Gracie
Our 15-year old miniature schnauzer Gracie is keeping us up at all hours of the night. A stroke about half a year ago has left her suffering from dementia and she paces around the bed for what seems like hours on end. B takes her out at night - during the day we're just zombies from the lack of sleep.
It's never clear when she has to go potty and she has had a lot of "accidents" lately. She is deaf and can't see too well either. Her appetite has to be stimulated with medication and she eats only a cup of puppy Eukenuba a day.
We are facing a moral and ethical dilemma - will she survive the trip to Germany? The vet told us about a month ago, when she stopped eating, that it was time to let go. Because of the medication she has been eating and maintaining her weight and she can walk but she is weak and lacks balance. Is maintaining her appetite giving her any quality of life? How do we and when is it time to "let go"?
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3 comments:
I'd hate to be in your shoes on this one.
Do you have a trustworthy family member you could leave her with?
It goes without saying that a transatlantic flight is a lot of stress for any animal.
And this should be the last of your worries, but it will be a lot easier to find an apartment without a dog. Lots of landlords don't allow them.
Anybody who knows me will understand that the above statement does not mean "get rid of the dog so you can find an apartment", I hope you don't take it the wrong way!!
Martina, I understand what you are saying and I don't take it the wrong way. B was also telling me that the airline might not take her if she is too sick or if it gets too cold (45 degrees or below). So, this may be out of our control either which way.
Unfortunately, we can't leave her with anyone in the family. It's a challenge for us to get up every night, poke pills down her throat and to clean up after her accidents; I don't think anyone in the family loves her so much that they would take her in and care for her the same way.
You don't know me from Adam, but I just went through a similar situation with my dear cat of 14 years Larry.
We suffered with him and kept him alive and rationalized his "quality of life" and after it was over...we realized the stress his suffering caused out whole family even the other pets. We were both afraid to do the deed and we would fight over his accidents in the house.
They say they tell you when it is time, but I think part of being a good parent, friend and caretaker is to be strong, help them die with dignity and be there at the very end.
It isn't easy by no means to hold them in the end, but they are not aware of it happening...they are in your arms where they are happiest.
My heart goes out to you as I have been in your shoes many times and it is never easy...but it is right.http://laura-todayonmywanderings.blogspot.com/2007/05/tribute-on-passing-of-dear-friendthis.html
Good luck,
Laura
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