Having to make an extremely difficult decision here.
By kris182_2000
@kris182_2000 (5444)
Canada
December 14, 2011 9:47pm CST
I'm having an extremely hard time right now, wondering what to do with Jazz. He's finding it more and more difficult in our house and I'm not sure what to do.
I had put up an ad earlier trying to find him a home where it would be easier on him, and someone responded calling me selfish.
The biggest issues we face right now are the stairs and the floors. While there are only 2 stairs outside and 3 inside, Jazz has an almost impossible time getting up them. The ramp I built for him, he refuses to use it.
The living room is fully carpeted, but the dining room isn't. I have an area rug in there, but with Saber running around, it gets shifted constantly. One thought is to try to put some carpet tape on it.
I've tried taping carpet to the back stairs, but again, Saber tears it up, so Jazz can't get up the tile stairs as a result.
So why should he suffer? I want him to go to a home where there is more carpet and less stairs.
I'm being told that I should just pack up and move somewhere else. How am I supposed to do that when we're just getting by as it is?
I'm also being greedy by trying to recoup some of the food that I bought for him, special food that can't be bought in the average store.
But yeah, I'm supposed to uproot everyone here and figure out where to move us all. Not really possible, especially when we have 3 roommates and other animals in this house.
So what am I supposed to do? Let him suffer here with the stairs, or have him go somewhere where he can be safer? I'm not sure what to do.
I know it's more difficult because he's an older dog, but I wouldn't be the first person trying to find a home for their older pet.
Even with carpet all over the house, I just can't do anything about the stairs and that's my biggest concern. If he were to fall down the stairs, I couldn't pick him up, he's too heavy for me.
I'm at a loss right now.
4 people like this
11 responses
@goddess888 (52)
• Philippines
15 Dec 11
I'd say it's time to call Cesar Milan! Just kidding. But you might to consider it. He is really good with dogs. He's got a website and a facebook page so you can try to ask him how to deal with your dog.
It is hard to teach new tricks to old dogs so they say. But you know, you can try to find someone to train him to climb the stairs. It could also be because he is feeling too heavy himself to go up or down the stairs. Maybe he needs a diet and more exercise.
Do the best you can to keep your dog. Try to compromise. Hope you find your solution.
1 person likes this
@bonbon664 (3466)
• Canada
15 Dec 11
I wouldn't give up on the ramps just yet. He just needs to be reassured that they're ok for him to go up and down. Take him up and down the ramps on a leash, rewarding him for doing so. Perhaps he will get the idea, and realize that's what he should be using. I don't know your whole situation, but, I do rescue, and it is VERY difficult to rehome an older dog. So, I'm hoping the ramps work out.
1 person likes this
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
24 Dec 11
Don't see anyone suggest you might try canine glucosamine? I'd talk to a vet about it.
Before glucosamine was available for dogs, I had a 14 year old Labrador retriever that the vet told me firmly with his size, 80 pounds, to give up the idea of helping him get around that the condition of his arthritis was such that it was an indicator of his declining health and he would not be able to do the things he loved to do. My dog was a very active dog and his laying around whining was just so painful to watch. He would wait until he could hardly move to go outside because it hurt him to get up and down. What finally helped me make a decision about him was the day that no matter how much we coaxed him, he wouldn't get up. He no longer could do any of the things he loved without excruciating pain and aspirin wasn't helping him at all. I didn't want to let him go, but I had too and I knew it wasn't fair to ask him to continue to try to please me and make me happy. I'd kept him longer than I should because of my problem of letting him go. I do not see where even moving to another place would help much and I would consider it more selfish to ask everyone to move to accommodate a dog with arthritis. When the vet put him to sleep, he told me my dog had lived an active life far longer than most of the dogs of his breed usually lived. Amazing when I stood there he looked so at peace with passing on to doggie heaven. I still swear sometimes I see a ghost in my house of him, and he walks with one of dogs to this day. Obviously I was extremely attached to him and I even shed a tear as I write this. Hope this helps you make some decisions.
