That is a question only you and your vet can make, to be fair to you and your pet. Talk to your vet about it and I am sure they can be of much more medical and supportive help than we can. It is a difficult decision, and one that hurts when one has to do it. I have had to do it once. Your vet ought to be the one talking this over with you now. They know the medical issues and have alot of experience with this. Sorry about your pet. I hope the best for you and for your pet.

I just went through this a few months ago and it is a heartbreaking decision to be faced with. As Ginsu pointed out, you should talk this over with your vet. You have to do what is best for your dog, not what is less painful for you. My mom had an 18 year old dog named Patti (how funny) that she just couldn't face putting down even though she was no longer enjoying her life and in a lot of pain. Same thing applied when we put our Australian Cattle Dog down, she had cancer, she was 15, and she was not going to get better--no matter how much we wanted her to. If she's in pain, take her to the vet and let them advise you. I think you already know what the answer is going to be though. I am so sorry to hear about your dog. I hope everything works out.

If she is in pain and there is no other way around it putting her to sleep would be the humane thing to do.

Only you can make that decision. If it were me.. I would not let my pet suffer. My pets are loyal (for the most part.. they turn on me for dog treats in a new york minute) .. they offer unconditional love.. keep me company when I am sad.. they are just amazing.. I would love my pets enough to let them go and be free from pain. I have had to do it and do not regret it. Bless you.. I know it is hard.

I think that you alone with the advice of your vet should make the decision. It can be a heartbreaking and difficult decision to make, but might be necessary and better for your pet.

Yes, by all means. You know her better than anyone and if you believe she is suffering and you have a chance to end it you should. Its too bad we can't show the same compassion to humans.

It would probably be the kindest thing you could do for her. At 16, she is already beyond the normal life expectancy for a large breed of dog. The health problems, especially the bladder and bowel control, are probably distressing her as much as any physical pain that she may be experiencing; this was explained to me by a vet many years ago when my own dog has severe arthritis. Of course the vet is the best source of advice about diagnosis, what treatments are available and how successful they are likely to be, but I am sure your dog had a good and happy life with you and that she would be miserable indeed if you allowed her distress to be prolonged any more than it had to be. Bless you for sharing your life with her for so many years and for caring enough about her to want to know what's best for her in her final days and weeks.

I think in this case you already know it's time. Hard and painful as it is. I went through this with my big old Bossco dog several years ago. Ooooh he got peeved with me! I only debated with my self in denial a few days but it was long enough for him to start giving me THE LOOK. "What exactly are we doing here? YOU promised never to let me suffer or feel like this...and HERE I AM. I can't get up and down, you are lifting all 110 pounds of limp dog every time I need to try and go out, I'm starting to fall down when I try to go potty and I don't know about you, but I don't LIKE getting my own poop and pee on MYSELF and having to lay on a freaking plastic thing with my blanket...All this special people food is great...but if you don't mind the rest of it is starting to suck rocks an I'd appreciate it if you'd give me a way out of this mess!" I made the call and that dang dog sat there wagging his poor stump of a tail (lost it to the cancer that eventually caused us to have to let him go), the entire time I was on the phone. When I hung up, he licked my hand. That night for dinner he had a little dry dog food, a big hunk of mashed potatoes with gravy and boneless chicken breast cut up; and then a bowl of vanilla ice cream with Hershey's drizzled over it. (NEVER FEED A DOG CHOCOLATE ANYTHING, UNLESS YOU ARE GETTING READY TO HAVE THEM PUT TO SLEEP ANYWAY, then I say all bets are off. Our Lab got chicken thighs bones and all at the vets before we carried her in for her final shot...the vet agreed, this is the one time you need not worry...do what makes YOU and your DOG HAPPY). On the way to the Vet's Bossco also had 5 cheeseburgers from MC D's and a big fry order...he and I lay on the grass in our Vet's front yard and she did the proceedure with me laying next to him, my arms around him, and him giving me a big wet lick good-by. He was ready to go and didn't appear to think much of me hoping that he'd rally forth again, he knew better. I still miss him, he was the best therapy dog I ever worked with and the love of my heart. Of course, if your girl has a wicked sense of humor...as Boss did...be careful picking your next dog...Boss (I'm convinced) steered me to Hannah...since I wanted a bitch when he and I chose each other. "You wanted a girl when we met...well...lookit here...take THIS ONE!!!! And I'm sure he has been laughing his doggie laugh ever since. And...don't be fearful...when you are ready to get another dog...I think it's a tribute to the ones gone that they loved us so well...we've become addicted to that special love and MUST have more of it to feel that life is right and good!

