Comments on: Should I Put My Dog to Sleep? http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/quipstipsachievinggoals/home/should-i-put-my-dog-to-sleep/ Where inspirational quotations meet practical life tips, and live happily ever after. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:06:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/quipstipsachievinggoals/home/should-i-put-my-dog-to-sleep/comment-page-2/#comment-9240 Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:24:43 +0000 http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/?p=2196#comment-9240 Dear Renee, I think your best bet is to take Dixie to the vet, and get a medical opinion about her physical health now and in the future. It's important to get advice about her from a qualified doctor -- because even if rottis live for 12 or more years, she might be different because of her genetics or experiences before you. Plus, a vet might be able to give your husband a more solid idea of what you should do with Dixie...and your hubby might be more willing to accept a vet's opinion over yours (or a stranger's on the internet!). Call your vet, and discuss whether or not you should take Dixie in for a physical exam. The vet might be able to give you some guidance on the phone -- it just depends on the vet. Wishing you all the best, Laurir Dear Renee,

I think your best bet is to take Dixie to the vet, and get a medical opinion about her physical health now and in the future. It’s important to get advice about her from a qualified doctor — because even if rottis live for 12 or more years, she might be different because of her genetics or experiences before you.

Plus, a vet might be able to give your husband a more solid idea of what you should do with Dixie…and your hubby might be more willing to accept a vet’s opinion over yours (or a stranger’s on the internet!).

Call your vet, and discuss whether or not you should take Dixie in for a physical exam. The vet might be able to give you some guidance on the phone — it just depends on the vet.

Wishing you all the best,
Laurir

]]> By: Renee Wilson http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/quipstipsachievinggoals/home/should-i-put-my-dog-to-sleep/comment-page-2/#comment-9220 Renee Wilson Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:46:00 +0000 http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/?p=2196#comment-9220 Hi I have a 12 year old rotti named Dixie that we adopted from the pound in 2001. She has been the love of our lives ever since. We brought her back literally from the brink of death she was in such bad health and she has paid us back ten fold. We adopted 2 children in 2004 and she would let them ride her lay on her she has always been here for us but she has always had the normal hip problems also so when it gets cold weather she gets pretty sore but this past year she has been going down hill. She is really having trouble walking and I don't think she can see or hear that well anymore and we have a pretty big yard and she can't even make it across the whole yard without laying down to rest. My husband has had to pick her up several times and bring her up the 4 steps unto the house because she cant do it. She has started loosing weight and she don't want to be left alone if someone goes downstairs she will follow but then she can't get back up and now this morning I couldnt even get her to go outside she peed on the back porch. She keeps making the sound like shes choking also but she is eating and she will wag her little nub at you if you talk to her when she is awake but I don't know what to do. I feel its time but I can't get my husband to grasp the idea. What do think? How long do rottis usually live? Hi I have a 12 year old rotti named Dixie that we adopted from the pound in 2001. She has been the love of our lives ever since. We brought her back literally from the brink of death she was in such bad health and she has paid us back ten fold. We adopted 2 children in 2004 and she would let them ride her lay on her she has always been here for us but she has always had the normal hip problems also so when it gets cold weather she gets pretty sore but this past year she has been going down hill. She is really having trouble walking and I don’t think she can see or hear that well anymore and we have a pretty big yard and she can’t even make it across the whole yard without laying down to rest. My husband has had to pick her up several times and bring her up the 4 steps unto the house because she cant do it. She has started loosing weight and she don’t want to be left alone if someone goes downstairs she will follow but then she can’t get back up and now this morning I couldnt even get her to go outside she peed on the back porch. She keeps making the sound like shes choking also but she is eating and she will wag her little nub at you if you talk to her when she is awake but I don’t know what to do. I feel its time but I can’t get my husband to grasp the idea. What do think? How long do rottis usually live?

