The proof as to thier incredible strength to hide thier pain. We never knew he was sick.

[alex221]

Having just gone through this recently, the only way to answer this, for me, is

..........when you know you're best friend is living each day, as best he can, just because he thinks that's what you want him to do.

And you do know.

[Platzz]

It was a look in the eyes on my old friend. A look that says I love you, I must go now and some day we'll play again.

(with tears running down my face)

[pazzo]

oh platzz you have me in tears too..............

[LynnS]

I think I have posted this before so forgive me if it's repetitive.
I made the mistake of not releasing my last dog when her quality of life was very comprimised. In the past I had judged others for the exact same thing I did to my own dog. It was a lesson well learned. Every situation is unique which is why I have already written down how I would measure quality of life with Bella.

[Snooze]

when your best friend no longer can enjoy the things that he/she loved the best. When there is still some dignity left.

Sue

[onthedl74]

when there is no hope for a full recovery
when he will only be "living" and not full of the spirit he once had