stellnme

I'm really sorry to read that, Twodoggies. I hope that Jasper can improve and have more time with you. Sending all good thoughts to you both for the best outcome.

Very hard situation for you and your little dog. I'm just wondering if she is feeling any pain anywhere to make her behave like this. Chihuahua Rescue Qld has a beautiful boy in care who was surrendered to them by his elderly owner for similar behaviour and after tests it was found that the pins in an old patella surgery had slipped and were digging into his leg and causing great pain. No wonder the little fellow was acting the way he was. Of course this probably isn't your girl's problem but is there anything from the surgery on her palate that could be causing her pain/distress? The narrowing of her nasal cavity and subsequent struggling to breathe may be the source. Have you had a good consultation and talk to your vet to see if there is anything you can track down? Just my guess, but it seems she is struggling with life in general - surgery, infections, treatment for same, fear, plus her early life and rehoming could have made her very unsettled. There are people with much more experience than me with the behaviour/training side of things who might be able to give an insight into anything that can be remedied. I've had one similar dog in our lives that we managed for 10 years - and they were hard years. She too had an unsettled beginning, surgery on a hip and I honestly think she was just "wired wrong" as a result of goodness knows what breeding. We had to put to sleep at nearly 11 years as she almost took my husband's finger off and we were concerned about what else would happen. It broke my heart as we tried so hard for so long. I wish you luck in whatever your decision is. Please investigate all the options first and hopefully there will be some good advice from others here.

To supply dogs to his own pet store - yep, what could go wrong with that. Way to go, P.I.A.A. - while the rest of Australia campaigns to shut down these hell holes, he starts another for the "industry." And let's not worry about destroying the Koala's habitat in the meantime.

Absolutely.

Tuppence will be coming to live with me! Stella has been gone a year at Christmas - I think she would approve. Nervous and excited at the same time.

Sleep well, handsome Darcy - what a sweet old man you were.

Tuppence looks like a little sweetheart. I'm so tempted to inquire.

What a lucky boy to have spent his life with your family, Bubitty. May the beautiful memories of him be always in your heart, and in time, make you smile.

At least Sharpie is still in one piece!

I'm sorry to hear Saffy has left. What a lovely tribute you have written, Boronia. The empty space is always there, but it hurts a little less as time goes on. Fly high with the Angels, sweet Saffy - my Stella would like to play with you.

So sorry that it was Whitney's time to go. Fly high with the Angels, sweet girl.

I'm so sorry, @Kirislin that you have reached this stage too. I hope some of the comments in this thread are of comfort to you. It truly is the worst time.

I understand what you mean, Scottsmum, but one of my daughters has, for many years, worked with rescue to nurse many flu kittens back to health. They are blind mostly only temporarily and yes, some die despite the best of efforts, but that is no reason not to try if there is an experienced rescuer prepared to do so. My other daughter's big cat is the only survivor of a litter stricken with cat flu and he is the picture of health and a poster boy for saving a life. Ringworm and cat flu are, in most instances, no reason to kill.

"They will teach her not to wonder" - I've seen this so often on lost and found sites, when they are describing a dog wandering! Just hate it - the dog is not wondering, it's wandering!! This is so clever and so annoying at the same time. I'm sure puppy breeders must tear their hair out at some of the conversations.

Beautiful Molly - they bring so much joy to our lives but leave too soon. So sorry it was Molly's time to go, may she stay forever in your heart.

So very hard and we all make our own decisions regarding when to let them go based on knowing our own dogs. To me, when the quality of life has gone, or the dog is suffering, are pretty good signs that you need to consider. A terminal diagnosis with a dog who is able to eat ,drink and toilet as usual would be something I would just watch carefully and take vet advice on when the dog had reached the next stage. What worries me about your friend's dog is the bleeding, I too, would be very worried about what may happen. Maybe it is time for this little one.

I'm sorry, Scottsmum. Have just read this, and I can understand how you are feeling. I had to make that decision for Stella in December. In the end, it wasn't the Stel I knew when I looked at her - her little broken body was fighting to stay but her spirit had gone, and it was the only decision to make. You made that for Scottie and your face was the last he saw and I'm sure he felt the love in your arms. Hold tight to your memories and be happy that you were brave enough and loving enough to give him peace.

What a special thing you did, Pretty Miss Emma, for this beautiful old soul. To bring her home to live her last months in love and comfort is an amazing gift from you. Sleep well, Nana Gem.

Sad, but lovely. I wonder if we will meet our departed dogs again one day.

Thanks for posting this, Rebanne. It's very timely for me as I had to make that decision on 21st December for my elderly, lovely little dog. That wasn't my first rodeo but by far the worst. I've had to step up for previous family dogs and cats, plus a little rescue dog that I thought I could rehabilitate but unfortunately I couldn't and although she had 9 months of good care with me, I couldn't fix what was wrong with her. I don't quite agree about not spending money on animals with problems - many ailments are fixable, or at least treatable and can give great quality of life. A cataract operation can give an animal back some sight, we can help with medications for incontinence, heart and kidney problems and surgery for mammary tumours can certainly give a dog many more years of pain free living. Limbs can be amputated with the dog or cat still able to lead pretty normal lives. It's up to each rescue to decide their boundaries and ethics. But, there are times to call time and this is where I agree with the link posted. I'm feeling that horrible guilt that perhaps I could have done more although I know that is not rational - no one could have done more, cared more, loved more for Stella than me. Her time had come and I, like so many of us on these threads, had to do the hard yards and say enough for her. It hurts more than I can say but to keep her alive for just a little more time wasn't in her best interests. My wonderful vet didn't question when I made the decision, but after going to that vet surgery for all of Stella's almost 16 years, she gave me credit for knowing it was time. The words in the link made me teary but I'm glad you posted it - it's helped me a lot.

:)

Thank you all for your lovely words. It helps to be amongst like minded people who understand that she was far more than "just a dog." Stella was a gentle little girl who gave us much joy in her almost 16 years with us and was loved by everyone. Vet visits always took a long time as the staff would pass her around for cuddles - she was more than happy to oblige. Tomorrow I will bring her ashes back and she will be home where she belongs - where all good dogs want to be.

Paul, maybe move this to the General dog discussion forum. This is probably not the right place for discussions.

Thanks, Tassie. We made the decision to let her go peacefully this morning. It was just her time. We knew it was coming for a while but today we are heartbroken.

"We can look back now, you and I, On quite a stretch of time gone by Since, as a pup, I came to see That you were all the world to me. They haven't all been primrose ways That we have trodden since those days: It hasn't all been sunny weather That we have travelled through together. But though the seasons come and go. One faith remains, one thing I know: Without you, life stands still and when I hear your voice, I live again. For years, though they can make us old. Can never make the heart grow cold: And youth that's fading has no sting Where love is, time can't do a thing." Sleep well, little one - you will live on in my heart.