Making The Tough Decision
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I have walked this path many times over the past years. It is never an easy decision. Mostly though, they have come and told me, its my time, please help.
The main thing is not to prolong any suffering to avoid saying goodbye and causing yourself grief. We have to let these amazing animals go with dignity and without suffering.
While he is eating well you may be OK for a little while longer, especially as he seems to be able to tolerate the indignity of being carried out to 'go'. Basenjis hate to be dirty and you are not letting this happen.
I think I prefer to make the decision sometimes a tad too early than just once too late - saying goodbye is the last chance you get to express your deep love for the Basenji in question.
Good luck - I am sure you will do the right thing when the time comes.
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I lost 2 earlier this year, 15 and 16,
Now we are dealing with a 15 yr old and every night we ask each other "Is he in pain?" No
"Does he enjoy part of his day" Yes.The first girl, we waited a bit too long. I knew this, but forgot - the vet told us her brain was shutting down. She had seizures (for the last 8 mos) and was losing the ability to control her rear legs. He said if all else is healthy, they start at the rear of the body, and gradually lose control of the body, working up to the brain.
So, we are letting the boy enjoy what he can. He sleeps a lot, but he did always like his pillow. When I show him where his food is, he enjoys eating it. Today he was just circling in a small circle. He has a bit of 'dementia' so my husband just grabbed him to sit with him for a bit.
Like Zande said, dignity with no suffering. You just evaluate on a dog by dog basis. The second girl was 16 and the vet said "You just know."
Give yourself permission to decide, and know you've loved him all these years, You just know.
We let her cross the rainbow bridge. -
When your heart is broken
In a million pieces
And you have no tears left to cry
You lay your hand
Upon his head
And whisper in his ear
Of times and fun gone by
The pain is over whelming
As you do what must be done
Remember as he lies so still
That his last race is won. -
As our old basenji was getting up there in years, she lost a significant amount of hearing and sight, but still seemed good with eating, walking. She'd sleep so soundly at time we thought she had died in her sleep.
All this to say we knew we were on the downward slope. One evening we went to the movies and when we came home,we found her entangled in the legs of a stool and she hadn't been able to free herself. She was exhausted and scared and we knew it was time. This was a proud and dominant little girl who I thought would fight us to the end, but she went very peacefully. Looking back, we did wait a couple of months too long.
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@b5004ever said in Making The Tough Decision:
Looking back, we did wait a couple of months too long.
Something which is only too easy to do. But you did the right thing in the end - and can take comfort from that -
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This morning we let our beloved Rocco go. It was his time. In two months he would have been 17. We are totally crushed!!! The vet tried to help and she was very understanding. The only comfort that I have was that I wrapped him in his favorite blanket and hugged him until he was gone. He lived a marvelous long life. We will miss him for a very long time. At the end he loved to sleep. He looked very peaceful when he was sleeping. Now he’s sleeping and in peace forever. Thanks for your support.
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