Some of you will know i have an 18 year old dalmation who is now quite deaf, all but blind and very wobbly. Summer here is a real trial for old dogs but so far we have managed to keep her coolish and hopefully comfortable. The last few days she is increasingly flailing to get up, back legs are just failing, and just now she fell off the verandah for the third time in an hour. She is eating well, but has always been a food oriented dog, and drinks a lot all day. She is not incontinent but sometimes accidents happen as she just doesn't make it outside in time - not a problem for us. She no longer comes on walks (her choice) and spends most of the day asleep on her bed. She has doggy dementia and stands looking at the wall quite often, or blunders into the wall by the door when she misjudges her path, or wants to go outside only to stand by the door to come in immediately she is let out.. My dilemma is this: am I being selfish allowing her to go on in this state, I fear she will injure herself in the near future falling off the verandah,down the steps, just or flailing to get up, it doesn't seem much of a life anymore. She has the rare "good'' day when she seems sort of OK but these are few and far between. And she looks sad! I would love her to just drift off in her sleep but should i be considering having her PTS?

Debs I think you are answering your own question. It sounds as if her legs are giving out and soon she will not be able to go out to the toilet and may end up soiling herself. Would you want that for her. I'm sorry to be blunt but it sounds as though her life is coming to a natural end. Spend a couple of more days with her and if she can no longer stand then I think the kindest thing would be to let her go. I've never had to have a dog pts but I have done it with 3 of my cats. My last cat kissed us all then kissed the vet before she went to sleep. It was like she was thanking us for making the right decision. I never regretted doing it because I loved all my cats and I did what was best for them and not for me. By leaving her for a couple more days you can come to terms with your loss. I'll be thinking of you at this difficult time. Best wishes. June

Thanks June and yes, I sort of answered my own question, but just want to be sure that I'm not hurrying her along. She has given us 18 years of fun and absolutely unwavering love and devotion and I just want to do the right thing by her. Will have a chat to our vet today as well. Value your input thank you.

How very sad for you both. Concentrate on the 18 happy loyal years she has given you and stand strong by her side when she needs you most. Fondest love to you both,

Susan + Archie x

" You may drink my wine; you may eat my food; but you must respect my dog " The Great Lafayette

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Oh Debs - it is so hard. You know her best. If she seems sad then she probably is. Hard though it is I guess it is better for her to go while she is still relatively comfortable than to wait for her to be in pain through a fall or damaged muscles.

Fiona Ffluffi Joy, Manny Moo, Ojo the little black piglet and Toffee - the ultimate rescue dog!

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Jack Russells really are the easiest dog to look after - all they ask is a warm bed, a kind word, a good meal - and total world domination!

I feel unentitled to help you with this question as i struggled with my last 2 oldies,but i do always find it difficult being rational with my own dogs,BUT this is my opinion,she sounds really frail and her quality of life sounds nearly nil,you are going away for a week and although obviously someone else will be with the dogs,you will be miles away,if she senses she is on the last rungs of the ladder it COULD cause her distress with you not being around,i think it would be far kinder to release her before you go and be with her,the final act of love that you can give your dog that has been such a good girl for 18years,like i did you also know what must be done,but it is just ssooo hard,and i really empathise. My thoughts are with you at this time. Angela xxxxxx

.[www.jack-russell-terrier.co.uk] .The Kindness one does for an animal may not change the world… But, IT WILL change the world for that one animal.”

reading this brought a tear to my eye as i can only imagine what a hard decision this is for you. 18 years is an amazing amount of time for a dalmation, remember fondly the great 18 years you have had together, none of us want to see our animals suffer and sometimes the kindest thing to do for them is to let them go. big hugs.xxxx

Oh Deb, I do wish there were things we could do for our oldies. After working for many years in a veterinary clinic and seeing many dogs go on I thought it was selfish to keep them going if they didnt have some serious illness.....until my own JRT (Sandy) got to 15years and had CCD and making the decision had to be mine. She too would stand in doorways and just stair at walls. would walk into things etc but the most heartbreaking thing was she had always been my dog and suddenly she didnt know who I was anymore. She would shy away from me and only answer to my OH Paul. I then had to think quality of life for her......we had Sandy PTS's November 2007. These decisions are very individual and I really wish there was something I could do to help you make it but I cant....will be thinking of you, give her a lovely hug from me. Take care Deb, Janx

This is such a sad post, I'm reading it with tears rolling down my face.

It's a situation we never want to face but sometime will. 18 years is a fantastic life for a dog and you've had many many happy good times.

I think have a chat with the vet and decide from there. You know we will all be here for you.

Someone said on here only last week - your dog doesn't care how long it has lived, it's the life and good times you have given the dog that matters. In your case you have managed to give the dog 18 years of happiness and of course your dog has given that to you.

A dog is for life!

It's time to show the world that more of us support our troops than don't! Remember, if you don't stand behind our troops, then please feel free to stand in front of them.

maybe she is sad cos she senses you are going away? but it does seem as though she is very frail too! big hugs to both of you.

Firstly be proud she has shared your life for 18 long years, that is an amaizing age for any dog and especially a Dalmation. and always remember her wih fond memories, the hard part of owning a dog, any animal, is that they dont live long enough and affect us in so many ways, but where would be if they lived even longer?? I always try to think of it as a special thing we can do for them in their last days, we can end any suffering, or pain and give them that last bit of dignity that they deserve. Know that she loves you and when you decide its the right time, it will be the right time for all and the last act of love and kindness you can give to her.

There is a lovely quote, I think it goes= "Dont cry because I am gone, but smile because I was here"

I too have been reading this with tears in my eyes. Its the hardest decision that any pet owner will have to make. I think the decision needs to be yours Debs, which it sounds like you have already made. As everyone else has said, 18 years is a fantastic time to have, and you have clearly given her the best life. Don't feel guilt, you will be doing the best thing for her.xxx

Debbie , I feel that you have made your decision but are just needing some confirmation and support ? Poor old girl , its such a hard time when our dogs( or any pet ) show these massive signs of old age and infirmity , we expect them to go on for ever . Their great age doesnt make things any easier because they have been part of our lives for so long . I would say that if her quality of life is severely compromised , then you should let her go with kindness and dignity , its the hardest decision that many of us have to make but a selfless and loving one too . Thinking of you xxxx

Love from Kate, Tess, Lily and Thomas xx

Debs, I have just had this very conversation with my mum yesterday over our elderly Yourksire Terrier Sophie. She is 15 and has cushions??sp disease, a hip which keeps popping out and she can no longer negotiate the upvc seal on the door to get out of the kitchen due to the arthritus in her joints and the size of her swollen belly. She is on numerous drugs, can not walk far although still asks to go out even though she can't go more that a few feet. Her marbles are going and she has the most horrendous coughing attacks.

I put this question to her, is Sophie enjoying a quality of life or just existing ? The answer to this question should help to make the very hard but kind decision.

I have now had a phone call this morning from my mum asking if I am available tomorrow to accompany her to the vets for the last time! She is booked in at 14:50pm and I know it is the right decision but still upsetting. My mum was in tears on the phone and i find myself helpless on the other end of the phone.

I wish you all the best in amaking the right decision.

Amanda.x

It is two yrs today that I had to make that decision,and I don't regret it, my 14 yr old Shiba had a heart problem and could not walk more than a few steps, then his legs gave way, and I knew he could not go on, so I let him go with Dignity, bless your doggie 18 is a wonderful age and it sounds like she is ready to rest now. thinking of you.

Glenice.