Surgery or Let Her Go :-( ???

[Stephveda]

Thank you all so much !!! I knew this would be the place to come because a lot of you have been there and you all love your Labs or did as much I love mine. You all have no idea how much your words, thoughts, prayers and sharing your own experiences have meant to me.

[barry581]

I know how hard this decision is for you. I've been through it too many times. We owe them to let them pass with their dignity and I've made that promise to all my Labs over these many years. No matter how hard it was for me, I always made the decision as to what was best for them. Someone here once made the statement, "better a day to soon, than a day to late".

I truly feel for you, and hope and pray for as many days as you can get. In the end, it's never long enough, but always know they will live forever in your heart.

[dynamicgang]

I am sorry. I think you are making the right decision.

BTW the old forum crashed a few years back and everyone had to r-join. All the posts were lost.

[rochie427]

We've lost 2 dogs to cancer. The first one my husband didn't have the heart to put her down when I knew she was ready to go. Needless to say she passed when I was at work and I had a very strong premonition she would not be there when I got home. When our second dog got cancer I was more attune to her body signals. When she would no longer eat or drink I knew it was time. Her face said it all to me. We called the vet and told her it was time. We stayed with her until the end.


You will make the right decision and no matter what she knows that she was loved very much.

[Blackboy98]

I am so very sorry you are going thru this time with your beloved pup. 13 great and grand years you have given her and she has shown her love to you.

I went thru the same thing with my Cracker as many there have and all I can add to the many thoughts others have given you is to look to your heart and do not let her suffer or wait too long. She will ALWAYS be with you even as she crosses the Bridge and you should be with her when she does.

Until that time, love her hard and deep.

We will be here when you need us, lean on us and we will cry with you.

[TXLabLover]

I am so so sorry that you have to go through this. Sending love and prayers your way.
I agree with Doreen....it's better a day early than a day too late.

[windycanyon]

A long time lab breeder posted years ago that she'd rather let her dogs go on the early side too. I agree. With my first, we went to McDonald's drive thru followed by one last mom/pup walkie. It's tough, but imo, the kindest thing we can do at that age vs surgery that is likely going to be much harder on them.

[Tanya]

sending good thoughts. Hope things are going ok.

I'm struggling with similar issues (though not surgery at this time, just...judging pain and the entire quality of life question).

[Snowshoe]

18 is about as old for a cat as 13 is for a Lab and I was in a similar situation many years ago with Osteocarcoma in my cat. It was operable but she had to go away to U of G Vet College and she was so closely bonded to me I was never able to board her, it traumatized her so badly. I learned that after boarding her once at the Vet. So I said no, and watched and waited. Twitchie hung on for several more months and I made them as pleasant for her as I could. Till it was time, which I decided when the cancer started growing again. You don't always get a clear sign like a bump on the head getting bigger after not changing for some months. It can be very hard to tell and they don't help you. I'm sorry you are at this point, it's very hard. I'm at this point now with another 18 year old cat, she's weak and not eating much but she purrs and walks and uses her litter box. It's hard.

[Stephveda]

Thank you all so much again..