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The Step Dog

lynnief's picture

Submitted by lynnief on Wed, 01/30/2019 - 2:52pm

My SO brought with him 2 dogs from his old life whej he moved in. One was 17 and the other, her son, is 15.

For the past year , the 17 year old dog has been arthritic, incontinent (bowel and bladder), teeth rotting out of her head (her breath smelled like a dumpster's vagina), full throes of dimentia- walking into walls, getting stuck behind furniture, constantly falling down. She had to be carried outside and back in to do her business. We were having to pull her out of her own filth as she would go to the bathroom on the floor, then fall and get trapped in her own waste. So we were forever washing the floors and furniture, dog beds and towels and the dog herself...every morning I would wake up and step in a puddle or a mess. The dog was skin and bones. Wasting away- not eating enough, completely deaf, and mostly blind. If this poor beast of a dog could talk, she would have been begging us to kill her. 

Not sure what came over my SO yesterday, but he decided to put her down finally- I have been gently urging this for months. So...while this is a sad time for him and his sociopathic exW and their adult spwan, it's such a happy and liberated day for me. I feel like a black cloud is gone from over my head. I can only imagine how good it will feel when SS22 goes where he needs to go as well. One down and one to go! 

Comments

hereiam's picture

Submitted by hereiam on Wed, 01/30/2019 - 3:54pm

Poor thing. When their quality of life is, well, none, it is time to let them go.

SteppedOut's picture

Submitted by SteppedOut on Wed, 01/30/2019 - 5:02pm

Most definitely. Poor pupper. It is a good thing he has decided this, though, I know from experience it is a very hard decision to make.

ProbablyAlreadyInsane's picture

Submitted by ProbablyAlready... on Thu, 01/31/2019 - 7:55am

I agree. I can't imagine having let my first fur baby suffer when he got terminal cancer... Once his quality of life diminished it was the best thing I could do for him to let him go Sad

notasm3's picture

Submitted by notasm3 on Wed, 01/30/2019 - 6:42pm

I HATE it when people selfishly keep a pet alive too long while it is suffering.  I was guilty of keeping my first dog alive for a month or two long.  He literally was the love of my life.  Forget any man I used to know back then.  I was so afraid I would do it too soon. I didn't want to do it a day too early or a day too late.  I misjudged.  

But I learned from that experience.   When my 2nd dog (who was miserable) got a bad diagnosis I had him put down within hours.  My 3rd dog became paralyzed and while I was ready to pay thousands for surgery he was found to have advanced spinal cancer and was put down that day.  Yes I cried my eyes out over all of them but one has to look at what is best for them not for you.

I have a 12 year old dog who I adore - as of today the vet says he has a lump in his stomach.  An ultrasound is scheduled for this Friday.  I have been beside myself as I know that this is my last dog.  But I have to do what is best for HIM not me.

I am 72 years old and am partially paralyzed in a wheelchair.  I cannot take adequate care of a dog so that is why this is my last dog.

notsurehowtodeal's picture

Submitted by notsurehowtodeal on Thu, 01/31/2019 - 12:28am

My veterinarian's philosophy is that it is better to put an animal down a few days too soon rather than a few days too late. I completely agree. I always ask myself am I keeping them alive for me or for them? Then I try and truly listen, they will let you know when it is time - or past time.

justmakingthebest's picture

Submitted by justmakingthebest on Thu, 01/31/2019 - 6:50am

I had to put my lab down a few years ago, it is so hard to do, but he was in so much pain. He made it to 15 and for a big dog that was a good life. It still hurts though... I used to laugh that that dog was with me through 2 husbands and 2 divorces. He was the best! 

I know that it is a huge relief to have all of the issues gone with the dog! I think it is awful to keep dogs alive when the quality of life is what you described! I am glad your DH gave that pup some peace. 

Maybe soon it will be puppy time/ adoption time for the 2 of you? 

DPW's picture

Submitted by DPW on Thu, 01/31/2019 - 8:38am

Poor thing.

Most people would think I put down my dogs too early in their old age, but I couldn't bear to see them in distress over their failing bodies and minds. I don't care. It's all about quality of life not quantity of life.