I have always owned a lot of dogs, up to nine at one time (though I only have five at the moment!) so I have had to go though your situation on quite a few occasions. The trouble is that you just can't see them getting old because you are with them every day and that's when it gets difficult to make 'the decision'. Incurable, obvious pain is clear cut. Old age and the quality of life is difficult to judge, so over the years I have set a simple rule: if they can poo, wee, eat and drink without problems, then they are left to live out their days in the sun. If any of those basics become a problem, then I know what I have to do. Not saying that's what you have to do, it's just the mean I use and it works for me.

If it were my dog, I would end her suffering. Sixteen is fairly old for a shepard and with all of the problems you describe, a painless death may be the most humane thing.

Yes you should put the dog to sleep because,she's suffering.

Man has dominion over animals. They should not abuse that authority but use it in harmony with the principles of God’s Word. This might include not letting a pet suffer needlessly because of very old age, severe injury, or terminal illness. In such a case, it is the Christian’s responsibility to decide what to do. If he decides that it would be merciful not to let a pet continue to suffer without any reasonable hope for recovery, then he may choose to have it put to sleep. “The righteous one is caring for the soul of his domestic animal.” (Proverbs 12:10)

I have just lost my beautiful dog Molly after 13 years, it was one of the worst times in my life. Fortunately she died naturaly and with minimal pain. If you feel putting her to sleep is the right thing to do? then do it, but ask a friend to take Patty to the vet, or ask the vet to come to your house... You must prepare yourself for a sad time either way. Just remember all the good times you have had together ... Best wishes and love to you both.

This is a very hard thing to do. I know, it happened to me about 6 years ago with my Lab. He had the exact same problems that Patty has. Tyler was the absolute best dog anyone could ask for and he was my baby for 15 years. Looking back now (I was watching videos of him last week), we should have done it sooner. He appeared to be in a lot more pain than we realized. I guess as they say love is blind. The point at which we made the decision was when he lost control of his bladder and there was blood in it. We knew it probably wouldn't be long before we would come home one day and he would be gone. At least he didn't have to go alone. We were with him till the end. I hope this helps. Thanks, Lisa

sorry to inform all of you that I had to put patty down this week she was very sick the fet said it was the right thing to do I will miss her so much. thanks for all the suport.

Definitly. She has no quality of life at all. And it's up to you to make sure that she doesn't suffer more than she needs too. The sad thing about animals is they will hold on longer than they should just to make us happy. I've seen more than one horse and my mother's dog holding onto life just to be with their owner one more day. All were in terrible pain and only one horse and the dog were put down humainly after months of misery. The last two horses were practicly torchured to death by well meaning owners who didn't have the strength to do what they needed to do.

only if the dog is in pain they are many pain treatments for dogs now even with cancer remember some vets allso think in terms of cost in my view if the dog eats well and still takes a walk in its garden and is pain free / pain killers/ treatments why not let it live its days out ps i am so sory about your dog i am also at this stage with my 16 year old dog

NO! u gave it a home, until the end

People get old and we don't put THEM to sleep.Why should it be different wtih dogs?And dogs are meant to live their full life, not a short one because of shots.No matter how much you think it would be the best thing for your dog, it's murder.

I'm so sorry you had to go through this. You did the right thing. It's up to us to keep the quality of our pets lives high. It is an agonizing decision you had to make. Remember the good times and she will always be with you. My Girl has been gone for six years and I still "talk" to her. She was the best dog we ever had.

