my dog Ryder is not doing well.

[funhouse8]

I've had my dog for 11 years. He is 12 years old. He is a white German shepherd. He is such a good animal. It breaks my heart but he is not doing well at all. His hips are really bad and his front legs have arthritis. It is hard for him to use the stairs so we have put in a ramp out back. It seems he doesn't even know when he is going to the bathroom. I'm not sure if it's because he doesn't want to go up & down the ramp. He fell the other day and now seems more scared so this might be the reason for the accidents but I think he just doesn't realize he is doing it. He has had a BM a couple of times while sleeping. It pains me so much to write this. My kids are now studying for their regents and I'm hoping I can wait till next week after all their tests. My questions is if I have to put him to sleep should I tell the kids this might happen before we go to the vet or wait till we come home and see what happens. I tried to talk with them but They don't want to hear anything. We have to go away next weekend for my nephews wedding and worried about leaving the dog at home. I usually have the neighbors son take care of him but I can't expect him to do what I've been doing. I'm also worried if this happens before the wedding will my kids be real upset at the wedding and ruin my nephews day. The day after the wedding my daughter is going to work at camp for seven weeks. If this happens while she is away should we tell her or wait till she comes home. I "m sorry this is so long. For those of you that have had to deal with this please I need advice!

 

[Pop Daddy]

maybe he will get a little better, If I was the kids I would want to know its his last night alive

 

[mrsstats]

This is such a hard thing to do. But look at your dog's quality of life. He can walk, he is going to the bathroom in the house. Don't wait too long to make a decision. I speak from experience. For selfish reasons we kept our dog doing longer than we should have. She was 15. The following year, our other 15 year old was sick. Congestive heart failure, fluid in the belly. Had to be drained to keep the strain off his heart. We did that for several weeks and then make the hard choice to have him put to sleep.

Let your kids know what you are doing. Let them be part of it if they choose. Each person must deal with grief in the way that is best for them. Good luck and you will know what the right decision is.

 

[chyam]

Please do right by the dog! It is time and the kids should be told, it is part of life and they should know that you are doing what is best for the animal, no one likes to see their beloved pet struggling and in pain. And if you left for the weekend and he passed away you would feel terrible. It is one of the hardest decisions anyone has to make but it should be out of compassion.!2 is a ripe age for a German Shepard, at most I would think he would only have another 1 or so and it is not fair to make him suffer just to appease yourself and the family. I am getting close to making that decision myself, my Saluki is now turning 13 and I can see her failing more each week, but I will never let her be in pain or struggle. It is one of the most unselfish decisions to make but it is done with love. Good luck.

 

[kayeandjim00]

Have you taken the dog to the vet? Rymadel (sp?) is a miracle drug for a lot of dogs with hip and joint problems. It sounds like more is going on so I'd check with your vet. If you aren't ready yet definitely board the dog with your vet while you are away as I wouldn't take a chance on leaving him at home alone even with someone checking in on him. It's really no ones place to say when it's time - you know your dog. It can be the kindest thing you can do for your animal when it's the right time. I have only had to make the decision once and I knew down to my core that it was right even though it broke my heart in a million pieces I'd sit down with the kids and have a serious talk - maybe even take them to the vet with you. It might sink in more from him than from you. Best of luck for your furry baby :

 

[luvdzne]

 

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

I can hardly add anymore- all of the previous posts have said just what I would have. Good luck- and please keep us updated. Everything happens for a reason. Just remember, when his time has come, he won't be in pain or suffering anymore.

 

[ckret01]

I read your story and it almost sounds the same as my parents dogs. He is part German Shepard , part Akita. He is 13 yrs old and his spine is deteriorating (spelt wrong). He has been going to the bathroom in the house (a few times a week) and sometimes his back legs give out. The vet wanted to put him on Prednizon (spelt wrong too-I'm a terrible speller) but being on that is making him go o the bathroom more in the house because it makes him so thirsty he is constantly drinking and eating. But there are some days he is great. It is so hard to start to see your fur baby start getting to this point. I have been trying to prepare myself but it is so hard. I just want you to know I know how you are feeling

 

[Sherri]

Its one of the toughest decisions to make. It does sound like your dog has had a full life with you and it sounds like you really love him.
Good luck with your decision.

 

[ADisneygirl]

I am sorry. Been there, and it is a tough decision. No amount of preparing anyone can really prepare you for it. Do what you heart tells you is the right thing to do by your best furry friend.

 

[Pixiedust34]

There are no easy answers here. We had to put out beloved dog down in 2004, and we still miss her. Instead of waiting for a milestone (exams, the wedding, etc.), look at your dog and decide what is best for him and the quality of life he is having now.

