I have a 16 yo Husky. She has suddenly become very needy (in the past couple of weeks). She is constantly on top of me, sometimes literally, which is very unusual behavior for her. She follows me around, panting, pacing, and lurking. She is currently on medication to prevent urinary incontinence and pain medication. When she is outside at night (she has always preferred to be outside at night), she whines and scratches at the door. She is forgetting the rules of the house (like no dogs in the kitchen), and I swear that she forgets where her water bowl is - I have to show her. Has anyone heard of senility in dogs? She has problems with squatting to pee or poop, but still does and is eating normally (for her - she has never been a big eater).
I am thiking that it may be getting close to time to take her to be put to sleep. She seems unhappy much of the time, when she is not sleeping. We waited too long with our cat, and he was very far gone and it was unpleasant for everyone, including the cat. I had taken him in and he ended up with $600 dental surgery and then we had to have him put down 3 months later (he was 18 yo). So I don't want to spend a lot of money to delay the inevitable, especially when she is so unhappy. I am sad, but feel like this may be the best thing, I have been preparing my kids. We had people over and when the dog came up to greet them, my 3 yo said "This is Cricket; she's going to die soon." Sigh, any advice?
I called the vet and he agreed that it was probably time and set up an appointment. After I picked up the kids, my husband, daughter, and I took her for a last walk, since the past couple of weeks that has been the only time that she seemed happy. We all petted her and said good bye and then took her in. She added a lot to our lives - during teh walk we reminisced and even saw a friend who came to say goodbye and we shared tears. RIP Cricket.
She's just getting old, poor thing.
If you really feel the inevitable is coming and you'll have to put her down, at least love on her and treat her like a baby for a while. Give her all the love you can. She can't help forgetting not to be in the kitchen or wanting to be on you. She needs your love right now.
She may know she doesn't have much time left.
Love her through it.
Best wishes.
Honestly I think everything you described... is old age for a dog. You're right,she doesn't have much time left. If I were you I'd make her last week, months, etc happy for her. Let her in at night, heck let her sleep in the bed with you for a few nights! :-)
This sounds similar to our old yellow lab, Sid. It does sound like it's time to put your girl down too -- before she's in a lot of pain and not enjoying life at all. Maybe give her the best week of her life including food, walks, places / toys she enjoys, cuddles, and then put her down. I'm sorry.
You're doing great. Yes she is showing signs it may be her time. She is also exhibiting signs of other illnesses. Sometimes there is no difference in the signs. Oh, I feel for you. None of us can tell you what to do, or when to do it. As far as your children are concerned, your 3 year old is just proving that you have explained it well and he is prepared. You did that, so, good job. It's not a time when we are supposed to be all strong and settled. it's tumultuous and upsetting and we also need to teach our kids that these are valid feelings to have. Support them through the tears when it happens. Good job of mommying !!
It sounds like it is her time. You already know that. I'm so sad reading your post as I lost the first love of my life, Winnie, at the age of 14. I had to make the decision to put her to sleep and was devastated. I loved her so much!
You are in my thoughts. Do what is best for Cricket.
M., you really have answered your own question, it is time to prepare your family to let the dog go. We were selfish enough to keep our Dalmation alive nearly 4 months longer than he should have becasue WE couldn't let him go and it was painful to see him struggle as he was trained to help our Autisic son, so one day my family all said good bye and we had our vet who loved him as much as we -- the 1st Dalmation he had ever seen work with sign language medicate him with us there.
It is hard but if oyu look at the life span of your animal then it is more respectful to make the harder choice to let him go.
Good Luck
Hi M.,
She's just like a little old furry person in her last days. You'll have to forgive any accidents and keep her as comfortable as possible. I would check with the vet and see what she/he says regarding when it's time.
I had a wonderful vet who actually came to the house for one of my dogs.
It's never easy when a dear and faithful companion leaves us.
Blessings......
I know this is extremely difficult. I had to put down my rott after 13 years and it torn me up! It sounds like to me that your beloved pet is ready to go. I don't know how much she is suffering, but I would definitely not spend any money on vet bills at this point. If it gets t the point that she needs medical intervention, that would be the time, in my opinion, to make the tough decision. I don't know if I could do it at this point, because she sounds sad and old. I think I would take a little while and just spend as much time with her as possible. Quiet time - just you and she while she lays her head on your lap and you pet her and speak to her in a quiet tone. you know, they have proven that human contact can ease pain in animals. So, just some soft petting and words of encouragement and when the time is right, you will know it. Good luck!
When our dog was getting older, the advice the vet gave us was, if the animal is no longer part of the family, i.e. doesn't hang around with you anymore, sleeps all the time, etc., it's probably time to let her go. It sounds like your dog is still a participant in your family's life and even enjoys when people come to visit. I would have the dog evaluated, but it doesn't sound like she needs to be put down now.
I had to make the decision to put my 14yr old Black Lab down. It was the hardest decision I ever had to make. In my heart, I knew it for some time, but I didnt want to face it. That dog was a intrical part of our family. I was being selfish! I wanted him around and did not want to let go. Until one day when I came home and found that he had slipped on the hardwood floor and could not get up due to leg weakness. He spent the entire day TRYING to get up unsuccessfully. There was dog hair everywhere and he was agitated and exhausted. It took several hours for him to calm down. After that I decided this was no way for my proud dog to live. I didnt want to wait until things got worse and he went without dignity. The next day, we got in the car and he WALKED in the vet proudly with his head high (rather than us having to carry him had we let it go longer). We fed him all his favorite "people food" that morning and he went to sleep forever while laying his head on my lap. It truly was the hardest day of my life but I know I did the right thing. I hope you find strength to do the right thing too. I know it is much harder with kids that are attached too. My son was only 4 months old when we had to make the decision. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Hi Mama-
First things first, you need to take puppy to the vet. I know she is old and the doctor will probably say something like she has cancer or she is pretty much at the end of her life. If she is suffering, which all the symptoms point to her being sick and not feeling well, if you cannot afford $1000 for a few more months of life, then allow your children and your family to say goodbye to cricket and have the dog put down. 16 is a good long life for a doggie.
