Dog Days
posted Sunday July 19th, 2009
I just looked at the two dogs sleeping at my feet (both are black with a bit of white, so a photograph is impossible — you’ll just have to take my word for it) and noticed that Rosy, the Grand Dame of the house, has her front leg thrown over Jack the puppy’s muzzle, in a sweet show of affection. Both are snoozing comfortably.
What do I do?! Rosy, as you know from past posts, is long past 14. Old old old, particularly for a big dog. She’s arthritic, covered in lumps and bumps (benign, but still) and I’m pretty sure deafer by the day. She tends to poop wherever she is, which hasn’t been as big a hassle since we introduced the “intestinal distress” diet. She gets pain meds twice a day.
She’s ok. I guess. I can’t ask her.
“You’ll know when it’s time,” people keep telling me.
I’m not so sure. I don’t want Rosy to suffer, I want her to die while she’s still happy, but since it’s looking more and more like I’m in the role of Grim Reaper, how can I kill a happy dog?
Sigh- what a tough call. I went through this process and hit this particular point several times before I knew it was time. I didn’t believe I would know but I actually did- sorry if that is cryptic! Each individual has their own standard for value /quality of life. Mine was pain and ability- clear evidence of inability to feel comfortable (since mine was a cat- lack of response to catnip, lack of interest in usual loves, inability to get up by himself) and gain enjoyment from activities they love usually. How sweet that he is so loving to his pal but comfortable is the operative word in my book. Of course we also have our own limits of being caregivers so that is a factor too. Best to you!