When to let go?

[rwharram16]

I have an elderly Siberian Husky, who is approaching 16 years old. He has arthritis in his back legs and more recently a large limpoma on one of his rear legs. The lipoma is heavy and has been causing him more and more difficulty to get up over the last 6 months. The vet is unable to remove it as they say it will be difficult to heal and the repair is likely to tear due to his age.

In addition, he is incontinent and whilst he has some medication to control hi peepee, the difficulty with getting up causes him to pee and often looses his bowels too whilst lying down. This obviously creates a great amount of work but, I do it to keep him and the place clean and he is my best friend.

We have a 3 year old daughter and it has become a subject of arguments with my partner over the cleanliness of the house.

In the summer he was really strugglng to move due to the heat and the vet was on the point of recommending thet I let him go.

I decided to hold on and look after him a bit more closely and give some extra meds and three months have passed since then.

He is generally alert and still eats well.

The impending complication is that we have a new baby about to arrive and my partner is really having a difficult time dealing with a sick dog and a "dirty" house. I find the whole problem extremely stressful and fed up of endless arguments/discussions.

Am I or my partner being selfish? Has anybody experienced anything similar? How do I know when to let him go?

 

[Shewbert]

16 years is a good age, put it into human terms would you want to live like this?

Your dog has feelings as well, he must be distressed by his incontinence alone as he has been trained not to do this,

every time he does he will be expecting a telling off. thus causing more stress for the animal.

Animals are excellent at hiding pain, you dont really know the suffering he is going through,

Your vet has already shown his\her opinion that their is not much more can be done.

We know the dog is a big part of your family, you obviously love him to bits or your decision would be easier.

I honestly think it is time for him to go,

you can ask the vet to be with him at the end if you wish and stroke his head as he goes to sleep.

Let the old feller go with a bit of dignity.

Only you can make this desicion,

My heart goes out to the both of you.

Shewy

 

[excuseme]

Oh how very difficult for you !

I totally agree with the above reply, Shewy has said everything that I would wish to say!

Let the old chap go with a bit of dignity and while he still understands that you love him so very very much!

Vets are very understanding and respect our decisions, but only you can make this difficult request/decision.

Best wishes to you both.

 

[Juliatee]

I have heard it said that sometimes old dogs need their owners permission to slip away, they are hanging on just for you.

I think your new baby is just the permission he is waiting for..Hard though it is to say, once the new child is born you are going to find it difficult to give him the love and attention he still needs and you wifi feel worse if you can't give it to him.

All the best

Juliatee

 

[Zowie&Blackie]

Don't keep the dog for your sake, but the dogs sake, a dog should have quality of life as hard as it is, you must let them go 16 is a very good age.

 

[gypsysmum2]

There is a very true saying on this subject. "Better a day too soon than a day too late".

If you delay you are just putting your pain off. You will still feel the same amount of pain.

 

[crazypetlady]

An impossible decision, but being into rescuing animals, if I see one I love suffering and struggling to live a normal life, I will honor their life by giving them the best last day ever, and after awhile rescuing a new love to save another life.