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
22 Jul 12
Sorry for the delay on responding! I am really curious of the outcome of this situation. How old is this dog now (I really don't remember and finding the older discussions where you might have mentioned it would be nearly impossible)? I remember when my family moved from Alaska to Missouri back in 1977 we had to find a home for our 6 year old St. Bernard that we had for over five years and when we tried to give her away the people brought her back the next day because she wouldn't stop crying/whining or whatever. She wound up at the pound only because we didn't have room for her and six people in the van we had. I hope you were able to find a home for Jazz because I'd hate to hear that you had to just get rid of him. Have a great week!!!
@kris182_2000 (5444)
• Canada
22 Jul 12
Never wound up doing anything about him, but now I need to figure it out more than before. He's slowly becoming paralyzed and that's not a good thing.
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
23 Jul 12
If he is becoming paralyzed, he must be pretty old. Would he even ACCEPT a new home or would he by like my dog was when we tried to give her away?
@kris182_2000 (5444)
• Canada
23 Jul 12
I posted a new topic on this yesterday, explaining what the condition is that he probably has.
I don't know how well he would adjust to a new environment, but he adjusted quite well to us when we got him 3 years ago.
My boss wants to take him to the vet to see if this is what he has, but I really can't afford the cost at the moment. You'd think I could considering how much work I'm doing.
1 person likes this
@Robswife2006 (1208)
• United States
16 Dec 11
I know this sounds crazy, but do you know anyone who is good at creating things with wood? I was thinking something along the lines of a skateboard only wider so your dog can lay on it. The you can attach a strap that goes around his waist & simply pull him up the ramp. Like I said I know it sounds crazy but it just might work. It would be a lot easier then trying to carry him up & down the stairs anyway.
@writersolutions10 (497)
• India
16 Dec 11
It would be tough task to take a decision at a right time. Before taking it we need to think twice and take a decision. Rest depends on fate and life
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
15 Dec 11
Well, I will give you some options here: get him to a vet and get him checked out.
After you hear what the vet has to say, then you can make your decision from there, if it is something treatable that he can easily recover from, then let him carry on, but if it is something that is not treatable and his time is limited, then you have two more options: let him live until he passes on in front of you, or euthanize him.
Either one will be difficult, believe me, I know because I have been through it with my Frisky. He had Feline Leukemia, Stage 4, and there was no cure. He has to be put down because he was suffering too much.
@allknowing (136100)
• India
15 Dec 11
Your love for Jazz indeed shows. You certainly cannot uproot yourself and others to accommodate Jazz. The best would be to send him where he is comfortable and offer to buy him food and also get a commitment to visit him occasionally.
@sijabatnaburjut (2171)
• Indonesia
16 Dec 11
Hi...I sounded I was not helpful for your problem. We have different way dealing with our animal. I was sorry to say that we didn't put the dog inside of our house. I used to have a lot of dogs, but I felt for them and sad sometime when they had to sleep outside of our house especially with the little one. Luckily, we have a diligent dog, we didn't have to take care of the babies of our dog, because they put their babies far far away from human intact. I remembered I have a female dog which had five kids and she gave them life under the ground and it was very hot. It took months for us to find the shelter of her babies. I love dog and like them so much. But, there are families here as well who loved their dog more than they loved themselves like you did. I might suggest you to walk your dog up to reduce the heavy, because he was to lazy to go up and down the stairs. And if he had been too old to do exercise, you have to put attention the way you feed them. You can still helped him by reducing food which contain too much calories and fatty things. I hoped you would then solve your problem in there. Okay.
@bjc66bjc (6730)
• United States
15 Dec 11
Hi kris, it sound like you are in a very difficult decision situtation.
You do have to make a decision for the dog...I can tell you I am not
an animal lover but neither would I ever abuse them..I think they have
feelings just as humans and some people treat their pets better than
they treat other human being..and thats good for them...I am not there
yet.
I think you should really think the entire situtation through thoroughly
make the decision and just do it...Once you reach a conclusion just do
it don't linger with the 'what if's" or the "i wonder"..just do it and
get it over with...I am sure you will make the correct decision.
@justdontbro (5)
• United States
15 Dec 11
I would not give up on him!! I do feel bad that he has a difficult time getting around but I'm sure there is a perfect solution out there. I would definitely not move from your home. I think you will just have to bear with that fact that he is getting old and won't be able to move around like he used too.
