My poor pup is dying. He's called Lucky and, despite that he's 12, and we've had him 11 years, he's always been our "pup". I'm only 16 so in theory have grown up with him. My two older siblings both moved countries this year and Lucky and I were all each other had really. He's had a few bad experiences. We got him from a Pound and they had a notice saying if no one bought him by a certain date he was being put down, and we luckily were in the Pound the day before this was meant to happen. My mum, dad and two siblings had had a dog before who had to be put down due to leukemia [sp?] mum was reluctant to go through it again but we HAD to help him. Obviously we took him home and since then he's been knocked over and almost drowned in a resivoir last August. Despite this he's always been healthy and happy, and overcome all of that. He's not ill, he's just old, and he's slowed down and barely can walk. Last night he was walking along the living room floor and his legs just gave way. He also keeps chocking randomly and he looks kinda sad sometimes. Today thought he was following me everywhere, up stairs and everything, as if he knew mum and dad were considering having him put down in an attempt to say "Dont let them take me".

He is my best friend and I honestly don't know how I'm going to cope. What's worse is I'm going to France tomorrow and am home on Friday but mum's worried he won't make it til then. I desperately want him to make it to the weekend cos my brother and sister are home then too and at least we could all have a proper goodbye. He's barely eating or anything now and I can't stop crying.

People keep telling me to think of the happy times and that I will get over it in time but I really don't feel like that. Whether he passes away himself or if he's put down I will be devastated. Obviously we gave him 10 extra years he never would've had but I can't let him go. I'm not ready to say goodbye yet. I honestly can't bear to let him go. It's tearing me apart and while some people understand [only the ones who have or have had pets do] they sympathize for a minute and then move on. But it's KILLING me. I don't know how I'm gonna cope.

Sorry that was so long.

Has he seen a Vet recently?

I don't want to get your hopes up, but it may be that there is something the Vet can do.

Good luck (((xxlouxx)))

Sorry to here that Lou.

I was the same with our second dog. My parents got her when she was a pup and I was born a few months later.
When we were both 9 she got really ill and had to be put down. I was devastated but still quite young.

The worst though we our dog Fi, she was always like my dog rather than a family dog. She used to follow me around all the time. When the dogs were allowed upstairs she would come up to my bedroom and blow through the gap between the door and the floor so I would know she was there and then she'd come in and sleep on my bed. She had to be put down because she started getting really vicious towards our other dogs and strangers. I was destroyed. That was 3 years ago and I still get really upset when I thing about it.

It's a horrible thing to go through and nothing anyone says is gonna make you feel any better I'm afraid. You will just have to let yourself be upset for as long as you need...cliche though it may be, time is a great healer. Eventually, instead of being sad about him passing, you'll be remember the good things.

xxxxx

sorry, double post.

(((((((((((((((((((((((((xxlouxx))))))))))))))))))))))))))

I wouldn't like to see an animal slowly die like that. I suppose I'd opt for the most preferred option.

xxlouxx, so sorry to hear about your pup xx My family dog died when I was in my 20's and I'm not ashamed to say I wailed like a baby in the vets when she was put to sleep. She was coughing quite badly as well - really bad hacking coughs that used to really take it out of her. It turned out the cough was caused by tumours in her throat. I'm not suggesting your dog is the same, but you should get him to a vet asap. If there is nothing that can be done for him, than it really is the kindest thing.... I know just how hard it is, but it really is a peaceful way for a dog to go - the vet gives him an anaesthetic first, so he just goes to sleep really quickly, then he gives the injection that puts him to sleep - he doesn't feel it. It will be a comfort in time to know that he was able to go without any suffering.
I really feel for you, lou, it really is hard to say goodbye to an old friend, and only animal people get how tough it is. You'll always have your lovely memories with Lucky x

