Commentics Thank you so much for writing this article. I always thought our 15 year-old dog, Wall-E, would have some sort of physical problem that would make the decision for us. However, it’s Wall-E’s mind that is devolving. He is blind and deaf, anxious, terrified, and just not himself. I thought it would be cruel to euthanize before his body “gave out”. Your perspective has helped me think about Wall-E from his point of view. I needed to read this so badly. I will miss my little guy every day for the rest of my life. I will love him every day for the rest of my life. Thank you for helping me find the courage to think about what is best for Wall-E, not me.

]]> Thu, 04 Apr 2024 18:18:01 -0700 item_276 This is the most comforting post that I've found online. We had to say goodbye to our sweet Staffy of 13 years who suffered from neurological issues (dementia, possibly a brain tumor). I am devastated by the choice I made to euthanize her. I have had tremendous guilt thinking I didn't do enough or give it enough time to figure things out, but in reality, she would never have recovered from this progressive disease... things would have only gotten worse. She did not have the "x" factor anymore and was only existing to eat and go on walks but the rest of the time she was panting, pacing, and on some days climbing furniture and with disorientation. We don't know if her panting was from anxiety or pain. Her "good days" weren't truly "good." They were better than the bad days, but still would not qualify as really good. Your kind approach and understanding words helped me feel better about my decision to let my sweet baby go.

]]> Sun, 21 Jan 2024 14:52:26 -0800 item_271 Thank you for your helpful words. I have made the decision to help my Dog over the bridge on Thursday but was doubting my decision. He has chronic bronchitis and been on steroids for 2 yrs resulting in Cushing disease and muscle wastage. Your helpful words have comforted me that I have made the right decision for my gorgeous boy

]]> Mon, 27 Jun 2022 10:34:34 -0700 item_264 Our lab just turned 12. She is now diabetic and has cushings. She became blind from the diabetes even though we caught it quickly. Her hips are fine, its her spine that's causing her pain and instability to get up. She struggles even with non slip flooring. Her anal tone is gone so she goes in the house. She sleeps all day and nothing seems worth it anymore. She can eat and hear. Im sure she could go on like this for a while but on Sunday Aug 29,2021 she will be going over the rainbow bridge. Its time for her to be free of this life and hopefully onto another wonderful place. We are heartbroken but we can see her dignity is gone and the quality of her life is long gone. Thank you for this post. Im unsure of our decision but this isn't the life she would want. Im sure she might go on for a few more months but at what quality. This stinks. Good bye my wonderful baby girl. My heart is with all of you that are facing this challenge. Thank you for your guidance....

]]> Fri, 27 Aug 2021 22:12:46 -0700 item_247 Thank you for your very helpful and informative article about quality of life for our beloved pets. Our puggle, Bruno, will be 15 in November and he is getting weaker each day with his hip and leg arthritis. Half the time I am carry his 32 pounds down the deck stairs and I guide his hips up the stairs. He sleeps all day and is on gabipentin twice a day. At night, he pants and paces until I help him up on our bed where he sleeps peacefully all night. Bruno was such a wonderfully active and vocable little guy but now he is deaf. His eating and pooping are normal although his mouth is very tender and so are his feet. He has many fatty tumors, with one very large lump on his side about the size of a melon that would be too invasive to remove at his age, per my vet. His skin is black at all of his joint areas- elbows & knees and even on his belly where the lumps are located. I know I need to make a decision soon to put him out of his misery as I have done for so many other pets.

]]> Sat, 14 Aug 2021 07:35:54 -0700 item_246 Thank you. You've brought clarity to an agonizing decision to be made for my 16 year old Parson Russell Terrier with canine cognitive dysfunction. Physically she's okay, but her cognitive decline has been marked. She is a shadow of her former self -- existing, not living. I knew there wasn't going to be an obvious sign from her so I'm grateful for your words here, which have helped me to make the best choice for my girl.

]]> Tue, 29 Jun 2021 15:37:35 -0700 item_240 Thank you for this information as we have been struggling with when to euthanize Henry. He is long haired chihuahua mix, age 17 and 3 months. Had him since he was a stray puppy from the streets. I've managed his arthritis for several years now, but he has become aggressive and just unhappy. He's blind and has glaucoma in one eye which causes pain and pressure. Henry's on a pill for that but can't administer eye drops. Too stressful for all if us. Has peacefully slept thru the night until 2 days ago. Stands and stares and barks. It's his time to cross rainbow bridge. Thank you for helping me decide, today. Not another night of fear for Henry.