Im in a similar situation and I dont know what to do its killing me, i dont want her to suffer and i dont want her to die as she hates being alone, she gets so scared and upset. My dog tara was taken ill 5 mnths ago she had a emergency op and they removed her spleen it had a cancerous tumour on it, and she got over the op and was doing really well, however 3 wks ago she was not feeling to good so we took her to the vets thinking she had heurt her paw, and we were shocked to be told she would not live 24hrs as the cancer was back and was on the liver and she was bleeding inside, she is only 8 yrs old. We could not believe they said she would die during that nite, she had not really shown signs of her being so ill, she was running around like a puppy and eating well etc, so we got a second opinion and was told the same, however she did not die that nite and she was fine for about a week then we have seen and watched her slowy change and become less mobile and her belly has become swollen, she has had good days and bad days but now we know its nearly the end and we are very close to letting her go. The problem I have is how can we let a vet inject her whes she still wants to live, she is so alert she wags her tail gives us kisses she does not want to leave i keep asking myself who am i to say to her you have had enough now, will she not just die when she has had enouogh but then i think i should make the decison- i just dont want to loose her

sorry to say my little dog tara died on sat she died at home naturally, we are very upset and missing her terribly

If you love her then ending her suffering who be the best thing to do.

Let the dog be free and not suffer any more... remember all dogs go to heaven..:)

You made the right descion. It is always so hard to put a beloved pet down. But I think it is harder to watch them in pain.

I read this quotation many many years ago "Brothers and sisters I bid you beware of giving your heart to a dog to tear." By Rudyard Kipling... Just thinking about you and Patty is making me cry, I think I shall go and hug my furkids in memory of you both.

Talk to your vet first. If shes in extreme pain put her to sleep. It is better then seeing her in pain or her being in pain.

Although I am sure it is an excruciating decision, if she has lost control of her bladder and bowels, in addition to possibly being in pain, it is probably time. How old is she, poor thing?

As hard as it may be for you to let her go, I think it sounds like the best thing to do. I'd want to end her pain. Plus animals don't feel pain when being put down. I think you should.

I understand exactly how you feel. I have a 14 year old lab that has lost control of his bladder and bowels. He can't get up by himself because his arthritis is so bad. He can barely walk once I get him up. He needs someone with him all the time. The shots and pain medicines don't seem to be helping anymore. We had to have his sister put to sleep in Jan. because she had cancer and was really suffering. I let her live longer than I should have. Now he misses her and he's miserable --except when I'm holding him--then the tail wags and I'm lavished in kisses. Just by writing this down, I know what I have to do. But it's so hard! I love my dogs--just like you do. I sympathize with you.

I'm sure she had a long great life!

Sadly my family and I are taking Tessy to the vet for her last day.She was 8 weeks old when we got her and she is over 15 years old now.I should of done this sooner but was too stubborn and didn't want to let her go.We are sad and have shed alot of tears today but know in our hearts that we are doing the right thing.I think Tessy can sense it and she is ready.She has been such a good dog and we will miss her.Its a tuffie I know.

Sadly today we are taking Tessy to the vet today to put her to rest.She was 8 weeks old when we got her and she is now over 15 years old.This is something I should of done sooner but I didn't want to let her go.We have shed alot of tears today and know in out hearts that we are doing the right thing.She can sense it and she is ready.She was my walking buddy for so long and has been the best dog a family could have.Its a tough thing to do but I now feel a sense of relief for her.We will miss her and I know its the best thing, Good Luck in whatever choice you make and remember that your dog deserves peace.

yes

I just put my dog Sandy to sleep just this last october during halloween because she had really bad artheritis and hip problems and we felt so bad b/c she couldnt stand up to go outside potty or get up to eat or drink and we had to carry her everywhere we felt so bad but we knew she was in pain by the way she kept looking at us, giving us a sign that it was time for her to go we finally couldnt keep holding off hoping she'd last another year she lasted until she was 12 years old. But if you think that Patty wants to go then let her, its really hard to do though. But I hope you do what you think is the right thing.

