How did you know it was time?

I am sorry you are going through this. I know how difficult it is.

For us it felt as if Hollie told us it was time. She was sick with a gallbladder mucocele and was too sick for surgery. We were trying to treat it with medications. We could just tell by looking in her eyes that she was just “done”. I don’t know how to explain it. She was no longer interested in eating, had no desire to play or really do anything other than just lay down. She wouldn’t even bark - and she was a barker. She just didn’t have the will to continue and she lost that sparkle in her eyes. That’s how we knew it was time to let her pass peacefully.

 

The hardest decision ever. When they stop eating (all of my dogs are big chow hounds) is a big clue. What Shelby's mom described above is what we've experienced, although we had a very sudden unexpected passing as well. My little Ally had both pancreatitis and kidney failure. She had stopped eating and we knew time was near, but when she had a sudden big seizure, that was the sign the time was right then. You know your dog well I'm sure, so I think it will be obvious. I'm so sorry. This is the toughest thing about being a loving pet parent. I hope your girl has a bit more quality time left.

 

I'm so sorry your having to have this discussion. I asked my vet that same question when Riley had cancer of the spine...her answer was when he's not able to do the things he's always enjoyed...
Of course there's more to it than that, I had a hard time deciding with my last Cocker. I think you just know.

 

I am so sorry you are having to discuss this topic as I know how difficult it is to make the decision. As others have said, you can just tell in their eyes when they no longer can go on. There are some tools that may help.

https://www.lapoflove.com/quality-of-life/quality-of-life-scoring-tools.

I hope this helps. It is such a personal decision. Take care... hugs!

 

There is no easy answer when we are faced with what is one of the most heartbreaking decisions we will ever be called on to make. And each dog has their own way of letting us know when that time has come. Although I find the signals different with each precious soul we have had to let go, there are some common symptoms that I have seen in most: a once happy tail that seldom wags anymore, not wanting to get up and do the things that used to bring excited barks and a happy face, eyes that seem dull without any joy in them, trouble settling comfortably to sleep through the night, retreating into corners of a room as if trying to hide from life, some not wanting to eat but I have found that this can really differ as I have had some who ate right up until the end, and finally panting and pacing as indications of pain.

I always ask myself if my little one could make a choice, would he/she want to go on because there is still enough comfort in living or has life become nothing but struggle and pain and there is literally no joy or comfort left...only the stoic attempt to get through each day no matter how awful.

I am so sorry you are going through this decision making process...it hurts more than words can say and my heart goes out to you and your husband...and to your beloved little Sheltie.

Trini

 

I am so sorry to hear your sweet Missy isn’t doing well.

Others have given you good advice. I don’t think I’m any good at this kind of decision.

My first Sheltie, Noel, was 15.5 years old, and she was the kind of dog who would eat no matter what. She was mostly deaf with very poor eyesight. She spent most of her time sleeping, and also started acting confused, maybe dementia. She would walk into a corner, then freak out if I tried to help her. Stuff like that. I was telling a close friend (who knew Noel) about this, describing how Noel no longer could figure out how to go into her crate to get her dinner like she’d done all her life. If I tried to gently guide or lure her to her food bowl she would panic. My friend said, “well maybe it’s time.” I was quite shocked because I thought Noel was doing fine. I guess because she’d declined so slowly I just got used to it. And I thought I could help Noel through any issues. Anyway I kind of brushed off that comment but less than a week later Noel died. Of course I wonder if maybe I let her live too long, but I don’t think she was suffering and the panicking behavior really only started in the last weeks.