The final decision
This is the first time I am posting in this group, so I hope it's ok.
I am just going through some moral questioning, and thought writing it down and venting would help me be at peace with my decision, no matter what that it.
I have a 9 year old Husky mix, Scooter (she just turned 9 last week), that we rescued when she was just under a year old. For all her life she has been perfectly healthy until December 1st. I found what I though was a tooth abscess so I brought her to the vet, only to find out that it was a extremely aggressive melanoma. It has grown so fast, and so big that she is almost unable to eat, so we know the end is near. We are ready to put her down at the end of the week.
My moral dilemma isn't with her though, it's with our other dog, Harley who will be 15 years old next month. She was also a rescue that we took in at 8 years old, but she has been my baby since the day she walked into the house.
In the past month her arthritis has gotten to the point that she whines at night, and she stumbles and limps about, but with help, and pain meds she does ok.
In the past two weeks she has become almost totally fecally incontinent. She is pooping in her sleep, and sometimes doesn't even know it. We also, unless we get lucky, are picking up her piles throughout the day. We walk her religiously, at least three times a day, but unless we get lucky, it doesn't matter. She can be out for her walk, not go, and 5 minutes later be going in the house. She has no awareness that she has to go until it's too late.
Otherwise she is a happy lab, whose tail never stops wagging. But she is also a creature of habit who loves her sister that will be gone this week. I don't know if she can handle the grief, and we are contemplating letting them go together.
Although Harley could go on for months yet (remember she is a 15 year old lab) none of her problems will improve. Although my heart is breaking, our Vet says that either decision we make would be the right one.
Just thought I would get this out, and maybe someone would have some words of wisdom for me?
= new reply since forum marked as read
Do what you think is best for them. Life in pain isn't a great joy, obviously.
My parents had an old dog, my childhood buddy, put to sleep many years ago. She also had painful arthritis and yelped in pain sometimes just from shifting position slightly. She'd still give a friendly greeting to me and the other family when we approached her, but the pain could be read from her face.
While at the vet's office to put her to sleep, she seemed genuinely happy for the first time in years! I swear, it seemed like she knew what was going to happen and her facial expression conveyed, "THANK GOD!" I obviously don't know what was going through her mind, but it sure seemed that way. It's forever burnt into my memory.
I can only send a virtual hug for support as you made this very difficult decision.
