JulesP Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 2 years ago I didn't think Fern had long for this world but she has soldiered on. There have been a couple of times since that I have thought 'this is it'. Obviously I get really upset each time. I thought I was going to have to give her wings yesterday. She really didn't look good. Today she has rallied again. I think she is feeling better than me as I totally lost it today at dog school because I was upset. Her legs aren't great but as long as she looks like she wants to be here then I will let her. Yesterday she looked like she was about to die. My last dog was very well and went downhill in the space of a couple of days so it was a no brainer. This is really doing my head in. Obviously it can't be too much longer as she is 15yo. This is my heart dog I hate looking at her everyday and trying to decide if she still wants to live. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cashew Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 2 years ago I didn't think Fern had long for this world but she has soldiered on. There have been a couple of times since that I have thought 'this is it'. Obviously I get really upset each time. I thought I was going to have to give her wings yesterday. She really didn't look good. Today she has rallied again. I think she is feeling better than me as I totally lost it today at dog school because I was upset. Her legs aren't great but as long as she looks like she wants to be here then I will let her. Yesterday she looked like she was about to die. My last dog was very well and went downhill in the space of a couple of days so it was a no brainer. This is really doing my head in. Obviously it can't be too much longer as she is 15yo. This is my heart dog I hate looking at her everyday and trying to decide if she still wants to live. :D I am so sorry Jules. I won't be able to cope in such a situation too. Please hang on strong and follow your instincts. *hugz* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemstone Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 oh Jules - sorry to hear that its a horrible time isnt it and very draining emotionally Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogbesotted Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 Hugs Jules.... you will know when it is time. bless you both. I just adore old dogs there is something so very very special about them... H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borderpower Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 JulesP I completely understand where you are coming from as I'm going through the same thing right now with Lady,although Lady is only 11 and half she is also interbred twice over whitch of course as had impact on her, Lady some days really looks like she ganna die,other days she not so bad just like a normal old dog. My heart goes out to you, and I'm sorry that you have to go through it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4Kelpies Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Jules I'm sorry to hear that you've reached this sad stage with your old girl. I'm sure you'll know if she is ready to go. I think there is a lot of pressure on dog owners to make "the decision" when our dogs get old. I don't think there is anything wrong with letting an animal die peacefully of old age as long as it isn't suffering. I have to say that so far none of my animals has gone quietly in its sleep, I've always had to make the decision for them and I have no doubts that I made the right decision at the right time as they were suffering from cancer, heart conditions, a broken leg or navicular disease (horses.) Animals belonging to friends of mine have just slowed down and died in their sleep and I think this is the best way to go. I keep hoping this will be the case with my dogs but I know I may have to step in and stop their suffering.Make the most of your time with Fern as it will be gone only too soon. The Caninecancer list has a quality of life scale called "HHHHHMM", which stands for: hurt, hunger, hydration, hygiene, happiness, mobility and more good days than bad days. Do you think Fern is in pain? Is she still enjoying food? It doesn't matter if she isn't eating as much as in her younger days as long food is still enjoyable. Is she able to eat and drink enough? Incontinence can be managed but if dogs are losing control of their bowels and lying in their own mess they are likely to be distressed. Is she still happy to see you and is she responsive to you? Is she able to move around enough to eat, drink, toilet, get in and out of her bed and generally make herself comfortable? You'll know when these have reached the stage where there are more bad days than good. As you've said Fern is your heart dog, You will be able to make the right decision for her because you know and love her better than anyone else does. I know what a draining and stressful time this is. Take care of yourself. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted August 31, 2009 Author Share Posted August 31, 2009 Thanks guys. Fern is looking quite bright today. She is a super tough dog so hard to say about the pain. I didn't like the shivering on Saturday because it really wasn't cold. Her mobility is the worst thing but doesn't seem to bother her too much. She has lost a fair bit of weight recently so obviously something is going on. She had been eating happily until those 2 days. She is eating again now. Toileting is ok still. She sometimes wees in the house but I think that is more a senile thing. She doesn't wee were she is laying though. The younger dogs are being very sweet and giving her heaps of kisses and licks. I thought it would be better for a pet to go in its sleep until the other week when my 20yo cat did just that. I felt horrible that I wasn't with her when she passed. Sorry you are going through it too Borderpower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted August 31, 2009 Author Share Posted August 31, 2009 Here is Fern. Taken a couple of weeks ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvus Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 I know, it's so hard, isn't it? I just went through this with Penny, and she was my first dog. The day we took her to the vets we took her for a walk first and she quite enjoyed it and even had a little run. It's hard when they still have good moments. You keep questioning yourself. I was always looking for a point where I would know the bad outweighed the good, and watching her so closely always judging, looking for that point. I came to realise that it's not so empirical. About a month before we let Penny go I took her for a walk and had to carry her part the way home because she ran out of breath and energy and she was just leaning pathetically on my leg trying to rest. I felt so awful for even taking her out. It was only a ten minute walk. It would have been right to let