Thursday, February 27, 2014

When is it time?


This is Daisy Mae, the Grande Dame of the Wilson Household besides me of course. She is an old lady of 16 years, arthritic, deaf and almost blind, she still is alpha to the other two dogs. Not that they haven't tried to get control.

When is the right time to be merciful and have her humanely euthanized? That is what my dear husband and I asked our vet yesterday. Some days she stands in a corner and stares at the wall. She has lost bowel function quite often during the night while she sleeps. Which is really no big deal...just pick it up with a tissue and flush it.


Now I don't know if you have had any luck photographing dogs but I think it is like trying to tie a ribbon around jello. And Daisy doesn't respond to commands anymore. Well to be honest, she never has. I am not a good dog trainer.

She is down to 23 pounds and I  have been feeding her ground turkey, rice, pinto beans and broccoli and carrots. It takes her forever to eat and we have to guard her bowl lest the other two horn it and finish it for her. And her bowl is elevated for easy reaching.

Surprisingly, sometimes she will take off and run like the wind when she is in the backyard. I guess it is a little like us. I am slowing down as I get older. We are all starting to wear out from the minute we are born. It is just life.

The vet gave us this advice: she said that we will know when the right time is. Until then, we will make our sweet girl as comfortable as she can be.

Thanks for your visit. Hope that spring will come soon for you.

Peace and love of Jesus be with you today and always!

xoxoxo

Charlotte

14 comments:

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

Bless your heart gal, I know what its like to wonder the same thing. I had 4 cats, I had to make that decision and its not an easy one. When you see she no longer seems to enjoy life and pays no attention to food, water or you and just wants to sleep, that maybe an indication. I let my older Male cat hang on much to long as we loved him so much and we had him for so long at the beginning before getting his 3 sisters some 3 years later from the same breeder. He could not drink or chew so the dr gave me IV's for him and I fed him baby food meat, he loved the veal. I did that twice and knew that was not right so on the second day we took him to the vets. Although he would come and lay in our laps and still loved attention and kisses that was still hard to let him go.
So you will see it, when you have to force them or give them IV's for fluids; that is the time for them to go to the lord. GOD said he will give you the desires of our heart, mine is to see our 4 cats again and my parrot. The bible does not speak of animals in heaven and I think back in the Lord's day, they did not make animals pets like they do today. SO the bible does not state where our animals go. We do not know if we will see them as all things are new in heaven, we will have new bodies. But, its a nice thought here on this earth that we may see them.

MY heart goes out to you dear lady, they have lived a super perfect life with you and your hubby. I saw firsthand how you treat those sweet babies. Can you say “Spoiled”?

Gail Dixon said...

I'm teary-eyed, Charlotte. Having been a pet parent from the time I was a little girl, this is the most difficult part. You gave Daisy Mae a wonderful life. You will know when the time is right and I pray for peace for all of you when that time comes.

hootnonny said...

Ditto Gail. Hugs!

Stephanie said...

My heart goes out to you during this difficult time. Our pets leave footprints on our hearts, don't they? Sending hugs and prayers your way!

Sweepy said...

Woof, my Mom Pica was 17yo when the vet said it is time to put her to sleep. It was the saddest time for us but my human said it is better than to wait for my Mom to be sick and in pain.

I will be turning 12 soon and I feel older and slower....

Lisa Gordon said...

I could not agree more with your vet, Charlotte, and given that I have gone though this 4 times in just a little over a year, I can tell you that you will indeed know.

I am sorry, because I do know how hard this is.

Suzan said...

Oh Charlotte!
My heart goes out to you! I firmly believe that animals have souls. They feel pain, they morn the loss of a love one, they feel love and mothers care for their young, as well as each other and are devoted to the humans that love and care for them. They show emotions.
Like you, I feed Augie human food. I use beef soup with a heavy gravy. I don't trust the dog food they sell. No control. I also buy beef liver and cook it, then cut it up and put it over his dry food. It's much cheaper than the dog food and if it's healthy for human, then it's good for the dog. I would think when she can not eat or drink, or stand or walk or you see the pain in her eyes - you will know when it is the right time. Living shouldn't be painful!
God Bless Charlotte!!

Unknown said...

I too can tell you that you will know when it's time. You're an angel.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Such a hard decision to make, Charlotte. We had to do it for 2 cats because to know they were suffering and had no good wuality of life. It is so hard to let go, but sometimes it is the best for both you and yiur beloved pet.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Dear Charlotte...you're getting closer to saying good-bye because you're asking when. Once I make up my mind to say good-bye, it's time and I want to do it in a hurry. The thing I hate is when I've waited a tad too long and, after, realize I could/should have said good-bye sooner. When I thought it was time for Shadow, our first Ridgeback to go, the vet came and we all laid down in the living room. Anne and I petted and loved on Shaddie and she raised her head, looked at me and said, "You almost waited too long. I was already ready to go." Abigail left emotionally because we put her down; it was strange, she was just so tired, so weary and her little body was ready to go to Dave. She'd had a marvelous life, as has everyone who has lived here but Charlotte, make the decision for HER, not for you. That's the hardest, most difficult part... making the decision for her.
You are all in my prayers tonight, pax.

Anni said...

Well, I first meet you through your comment you left for me at I'd Rather B Birdin', and you have me bawling!!

This is so difficult, that, I know. Throughout our years we've had the same and it never gets any easier or better. I say what the vet says, "You'll know"....tho, that doesn't make things any easier on your heart.

Daisy Mae will always have a piece of your love and devotion throughout your life, her memory will never fade, and she'll take some of you with her.

Now before I short out my keyboard from tears falling, I want to thank you for visiting. And know you are in my thoughts...

Love to Daisy Mae too.

Maalaimalar said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Donna said...

I know all to well how hard it is to say goodbye to our furbabies. Daisey Mae has been so lucky to have you as her human mom. {{{{hugs}}}}

Anita Johnson said...

I'm so sorry. We put my sweet companion Buster to sleep almost 2 years ago, I still miss him (You can read about our decision on my blog, tag line Buster) We decided not to wait until he was suffering or when an emergency would take our decision making away. We had a good day with him...we all were calm as we said goodbye. Such wonderful pets God brings into our lives.