I can't do it! They are just old, not in pain?

[Waihou Thumper]

Maybe I am a selfish uncaring bastard.......
Dog lovers, anyone, give me some advice please.....

Sallie and Sabre have been with me for nearly 12 years....(German Shepherds Brother and Sister...)
On advice from onlookers, kennel and me Mum, they said maybe it is time.....
I have booked them into the vets tomorrow morning for their last journey down the road.
I shall be bringing home the collars and leads, that's it.

Today was spent together and at present, both are sedately sleeping and slumbered on a leather couch and lazy boy.
I have given them a nice cooked roast from last night and biscuits and just looking at them, makes me think Nope, not ready for this!

Although they are both showing signs of Hip Dysplasia and other factors, they eat well, sleep well, and seem pretty happy, BUT, I ain't a dog and if they could talk maybe they might say, enough Dad! Maybe I can spend the $500 odd differently. Instead of Pentobarbital and Cremation, some drugs and flea treatment/worming and antibiotics for whatever?

So, I will have a restless sleep and tomorrow morning will be the test, yes or no.

Sallie and Sabre approximately four years ago...

[Paul in NZ]

No ones ever ready for it... I still shed tears for dogs that have blessed us with their love in the past... But I don't regret easing their passing either. One we waited too long because we were being selfish and couldn't face it... It was the wrong thing to put it off.... aw crap - I'm tearing up just thinking about it... I really miss that old mutt....

Its really the only thing you can do now.... Feel for you...

[Murray]

They are eating well, sleeping well, seem ok, - don't do it. Or should I say I don't think I could or would do it.

Ive done it twice with only one dog at a time and I really feel for you with the two of them.

[Katman]

BUT, I ain't a dog and if they could talk maybe they might say, enough Dad!

I doubt very much they would say that.

Unless they are in pain I think they would far prefer to still be with you.

[Stirts]

Hmmmmm if it were me in your shoes, I wouldn't. You say they are eating well and sleeping well and seem happy, and in my experience with dogs, and cats fot that matter, not eating can be the first sign that all is not right in their world.

From your post you don't state that you sought advice from a vet...that would be one and only advice I would ensure I seek out before making that decision.

[Waihou Thumper]

Weak in the hind quarters, muscle atrophy, and sometimes Sallie loses her balance but that's because she tries too hard to scratch on the odd occasion...
Sabre has a lesion in the right chest, Sallie has a large growth on the right off foot, but I have never really worried about either, just old age....like me.
I have the odd lump in some places.... Not the 'it matters places...' must be checked....

[Katman]

We have an older dog who is visibly slowly down and showing signs of not having much life left ahead of him.

I won't be pre-empting his demise unless he begins to show clear signs of suffering.

[Waihou Thumper]

Hmmmmm if it were me in your shoes, I wouldn't. You say they are eating well and sleeping well and seem happy, and in my experience with dogs, and cats fot that matter, not eating can be the first sign that all is not right in their world.

From your post you don't state that you sought advice from a vet...that would be one and only advice I would ensure I seek out before making that decision.

Yes, you are right, I haven't but they do know them. They are drinking large quantities of water, so that tells me something might not be right on the inside.
Sallie also has a heart murmur..

[blue rider]

don't go there.

if they eat, sleep, poop and are generally happy then I would just go and do an old dog check up with the vet.

My black lab, diabetic and strong willed Misty just passed away with over 15 years to her name, and the golden retriever Zac is still dogging it at 20 years of age. With him we are in the stages of preparing us to say good bye, but as long as he eats, sleeps, poops and is happy we are not rushing it.

[Katman]

.....and the golden retriever Zac is still dogging it at 20 years of age.

Wow, that's a good innings.

[Waihou Thumper]

don't go there.

if they eat, sleep, poop and are generally happy then I would just go and do an old dog check up with the vet.

My black lab, diabetic and strong willed Misty just passed away with over 15 years to her name, and the golden retriever Zac is still dogging it at 20 years of age. With him we are in the stages of preparing us to say good bye, but as long as he eats, sleeps, poops and is happy we are not rushing it.

Thank you and congratulations on Zac!
I think I might take them to the estuary tomorrow morning earl and let them play and swim, then assess....

[awa355]

We put the old Lab down on a Monday and the 14yr old cat the next. Was damn hard, but I knew it was the right thing to do, afterwards. The vet came to the house, the lab lay down with her head on the wife's lap and looked at her. She was ready to go. I had gone out while this happened. Did it once before and I just couldn't be there this time.

I knew it was for the best but that doesn't help with the doubts. The doubts will go away in a few days and you will feel a lot more settled afterwards.

[Katman]

We got the vet out to our house to put down our first dog.

It was a decision made only after a week of him not eating (but drinking normally) and slowly getting weaker before our eyes.

I wasn't prepared to allow him to starve to death.

It was the hardest decision I have ever made but it was not one made prematurely.

That was the only thing I had to feel thankful for that day.

[PrincessBandit]

FWIW I'm with shirts and blue rider on this. Please don't preempt- for their sake and yours.

[Waihou Thumper]

FWIW I'm with shirts and blue rider on this. Please don't preempt- for their sake and yours.

Thank you. This thread and talking to you guys has given me strength. I was full of anxiety, stress and worry all of yesterday and today until now.
After hearing your stories and concerns and most of all wise wisdom, I feel a lot better.

For what it is worth, I can look both of them in the eyes now and say we are going to the doctor tomorrow for a visit!
Afterwards we will go for a swim and a run..... I do have to heed what the Vet recommends though. Preparing myself for the good and bad.
Mind you, they are probably in better nic than Dad ...