For your kids, have a talk with them about life and death and about (I know it sounds corny) but the circle of life. The body that we have (christianity) is only a temporary shell for the spirit that lives within us. Some people say that animals are exempt, but I tend to disagree, believing whole heartedly that everything is connected and we all do the best we can here for the creator we depend on until we can be wholly in the presence of heaven. Your puppy just beat you to it, that's all.
I do know that there are books for kids about death, especially regarding grandparents, and I am pretty sure there are ones about pets, too. Either way, please tell your children that you enjoyed cricket's life and that she had a good one. And, when and if they are ready to take on a new pet, you can go to animal rescue together and pick out another one. Reassure them that no one can ever replace cricket, but that also it is cricket's time. It's okay for them to love her and to be sad, and it's okay for them to not want a new pet because of the process of life and death. However, if they feel that way, then that needs to be addressed so that the sadness and fear of death is not permanent, but to celebrate the life that was and to also celebrate the new lives that are still to be.
Good luck Mama
-E. M
she has had a long healthy life. and when they get this bad its hard for them to function. sounds like the nicest thing you could do is ease her suffering. very few dogs live that long. 14 is the longest I have had a dog before dying of natural causes. you willhear advocates against putting them to sleep. and I wouldnt without good cause. one sign of them getting close is not eating and drinking. this is only a you and your family decision but I think its about time to put her down.
We had to put our 16yo Husky to sleep as well. She had chronic, painful ear infections, she was completely deaf, and we believe she was almost blind. Her hips were going, she fell often, she never wanted to be pet... her quality of life was gone. It was heartbreaking for my husband, but we really felt it was best for her. The vet was very sympathetic, and my husband was able to hold her until it was over. It is misery watching something/someone you love fall apart like this. I wish you the best.
Dogs can get senile and like with humans, forgetting things can made them disoriented and anxious. My theory is if my dog is happy to eat and happy to see me, it's too soon to say good-bye, but every dog owner has to follow their heart on that (this coming for someone who hand-fed an injured hamster human baby food for month or more - LOL!)
Your vet might be able to give her a small script for anxiety meds or Prozac (I'm really not kidding) which could make her less anxious and allow her to enjoy her final months. Those kind of medication is given to humans with dementia.
In any case, my experience with kids and dying pets is to let them be part of the death in some way so they have some closure - let them be there, or see her body - that's been important to my kids. Our old chocolate lab hung on until all the kids had gotten home from school before putting his head down one last time and taking his last breathe with all of us around him.
Sounds like you already know in your heart what must be done. Meanwhile, create a remembering book together with the children. Prompts such as: cricket's favorite toy is, favorite meal is, is naughty by, etc, together with photos might help them cement memories and show love while she's still around, and might be a source of comfort when she's gone.
Also, you might want to check for tips from organizations like the ASPCA re: how to address pet loss and bereavement.
Take him to the vet first then be prepared to have her put down IF it is time.
And it very well may be time but take your dog to the vet first for an exam.
I agree with one of the posts: give her every love, petting, lap sitting, hugs, your kind loving voice as you can give her now. You will miss her when she's gone so now is the time to make sure her life is full, loving and happy.
When it's time to put her down, it will be sad but ultimately it will be best for her. In the meantime, help her be comfortable like lap sitting and finding her water bowl. Make sure w/the vet that the medicine isn't affecting her and making these symptoms occur. I will be thinking of you, your family and your lovely dog!
Sending love to you and your precious friend, Cricket. We had to put our dog down when my son was three. He talked about it for a LONG time, telling everyone we used to have a dog but he died. It broke my heart every time. It sounds like you have done for Cricket everything that you can do. You should talk to the vet about her unhappiness/ senility. It may be time to make the toughest decision ever. Please go easy on yourself, though. 16 is OLD for a dog, and doubly so for a big dog. If Cricket's unhappiness stems from pain, there may be inexpensive pain killers that will help- no worry about long term side effects. However, easing her pain through euthanasia is nothing to feel guilty about at this stage, either. Strength and love to you at this most difficult time.
16 is pretty old for a husky. Maybe she knows that it is near the end, or maybe she is in pain and wants to be close. My 12 yo lab does some similar things, and we aren't sure if she will make it till Christmas, but see is usually pretty happy. I think this is going to be a decision for your family if now is the right time. I think I waited too long with my 14 yo cat too.
It definitely sounds like it is time to let her go. We recently put one of our dogs to sleep....and it was an extremely hard decision, naturally. But I'll tell you what made it easier is that we had 2 dogs put to sleep, one about 6 years ago, and one 2 years before that, and I feel we waited too long for them also, as you feel. And I didn't want to do that again.
It's good that your 3-year old understands. My 6-year old has told a few people who ask if we have dogs, that we have one now, because one passed away. He knows she was sick.
So feel good that you're making a good decision to remember your pup as a good pup, and not the lost little soul she's becoming.