]]> By: Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/quipstipsachievinggoals/home/should-i-put-my-dog-to-sleep/comment-page-2/#comment-9147 Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:02:31 +0000 http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/?p=2196#comment-9147 Dear Debbie, I'm so sorry to hear about your dachshund...it sounds like she's so sad and in pain. That's just heartbreaking -- and round-the-clock care is alot to give to a dog, not matter how much you love her! Have you talked to your vet about putting her to sleep? Even if you don't have a regular veterinarian, I think it's important to get an expert's opinion on your dog's separation anxiety...and whether putting her to sleep is the best option. Her quality of life is the most important indicator of whether it's time to say good-bye to her...and if she's suffering, then it might be right to let her go. But of course, only you can decide that. Another option is to try to find a volunteer dog sitter. This would require a lot of luck, but there might be someone in your neighborhood who is lonely or bored all day, and who wouldn't mind a companion! I know this is a long shot...but boy wouldn't it be great? You could try posting notices at the library or grocery store, or even calling a neighborhood senior care home or residential facility and asking them. I wish I could think of more options, but that's all that comes to mind....also, you could call more than one vet. Different vets have different contacts with animal lovers and pet organizations, which could be very helpful. Let me know how it goes -- Blessings, Laurie Dear Debbie,

I’m so sorry to hear about your dachshund…it sounds like she’s so sad and in pain. That’s just heartbreaking — and round-the-clock care is alot to give to a dog, not matter how much you love her!

Have you talked to your vet about putting her to sleep? Even if you don’t have a regular veterinarian, I think it’s important to get an expert’s opinion on your dog’s separation anxiety…and whether putting her to sleep is the best option. Her quality of life is the most important indicator of whether it’s time to say good-bye to her…and if she’s suffering, then it might be right to let her go. But of course, only you can decide that.

Another option is to try to find a volunteer dog sitter. This would require a lot of luck, but there might be someone in your neighborhood who is lonely or bored all day, and who wouldn’t mind a companion! I know this is a long shot…but boy wouldn’t it be great? You could try posting notices at the library or grocery store, or even calling a neighborhood senior care home or residential facility and asking them.

I wish I could think of more options, but that’s all that comes to mind….also, you could call more than one vet. Different vets have different contacts with animal lovers and pet organizations, which could be very helpful.

Let me know how it goes —

Blessings,
Laurie

]]> By: Debbie Parker http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/quipstipsachievinggoals/home/should-i-put-my-dog-to-sleep/comment-page-2/#comment-9121 Debbie Parker Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:56:19 +0000 http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/?p=2196#comment-9121 I have a 12 year old mini dachshund who suffers from severe chronic seperation anxiety. I had been taking her to work but am no longer allowed to as we have moved premises.I now have to leave her at home by herself and she is very depressed and runs and runs all day on my outside paving and her paws are raw and bleeding - she can enter the house through a cat flap but has developed this behaviour pattern which I cannot break. I cannot shut her in the house as she will make a mess. I have tried everything DAP infuser, rescue remedy, zylkene - nothing helps. She is not interested in other dogs all she wants is 24/7 human company. I cannot afford a dog sitter. I have thought of rehoming her but am so worried that she will be passed from home to home with this problem. It is not easy to deal with. I love her dearly but wonder if the kinder option would be to have her put to sleep? I have a 12 year old mini dachshund who suffers from severe chronic seperation anxiety. I had been taking her to work but am no longer allowed to as we have moved premises.I now have to leave her at home by herself and she is very depressed and runs and runs all day on my outside paving and her paws are raw and bleeding – she can enter the house through a cat flap but has developed this behaviour pattern which I cannot break. I cannot shut her in the house as she will make a mess. I have tried everything DAP infuser, rescue remedy, zylkene – nothing helps. She is not interested in other dogs all she wants is 24/7 human company. I cannot afford a dog sitter.
I have thought of rehoming her but am so worried that she will be passed from home to home with this problem. It is not easy to deal with. I love her dearly but wonder if the kinder option would be to have her put to sleep?

]]> By: Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/quipstipsachievinggoals/home/should-i-put-my-dog-to-sleep/comment-page-2/#comment-9091 Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:41:56 +0000 http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/?p=2196#comment-9091 Dear Elissa, Thank you for sharing about Bo...it sounds like he had a happy life, and his passing was as loving and sweet as it could be. Euthanasia IS a very difficult decision, but I know that your thoughts on how your beloved dog passed will help other pet lovers make -- and be comfortable with -- the right decision for them. Blessings, Laurie Dear Elissa,

Thank you for sharing about Bo…it sounds like he had a happy life, and his passing was as loving and sweet as it could be. Euthanasia IS a very difficult decision, but I know that your thoughts on how your beloved dog passed will help other pet lovers make — and be comfortable with — the right decision for them.

