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when to say goodbye to an old dog

I am taking care of the best dog in the world.  Poppo is a 15 year old dalmatian, and is struggling with old age problems.  He continues to eat well and drink, but walking is a problem. (I have to carry him in and out and he cannot get water on his own)

A lot of people tell me I should euthanize... er kill him, but I feel like, if he is struggling for life, it is my job to help him.  I'm just wondering if other people have any insights or wisdom for me.

He really has such a great spirit, but he cannot do most of the things he used to be able to do.

I can empathize with you! I'm the momma to a 14 yr old Lab/ Chow mix! He's a sweet heart and also needs a lot of aid when it comes to doing things he used to do with ease.

My father wanted me to put him down 2 years ago-said he wouldnt last! An old friend of mine held on to her Weiner Dog until the age of 19! My neighbors 16 year old Collie just passed on two days ago!

We don't give these playfull k-9's enough credit! They are just a ball of life and should die when they are ready! Don't take his life before nature does. You have him for a reason to protect him and love him and nurture him. He's your responsibily, don't give up on him just because things are harder now!

Hopefully i was able to reach out to you! 


Thanks Tabitha, I'm going to continue to try to find creative ways to keep this guy eating and drinking and comfortable.  His appetite is increasing lately and that is a real joy for me to see.  Hopefully some of his strength will return too :)


I can also empathize with you, I just lost my oldest Bassett Hound, Casey, to cancer, last October.  She had been fighting bladder cancer for over a year.  I had struggled for a long time when would be the right time to let her go.  She had been loosing weight, and had no bladder control, but she kept on eating like a trooper.  When I consulted with my vet she said when she stops eating, that's when she's lost interest in life.  Well, she did just that, she stopped eating and I tried tempting her with all sorts of things, she wouldn't take anything.  She became weak and listless and she wouldn't really move at all.  That's when I knew it was time to let her go.  It was one of the hardest decisions to make, I held her as she went to the bridge. 

I wish you all the best, I really believe that you will know when the time is right....


How is your little guy doing now? Its always such a hard call to make as far as how much treatment to give when they are suffering. That he is eating is a good sign. Sounds like he still has some will to live in him. Hopefully you can find the right balance as far as keeping him alive and keeping him comfortable and happy. I think we always end up making the right decsion when we make it in love. We are the ones who are there and know the animal best. 


Poppo is a 15 year old, and it's time to go.Don't be sad now.


We have a 15 year old dachshund that has bad teeth but he acts like a pup. My husband's family  has had him seems he was just a year old. Skippy is so nice, loving, and that's of fun. Skippy still likes to chase squirrel up the tree. When we got him back he was badly over weight, he had a hard time walking, and could not climb up stairs and now he runs up and down just like our 2 year old min pin (Marley Bear). We got to clean up messes from him, like pee and poo. But having him here with us is our main thing. We could never put our pets down. But when our pet go the there doggy heaven we are getting them cremated and put in a very pretty urn so they are still with us. Most vet can do that.


I went through the same thing with my 16 yr-old Foxhound, Lab, Pointer mix, Sandi, last September.

She could not get up or walk very well, Her back legs would give out on her. She was also in renal failure. Her quality of LIFE was not quality at all. 

My 16 yr-old Basset Slinky was also at the same stage at the same time.  He was such a trooper. Like Sandi he had a good appetitie and kept himself well hydrated. 

But in the end, I couldn't  watch them struggle to get up, or walk.  I had them go the "Rainbow Bridge" together. Typical Sandi. She fought the first injection.  Slinky knew his Basset lady Maggie was waiting for him. 

To animal PAWsons I say, Let your HEART and your special loved one tell you what to do.

Anyone who DARES tell you "Oh it's just a dog", is someone you should avoid any further contact with. They just don't get it.  Who needs that kind of negativity in their lives? 


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