her go after that, and it was right to let her go a month later. It probably would have been right to let her go another month after that. It's just not straight forward. I found it so hard looking after a declining dog. Emotionally exhausting. But I know we let her go at the right time. Before she had completely lost herself in pain and senility and deadened senses. She was still my Penny and still had happy moments, but life was getting very tough for her. Hugs to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodlecrazy Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 (edited) Hi This is my first time here as it took me awhile to read the 965 pages I thought I would post this picture of my puppy don't you love how they manage to stick out the tongue just as you snap He is a little boy from a Petitlatoy mum oops sorry meant to go to Poodle thread Edited August 31, 2009 by Poodlecrazy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 I have those days with Faith who is estimated to be around the 12-13 year old mark. A good age for a Rottweiler. She has bad hips and arthritis we treat with pain relief. Some days I think she's about had enough, then the next day she's bright and ready to go. We're limited to 10-15 minute walks lately. If Faith thinks she's walked for long enough she sits on the nature strip and we're stuck there until she's ready to get going again. Faith is my lovely rescue girl that Kaz kindly sent down to me 3 years ago. She's needed a few surgeries over the past 3 years, two of them in the last few weeks. Recently she had a corneal ulcer which refused to heal despite vet treatment and meds. Off we went to an eye specialist who operated and she healed beautifully within a few days. Last week she developed an abscess on her carnassial tooth so into surgery she went again, had two teeth extracted and she's now back to her bright and happy self. Faith has Cushings disease which mercifully, is in remission. Faith's not ready to go just yet and I enjoy every minute with this delightful old girl. She's a happy dog and has an attitude of calm confidence. I live in dread of the day she gives me the look that tells me she's had enough but for today she is happy and pain free so all is well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted August 31, 2009 Author Share Posted August 31, 2009 Fern is looking quite chirpy today! I haven't been able to do street walks for ages with her. She had a tendon problem. But I have acreage so she can walk as much as she wants to and can then sit in the middle and watch the younger dogs running around. She 'lost' us the other day as she is totally deaf so I sent Brock back to get her. The younger dogs are so good with her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted August 31, 2009 Author Share Posted August 31, 2009 Just being able to get the words out here has helped me. So thanks for listening. It is easier to type it then try and speak it. I started howling at dog school because I tried to tell someone about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Jules it is one day at a time in this house too. It really is a dilemma when they are older and unwell. Wishing you and Fern all the best Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 You don't always need to be the one to make the decision. Age is age. It happens. And yes, there'll be up days as well as, sadly, down days. But even in the down days, if the dog is not in pain or suffering, it doesn't mean you need to make the decision. I'd like nothing more than for my dog to live his days, age naturally (and not prematurely) and pass this earth in a natural way and I'll give him every chance I possibly can for this passing. I'll intervene only if death is likely to be preceded by acute pain or where I am unable to provide him with mental stimulation sufficient for an 'oldie'. So don't panic JulesP. If your dog is not unduly suffering, let her be. Allow your dog the ups and downs that age inevitably brings with it and the departure from this earth that age will eventually dictate. As you have said, she wanders the grounds and probably enjoys seeing the younger life frolicking around her. It really is only when the down days are all the dog seems to live on that you might need to re-consider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pie Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Sorry to hear what you're going through JulesP. We're having this issue with our old girl at the moment, she lives with my parents now and is about 18. I've always thought a dog will tell you when it is time to go, but she really isn't at all, she is having small fits occasionally, very short, then will get up and is perfectly fine, bright eyed, and normal. I'm going up to see my mum this weekend, and I think we'll have to have a very good talk about it. It's just so hard to make a decision when she is herself 99% of the time There is no vet in the small town they live in. I am finding myself wishing that she would just make the decision for us, or at least give us a definite sign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravyk Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 That picture of Fern is gorgeous! She doesn't look 15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Fern is lovely, she looks great for her age! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieselWeisel Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Hi Jules and Fern, I know three dogs who are 18 and one 15 and they are all loving life, so hang in there! Two of the 18 year olds walk along Palm beach every day, both big dogs, one is a doberman the other a big cross, they do look older but they are full of life and happiness, the owner has grown up with them. The other 18 year old I know, a friend of ours, she is a border collie and she was soooo sick last easter, I saw her on Sunday and she is looking fantastic. You'll know when the time is right, lots of love xo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 ...she is having small fits occasionally, very short, then will get up and is perfectly fine, bright eyed, and normal. I'm going up to see my mum this weekend, and I think we'll have to have a very good talk about it. It's just so hard to make a decision when she is herself 99% of the time If that's the case, then I don't think you need to think about it - not imminently, anyway. Has she been to a Vet about the fits she is having? There are meds that can help with this, but if they are few and far between, and given her age, I'm not so sure I'd administer them. Not yet, at least. But I'm no Vet and so no expert in matters such as this, so it might be worth having a chat with one. I know you mentioned you're not near any Vets, but perhaps start by ringing one and seeing if they'll allow an informal chat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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