I'm also very sorry to hear about your dog, Lou.
I agree with those who suggested you take him to a vet and see what advise. Maybe his rear legs would benefit from some medication, (if he isn't on any treatment already), the vet will weigh that all up, I'm sure. If he is going down hill to the extent his life is no longer a blessing it is a kindness to prevent suffering and let him go to sleep. I know this is not easy but sometimes we have to be strong and in order to prevent suffering a decision may have to be made.
The vet will take things into account and advise you.
Many of us have experienced what you are feeling just now and feel a lot of sympathy for you because our animals become like family and it's very natural to feel as you do.
Take care x

Hi i agree with others have you had the dog diagnosed as dying? The choking could be a heart problem or something minor, the legs could be rheumatics which can be helped with medication. 12 isnt THAT old for a dog in the great scheme of things.

Look I know how you feel if you follow my posts I have just lost my best friend Ben who I had for over 161/2 years he was 17 when he passed. IT WAS the hardest thing I have had to cope with he was my best friend.

BUT you have to weigh the possible suffering of your old boy to your feelings I am afraid you just have to be very very brave. IF the vet feels it is time for your pet to go then you need to say goodbye to him your dog will understand I can assure you. HE might be following you and looking at you trying to get you to understand that he NEEDS TO SAY GOODBYE TO YOU.

It wont be easy no way. I am 57 and still cry when I think about my friend not coming through the dog flap everyday.

We had a service for him on Sunday and all the grand kids came and we put his ashes in the ground with a marker in metal and picture of him and now Ben can wonder the garden when ever he likes. There is a wonderful poem which will help you it helped me. Its called RAINBOW BRIDGE. http://rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm

I hope it gives you some peace its lovely and helped me come to terms in someway with my loss (a very nice poster gave me the link when I was sad).

An animal is a wonderful companion but sadly they dont have our lifespan BUT in the time they are with us they give us so much love and affection it is hard to loose this, but you can have some great memories.

Time DOES HEAL, and even though you dont believe me it will get better.

But you have to think what is right for your pup and if you have to say goodbye then you know thats the right thing to do. BIG HUGS. Maria

Sorry to hear about your poor Lucky! You may well be surprised what your vet can do for Lucky because we were in a similar situation with one of our old Bassets several years ago when she was just almost 13-years old.

We got up one morning and she had 'collapsed' on the kitchen floor and could not get up off her stomach, so I picked her up and put her back in her bed and rang the vet at 8.30am and she said if I could lift her into the car, to take her in at 9am.

The vet sounded her heart and said it was strong and said she would give her an injection of strong anti-inflammatory and I think it was around the time when Metacam first came out (I'd never heard of it before). Within about 15 minutes my dog was standing up and walking around happily and wagging her tail again so I was to give her a highish dose of Metacam for several days and then gradually lower the dose until after 2-3 weeks she was on a maintenance dose until she died.

My lovely dog I thought we would be burying that day had another two+ happy years of life and although we didn't walk her very far after that, she still enjoyed strolling around the garden and laying outside in the sun and she lived a couple of months past 15, when her kidneys had failed and 15+ is a good aged for a Basset Hound.

Hopefully your vet can help Lucky in a similar way.

Hi, I am sorry to hear about your dog but don't give up hope. Have him looked at by the vet before you get all worked up about things - it might not be as bad as you think.

I'm sorry to hear about that! We only had our 18mnth lab for four months before he turned seriously ill, we thought we were going to lose him but the next day, after a night on valium and diazipan(sp) he pulled through, it turned out he only had epilepsy which had built up over the time it remained undetected, and its now controlled by medication, we were completely bereft when we thought we were going to lose him so i know exactly how you feel. So i suggest like every one else to take him to the vets, and don't give up just yet. I hope all is well xx

My friend sent me the Rainbow Bridge poem yesterday. It's helping.. thanks

dont want too sound nasty as i have been through the process myself twice ! but you should take the dog to the vets not leave it too suffer at home.....it should be your priority.
hope all works out for you and the dog