When it's their time to go

[Linda]

I apologize if this seems in poor taste or out of line, but I am curious and thought this would be the best place to ask.

Those of you who have lost a dog (and especially a boxer), how many died "naturally" and how many had to be euthanized?

We are fortunate in that we've only lost one dog. Shannon had to be put down after having a seizure that caused severe damage. :(

It seems like most of the dogs I've heard about have been put down due to health problems.

Again, I apologize if this is a painful subject and appreciate your input.

 

[tlwhitman]

Hi, Linda. In my life, we have had to put two dogs down and we have lost one suddenly due to natural causes.

Although all were hard to bear, the hardest was the loss of Henry at the age of 10 months. It was much easier to understand why Prince had to be put down (old age, severe health issues), and why Abby had to be put down (the immediate effect of being struck by a car), but I have never quite been able to grasp the loss of Henry. My husband has always been haunted by the look in Abby's eyes when he had to make that decision to euthanize. I have always been haunted by the fact the Henry died alone in his crate.

I suppose it really doesn't matter how they die, though. The result is still the same, isn't it?

 

[tedjax]

I have been lucky enough to have had only three dogs prior to Indy and Beauty. All three prior to the them have each lived very long lives. Major was almost 14 and had to be put down as he lost control of bladder/bowel functions due to arthritis in back legs/hips. I was in the 5th grade and my dad took him while my brother and I were in school. They had gotten Major one year before I was born. Then we got Sugar, a sheltie mix. She was almost 14 also when she died suddenly of heart failure (she was eating a plate of spaghetti at the time!) We also had Beau, a boxer/dalmation mix at the same time. A few months after Sugar passed, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and my dad put him down at the age of 14. A few months later, we got Shiloh, boxer. Shiloh was almost 13 when, due to disease, his kidneys failed and I took him to be put down. My dad was out of town and I was the only one home. Let me tell you it is the hardest thing I've ever done. My vet basically had to pry me away. I can relate to your husband and the look in Abby's eyes. Anyway, I can't talk about it anymore....it makes me way too sad. :(

 

[Orenda]

I think this is a subject that will get many different types of responses. I can speak from the standpoint of both a Vet Tech and an animal lover. You must have TOTAL faith in your veterinarian. Working emergency I have worked with a countless number of veterinarans. I have also spent many years doing releif work with day time vets. There are those, even though we don't like to hear it, that will allow an animal to suffer just to make the extra buck, and there are also those that will euthanize rather than try to solve the problem. The one you need to find is the empathetic one that not only has a relationship with you, but your dog as well. Unfortunalty sometimes it comes to a point of the owner not being able to afford testing or treatment. I highly reccomend pet insurance for the times that major issues come about. You should also have a good trusting relationship with the staff. One thing you should always ask your vet and the technician is what they would do if this was their dog.

I have had to make these decisions about my pets in the past, each one was heart wrenching, but the thing that I always remembered was that I couldn't allow my selfishness of wanting my cherished baby with me longer, get in the way of what was right for the dog.

I truely bleive that all dogs die of "something". Old age brings about many health problems, some outward and many hidden. Remember, your dog will not always show you signs of health problems. After the age of six, I get complete blood panels done on my pets every year, which can help to identify a problem long before it becomes serious. I also have an abdominal and chest x-ray done at that time as well, which can show any small growths before they become life threatening.

I don't know if I have answered your question, but there is one more thing I would like to suggest. Try and find a veterinarian that will come to your home when if the time comes to euthanize your pet. This lowers the stress of the animal, and creates quite a strong bond with your veterianarin.

 

[None-removed]

I have been in both situations, natural passing and euthanasia: my first boxer (and the one that made me fall in love with the breed), Capulet, was rescued at age 4 and died peacefully in her sleep at age 14 after giving me 10 incredible years with her. Then in November of 1999 I adopted a new baby, Dixie, that was rescued from an abusive home. We knew that Dixie was a special needs girl in that she came with fear of men, and advanced kidney disease. Over the year that she was with us, she was treated by our vet as well as a vet school for her kidney problem. After so many visits to the vet and traveling to the school, she started to let us know that she was approaching her time, although outwardly she appeared entirely normal and healthy. In the end, she couldn't eat and had trouble moving around - her kidneys had completely shut down and the toxins had caused ulceration in her stomach and intestines, and she was in constant pain. It was apparent at that point that there was only one option. The only thing that could hurt me more than not having her with me
was having her with me and in pain. So, I held her sweet head as our vet gave the shot and she gently passed to the bridge. Immediately before she passed she lay her paw on my face, as if she was saying thank you. She was just over 2 years old.

Unfortunately, her kidney problems were a direct result of her abusive home. Her previous owner had not provided water on a regular basis, and household cleaners were ingested while she was young. He also thought it was funny
to give her beer and liquor. His son turned him in and he was convicted. Amazingly, she was the sweetest dog I have ever been around.

That was my first experience with euthanasia, and hopefully my last, but should it ever be the only solution to ending uneccessary pain and suffering - I won't hesitate to do what's best for the dog. I do strongly agree that this should only be done on the advice of a well trusted vet, and with a very well known staff of vet and vet techs.

 

[Robyn]

Passing to the bridge

Mugzy's passing was through euthanasia. I had about 10 wonderful, love filled years with him which in itself truly was a miracle. From his first seizure which advanced to status epilepticus(continual seizing)I was warned that he would probably not live very long and I would always have difficulty controlling the seizures which proved to be true.