Blessings,
Laurie

]]> By: Elssa http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/quipstipsachievinggoals/home/should-i-put-my-dog-to-sleep/comment-page-2/#comment-9055 Elssa Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:40:36 +0000 http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/?p=2196#comment-9055 I adopted Bo in june of 1990. He was the last of a litter of kittens whom a man was drowning after killing their mother. He somehow escaped as his siblings had perished in a 5 gallon bucket, and hid behind a leg of a heavy immovable desk where this man could not reach him with the broom handle he was trying to ram him with. I rescued him that day... And that man for those interested in knowing, I heard later died a wretched death of advanced cancer. Bo and I lived all over the country from MA, RI, VA, FL, MD, CA, TX and HI. He grew with me from a single woman and helped me find my husband and become a wife, he watched me go through 3 pregnancies and watched and helped me become a mom, he saw me through a horrible bout of breast cancer staying by may side as I rested. I lived with him longer than my parents.He hated people and distrusted other cats but found dogs and goldfish to be amusing and acceptable. He was my best friend. With that said, He was strictly a house cat with outings with me ,gardening in my various yards. He last visit to the vet was at 15 and almost had a stroke being brought in for an examination. I was moving back to the mainland form HI. His feralness had never been tamed even after all those years and yes he was socialized. My vets advice was that he not be brought in for exams any more because of the anxiety he had and his advanced age and being a housecat. He had never experienced abuse since I adopted him bit he literally tore up the vets, vet techs every time he had a visit. scaling walls and acting like a wild cat. I couldn't have agreed more. Bo started having petit mal seizures last summer at 19 yrs old and I contemplated euthanasia. I searched my soul for the right answer and decided to wait. He lived until Feb 22. just 3 months shy of his 20th birthday. He grew weak and his appetite grew less. I decided against euthanasia thinking that I would rather die in my home in the arms of my loved ones smelling smells that are familiar. I believe Bo passed away just as he wanted to, faintly purring on my chest covered in his favorite fluffy warm blanket being gently stroked as he looked in my face. I know euthanasia is a decision to avoid pain and is a difficult one to make also. I guess my ramblings are for those who choose not to euthanise and how I came to make my decision. I have his ashes beside me as I work and that brings me a sense of comfort. If there are such things as soul mates.. I think he was mine. I was lucky to have been a part of his life. ~Elissa I adopted Bo in june of 1990. He was the last of a litter of kittens whom a man was drowning after killing their mother. He somehow escaped as his siblings had perished in a 5 gallon bucket, and hid behind a leg of a heavy immovable desk where this man could not reach him with the broom handle he was trying to ram him with. I rescued him that day… And that man for those interested in knowing, I heard later died a wretched death of advanced cancer.
Bo and I lived all over the country from MA, RI, VA, FL, MD, CA, TX and HI. He grew with me from a single woman and helped me find my husband and become a wife, he watched me go through 3 pregnancies and watched and helped me become a mom, he saw me through a horrible bout of breast cancer staying by may side as I rested. I lived with him longer than my parents.He hated people and distrusted other cats but found dogs and goldfish to be amusing and acceptable. He was my best friend. With that said, He was strictly a house cat with outings with me ,gardening in my various yards.
He last visit to the vet was at 15 and almost had a stroke being brought in for an examination. I was moving back to the mainland form HI. His feralness had never been tamed even after all those years and yes he was socialized. My vets advice was that he not be brought in for exams any more because of the anxiety he had and his advanced age and being a housecat. He had never experienced abuse since I adopted him bit he literally tore up the vets, vet techs every time he had a visit. scaling walls and acting like a wild cat. I couldn’t have agreed more.
Bo started having petit mal seizures last summer at 19 yrs old and I contemplated euthanasia. I searched my soul for the right answer and decided to wait. He lived until Feb 22. just 3 months shy of his 20th birthday. He grew weak and his appetite grew less. I decided against euthanasia thinking that I would rather die in my home in the arms of my loved ones smelling smells that are familiar. I believe Bo passed away just as he wanted to, faintly purring on my chest covered in his favorite fluffy warm blanket being gently stroked as he looked in my face.
I know euthanasia is a decision to avoid pain and is a difficult one to make also. I guess my ramblings are for those who choose not to euthanise and how I came to make my decision. I have his ashes beside me as I work and that brings me a sense of comfort.
If there are such things as soul mates.. I think he was mine. I was lucky to have been a part of his life.
~Elissa

]]> By: Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/quipstipsachievinggoals/home/should-i-put-my-dog-to-sleep/comment-page-2/#comment-8668 Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:28:31 +0000 http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/?p=2196#comment-8668 Hi Anna, Thanks for letting me know how it went...and I'm sorry you had to put Al down. I think you'll probably always get sad sometimes. I know I still miss my beloved cat Zoey, and I lost her ten years ago. It makes me sad sometimes, but I try to focus on how much I loved her, and how happy she made me. Anyway, thanks for coming back! It's great to hear from you again. Take care, Laurie Hi Anna,

Thanks for letting me know how it went…and I’m sorry you had to put Al down. I think you’ll probably always get sad sometimes. I know I still miss my beloved cat Zoey, and I lost her ten years ago. It makes me sad sometimes, but I try to focus on how much I loved her, and how happy she made me.