 

[chrisney]

Ah, I feel for you. We just had to make that heart shattering decision for my Shadow on Friday. I can't look at his special spots without crying, and know it will be that way for a long time. He was my most special dog...he loved me and I loved him. My life is much emptier now. But it was the only thing I could do for him, and at that point the decision was not about me, but about what was best for him.

Forget exams and weddings...there is never a good time to have to say goodbye to part of your life. I had been out of town for two weeks, taking time to get over another sadness about a job I loved but could no longer continue due to a change in administration. My very dear husband held it together, cluing me in little by little, until I returned on Friday. I left a dog who was arthritic but full of life and happiness. I returned to a dog who could no longer get up by himself, and who looked at me with eyes that said help me. Would I have liked more time...of course. But I held him and cried, I petted him and told him all that was in my heart...and then we did what was right for him. He deserved it.

Wishing you peace and happy memories.
Chris

 

[scoutsmom99]

 

[funhouse8]

Thanks all for you kinds words. This is the hardest thing I think I ever had to do. We called the vet and he is going to call us back tomorrow and we will give him our decision at that time but I do believe in my heart it's the right thing to do but the kids don't want to hear it. They're kids and they think I'm just being mean but I know that I'm just being selfish by keeping him around. It's just so hard.


ckret01- This is the same thing that happens to Ryder, the meds make him drink and then he just goes as he is walking, I'm not even sure if he realizes he is going anymore.


To all that answered me and told me about your lovely pets, thank you for all your kind words. They really do help.

 

[Moonmom]

Thanks all for you kinds words. This is the hardest thing I think I ever had to do. We called the vet and he is going to call us back tomorrow and we will give him our decision at that time but I do believe in my heart it's the right thing to do but the kids don't want to hear it. They're kids and they think I'm just being mean but I know that I'm just being selfish by keeping him around. It's just so hard.

I've been wondering about you and Ryder. I started to write the other and lost my connection; and been wondering ever since what the vet said.
Our Journey sounds alike like how your Ryder is. We helped him pass to Rainbow's bridge on 2/11/02. He, too, would just kind of lose control, and I know he didn't mean it. He had happiest, sweetest face; but his legs were giving out..sometimes his whole back end would just start to slide down toward the floor. He was 15. Every day it'd seem like he'd get a little worse but it was my DH that didn't want to let him go. The vet had him on Rimadyl but he was still moving so slow..and he'd told me that it was "time"...as soon as my DH was felt he was ready. No one's every really ready.. but I think knowing that we wouldn't be here should he fall or suddenly get worse did it for him. He didn't want to not be able to with him.
A quote that I keep by his photo, (and by his brother's who died earlier this year) has helped both of immensely... I hope it'll help you.

"I sent you on a journey to a land free from pain; not because I did not love you; but because I loved you too much to make you stay."

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

Here is a big hug to you and your family. I hope you guys are doing okay.

 

[SideshowBob]

Oh, sad, sad, sad... such a difficult time.

So very many wonderful memories you must have though, of all of those years that you shared with Ryder.

 

[Pugdog007]

Prayers to your family and Ryder.

I also wanted to let you and others know - that if it's a blown disc or deterioration of the spinal cord causing the problems (if he's losing his hind legs, this is almost always the case), there is surgery to correct this. One of my pugs just had this surgery. We don't know the prognosis just yet because she had some other problems, but the disc surgery itself is common and almost always successful.

 

[ckret01]

Funhouse8 I was wondering how Ryder is doing? My parents dog (his name is Smokey) isn't doing to well. As the days go on he seems to keep getting worse. I am in tears as I write this b/c I am so sad. so I know exactly how you are feeling and what you are going through. He has been falling more and more lately and the other night he fell doen the stairs in the back yard and couldn't get up for 20 minutes. Then he was so so the rest of the day. But tonight is when it really hit me and my mom. He fell down the stairs again and I tried to catch him but he landed right on his hine leg and you can tell he can't walk on it but I don't think it's broken. Me and my mom just cried as we looked at his sad face. I don't even think he know what is going on. It's a matter of days now and I don;t think you can prepare yourself for something like this. I hope you have the strength to get you through your days. I am thinking about you.

 

[funhouse8]

Thank you so much. We had to put him to sleep today. He got so bad. i was second guessing our decision but he fell twice once outside the car and anther walking into the vet. This past week he seemed to have just gotten so bad. He hasn't been down the steps in a real long time. We mad a ramp in the back of the house and this is how we got him in & out. The last couple of days he won't come up the ramp withoput me helping him. It was so sad to see him this way there was no other choice. I mentioned this on another thread and they reminded me of the rainbow bridge poem. If you never read it please do. Hugs & prayers to you & your Mom. this is the hardest thing I ever had to do.

Pugdog007 - It was alot more then this. My prayers to your furbaby for a speedy & full recovery.