Yes. 16 years in a dogs life is like 112 years in a human life. you know she is suffering from joint pain. Keep her memories always in your mind. Let her go.

of course your vet says it was the right thing to do. the vet doesn't make any money unless you put the dog to sleep! the vet also wants you to put the dog to sleep because they know you will probably buy a new dog and then pay more money to the vet for shots, etc. you are wrong for putting the dog or any other creature to sleep. that is God's realm. when the dog needs to die, the dog will die on its own. your vet is a killer and you're an accomplice to a killing, so you are no better. SHAME ON YOU!

I definetly think I would she has lived obviously a long healthy life and so the end is a little rough, plus with her hip problem she may be in a bit of pain as sad as it is it would probally be the best thing to do for her.

Leave Patty be. She'll die on her own. No use feeling guilty -- she's just a dog.

Leave Patty be. She'll die on her own. No use feeling guilty -- she's just a dog.

Leave Patty be. She'll die on her own. No use feeling guilty -- she's just a dog.

Leave Patty be. She'll die on her own. No use feeling guilty -- she's just a dog.

What ended up happening?

If she's getting in the way because of these problems and she's in pain then, I hate to say it, but yes, I suggest putting her to sleep.

I know how you are feeling. I went through the same situation with my 14 year old Pomeranian. You will be doing the right thing by putting her to sleep. It hurts a lot, but it will be the right thing to do. I have tears in my eyes, and I don't even know you or have ever seen Patty. It is painful to remember what I went through, and I am sure you are living that same kind of painful moment. Good Luck.

If it were you, would you want to be put down? I would.

aww she is so cute and im sure she will be in your heart forever. Im sure she will never forget you whereever she is now

Rest in Peace Patty

Rest in Peace Patty

I would

For one she is a Shepard that is a long life and for two she is in misery like a human can't hold her own and you as an owner have a choice unlike us as humans. I say yes put Patty down.

If I felt my dog's quality of life was fully compromised, I would. 16 is toward the end of the lifespan for a large breed, so that's why you're seeing the problems you are. You can wait and let her pass on her own, but it depends how you feel about the amount of discomfort she's in and how she will live the rest of her life. My 17 y.o. husky died within a 24 hour period and had been healthy up to that point. If she hadn't, we would have wanted her out of misery.

I think that euthanizing her is your ONLY option. Fortunately for our pets we can do what we cannot do for humans (although I think we should). When I had my cat of 13 years put to sleep, I was so distraught that I could barely see to drive home ( still don't know how I made it ) however, my baby was ill and probably in a lot of discomfort. I could never have let her suffer another minute. By the way, if you do decide to do this FOR your Patty, I think that you should stay with her while they administer the drugs. It may be hard for you, but I believe the last thing your pet should experience in life is the comfort of the sound of your voice and your unique scent. At a later time you will derive some comfort in the knowledge that you were there for her right up to last minute. God Bless!

You should put the dog to sleep. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your best friend is to let them go with dignity. The loss will be extremely hard to deal with. Many shelters now have options of Kennel dedications. You can donate the money to support a dog kennel in Patty's honor, and know that the gift from your good dog is helping many other homeless dogs find love.

its the hardest, but the best for her./

By what you have written I think you have answered your own question dont you ???????

I agree. I think that it is the kindest thing that you could do for her. She has had a good life and you should cherish the memories that you have had with her. It is going to be hard but you would be doing the right thing.

yeah if she is in pain why let her suffer. p.s i feel very sorry for you because i know what you are going through. sorry.

If you have already put your dog to sleep, I wish you peace. If not: If it is something that is not going to get better, you have to do it. Especially with pain there. It is the worst thing you will ever have to do, but you have to think of the dog and suffering. If it was you, would you want to live? I nursed my dog back to life, once and she lived two more years before having to do it. Ask the vet if there is any hope. May God be with you what ever you do.

