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… to put my dog down.

Jackie is 16 years old… The best we can figure. She was a rescue. She’s part black lab and part Jack Russell. She’s been with us for so very long. I can’t imagine life without her.

She has been going downhill for a while. Losing weight and moving more slowly. She still eats… But not as much as she used to. I give her a gabapentin pain pill in the morning, and sometimes in the evening. She is having occasional issues with vomiting, and bloody diarrhea.

The last time I took her to the vet, I thought she had lost a lot of weight. But the vet said she had actually gained a pound. Today she has been wandering aimlessly through the house. She sleeps on a big puffy bed.

Lately she has wanted to be with me all the time. Especially for the last few days.

I just don’t know how to tell. With the pain medicine I don’t see her being in a lot of pain. I don’t think I’m the best judge, because it seems like my husband was a lot worse than I comprehended toward the end of his life.

Are there any of you that could share with me? What was the turning point for you… At what point you finally decided that it was time?

WhatsRight, this is the most difficult part about how to care for an old dog at the end of their life.

I suspect your old girl has only days left to live, but as our vet asked us, before we lost our dear old Mr. K the morning of 2022 Thanksgiving Day (and you may remember that; you posted to me then, I recall), if your dog has not "vocalized" - whined, whimpered, growled or anything - maybe the pain isn't the main concern, so then you have to consider their other emotional needs, as well. Just like with us, at the end of life.

I think dogs know when they are going down, but to make the decision to end their life, if they are not expressing any pain? I couldn't quite do it....others may disagree.

Cat owner here, but I’ve been through the same dilemma more than I cared to. Cats hide pain differently than dogs, but I could always see it in their eyes. And a change in their behavior.

My approach, and it is only that, is to error on too soon rather than too late once I see the quality of life or enjoyment of life dramatically drop.
And yes, I have to live with the fear that I was too soon.

It’s just brutal. I think you will know when it is time because you love your pups so much.

Sending support. Be good to yourself and keep reminding yourself that sometimes the kindest thing you can do for your pet is the hardest one for you. :-(. I wish they lived much longer lives.

I'm sorry. I'm going through the same thing. It's confusing and distressing. I have put a dog to sleep before, but it was obvious in the past.

My dog is over 15, medium-sized, and a mixed breed. She has also been going downhill for a while. She is old. I think most of her symptoms are due to arthritis. Her mobility is progressively less. She's losing muscle and looks skinny, but still mostly eating adequately.

At times, our dog will wander around the house and bark, sometimes repeatedly late at night. I'll try letting her out or getting water or treats. Sometimes it's ok, and sometimes she doesn't want any of that and keeps barking minutes later. Some nights I'll stay on the couch so she doesn't wake everyone else in the house up. Other times, she's fine for days. At those times, I think she'll be around for months.

Our dog has always been stoic. It's hard for me to know if she's in pain. She's never cried or whined. As an example, about 10 yrs ago my husband and I would both take the dog for runs/walks at different times. She started being less than excited when we would get her leash. I talked to the vet at a visit. He examined her and said she seemed fine but should probably have x-rays. He said she had a fractured front leg and was probably in a lot of pain.

I did recently schedule a visit for end-of-life discussion. The vet talked about our options and how it would work. She said our dog seems weak, but not necessarily in pain. I know a little more what I'm in for now. It helped. Our dog takes Novox and Dasuquin and now gabapentin.

We took her to our friends' house last weekend. They have fostered several old and sick dogs. They told us we would know when it's time. Similar to BarelyBreathing, they said her eyes are clear and bright and that's good.

You've been through so much these past few years. I'm sorry. We just have to trust it will all work out I guess.

I dont know that anyone knows exactly the right time. With one of my Goldens I had made up my mind to take him in the am. He passed overnight.
With My Lucy she was 3 mos shynof 15 and for a large lab thats a long life and 2 yrs prior had been diagnosed with a large pancreatic mass and had kidney disease. She didn't want to get up to go out. She waited til my husband was on a bucket list duck trip and gave me the signal. She was my son's og so together we all sat around her told stories and then headed to the vet where they have an office just for this. Very comfortable and with many amenities including ding songs and twinkies. They allowed her to pass so peacefully it was wonderful. My son's first dog that was his and his first loss as ab adult abd a dad. He mourned it well. If she isn't moving and isn't really wanting to eat even treats its time.

Its the absolute worst part of having a pet. They give us so much and are gone far too quickly. Make sure she knows you are near and love on her.