My old girl is on her way out

[thatsjet]

My sweet fur-baby is 15 years plus... a mini schnauzer... fiercely loyal to our family and full of love. She's slowing down, not doing well on eating, and getting thinner month over month. She's developed plenty of ... challenges... but nothing that I would put her down for. Whizzing at odd times, barking at nothing, and generally just being old and weird. I get the feeling she's close to being done with her time here but I'm not ready.

Talk me down folks. Tell me how to process this. I'm struggling.

 

[JLS]

Sorry man. It’s tough.

 

[Rzrbk]

It's very very hard. I lost a very close companion a couple of years ago. It was my wife's Papillion who bonded with me and became my sidekick. I worried about letting it go on too long. It is our responsibility to make sure our close friend does not suffer. I knew when it was time. It was a bad day for sure. It's still tough to think about. My belief system has her being with me again one day.

 

[MarvB]

Never an easy one...never

 

[Seeleylakehunter]

Just extra love . then more love on top of it. Extra cheese wizz on a ritz cracker if that's her sort of thing. If she is happy then let her be when it comes time you will know what to do. Much lobe and stay strong.

 

[rtraverdavis]

I don’t have any advice but I feel for you man. It’s rough.

 

[mdhunter]

Yea, not fun times. The older I get the more compassionate I become.

 

[nwihunter]

These are always tough threads. I’ve been in your position several times now and it’s always a difficult one to get through. You have to try and find comfort in the fact that you have given your dog the best life that you could.

 

[JustinsDad]

I feel for you. You sound as close to her as I have been to some of my pets. Hang in there.

 

[Mallardsx2]

There is NOTHING more loyal in life than a good dog. I wished they lived longer.

 

[Dougfirtree]

It's hard. I'm really sorry. Just give that dog as much love as you can and listen to your heart as to when life is no longer enjoyable for her.

 

[noharleyyet]

One of our Goldens is getting there. Hard to think about.

 

[Nameless Range]

Few things harder. Love em while they are with us. Sorry to hear.

I had a thread along the same vein a couple years back and it helped me.

Tough Decisions For Old Dogs

I understand if folks don't want to comment on this thread, but I think HuntTalkers have good insight on a lot of things I do not. My dog is dying. She's a 13 year old lab, and has cancer in her hips and spine and lungs. I am struggling to weigh the factors in making the decision of ending her...

www.hunttalk.com

 

[Salmonchaser]

Heaven goes by favor; if it went by merit you would stay out and your dog will go in. (Roughly from Mark Twain) When it’s time I’m convinced that’s where she‘ll be.

 

[stillkickin]

Feel for you, I’m dealing with a steady decline of my old gal too , maybe a year left.

 

[Glockster]

Sorry to hear about your dog.

Sidenote why do people refer to their animals as a fur baby. It is a dog or animal. not calling out the OP but I had someone during introductions identify as a “dog mom” to “two wonderful fur babies” other day and it’s been bothering me ever since You’re not a dog mom you own an animal.

but I truly am sorry to hear about the animal that you own

 

[Ben Lamb]

That's a tough deal, @thatsjet

Everyone told us "you will know" when the time comes. It seems trite, but it's true. That pup will let you know when it's too much. Folks tend to hang on too long, and in the end it's the dog that hurts the most.

You are not putting down an old friend, you are giving your pal freedom. It hurts & it sucks but it will be ok. If you can have the vet come to your house, that helps both you & your dog.

 

[jejack26]

Feel your pain, Its no different than mourning loss of another love one. You will get through it,

 

[thatsjet]

Sidenote why do people refer to their animals as a fur baby. It is a dog or animal. not calling out the OP but I had someone during introductions identify as a “dog mom” to “two wonderful fur babies” other day and it’s been bothering me ever since You’re not a dog mom you own an animal.

You're absolutely entitled to your opinion, but commenting on this thread with it was a pretty shitty thing to do. Regardless of your opinion on my "ownership" of her I call her my fur baby because I think of her as family.

Clearly you lack the compassion to treat an animal the same way. That's your loss, not mine.

 

[SO7mm]

Tough times. I've been there before and currently have a 14+ year old chocolate that could go anytime. They surprise you sometimes though. I had the appointment to put her down a year ago tomorrow because she hadn't moved for a few days, other than me carrying her out and back to go to the bathroom. The evening before the appointment she snapped out of it and is still going.