I was thankful for everyday we had together ( I still am) because not only did he introduce the boxer breed to me he was the BEST little furman I could have EVER asked for. We had an amazing connection I'll never be able to explain and I feel like we were meant to be together. It is just unfortunate that the poor baby had to have such a hard life before we met and then with the seizures.

I agree that your vet relationship is everything. My veterinarian whom I just love to pieces respected the unique bond between Mugs and I, even though he got quite a few chuckles from my odd, frequent phonecalls..."Mugzy ate a whole bar of Dove Dr. Cook, Mugzy has one of those rubber balls with the hole and bell stuck on his tongue Doc, I think Mugs has hemorroids Doc!". Most importantly Doc believed in Mugzy above all else and would tease about Mugzy having 9 lives because of his MANY brushes with death. At one point his neurologist believed he should be put down because a period of status epilepticus gave him brain damage and he was unable to walk. Dr. Cook believed Mugs could make it and learn to walk again through love and rehabilitation. And Mugzy RAN for many years later.

The time came for Mugzy after a very bad week of seizures and his kidneys were failing miserable. I called to make the appointment for that afternoon. Miraculously, Mugzy "came out of it" and zipped around our yard and gave me boxer kisses and leaped and jumped like all happy boxers do. Unfortunately his reprieve was short and only lasted about an hour. I think Mugzy and God wanted me to always remember him as he had been prior to this awful week. Joyful and exuberant and a BOXER! He collapsed in the yard and went into respiratory distress. We quickly drove to the vets and sweet Doc gently said he thought it was time. Mugzy had used up all 9 lives. I held him as he gently passed to the bridge.

[Edited by Robyn on 01-22-2001 at 11:55 PM]

 

[tugger]

We had to put down Cinders. She was 14 and the best friend we had ever had. We rescued her at 2 years old. She had cancer and we did everything possible. Chemotherapy and the alot of expirmental things. It cost alot. Our vet was wonderful. I asked him numerous times to tell me if I was being selfish and he told me that I would know when the time had come. She finally had a stroke that made it so she could not navigate the steps to go out and I called the vet and said it was time. He gave us choices how we wanted to do it. We took her to the vet in the van and he came out and gave her the shot. I too was haunted at her eyes looking at both Dick and I. Her final sigh was awful to hear. I looked at the vet and he was crying also. A couple weeks later we received a certificate in the mail from the UW Wisconsin vet school that our vet had made a donation in memory of Cinders. Quite a tribute to our first rescue dog. We waited four months and after much whining ( on my part) we got Britany another rescue dog. This was very hard to write but probably very theraputic (sp). That was August 26, 1996.

 

[Lava Linda]

I am in favor of euthanasia for terminally ill animals and people. I think that the fact that we humanely end our pets suffering speaks well for us as humans. Conversely, I think making people stick it out to the bitter end, for "moral reasons", is wrong.
Just my 2 cents worth. I know it's not the exact topic, but I feel very strongly about it.

In my time, Boss died acutely at 10 years old, Deacon was shot while roaming, Crystal disappeared and we only found her collar, but the rest of my dogs were helped along in their old age, after their quality of life deteriorated so far that I felt I was only keeping them going for my own selfish reasons.

 

[sammie's mom]

This is such a difficut (but important) topic. All of your stories have really touched my heart. When I was 5, my grandfather gave me my first boxer---Marty. I came from a very disfunctional family & having Marty in my life was probably the reason I was able to survive. My parents sent me away for highschool & it just killed me to leave Marty. Well, I came home for a vacation when I was 16 & Marty was gone. He had been put to sleep. My boarding school was only about 20 minutes from my house--& Marty was MY dog, but I was never called or consulted. I didn't even know he was sick. My mother died 2 yeas ago, & we tried to make our peace, but a part of me has never forgiven her for this. I should have been allowed to be with him--& I know he wondered where I was. It still breaks my heart to think of him going to sleep without me being there with him.

Sammie is 9 & has recently had some health problems. I worry about her all the time. But I know that when her time comes & she is suffering, that I'll do what I have to do for her. As hard as it will be for me, I truly think it will easier this time. Maybe "easier" is the wrong word to use. But I think if I get to be with her when she goes to the bridge, that it will a sad "gift", a "time of closure" that I wasn't allowed to have with Marty.

I feel that having a "pet" is a great responsibility. I have spoken at length with my children about this as I am 55 years old & have worried about what would happen to Sam (or God willing, my next boxer) if I died first. I don't EVER want one of my babies to be alone again.

 

[Chri]

Hey Linda,

As we see the topic is much resented but elaborate documented.
The most difficult thing is to loose your "hunnybunch"
I'm currently without a boxer because I lost my Rosie(female,white, 5,1/2 years)last december to pancreascancer.
I'had to let her be euthanased because the pain was overwhelming her.
Our 1rst one(Bruno,female,fawn) also died of cancer but also of old age(14 years)and had to be put down.
Our second however(Nero,fawn, male,12years)died of a heartattack and was 'healthy' till the end.
The pain of loosing them and the loss itself always stayed the same and is hard to bear.
If they die on their own however it lightens the burden a little.(There is no, or less guilt)
This is my own oppinion off course and must not be generalized because everyone deals with a loss of any kind differently.
Hope you had something out of this; Chri