saving a dogs life ...
@awesomehorizons (884)
United States
December 28, 2006 12:00pm CST
I have a 16 1/2 year old ShihTzu/LhasaApso mix dog that is diabetic, has cushings disease, deaf, and blind. She is still very full of life inspite of her health condition.
Some folks think that she has no value of life left and it would be best for the dog to put her down ...
The vet describes her as healthy and the possibility of her living to be 25 years old in good health is very favorable.
My personal opinion is to let her live her life until she passes on ... logically she is living in her own dark and unknown world and only knows I am around when I am petting or holding her.
I have no clue what to do ...
3 people like this
6 responses
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
15 Jan 07
If and when the times come for you to have to put her to sleep, you will know. In the mean time if she is not hurting or in distress, I say let her live. So what if she can't see or hear, she knows you love her and she can feel your touch.
1 person likes this
@awesomehorizons (884)
• United States
16 Jan 07
I'm hoping and praying that when her time comes that I don't have to be the one to make the decision to put her down.
I'm praying that when it is her time that God takes her by His hand, not mine, but whatever God's Will is for her will be His will.
Until then I'm still fighting off my hubby's wish to have her put down and I will keep doing what I'm doing with her to keep her happy, healthy, comfortable, and love her lots.
Thank you so much for your comment!
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
15 Jan 07
Follow your heart, and don't listen to anyone. If she is not in pain, let her live. Pray, and God will answer your prayers. Bless you.
1 person likes this
@awesomehorizons (884)
• United States
16 Jan 07
That's very good advice! She doesn't seem to be in any kind of pain whatsoever and she finds me wherever I happen to be in the house and lies right next to me.
She has it figured out now, that if she can't find me on her own, to stand still and she howls until I go pick her up, so now she has me trained, haaaaa!
The sad part is when I need to leave home for any reason she howls at the front door until I get home, bless her little heart anyway.
I will follow my heart from now on and when her time comes it will come. Until then I will keep loving her and comforting her the best that I can. Thank you!
@awesomehorizons (884)
• United States
29 Sep 08
UPDATE:
Just to let you know, my lil' dog passed away on her own a week ago at the age of 18 +. I'm thankful that I let God take care of her and that I didn't take it upon myself to put her down even though others didn't agree. I would have missed some precious moments with her otherwise. Thanks to all of you for your comments.
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
22 Jan 07
So long as she is in no pain I can't see anything wrong in letting her live out her live, I believe animals have a sense that we don't know about so she may have more to her life than you think...bless you for your kind heart, should be more people like you.
@awesomehorizons (884)
• United States
23 Jan 07
Thank you so much! I think you are right about animals having a sense that we don't know about. I know that my dog can find me no matter where I am in the house and when she does find me her tail wags a mile a minute. If I leave the room when she is sleeping somehow she knows it and is up right away to try to follow me. I really don't think that she is suffering, I hope not anyway.
@lonewolfnan (4366)
• Canada
15 Jan 07
When you are holding her or petting her(which is excellant therapy for both)is she happy?And when you are not able to hold her,how is she?What is your life like away from her?
It sounds like the two of you bring life and enjoyment to each other and need that relationship.
If your dog is not in pain and you are willing to spend the time with her........then there is no real reason to put her down.Whatever is best for you.
1 person likes this
@awesomehorizons (884)
• United States
16 Jan 07
Yes when I am holding and/or petting her she is happy and content. She is also content if she is right with me. If I leave the room she paces the house until she finds me and then lies down next to me.
When I am away from home I worry about her because all she does is stand still and howl until I get home and pick her up. I try not to be gone too long because she gets too upset. She's not in any pain and she is all I have to take care of here at home so I do enjoy my time with her.
It still bugs me that my hubby wants to put her down and I don't think that is the right decision. I don't mind making my hubby happy but I don't want to make him happy by granting his wishes where my dog is concerned either.
@sarah22 (3979)
• United States
22 Jan 07
yes, i would do the same but if she is in pain and you can see it, would it not be better for her if she was out of it. putting her down and not seeing her go through so much pain. if shes still going, then thats just wonderful and keep doing what you are,she knows you love her.
1 person likes this
@awesomehorizons (884)
• United States
23 Jan 07
I don't think that she is in any pain and the vet doesn't think so either, so my poochie and I are going to continue with what we are doing no matter what my hubby thinks. I think he is wrong and it looks as though the rest of us dog lovers agree. Thank you for your response.
@lauriefnp (5111)
• United States
24 Jan 07
It sounds as if she is not suffering at all and has a good life and plenty of love. Animals are extremely resilient at adapting to the loss of their senses. As long as she is not in pain or suffering, don't listen to other people. They are obviously not animal lovers! If your beloved pet, who is a member of the family, has another 8 1/2 years left, then enjoy every minute of it!
@awesomehorizons (884)
• United States
30 Jan 07
Thank you very much for your comment and I'm all for keeping this little poochie alive as long as she is not suffering or in any pain. So far so good :-)
