When Is It The Right Time To Say Goodbye?

Your dog is not suffering so I suppose it is okay. Of course it would be ideal but how can you when finances are so low. So continue loving your baby and hope that she can hold on longer. So as all above I agree you are not being selfish dear sometimes this happens, at least you are loving her and keeping her as comfortable as possible.

Jugs is right, as long as the dog is in no pain, they can still live a happy life. You'll know when it's time, your dog will be slower to walk and will show signs of pain and then is the time to consider what to do. Ask your vet and see what he or she suggests, because even when a dog has some problems, a vet will know more about what your dog is really feeling and can give you signs to look for.

I'm sorry to hear this about Bandit. I know she is your baby. The way I feel about these things is as long as she is not in pain and is not experiencing any discomfort then she should be okay. She is able to do as she normally does. Her life has not changed then she should be okay. When her quality of life changes that is when you need to think about doing something to have her rest. Because when she is no longer able to do as she normally does or is in pain then you don't want that for her. When she looks at you as if she is tired or just can not do things anymore then she don't need to go on like that. You will know when that is. Bless you and bless her. Love her while she is there and give her what she wants. That is what my vet told me.

Are these benign tumours? Sometimes, even people get these. I know there's a human condition where they grow and surgeons just have to (ugh) snip 'em off. Unsightly but not life threatening. A lovely 11-year old lab goes regularly to my vet to have hers done. The owner's in the same position as you, but her dog now has mobility problems and failing sight. All the same, the vet says it's up to the owners - she's a good vet, not a money-raker, but says the dog seems happy - she's eating okay etc. Point of fact - got a miniature rabbit with an inherited dental problem so once a month his teeth need trimming. Few months back, aaarrgh - great big lump in his jaw! No pain, eating okay, but vet said it was an abscess that would most likely get bigger. She put him on antibiotics for a couple of months, but kept saying how rabbits with this generally suffer and have to be put down. At this time Smokey was losing weight even though he was eating, but we had an idea it might be due to the exercise he was getting running about and teasing the newest family member (see below.) We regularly cleaned and drained the abscess, and I tweaked the treatment so the rabbit got more antibiotic early on, then reduced the dose as his own immune system took over. Our Dalmatian pup meanwhile took it on himself to "nurse" Smokey, licking the abscess site daily - much to Smokey's disgust. I imagine this helped a lot, cos ... Today, Smokey had his teeth looked at - vet was amazed. Abscess is totally gone, and the rabbit has put on all the weight he lost and then some. We could have had him put down at the beginning and saved a lot of money, BUT HIS QUALITY OF LIFE WAS GOOD SO WE DIDN'T. So long as your pooch isn't in pain and is eating and alert, with bright eyes, I'd say put up with a few vet's bills - it's rare that old dogs don't have a few health problems, like old people. I've got all this to look forward to - Dalmatians are known for kidney problems in later life. Not a damn thing I can do about it - it's an inherited trait ...

I think you are a wonderful dog mother and bandit is very lucky to have you. I know it will be very difficult to say goodbye to your baby, but in a way you are bless because you know you will have to say goodbye and you have that chance to share as many days as allowed. If I were in your situation, I would probably let nature take it course, especially if the little darling is not in any pain. I know she will continue to be in the better hands she could possibly be in. Creating more vet bill for yourself is not a wise choice if it not going to prolong her life for any significant amount of time. Loving her to the end is the end is the best medical you can give her. Blessing to you both.

if she not in pain its not time do you know what kind of tumors they are? if they are not cancer then i would not be concerned with them at her age the surgery would be more risky anyways. Many dogs get fatty tumors when they get older and these tumors don't effect there quality of life in the least. When its time for her to go you will know. Like you I am much in the same position if you look back a few discussions you will see one called "saying goodbye" which pretty much explains what i'm going through with my 15 year old pup he has had a heart murmur for 5 years now and is in the final stages of heart failure now. I face the same question you are asking yourself every day for the last few month but I know I will know its time and he will tell me. When they no longer have the joy for life they once had or get excited about the little things like cookies and car rides thats when its time. To me it sounds like your girl still has time left in her and the two of you should focus on making it some of your best times together. Enjoy each day with her baby girl and don't worry about making the wrong choice when the time come you will know deep down inside.

You sound like a great dog Mom to me and your dog sounds happy and contented and happy with life. I think either you will just know when something changes or Bandit will find a way to let you know. Everything will be okay till then so try and enjoy this time and not worry. The end will be sad enough.

My heart breaks with you. I lost my Sherlock not even a month ago. If she is happy, and not in pain, and her quality of life has not suffered, I would say let her be. But the first sign that the pain is going to be something that sticks around, I'd lean towards letting her go. Watching out little ones in pain is torture for us as well as painful for them. In the meantime, and I don't know if she would even have info, try to get ahold of Pyewacket here. She may know some place that you could contact to ger Bandit's surgeries done cheaper.

Oh snoopyfan.... as long as Bandit is eating, she's not ready to go just yet. When a dog stops eating then it's time to do the hard but best thing which is to have her put down. It's the hardest deg gone thing to do, believe me, I know because we've had to put a couple down and it just breaks your heart but we knew it was time when that time came and you will too. So for now, give her lots of love and enjoy every moment you have with her because it does sound like her time is nearing. Sorry sweetie. Just enjoy every moment you can with her.

The way i see it, is that if the dog has no pain and seems healthy other than these growths, then why hurry in having the dog put to sleep just yet.Also if the dog is still eating good, drinking and wagging its tail, then i can not see a problem.I think that you are the only person that really knows your dog, so you will know when the time is right to act on when to have her put to sleep.I had my dog put to sleep a few years ago and i asked a vet to come to my house to put him to sleep as i did not want him upset or stressed, he was old as well as really poorly and the vet could do no more for him.

Hello snoopyfan.. i believe that it is not necessary to put her to sleep. for me, maybe God is giving you more time to be with her and so i think you should cherish those times and make more memories. I also don't think you are a bad dog mom. you paid $500 for an operation. that's a lot of money. you are definitely one remarkable dog mom. i am a dog lover too and my mom is a vet. and well i love my pets so much and so i understand the attachment you feel. so i wish you more good memories mate.. :)