That is tough... I would be suprised if she has a whole lot longer. Which ever way you go. You have to live with the ride home from the vet.. Pain is a big issue, and big dogs just have bone problems.. you'll do the right thing. When its over let your self remember what is good in the memories.

If you think its right its right but dont do it if it will make u feel bad. If he is whining and crying it probaly would be best because no one would like to have the pain that she is going through. She has probaly had a great life and it is time for her to go and look down at you just remember her soul will follow you every where you go. Also she will be with youin places dogs aren't able to go.

I'm crying as I read all of everyone's comments. My dog Lissy is 16 and her health is deteriorating more each week. She is actually laying next to me, watching me write..can't stop crying. She has been with me since I was 21 - through a marriage, a divorce, another relationship, another breakup, several moves, mountain and river trips, holidays...and on and on. She's been with me half my life. My heart is breaking to see her struggle to get up..She is my buddy. My family calls her the "watcher" b/c she is always watching where I am. She is losing bowel continence now..like every other day. I am torn when she wags her tail or gulps her food like she has her whole life. I haven't seen "the look" yet but feel it is soon coming. I'm grieving already.

I'm so sorry to hear your dog is suffering and I know you are too watching her suffer. I recently had to put my cat to sleep. THe vet told us that it was the one last favor we could do for our beloved pets so they won't suffer anymore. It was very difficult but we stayed with her the whole time and I know she is no long suffering. I like to think we will be with them again some day.

I would have to say that would be the most responsible thing to do. My boyfriends dog is almost 16 and he is a lab retriever mix. He is incontenent, senial, blind, deaf, ocd in many ways, and has so many tumors on his body it hurts just to look at him. they are not cancerous but they look like they hurt. he can hardly walk and has had two hip replacements. they won't put him down because they are too atached to him but i would say at this stage in life he is not aware of what is even happening around him. he is loosing control of the very thing that makes us the living. his body is alive but his mind if you ask me is gone.

I believe that we, as pet owners, have a responsibility to do for our pets what they cannot. i am a long time pet owner--have lost 2 dogs to natural deaths, and have put down 3 others due to old age or injuries. Patty is very old for her breed--and it sounds like she is uncomfortable--if she were my dog, I would put her down. However, consultation with your vet should come first. I have a 12 yr old boxer and will soon be faced with the same choice---my heart goes out to you.

It's such a tough decision. You have to search your heart and figure out if you're keeping her alive because it's the best thing for her, or if you're doing it because you don't want to lose her. If you think she's in pain, and she's 16, I think you'll know the answer when you ask yourself the above question. I'm sorry this is happening. I've only been through this once, with my 19-yo cat. I kept talking to him, begging him to just go to sleep on his own and not wake up, so I wouldn't have to decide. I did wind up having to take him, but the vet was wonderful. Hugs to you.

i agree with the many who have already answered. I would put her to sleep, she will be with you forever and thank you for doing the right thing. I know it is hard thing to do, but if she is in pain i am sure she would love to just go to sleep.

So sorry for your loss. Had to face this myself last year and with 6 dogs now, will have to face it again one day I'm sure.

yes, you should put the dog in a potato sack and hit him with a Mickey mantle baseball bat

do the right thing and let patty go w/ dignity...maybe this will help you The Rainbow Bridge There is a bridge connecting Heaven & Earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass. When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm spring weather. The old and frail animals are young again. Those who are maimed are made whole. They play together all day. There is only one thing missing: They are not with their special person who loved them on Earth. Each day they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up! The nose twitches! The ears are up! The eyes are staring! And this one suddenly runs from the group. You have been seen, and when you and your special friend meet, you take him or her in your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and again, and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting friend. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.

Yes let her go , My Shepherd was 15 years old and had the same problems she had been on pills for arthritus for 4 years but was fit and happy. When she lost the use of her back legs the look in her eyes was so bewildered that we knew it was selfish of us to hold onto her. We called the vet,I cooked my lovely friends favourite meal and them we laid in front of the fire until the vet came my husband and I laid with her while she was put to rest. She was not afraid and went very quickly and painlessly. It hurt badly but she was out of pain and her ashes are buried with my husband and son.

