Not ready to let go...is that wrong?
@Myferrethatesu (37)
United States
April 16, 2007 6:01am CST
Okay so I was hoping that I could get some advice on this matter. I have had my dalmation since I was 2 years old, he is my best friend, I love him so much. I am now 18. My baby boy is getting so old now, he is just about completely blind and deaf. He still seems so happy though... You know how dalmations smile, if you've ever had one you should know what I mean. lol
He still eats good, and walks fine but my brother keeps telling me that I need to have him put down. I just can't do it though. I mean if he was in pain or sick I would understand that he would be better off, but I can't take life away from him when he seems to still enjoy it so much. Am I wrong? Am I just being selfish?
2 people like this
7 responses
@rusty2rusty (6763)
• Defiance, Ohio
16 May 07
So,did you do anything about your dog or keep him?
I personally would not put the dog down just because he is blind and deaf. If he is healthy and in no pain. Than there is no reason to put him down.
1 person likes this
@r3v3ng3 (484)
• Romania
16 Apr 07
i agree with you.
i don't have a dog , but i have a beautiful cat, which I love very much. he is 5.
OK .. if i were you , i don't know what is the best thing to do ... i think that if your dog isn't sick you can let him to enjoy the life , why should you kill him ? i disagree with your brother.
but when your dog will be sick i think that you have to kill him , i know that this isn't a good thing , but if you want to help him forget about the pain this is the best chose
I wish that your dog lives as many years as possible without suffer and I hope that when his time will come you'll chose what's the best for him.
Remember that your not the only one that had to take this hard decision
1 person likes this
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
16 Apr 07
I think if he is still healthy and happy and doesn't seem to be in pain, then there is no reason to have him put down. If a vet told you that, then I would consider it but not until then. But you will probably someday have to make that decision and it won't be easy. I don't think you are being selfish at all.
1 person likes this
@LadyFenix (110)
• United States
16 Apr 07
I'm sorry to hear
that your brother is telling you this
but I have to say that if
Your baby isn't in pain
he loves you and you love him
and if he's in no pain
there is no need to do anything
but enjoy the last of the time
you both have together
you won't be able to do
all your used to
but you can still
give him happiness but
just being there with him
I only agree with
putting him down
if he's in pain
since he's not
keep enjoying his company
we call know he enjoys yours
(psst get him to grr at
your bro for the suggestion hehehe)
enjoy
hope I wasn't too late
let me know how it goes
LAdy Fenix
@shayd07 (25)
• United States
10 Jul 07
Ofcourse not! Its the bond between a child and there dog. Any one who has had a dog since they were little gets attached to it. And the fact that you were both little makes it even better. Its just part of life when you get older. Think how your parents feel now that your 18. Geting through school, mayb moving out, or married(just by example of course), its just part of life. I feel the same way. I have a 14 year old dalmation, she is in good health but she is geting on in years and the average life span is on 16 for the breed... :(
@twinbulls1980 (104)
• United States
9 Nov 07
hi myferrethatesu!
i noticed that this discussion is grandfathered but i wanted to let you know that i know exactly how you feel about this...in addition to my ferrets i have a 13 year old pug who can't walk, goes to the bathroom in her sleeping place, can't hear well or see well. My vet said that it is fine to let them live just as long as they continue to eat and seem happy to be with you. if they stop eating or can't get out of bed for instance, then their quality of life has become nil and you would actually be helping them by letting them go. so you are not being selfish at all by caring about their quality of life! i'm not sure if your dalmation is still with you, but i know that he loves you as much as you love him!
@Myferrethatesu (37)
• United States
8 Jan 08
Hi,
thank you to all of you for your input it has helped me a lot and my baby is still with me even through the cold winter. He is usually an outside dog but I've been letting him inside when its cold so he is spoiled now and always wants to be inside the house.
He loves playing with my mom's chihuahuas, they are all so cute when they play together. There are three chihuahuas and they love him so much.
My brother still tells me to put him down because the few times he is outside he barks until we let him in which is never a long period of time but my brother is just so impatient he keeps telling me I'm selfish because he hates seeing my boy bumping into things when he walks around outside but hes just blind he still has a great sense of direction and a great sense of smell. Its great to watch him sniff out the chihuahuas' trails and play with them outside. It sucks now though because ever since he has been inside my mom keeps telling me to put him down because she is just tired of cleaning up after him. Whenever I'm home I clean up after him and carry him outside so he doesn't have to go down the huge stairs everytime he needs to go outside, but I figure if hes happy and healthy enough to make it back up the stairs I can help him down the stairs and I want him to be around as long as he wants to stay. Although because they won't let up with their nagging about putting him down I'm going to take him for a checkup at the vet and get an unbias professional opinion, but even if the vet says I should put him down it won't be at that same visit, I'll make sure hes ready to go, I just want to do what is best for my baby boy. Thanks again to everybody I'll try to keep you guys updated.
@shawna752 (93)
• Canada
16 May 07
Beautiful Dog!
Why would you have to put him down if their is nothing wrong with him. If he is still happy, I would keep him for sure. You are not selfish at all. People loose their eye site while getting older and we don't put them down.
Big kiss's for your happy boy
