Advise re: 13 year old rottweiler

[jakeshay]

Hello. My rottweiler is 13.5 years old. The past few days he has gone down hill. His hind legs barely function, he falls often and needs help getting around. His breathing has been bad for awhile and is getting worse. He panst and wheezes throughout the day. Honeslty, it is to the point where I look at his belly to make sure it is moving up and down because all he wants to do is lay down. He is tired all the time. Today was bad, although right now he is pretty quiet. He has been panting all day. He does not want to go outside and he only ate a few bites today. My husband and I have made a decision to have him put to sleep this week. I feel horrible for doing this but we do not want him to suffer and he seems so uncomfortable. He had 13.5 wonderful, healthy years with us and we adore him. He is such a huge part of the family. Has anyone else had to make this kind of decision? I just don't know what the "right" thing is to do. I just want what is best for Jake. I already told the vet that we will not put him through nay testing, etc. b/c it is the last thing he would want. He hates the vet. Any advise would be greatly appreciated as this is a very difficult thing to decide. Thank you.

[Rottlva]

What a long life your dog has had. I can offer no advice, rather just words of support. If you know in your heart it is time to free your dog of his pain, it is time...My sincerest sympathies

[observer]

There are literally hundreds of people who have been through this here, although most have not been so fortunate as to have their friend for as long as you have. There is nothing "horrible" about releasing him from his pain, although losing him will be heart-wrenching for you. You have to take comfort and strength in knowing that he loves you and trusts you to do what is right for him. He lives in the here and now. He cannot, and does not, think that maybe he will feel better tomorrow.

It is time to do for him the only thing that comes close to the selfless love he has shown you every day. These dogs are VERY stoic. If he is having trouble doing basic things like walking and breathing normally, and does not want to eat much or to go outside, he must be in terrible discomfort. His quality of life is very poor. Do not let him suffer any longer by waiting to do what only you can do. I'm so sorry. We are all here for you.

[moz205]

I have been there with my 13 yo boy. He went down in 2 days. Didn't want to go out, then stopped eating and drinking other than if I hand fed him. He then stopped getting up all together. That morning that he wouldn't/couldn't even get up, he looked at me and I told him ok, it's your time to rest. I called the vet right away, asked if I could get some tranquilizers (he HATED going to the vet too). I picked them up, got them into him and in 2 hrs took him to the vet. We carried him in a blanket and stayed with him. It was one of the toughest things I had to do but knew in my heart he was begging me and telling me he couldn't go on. Although I was a mess, I knew it was the right thing to do and was almost relieved for him. I then went home and went to bed for 2 days- not for him but for myself. I still kick myself for not being braver with my GS who should have been put down a lot sooner than he was. That was over 25 yrs ago. My thoughts are with you. I did learn it's not about me but about my dog.

[hokisteph5]

From what you've described, it sounds like you've already made the right decision. To me, the right decision is what's best for the dog.

If you feel like your boy's up to it, some members on here have described taking a paw print of their dogs, taking them out for their favorite food (e.g. vanilla ice cream cone, hamburger, etc.), and some have even talked about snipping some of their dog's hair.

I'm so sorry. Making the decision to let them go is never easy, never gets easier, and so far, I've been fortunate that the decisions have almost been made for me (e.g. the cat was in acute distress).

[poohbearsmom]

13 years is a long time. You're very lucky. It sounds like Jake has had a long life with a human who loves him very much.

Knowing when to say goodbye is a very personal decision, and it varies from person to person. I believe you already know in your heart what you need to do to show a final gesture of unconditional love to your longtime friend, and that's why you're here... for a little validation.

I'm of the mind that a dog should be able to leave this world with the same level of dignity in which he entered it. I feel the same for humans, but fortunately for our pets, they can be eased to the other side in a humane fashion when we know their quality of life has diminished horribly, and they can no longer find comfort.

You mention that Jake wasn't a fan of vet trips. If and when you do decide to say goodbye, you might ask the veterinarian to make a house call so Jake isn't uncomfortable in the hospital surroundings. It might make things less stressful for both of you.

My heart goes out to you. It takes an unselfish person to put aside their emotions and wrought to help a friend go. If you don't have any recent pictures of Jake to remember him by, it might be a good idea.

Peace be with you in your final decision, and know that there are many here who wish their arms were longer.