Anyway, thanks for coming back! It’s great to hear from you again.

Take care,
Laurie

]]> By: Anna http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/quipstipsachievinggoals/home/should-i-put-my-dog-to-sleep/comment-page-2/#comment-8633 Anna Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:51:16 +0000 http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/?p=2196#comment-8633 I had to put my beloved best friend Al to sleep on December 29th. He went peacefully, I stayed in the room the entire time. Even the staff at the vets office were crying. Al was a really special guy. I just wanted to thank you again for your kind words....I think of Al every day most of the time I'm remembering the good times but from time to time I get very sad - we had him cremated and I keep the urn with a picture of Al right by my bed. I think this site is great I had to put my beloved best friend Al to sleep on December 29th. He went peacefully, I stayed in the room the entire time. Even the staff at the vets office were crying. Al was a really special guy. I just wanted to thank you again for your kind words….I think of Al every day most of the time I’m remembering the good times but from time to time I get very sad – we had him cremated and I keep the urn with a picture of Al right by my bed. I think this site is great

]]> By: Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/quipstipsachievinggoals/home/should-i-put-my-dog-to-sleep/comment-page-2/#comment-8538 Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen Sun, 24 Jan 2010 23:45:54 +0000 http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/?p=2196#comment-8538 Dear Morgan, I'm sorry to hear about your dog. Have you talked to a vet about putting him to sleep? If not, I encourage you to call right away. Most vets are very helpful when it comes to saying good-bye to our pets...and they might be better able to recognize if it's indeed the right time to put your dog to sleep. Remember, your dog's quality of life needs to come first. If he's not happy, if he's suffering with seizures and anxiety, then it may be best to put his happiness first. As one vet said, sometimes putting our pets to sleep is the final act of love we can do for them. I'm not saying you should put him to sleep -- I can't make that call! But, I encourage you to talk to a vet in person. My sympathies, thoughts, and prayers are with you...I know how hard this is. Blessings, Laurie Dear Morgan,

I’m sorry to hear about your dog. Have you talked to a vet about putting him to sleep? If not, I encourage you to call right away. Most vets are very helpful when it comes to saying good-bye to our pets…and they might be better able to recognize if it’s indeed the right time to put your dog to sleep.

Remember, your dog’s quality of life needs to come first. If he’s not happy, if he’s suffering with seizures and anxiety, then it may be best to put his happiness first. As one vet said, sometimes putting our pets to sleep is the final act of love we can do for them.

I’m not saying you should put him to sleep — I can’t make that call! But, I encourage you to talk to a vet in person.

My sympathies, thoughts, and prayers are with you…I know how hard this is.

Blessings,
Laurie

]]> By: Morgan http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/quipstipsachievinggoals/home/should-i-put-my-dog-to-sleep/comment-page-2/#comment-8507 Morgan Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:23:47 +0000 http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/?p=2196#comment-8507 I have a 13 year old beagle. He has always had seizures and anxiety, but they seem to be getting worse. I recently moved out and the dog remained in the house with my father. He has started peeing on carpets, and sometimes when he is outside he will bark to come in, but then run away, and wont let you get near him. My father decided to crate him, but he gets very upset about it. I dont know what to do, my dad wants to put him down, and in some ways I agree..i mean how much quality can he have if he is always walking around the hopuse crying, even when we are there, are getting upset when we leave? But, he still enjoys walks......Im just torn and it is making me an emotional, stressed out wreck! I have a 13 year old beagle. He has always had seizures and anxiety, but they seem to be getting worse. I recently moved out and the dog remained in the house with my father. He has started peeing on carpets, and sometimes when he is outside he will bark to come in, but then run away, and wont let you get near him. My father decided to crate him, but he gets very upset about it. I dont know what to do, my dad wants to put him down, and in some ways I agree..i mean how much quality can he have if he is always walking around the hopuse crying, even when we are there, are getting upset when we leave? But, he still enjoys walks……Im just torn and it is making me an emotional, stressed out wreck!

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