Old Dog Thread

[ticketchecker]

They depend on us for everything, making the call is the last solid we do for them. Vibes Bmills


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[liv2ski]

As posted up thread, both my dogs are about 12 years old now and arthritis is increasingly an issue for them. Vet suggested Galliprant and they have been taking it for 4 days now. Not sure if I see a big improvement and at $3 a pill is $180 a month for them. Any suggestions for meds that may have done wonders for your pup for the few years remaining (I hope) for them?

[BmillsSkier]

As posted up thread, both my dogs are about 12 years old now and arthritis is increasingly an issue for them. Vet suggested Galliprant and they have been taking it for 4 days now. Not sure if I see a big improvement and at $3 a pill is $180 a month for them. Any suggestions for meds that may have done wonders for your pup for the few years remaining (I hope) for them?

The last year’s worth of mobility is solely thanks to DeraMaxx - which I was hesitant about since my old Samoyed basically got kidney failure from a similar drug 25 years ago - we closely monitor blood work and the low dosage hasn’t hurt his liver/kidney functions.

[Danno]

Problem is I don’t know where I’d like to do it. I’m not sure my eight year old son who hasn’t been through this yet would understand the benefits of passing at home and wouldn’t want him to have that as his first thought. Every time he goes somewhere in the house I’d say the backyard would be just as well but I have a feeling I’m going to be a sobbing mess for all my neighbors to hear if I do it outside.

Having the 8 year old there, that might be tough. One of my dogs unexpectedly passed while we were all out of the house, right by the doors to both bedrooms. I found him. It was a long time before I stopped having flashbacks to his dead body there. We managed to get his body out of the house before my daughter got home. I can't imagine those flashbacks would have been good for her. I'm not sure I have a suggestion, other than pick a place where the flashback won't be so jarring, maybe a place that will already bring memories of the dog (a favorite spot in the house or yard, maybe?).

The only dog I have had to make the call on, we did it at the vet. He liked everything and everyone (he was a golden), so taking him to the vet wasn't traumatic for him. And I for one preferred not having a memory of his dead body attached to my house; the memories of him being alive were hard enough. YMMV of course.

Vibes and good luck, friend.

[BmillsSkier]

Having the 8 year old there, that might be tough. One of my dogs unexpectedly passed while we were all out of the house, right by the doors to both bedrooms. I found him. It was a long time before I stopped having flashbacks to his dead body there. We managed to get his body out of the house before my daughter got home. I can't imagine those flashbacks would have been good for her. I'm not sure I have a suggestion, other than pick a place where the flashback won't be so jarring, maybe a place that will already bring memories of the dog (a favorite spot in the house or yard, maybe?).

The only dog I have had to make the call on, we did it at the vet. He liked everything and everyone (he was a golden), so taking him to the vet wasn't traumatic for him. And I for one preferred not having a memory of his dead body attached to my house; the memories of him being alive were hard enough. YMMV of course.

Vibes and good luck, friend.

Thanks for those well-thought out words and personal story, Danno. I appreciate all of it and you summed up my concerns to a “t”.

Ideally I’d take my old boy, son and young pup up to the mountains near his favorite swimming creek just below a spur trail to the AT. He was totally free there. The logistics and legality of that are almost certainly too much to consider unfortunately.

I do know I don’t want my son to see the deceased body of our good boy every time he goes in the yard/particular room of the house though - I’m just not sure he’s up to it.

Going to make a decision soon. The hard days are starting to come close to occurring as much as the good days.

[MyNameIsAugustWest]

Have had 3 Labs over the last 25 years. #1 was 13.5 when we knew it was time. Couldn't get out of bed, peeing and crapping all over himself. When we took him to the vet ( I had to carry him to the car and he weighed 95#) he suddenly was able to walk. My wife and I looked at each other and had 2nd thoughts. The vet confirmed that he likely had lung cancer and was going to suffer. We both bawled our eyes out and then went to a bar and had a few tooo many to celebrate his life.

#2 was 14.5 and was the best dog I've ever known. Could not keep her out of the water. Same mobility issues and you could see in her eyes that she hated soiling her bed. It wasn't any easier but we knew we were doing the right thing for her.