]]> Tue, 13 Apr 2021 10:42:50 -0700 item_237 Thank you. This information was very helpful in making our decision yesterday to put down our 14 ½ year old Aussie, Freckles. The description of symptoms and behaviors, especially around Pain and Mental State was so well written, it helped us understand exactly what she was experiencing and we knew it was time to call a mobile vet. As the day progressed, she didn't even want to even stand up to eat. Thankfully, the vet came a couple hours later and Freckles was able to pass peacefully during her naptime with a full belly. We are so glad she is not suffering now.

]]> Thu, 01 Apr 2021 10:40:42 -0700 item_236 Thank you for writing this article which has helped me and my children arrive at the best decision for my beautiful chocolate lab who is in her 16th year. She still has such presence yet her body is failing her and we shall sorely miss her, although we have gratitude for having her in our lives.

]]> Sun, 13 Sep 2020 05:38:22 -0700 item_211 Hello! We’re in the same situation like you described. I agree it’s like caring for an invalid. I’m curious on what you decided to do? Our vet and another vet (got a 2nd opinion) both suggested to euthanize due to immobility (can’t walk nor has strength for wheelchair) and incontinence. They told us to think of his quality of life and how sitting around isn’t much of a life. It’s hard for us to tell if he’s in pain since he still eats, responds/smiles/barks at us, wags tail, tries sit up etc. We’re going back and forth on what to do.

]]> Wed, 02 Sep 2020 04:12:40 -0700 item_210 Thank you for this helpful information. I am about stressed out with this problem. My Yorkie is 17 years and two months. Still wags his tail, can not eat very well but enjoys his food and has not lost weight yet. Seems to enjoy the knocks on the door which mean company of some kind. Does not enjoy walks outside much. He walks around the house and gets his exercise. Then he starts walking in circles until he falls. He sleeps all night and takes two naps per day. He has a skin disease , which they do not know the cause of--it almost covers all of his skin and looks like black dirt. It becomes very sticky when it is moistened by a few drops of water. He seems to enjoy it when I pick him up and just hold him. We are both struggling with this point in his life. I just want the best for him. He likes to live, so I will help him as long as we both can tolerate living like this. ( I am 87+).

]]> Sun, 16 Aug 2020 18:09:01 -0700 item_209 Martha I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your note to this site which I found by the grace of God and no tech knowledge to speak of. Your note is almost verbatim what I and my baby girl are experiencing with some other issues. I always call her my baby girl and she is so awesome. We have been on this path alone together for a year and a half and I too would not trade one second of it. Thank you for letting me know that I am not alone in this burnout thing--if you would like to respond at any time my email is csfangman@yahoo. Will probably not be able to figure out how to respond beyond that. Once again thank you.

]]> Wed, 10 Jun 2020 11:21:13 -0700 item_199 Thank you. This is such an agonizing decision. My 16 year old chow/golden mix is the last of the four pets that we had before my husband died 12 years ago. That is adding to the agony of letting Mattie Belle go. It is such a battle between my heart and my head. I know my baby girl is tired, worn out, and increasingly uncomfortable in spite of the meds. This past year has been dedicated to and consumed by her care. I am thankful that I have had this time with her and would not trade a minute of it. But... like Mattie, I am tired too. This is the first article I have found that addresses caregiver burnout. Thank you. The amount of care that is required all day and night to keep her comfortable and clean is not good for either of us, and the kindest thing for me to do is to set her free. I just wish it didn’t have to hurt so bad...

]]> Tue, 28 Apr 2020 08:50:34 -0700 item_196 Have a 17 year old Golden/Pyr mix . Has lost bladder and bowel control, as well as failing hips. Have to give him chicken or salmon to eat, as will no longer eat his kibbles. Not eating much and losing weight. Been through this before, not an easy decision with which to make.

]]> Fri, 10 Apr 2020 23:41:18 -0700 item_193 I have a part lab/rockweiller almost 14 yr old dog diagnosed with lumbar arthritis which affected his spinal nerves and now has no feeling or use of his two hind legs. He was diagnosed in mid-Oct. Since then vet took him off steroids as he had side effects after 1 month and then put him on antibiotics and pain meds. Dog doesn't appear to be in pain, eats normal and poops ok; however he is immobile on back legs so needs to be lifted so he can walk on front paws only. He is strong enough to sit up but caring for him is like caring for an invalid. I am 80 yrs old and don't know how long I can care for him. We have a dog wheelchair that we use few days a week; Dog feelings about wheelchair is mixed, some days ok and some not. Being that his quality of life is very compromised considering how active he was, pondering whether putting him to sleep would be better or just living on a dog bed most of day. Would appreciate comments. Thank you.

]]> Sat, 14 Dec 2019 16:02:37 -0800 item_177 Thank you for this. I am grappling with this very decision over the last few months. I appreciate your words.

]]> Mon, 04 Nov 2019 21:19:38 -0800 item_163 Thank you

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