I believe it is the most humane thing to do. You will be sad but your dog will be at peace.

I would. I think it is the humane thing to do.

as hard as it is to put a family member to sleep , if you yourself fell she is in pain I would do the humane thing as well and let her have her peace.

this has happened to my friends male GSD, he put it down. It was in way too much pain...

After having a pet this long I know it is hard because my father had to put down my lab Buddy when he was 13 yrs old due to parvo. It is not easy but is taking away their pain also and really this might seem silly but i think that all dogs really do go to heaven.

Hell i hate saying this but yeah. Thats exactly the way my border collie went. She was almost sixteen. She'd had multiple strokes, going blind, totally deaf then the whole bladder weakness etc kicked in. We had to put her to sleep. Broke my entire families heart. Its never an easy decision to make but it is for the best. A year on and i still find myself expecting to see her everytime i go to my parents house.

I write this knowing that you already have put Patty to sleep. It's such a hard decision. Blue was 16 and a half and could practically speak English. One day, after a long time of helping her pee with a towel I would hold under her stomach to help her squat and carrying her upstairs and downstairs, I had some friends over and was crying as I was telling them how hard it was to decide whether to put Blue down. Blue heard/saw me crying, lifted her head and then pulled her body up to walk over to me. She put her head in my lap to comfort me because I was crying. "See??? How can I bear to put her down?" A week or so later, the vet came to my house. I spent the whole morning petting Blue, with her head on my lap and her body on the couch, and reading her from James Agee's A Death in the Family. The vet came and gave her a shot to just make her sleep first. After she was clearly asleep, he gave her the lethal injection. I felt relieved afterward because I had been crying and doing my mourning for the three weeks it had taken me to decide. I waited ten years before I got another dog, who is now 13.

yes. Nothing should suffer like that.

its way past time-if you can, please stay with her. hug her until she goes. but do it soon, you know its time. i am sorry.

My dog has bad hips but to date has control of everything else.He is 12yrs. Understanding and have already sent my last dog to doggy heaven I answer your question.Your dog and friend asks you to let him go-if you can, have a vet come to your house to do it.Incase you have not put an animal to sleep before,I can tell you it is extremely peaceful. Take care of you lisa

You know this is one of the hardest decisions you will ever have to make. I am struggling with the same thing. My 15 year old lab is senile and has run over and injured my little dog very badly, threatened to bite family and my other little dog and just not herself anymore. A lot of the time she is unhappy and fearful and does not walk well and won't go outside. She is deaf and half blind. And yet at times she will run through the house and seems excited and like her old self (usually about food). She falls down a lot too. She is out of control and the vet says he would probably put her down if she were his. And yet I don't because it would be so easy and convenient and I want to. She is not my dog anymore. So I don't because I don't want to abandon her because it would be so easy especially when I her run about.It is an impossible place to be.

I had to put my darling dog cross colle retirver to sleep yesterday I was heartbroken but she was so sick she couldnt get better and I knew that as I love her so very much if was the most loving thing I could do bit Ima bsoluteoy heartboken to day and keep sobbing, I miss her but I know ive done the right thing. be positive and think of all the happy and fun times, your dog is a terrific age and I bet shes been loved and spoilt all her life take care of your self topop its a hard time for you at the moment but my best advice is talk about it to people and try and be strong and find your happiest photo of the dog and put it near your bed it does help I lost a dog suddenely last year and it was the only way I coild get to sleep at night for the first wek or so with love and friendship mariannax

This is such a private and painful decision to make. I won't try to tell you what to do. I can say that if Patty was mine...yes I would put her to sleep. Good luck! I am so sorry ........

We are going through the same situation right now. Our dachshund Arthur is 11 years old and has 4 tumors in his rear end. He is having difficulty going to the bathroom and often goes in the house. He can't walk well and is very lethargic. We have made the decision to put him down. Although it is a very difficult decision and we'll be sad to be without our friend, it is the right choice so he won't suffer anymore. He was a great companion and friend. He made our lives better by being with us for those 11 years. We will miss him very much.

i wouldn't. take her to the vet and see if she can do any thing about her hip.and if she doesn't get better. she will be in a better place.IM SORRY

yes, it is hurting you worse to see her suffer.