#3 is our current Lab. She'll turn 10 in May. This week we got the bad news that she has bone cancer...waiting for lab results to see how bad. Vet says the best case scenario is a rear leg amputation. I'm struggling with that. She is obviously in pain and can barely get around. To add insult to injury (or vice versa), I recently dislocated my shoulder and cannot carry her (she only weighs 64#). Our house is all stairs and getting her outside and back in is tough on both of us. Our room is on the 3rd level and she has to sleep in the same room as we do. We won't know the prognosis until tomorrow or Friday but I really can't see how amputating this energetic dog's leg is going to improve her situation.

As someone mentioned, the day you bring them home starts the countdown to heartbreak.

Good luck to all that are going through this now. We all know the emotional trauma you're going through.

[easyrdr]

We had to put down our 12 year old Malamute when my son was five. I dug a hole in the yard. The vet came over and we did it right by the hole, mainly because dead weight is so much heavier and I knew I would be able to move him far, he was 150lbs. Anyway my wife and I started talking about it with the kids the week leading up to it. All three of them could choose to be there or not be there. Our oldest was there, she was 16 at the time. Our 14 year old bailed and our 5 year old hugged him goodbye then went in the house prior to putting him down. Once I had him buried the kids all picked out a special rock to put on his grave. Overall I think all the kids handled it well, the key for us was just talking to them on there level leading up to it and giving them the freedom to make their own choice. I think you will surprised how capable your son actually is.

[BmillsSkier]

Surprised indeed. Thanks for the perspective.

We went out to dinner tonight to talk to him about how the time is near and he cried a bit, but knew the old good boy isn’t doing well. Asked a bunch of questions. He’s going to be with us when it happens but asked that we hold his hand.

You bet bud. Wouldn’t have it any other way.

[Jax]

Oh man, so sorry.

I regret that my parents didn't give me the chance to say goodbye to my first childhood pet, my dog Bridget. She was a puppy when I was in a high chair, littermates basically. My best friend. Well she ended up eating rat poison in the back yard that dad had put in the shed. She survived that but became riddled with cancer in a short amount of time. My parents didn't tell me any of this until 20+ years later, not sure why but apparently they were in disagreement over it.

Anyhow....we had packed up and left for our annual Thanksgiving trip to visit the grandparents/family reunion, and she was put down while we were away, while at the kennel. I did not know she died on Thanksgiving day until we got back. They never told me she was dying, and I never got to say goodbye. I was barely 9. I still get sad over it to this day and maybe that's why I am the way I am with my dogs when it comes time to this day.

Take care BMills.

[John_B]

Oh man, so sorry.

I regret that my parents didn't give me the chance to say goodbye to my first childhood pet, my dog Bridget. She was a puppy when I was in a high chair, littermates basically. My best friend. Well she ended up eating rat poison in the back yard that dad had put in the shed. She survived that but became riddled with cancer in a short amount of time. My parents didn't tell me any of this until 20+ years later, not sure why but apparently they were in disagreement over it.

Anyhow....we had packed up and left for our annual Thanksgiving trip to visit the grandparents/family reunion, and she was put down while we were away, while at the kennel. I did not know she died on Thanksgiving day until we got back. They never told me she was dying, and I never got to say goodbye. I was barely 9. I still get sad over it to this day and maybe that's why I am the way I am with my dogs when it comes time to this day.

Take care BMills.

Man, that is rough Jax. I was in kindergarten or 1st grade when the first family dog died. My folks lived out in the country and this was about 30 years ago. I'm not sure if it even crossed my folk's mind to take her in to get put down but she spent a day or so on her way out before dying. It was a very powerful and positive thing to be witness to that process and be able to say goodbye.

I dunno if my folks just had a different mindset back then, money was tight or they had their hands full with 2 young kids but it was a good thing to be a part of as a tyke. Although these days I'm sure I'd be on the phone with a vet for a house visit in that scenario.

Also Jax your childhood pup sent me down the rabbit hole to find a young pup picture of our current 8 year old meatball. I love the black and brown markings!Attachment 454629

[Jax]

Bridget was doberman through and through- loyal, sweet, and very protective. For me, dealing with her loss as a child was first time to deal with death in my (immediate) family. The circumstances were beyond my control, obviously, but I think I've been a realist ever since.