How to tell someone their dog should be pts?

flippin36

Pulliptears - this too is a 15 year old springer, I hear its a common problem with them. She does say she still wags her tail when she walks in and is enjoying her food. I think its because she had decided to do it yesterday and then cancelled this morning that I find frustrating. I think she needs a gentle push in the right direction, but I feel I'm walking on eggshells. The vet keeps saying its up to her when she asks, but last time she went he kept saying "poor dog" whilst stroking her, she wondered whether he was hinting.

Mojisola

flippin36 wrote: »

I could mention the vet coming to her home - thats a great idea. She (the dog) is very nervous at the vets and it might be what is holding her back. Thank you.

When our lovely Laddie had to be pts, the vet and one of the nurses came to our house. It made for a very gentle send-off. We were all with him and he was in familiar surroundings - no stress, he just quietly went to sleep for the last time.

murphydog999

I would say that the vet should have some input, surely if an apt was made and then broken, they would be concerned?

However if it's just her and her dog, and she was dreading being on her own, or even being without the dog over xmas, you can understand her need to cling on. We had to put our Murphy to sleep 1 day after my birthday, it doesn't matter when it is, it's never easy.

flippin36

Thanks guys - wow I never thought of the vet coming to her house. Ok I've sent her an email with the link above (thank you). "Thought this article might help, its such a hard decision. When the time comes you might want to consider having a vet come to the house as it will be easier to say goodbye and you can have a blub in private. I will come over and be with you if you want."

That doesn't sound too pushy does it?

pulliptears

flippin36 wrote: »

Pulliptears - this too is a 15 year old springer, I hear its a common problem with them. She does say she still wags her tail when she walks in and is enjoying her food. I think its because she had decided to do it yesterday and then cancelled this morning that I find frustrating. I think she needs a gentle push in the right direction, but I feel I'm walking on eggshells. The vet keeps saying its up to her when she asks, but last time she went he kept saying "poor dog" whilst stroking her, she wondered whether he was hinting.

I was told by SIL that 15 was a very good age for a springer, SIL's was the same, she'd struggle to climb into bed and SIL would come running along and lift her up. She'd carry her upstairs etc. Then something would happen (a rustling in the kitchen for example) and the dog was off like a shot lol

Its strange really, you mentioned your friend had no children and again that is the same as my SIL, the dog was her child so I can understand why she chose to plod on. Sadly the thing that took her in the end was a bout of Gastroenteritis which left her so weak and dehydrated it was kinder to have her pts, but from what I saw of the dog a few weeks back she was certainly not in pain and quite happy in herself despite my initial reactions.

serious_saver

The one thing I would point out is that she hasn't said she won't do it. She has said she will postpone it until after Christmas. It's obvious to me that your friend doesn't feel able to cope with her dog being pts at this time of year.

Perhaps what she needs is a shoulder to cry on and some emotional support so that she knows that there are people there for her around Christmas.

You haven't mentioned the age of your friend or if she has a partner / family. It may be that she's just afraid of being alone at Christmas.

fantasia322

The one last decent thing that any loving owner can do for their beloved pets is to let them go when their time has come, and indeed help them.

Your friend is being very selfish, if not cruel, in keeping the dog alive.
The time has come to be blunt, and tell her like it is, she may not want to hear it, but it has to be said.

elliesmemory1

The vet can not tell your friend when its time, he can only advise. Its her choice. When the dog is having more bad days than good and can not get up to toliet it is time. the dog no longer has quality of life and dignity.
Maybe if you can persuade her to get vet out to see dog to give his opinion and if you can be wit her it may help

flippin36

Well partial result. She sent me an email saying she would like a vet to come to the house, but she's going to wait until her partner comes home (but he works away so it won't be until the weekend!) She said she just couldn't go through with it.

pulliptears

flippin36 wrote: »

Well partial result. She sent me an email saying she would like a vet to come to the house, but she's going to wait until her partner comes home (but he works away so it won't be until the weekend!) She said she just couldn't go through with it.

Even stranger....my SIL's partner is a trucker and only home at weekends. Sadly he couldn't get back to say goodbye.