My Dog

[Riso-chan]

6 Months ago, we found out that our black lab-mix 'Zoe' had kidney disease. The last two days she has gone down quick. She can't barely move, won't eat or drink. For the past few weeks, her appetite has dwindled. The vet told us that her kidneys are failing and can no longer seperate nutrients and wastes, so everything is just flowing right out of her. She's lost a good bit of weight as a result. She has just layed around the past 2 days, unable to even hold her head up for too long. She hasn't gone to the bathroom because she can barely stand. My mother and I know she's going downhill and what we will eventually have to do. My father however, is trying to hold on to her. He's not being realistic at all. Today, he was looking up about acupuncture for animals, and thinks this can help her. How much in denial does a person have to be to not see that an animal is suffering from kidney failure and that there is next to nothing that you can do to help? There are no dog organ donors as far as I know. That's really the only thing that could help her, but it isn't really practiced. I just wish I could smack some sense into him. It is truly selfish to want for an animal to stay in this world for yourself even though they are suffering. Why put her through anymore treatments that would prolong the suffering? And not being realistic of the fact that it is really just a matter of time with this condition is selfish also. My mom and I love Zoe dearly, she's been the sweetiest dog we've ever had. That's why we think of her needs before our own. My dad also loves her alot too, but he's just so stubborn when it comes to this. The vet gave us three days until we come back to him, during this time we treat her with meds. Thursday morning is when we decide everything, hopefully. My dad is bound to interfere with his nonsense. If he loves her so much, why can't he see that this only makes it worse? My mom and I are giving him until tomorrow, then I'm not goning to put up with it anymore. I will miss her greatly, but I can't stand to see her the way she is right now, its not fair to let her drag on this way. I'm 20yrs old, and I think I have a sound mind enough to know when decisions like this have to be made, regardless of the self, and to be there for the one who needs you the most. I have a parrot that I myself am extremely close to. I'll tell you right now though, if I was aware that there was little I could do for him in his time of need, I would not put him through anything that would only drag him on in his condition, I would let him go peacefully as hard it would be.

 

[Lila]

My in-laws recently went through something like this with their 16 year old daschound. Though I know my MIL was trying to find ways to make the poor girl better, she finally accepted it was time to let her go. It's hard. But making them continue to suffer isn't doing that poor animal any favors.

Sorry about Zoe.



Lila

 

[Ems]

We had to put down our 11 year old cocker spaniel about a year ago. It was very hard for me because he was my only dog and I got him when I was 6, so I almost had him my whole life... its very tough, but I knew it was the right thing to do. I still think of him to this day, and miss him dearly.
All the best in your time of need...

 

[Debra Mark]

I know exactly how you feel! Our dog Molly had kidney failure in 1999 - she was 13....it was the hardest decision we ever had to make, but we knew she was never going to get any better, only more suffering. We were with her until the very end & she knew we loved her....
Our pets depend on us not only for their physical needs, but also to alleviate their pain & suffering. Most of the time we are thinking of our own needs, and it is hard, but we must do what is best for the pet. We have many pictures & wonderful memories of our time together.

our thoughts are with you & Zoe.....

 

[Dangerdoll]

ugh! what a tough one Riso.... but I can say I can understand your frustration as well as your father's refusal to let the poor girl go... I remember when we were putting our family dog down to end his suffering, it was the hardest thing I ever went through. It's hard enough making the decision but what I think was hardest was being there with him as he went... sad sad sad.... my thoughts are with you and sorry about your Zoe...... good luck with your decisions.... and I admire your strength and maturity in this.

 

[OrionGirl]

You might want to sit down and tell your father how you feel, and that you really think letting her go will be better than dragging out the inevitable. Sometimes people need to hear that it's okay to let something go.

I had to have a 2 year old cat put down--systemic kidney failure. He lost 3 pounds in one week--scary for a 10 pound animal. The vet offered all sorts of heroic options, but said there was only a 10% chance of any of them succeeding. With odds like that, there was no way I could justify putting him through the stress and trauma of the treatments. He was the first pet I'd had to put down for anything other than old age.

 

[Boohoo]

I had a cat that was hit by a car. At the time I was around your age and the cat meant so much to me. His injuries were more severe in the long term than I realized. Surgery upon surgery. He finally was on the mend and for me that was great...but...every couple of weeks a trip to the vet, more antibiotics and the cycle went on for 3 years. Then he too had kidney failure. I guess thinking back I thought I was doing what was best for him, but I'm afraid it was really what was best for me. He didn't have the quality of life in those three years that a cat should have. I made the decision to end the suffering for him, but that is when I started to suffer the most. That is just part of grieving. Anyone who is truly into their pets will eventually be faced with the same consequences. That is the price we pay for loving and caring for a creature that is dependant on us. My thoughts are with you. Just remember that memories can't be taken away.

 

[nursie]

We had a dog, Kira that died about 4 years ago. We had taken her to the vet and things were touch and go during the day...I did go to work. I kept in touch with the vet by phone. We had decided to put her to sleep, and we were all going to meet at the vets in the afternoon, and she called to say that she died. I have always regreted not taking the d**n day off work and that I wasn't there when she died. When I left her there in the am the thought wasn't even in my mind that it would be the end. She had problems before but had always pulled through. Sit down and tell your dad how you feel. He may well be angry and not want to hear it. It is so hard to let go. And ask him if he wouldn't really want to be there for her for the end.
I have her son, Dukie. I slept on the a stack of drywall next to her bed in the basement when she had the litter. We just couldn't get another dog, and after 3 years we finally did, our girl Chloe.
Some people deal with grief, death and dying different. Hang in there and keep trying to get your dad to understand it is better for her not to suffer anymore. I agree, tho..you can only wait so long.

 

[Sensei_the_dojo]

One of the hardest things I've been through in my life was when my first wife and I put our cockapoo Muffy to sleep, and she was nearly 17 years old. Hang in there Riso. Hopefully your dad will come around. If not, just try to keep Zoe as comfortable as possible and let her know that she's loved.

 

[Must4ng s4lly]

Nursie is right! You r father will come around..... I know it must be really hard. One thing is for sure, to be with your dog in his final moments. I have always regretted that when My cat got hit by a car, my mom forced me to make the decision right away to put him to sleep and I didn't even have time to go to the vets. Same thing with my dog and my childhood cat. She took my cat, unknown to me, and had him put to sleep (Had him for 18 years). I have never been able to be there in the final moments for my pets. Now, I have a 15 year old cat, and I plan on being there when she goes. It will be really tough, but what else better for your loved one than to be there with them when they pass on??