I think he's time has come

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high octane

Completely Boxer Crazy
My Odin was diganosed with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy in February 2009. In the fall of 2009 we removed a MCT. In the middle of 2010 he started to drag is right hind which reminded my of symtoms of DM that our last boxer had. Odin doesnt have DM we think he has a brain tumor. We never did a MRI to confirm as he was 10 1/2 with advanced heart disease. He now has no use of his right hind and his right front is buckling. Odin has lost most of the use of his back end.
He can't get up to go to the bathroom on his own. He can't walk more than 5 feet without falling. The poor guy can hardly stand to eat and drink on his own.
The last 48 hours he has started to drink excessively. I feel so horrible and I know he has lived a good long life, surpassed the life span the specialists have given him. He is 11 years and 28 days old today.
It breaks my heart that his time has come.
I remember looking at my last dog, Vexxor, when I knew it was his time. He just looked at me and I knew. This time with Odin I know in my heart what I have to do but I don't want to, I feel like its wrong. I guess its probably because I have expected him to have an arrythmia and pass away everyday since feb 2009. I never thought that I would have to make a decision I always thought he would just go on his own. But knowing Odin and the boxer spirit I guess it makes sense that he just won't give up.

I feel lost and alone. I just wish he could go peacefully in his sleep. I'm afraid to take him to the vet. He has been there so many times over the years with holters, heart issues, cancer, poisoning himself etc and he loves those girls. I know he is going to get all excited to be there and see everyone and then Im going to have to put him to sleep.
I hate this, my heart is broken
 

x19er

Boxer Insane
All of us who've had to make that vet trip appreciate how your feeling at the moment, you want so desperately for someone else to make it for you or indeed to wait for one more day then another and another in the hope that your dog will sleep away and save you the pain of making it. My heart goes out to you, I know there's nothing I can really say to help I wish there was <hugs>.
 

Austin's Mom

Boxer Insane
I'm so sorry. It's never easy. When I had Austin I always prayed he would just go in his sleep when he time came but it didn't happen that way for me either. But we take the pain so they don't have to.
Yesterday when I was driving home from the shore up the Parkway I passed exit 109..the exit for Red Bank..it wasn't Aus's usual vet but he went there for a consult when he was diagnosed with cancer and had a surgery there. The only time he was in the hospital overnight. And you know what? Even after 2 years and 8 months I cried like a baby when I drove past that exit. These boxers steal our hearts like no other breed.

I wish you and Odin peace at this time, give him a gentle hug and kiss for me. I know you will do what's right for him.
 

levic

Boxer Buddy
Sorry...

I am saddened and sorry to hear this but you should feel not bad about your decision....it hurts me to see a pet suffer this much. I have gone through this in the past so I know how you feel...
 

Lizzie

Boxer Insane
I am sorry to hear about Odin and your decision is one of the hardest we can ever make for our fur babies. I am sure that you will do what is right for him.
 

Gatorblu

Boxer Insane
I'm afraid to take him to the vet. He has been there so many times over the years with holters, heart issues, cancer, poisoning himself etc and he loves those girls. I know he is going to get all excited to be there and see everyone and then Im going to have to put him to sleep.
I hate this, my heart is broken

My heart breaks for you. I've only had to make this decision once for a my cat Tux. And there really wasn't any decision to it. I just knew it had to be done.

You can look at going to vet as a way of him being surrounded by love. I am sure the girls there love Odin as much as he loves them. But if you really feel it is too much for you or him, talk to your vet and see if he/she will come to you. I have known others who have done this. It just takes the stress of the car ride over away. You and Odin are in my prayers.
 

SnowDove

Super Boxer
My heart is aching for you right now...

I have had to make this painful decision many times over the years, unfortunately, as my family have always taken in strays and rescues that needed shelter and love. In early May we had to make this decision for my rottie, Jade, as she lay on the floor unable to take in a decent breath, her lungs ravaged by lung cancer.

I know how helpless you must be feeling, and I understand the heartbreak of taking Odin to a place he has grown to be comfortable and then having him put down. However, your baby deserves to make his journey somewhere that he is comfortable, somewhere that he is surrounded by the love of those who know him. As I held my baby Jade as she slipped away, I was comforted in some way by the fact that the tears in the room were not just from me and my parents, but also from the vet and the vet tech; it warmed my heart to know that Jade's charm had worked its magic on others that she had met.

Looking through your gallery, I can tell you this for sure: Odin could NOT have had a better home anywhere, with anyone else. He has seen more beautiful sights in his life than many People ever see in theirs. He got to participate in your wedding, and that's such an important event in someone's life; I'm sure he was truly honored that you would include him!

I hope when you visit the park and look out at the mountains and the trees that you'll know and feel that Odin and Vex are with you, running along side you and free from the suffering of their bodies.

Be strong for your boy as you send him on his journey... My heart is with you, and I am so very sorry for your pain.
 

sriley

Completely Boxer Crazy
My eyes welled up when I read your post. I went through the same thing with Buddy two years ago. He also had cardiomyopathy and had the same buckling of the legs and frequent falls near the end. Watching a once carefree, energetic, and highly active dog go downhill so fast broke my heart. I felt so completely helpless. I, like you, wanted so badly for him to pass away in his sleep. I didn't want to have to make the decision to end his suffering, but in the end, our vet came to the house to do what needed to be done. Buddy passed in the comfort of his own home with my husband and I at his side. After Buddy passed, our vet sent my husband and I a beautiful card. In the card, she wrote that if Buddy could talk, he would have thanked us for having the strength to end his suffering. I'm so sorry you are going through this. I wish I could be there with you. My heart goes out to you and Odin. Your BW family is here to rally around you should you need us. (((hugs)))
 

Roge

Boxer Insane
I can not add anything that the other posts have not said , they are giving you good advise, I really feel for you and odin and you will both be in my thoughts and prayers,and please remember that you are not alone you have your Boxerworld family around you we all know how you are suffering trying to make the decission .
 

Tuff Love

Boxer Insane
I'm so sorry, my heart just breaks for you. We went through the same sort of battle with our boy, who suffered through a lifetime of issues, namely MCTS- but it was something else entirely that really did him in. He exhibited a lot of the same issues you're speaking of- couldn't walk right or hold himself up and it just got progressively worse. When the time came he let us know and while our hearts were breaking, we knew...
Sadly he was just 5 1/2, far too young. I hope you can take some comfort in the memories you've shared in the 11 years you've been together. No matter how long they're here, it's never enough grouphugicon
 
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