I would like to say that I agree with the comments here regarding this matter. However, I would like to pose a rhetorical question to everyone who said 'yes' to euthanasia. When the issue comes up for humans do you ALL automatically say 'yes'? I was just curious 'cos It's a difficult thing to debate but it never seems to be when it comes to animals (probably 'cos we know it's right) but if that's the case why can't some people agree it's right for us too? Or is it too painful to see our human loved-ones die? (no matter how much like family our pets are our human family are STILL closer family)

I had to do this for my 13 year old Schnauzer. It was the hardest thing I ever did in my life. I had to do it on my own, because my husband had to fly out of town on the day it was scheduled. I cried for weeks. I still cry every once in a while. I miss her soo much. She was my first baby. I knew this was what was best for her. She had no control of her bowls and she was blind and had very little hearing left. As bad as I felt, I knew this was the right thing to do. Weigh out the pro's and con's of putting Patty down. Do what your heart is telling you is the best thing for Patty. Good Luck

i would so shes not in pain!

You can do whatever you want to do its absolutely up to you

Doesn't sound like much of a happy life to me, I know I would not want to live that way. If a dog is in pain, the best thing you can do for them is to let them go in peace. Your pet trusts you. I know it hurts you to do this, but think how much your beloved pet will hurt if you don't........

I feel the same as you do. Unless the vet told me that it was time because my dog was in pain and had poor quality of life, I don't think I could do it. I have a 15 yr old springer spaniel. He was diagnosed with a heart murmur 17 months ago. We were told he had maybe 1 1/2 yrs to live. He's on meds for it and sleeps a lot. He has recently lost control of his urine...he dribbles everywhere. Now he is pooping w/o realizing it. He'll go outside and come in and poop in the house. My husband wants to put him down because he is afraid that we are going to get sick from all the pee and poop in the house, but I don't because his mind is still good. He waits for me to get home like always and expects his treats. I don't really want to go to the vet because I know what he'll say. I have to decide what to do but no matter what, it's going to be difficult.

Unfortunately, yees I would. I had a poodle at 13 go blind. That was not problem at all. The older she got, her arthritis was hurting her, she wet herself all of the time and I totally could not move her without myself crying. I took her to one vet, they suggested medication. Well she was super old and I did not believe the meds would help. I took her to another vet, they said she was in so much pain that the only thing that would do her any good is to put her to rest. I hated to but I did. I still to this day miss her. She does not hurt and I hated that I did wait so long to do that. I wish you the best of luck to whatever you decide.

the best thing you could do for your dog is to probably put it down because it has reached over a dogs normal life span so it probable is in pain. but if you don't put it down the best thing to do is check the vet more often,give it lots of warmth,at night give it lots of blankets and give it lots of love and care.i think it will do just fine.i put my dog down because it had all the same problems but i know now the she will rest in peace and will be happy.

Yes, I know it is very hard but it is best for the dog. I am sorry for what you are going through! Take care and best wishes!!

yes, if you think she is in pain, it is the best thing to do for an animal you love. 16 is very old for a shepard. remember all the wonderful times you had with her, and i'm so sorry.

yes, think of the dog. Sounds like she is suffering!

maybe your dog has given you all she can give you. you must make a selfless decision for your companion that she cannot make for herself. i just had to put my 11 yr old dog down and it nearly destroyed me. but i did it because it wasnt about me anymore. you need to ask yourself if her pain outweighs her joys. you may want to put her out of her pain before it reaches the point desperation so that she can leave this world with dignity and the least amount of suffering as possible. look into your dog's eyes and she will tell you what she needs. i honestly believe that.

Yes! Once they have got to that stage, it's kinder to have them put to sleep because they are not going to get better. It's too bad humans don't have that same option when the same thing happens to them.