Should i put my dog to sleep Patty is 16 year old sheperd, she has recentley lost control of her bladder and bowls, she also has hip problems and has a hard time holding herself up going potty. she not eating all her food and I feel like she is in pain

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.

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!

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.

you should do whats best for your pet. if she is in this much distress, surely she cant be happy.

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.

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.

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.

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.