[abbiesdogs]

Like hokisteph5 I have never had to make this decision either, my dogs were in terrible pain from bloat no time to think about it. I feel so sorry for you and you know your doing the right thing for your boy. sending a big hug for you and jake.abbie

[jakeshay]

Thank you all so much. Now I feel like it is the right thing to do for him. He is such an awesome dog. I have had 2 other rotties and they are the sweetest most lovable dogs.
My husband and I will spend the night next to him tonight and then tomorrow afternoon we will bring him. I plan to stay in the room while this is done, my husband said it is too hard for him. I just want to be with him through this. His "girl-friend" is in doggie heaven waiting for him. We bought them together and she passed away in her sleep 1.5 years ago. So they will be together again. I have to think this way. My children will have a very hard time as they are in love with him and do not understand this all but we will get through it like everyone else does. Thank you for your support.

[jlaack]

I am sorry that you are going through this. I know how awful it is, but I think that the love and joy these dogs bring to our lives makes it all worth it in the end. I agree with another poster that this is a personal decision and you are the best person to make that decision as you know your dog better than anyone. That said from what you originally posted it sounds like it is his time. You will be in my thoughts during this very difficult time.

[Liz]

We went through this with Chrome's mother, Janni, when she was 13. She had been doing great, then all of a sudden, she got "tippy" as the kids called it. One day we were outside and she sort of tipped over and couldn't get back up and she just looked so miserable - as if she had no dignity left. I just knew then that it was time. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, but I know it was time. She went very quietly and we got to take her to a local pet crematorium and be with her through that also. We also let our other dogs see her after she was gone.

We will keep you in our thoughts.

Liz

[maxcat]

My heart goes out to you. Enjoy your last moments with him and know that he can sense how much you care.

[Jaidann]

One of the hardest decisions ever. My heart goes out to you and your family. You had alot of wonderful years and memories :)

[Elswick]

We lost our senior girl at nearly 14 months old. She slipped on ice and did a spread eagle. After that injury she went down hill real fast. It broke our hearts but we had her put to sleep because we did not want her to suffer. We have 5 other rotties to fuzz over but no one can ever replace her. So, as hard as it is, sometimes you just have to do what is best for your dog. 13.5 years old for a rottie is old so you could count your blessing for having your rottie around for that length of time.

[DarinBongo]

Just reading this makes me cry, but I hope that my story might give you some insight that for sure this is the right thing to do.

I grew up with a Bichon Frise, her name was Digit, and just thinking about her still brings tears to my eyes. She was my heart that little thing, from the time I was 4 until I was 21. It was that last year after I turned 20 where my parents and I really started noticing she was getting older and moving slower. She was never in any pain and thank god never had any joint problems, however she was getting cataracts and just slowing down. When I graduated from college and turned 21, a few months later she began not eating and throwing up. This horrible disease progressed very quickly. We took her to the vet and they diagnosed her with cancer in her lymph nodes and that it had spread all over her body. It was definitely too late for treatment... and I have to be honest - I almost punched the vet, because I felt for some reason that it was his fault that he didn't find it early enough. I think my parents got pain medication from the vet and never told me, because in her last days, she never even cried once. She went downhill so fast and was vomiting and defecating pure bile. She would not eat and lost so much weight that week. It killed me and my parents just watching her like that. Problem was that my sister was away at medical school and my parents were torn to keep her around for two more days so she could say goodbye. My little baby held on until my sister made it home. That night they took her and it was like she knew and was so relieved. We wrapped her up in a little towel and I just couldn't go - my parents took her. My mom said she was calm all the way to the vet's and did not squirm at all once she knew where she was. It was over quickly and peacefully.

Now it is over 3 years later - and it KILLS me to this day that my little Digit had to suffer even those few extra days. I know it eats away at my sister too. However, it taught me that when I have my own little one like I do now, that when it is time - it is time. Do not make your little guy suffer for any reason. I wish I could turn back time but it is too late now. Don't do the same thing my family did, because you will be filled with regret later on. If you know it in your heart, give your baby the relief he deserves for all those loyal years. It will not be easy, but it will be easier than doing it and having regret like we did.

I wish you the best of luck in this time. I will say a prayer for your little guy and hope that he finds the happy doggy heaven that Digit is in.

[SABELLESMOM]

This must be so hard for you. He's been able to enjoy nice long life wherein he was loved and respected. The kindest, and most difficult thing now is to let him go peacefully. He is suffering, now, so it must be done.

My prayers are with you. May the pain in your heart soon be over taken with the fondest of memories, the happy times, and silly things he did. Make a memorial. Just a garden rock or statue and some flowers, would do, and it would make you feel better.

When (my friend's dog) Remington was put down, I found this beautiful stone bench with squirrel bases. Remmy loved to chase squirrels! Em has quite a collection from friends: small memorial stones, reflecting globes, dog angels, an encased photo... all from friends. The small things, now, with the bench are set by her outdoor light fixture and surrounded by flowers. It's, not overstated. It's just lovely!