I have a 12 year old GSD that has been diagnosed with degenerative myeolopathy (sp?) about a year ago. He has progresed to a point where his back end is atrophied and his back feet are scared and bleed if he walks any more than just to go outside for a potty break. His whole back end sways when he walks and sometimes his back legs just give out and he falls when he is just trying to stand.
His mind is fully in tact and he is the alpha male of my three dog pack. If you looked at him and could see just the front half you'd think he's fine. He is the 'fun police' between my other two dogs when they get wild and keeps things in order as he sees it his job.
He was my schutzund puppy when I got him at 7 weeks old, but he didnt have a smidgen of prey drive, in fact he just wanted to be by my side and nothing else. I ended up showing in conformation and obedience in AKC for several years, got him titled and felt that was the most I should ask of him. He would lay down and sleep at these events and people and their dogs would have to step over him. He has been my loyal, big sweetheart and stood by my side for over 12 years now, pretecting me with nothing more than his stark beauty and stoic presence. He would never hurt a sole.
Now I have to decide what day to put him down. I am having an awful time trying to decide 'if it will be today'. I take my dogs for walks and play after work every night and my poor big guy, Apollo, just follows me around, trying to play and keep up. He is the typical shepherd and would follow me until his back legs literally fell off, even then he would still try to keep up and walk with me.
He's been on rimadyl for almost four months now and he had a steroid shot a few months ago also. He literally chews on his back feet- supposedly from the discomfort??? I tend to think its his allergies, not really sure.
I keep hearing people say 'you'll know when its time' and Im wondering if I just dont want to hear it...cuz I really dont.
I need for him to die with dignity...but how do I know when that is??
I am asking for input from others that have had to deal with this. I know his absence will affect my pack, my younger GSD is a SAR dog and she sooo looks up to Apollo.
Please help; I need advice!

Kelly, can you get an RX for oral Pred and give him some relief from the itch (I agree with you) that's causing such misery with his feet .... and maybe grant him a comfortable period? That's a factor that pain meds and lying on a heated pad, etc., cannot relieve. It's cheap, it's short-term ... can you ask the vet about that?

I would set about things one step at a time: Perhaps call the vet and discuss that, perhaps plan the day that he goes (he needs you to do this last and most loving thing for him) rather than wake up every day with the agony of "is this the day?"

Maybe a special time with you for both of you? A special day with his favorite low-level activities and foods?

He needs peace and no more pain, and you need a good memory to add to all the other wonderful ones you already have, I think.

The issues about the pack disruption are separate, really.

I have learned in recent years how good it can be for the other pack members to have no confusion at all: to have been allowed to come in and see and sniff your wonderful boy after his spirit moves on, and to be aware in their great "live in the moment" way that this natural transition has happened.

There's another thread here about this, in which the owner planned and walked through the process in posts here. I'm hoping someone will recall a search term ... was it CJ's dog? It's a wonderful thread.

Remember that the other pack members will need more than anything to perceive a strong pack leader and no disruption in their status. This is security to dogs, IMO. This is a critical need for a dog, I think ... too often not met, but that you can meet.

Many others here will have better thoughts for you. We have just about all been there, some of us at an age to have been there many times.

It's hard. But you can do it, and you can be proud forever of how you do it.

It's the hardest decision any of us ever has to make. Unfortunately, it's one we all have had to or will have to make someday if we have dogs. It almost sounds like you have made up your mind that it's time, just you are having a hard time accepting it. If you have a good relationship with your vet, it might be less stressful for him and for you to have the vet come by your house. When the bad days outnumber the good days is a good way to judge whether it's time. I am so sorry you are at the place all dog lovers dread.

This is the thread I think Connie was talking about. It's by CJ Barrett, about her amazing dog Edward. http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/264734/page/0/fpart/1

My thoughts are with you. This is never an easy thing to do.

--Kel

Kelly, I'm so sorry. I've been through this three times in the past, and it is never easy. But the one tiny bit of comfort I've found is to remember that you are giving a very great gift to your friend, not taking something away. Leaving this earth in relative comfort and calm, with a loved one nearby is the greatest thing any of us could ever ask for. If any dog ever deserved such a gift, gentle Apollo does.

I like Becky's suggestion that "when the bad days outnumber the good ones" as a way to know when it's time. I also think that by honestly asking yourself whether delaying is for him (he's not ready to go), or for you (you're not ready to let him go)--will help you find what you're looking for.

Spend a special day with him, like Connie suggests, and listen carefully to him and your heart. Perhaps it's not time yet. But when the time comes, try to remember the gift, not the loss.

QUALITY of life is the most important thing for any of us, 4 legged or 2 & when that is not good....it is time. We have all had to do this for our 'friends'. It is never easy. But it is also wonderful that we can do this for them so that they are at peace & without pain.

Plan that special day very soon. Apollo will always be in your heart. He will be waiting for you at 'the bridge'.

 Quote: Kelly

This is the thread I think Connie was talking about. It's by CJ Barrett, about her amazing dog Edward. http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/264734/page/0/fpart/1

My thoughts are with you. This is never an easy thing to do.

--Kel

Oh, thank you, Kelly. That was indeed the thread I meant! It was before I knew CJ as well as I/we do now.

That was a very valuable thread, I think, and I thank CJ for it.

 Quote: connie sutherland

Maybe a special time with you for both of you? A special day with his favorite low-level activities and foods?

He needs peace and no more pain, and you need a good memory to add to all the other wonderful ones you already have, I think.

I'm sorry to hear about your dog, Kelly. I agree with what Connie says above.

About 5 years or so ago I had to make the decision to PTS my incredible dog Logan who had been a part of my life during some of my most difficult times. He suffered from DM as well, and the fact that there is nothing wrong with the front half of their bodies or their mind/spirit is what makes the decision so difficult.

My dog had difficulty walking and also started to have difficulty "holding it," causing him to have accidents in the house. I alerted the vet that the day would be soon, within the next week, and he said I could bring my dog in at any time. I waited until Logan was having a good day where he was mobile and not struggling so much to walk. I took him for a short walk to a local park and sat on a park bench with him for a long time. When back at home, I let him eat some bread (his favorite thing in the world to eat!) and then we made the drive to the vet's office.

The decision is never easy, especially when it involves such a wonderful dog who is so important to you. However, I found it comforting for me (and I hope for my dog) to have that last great memory/time together and not wait until he was suffering so much that we weren't able to do so.

Kelly,

I am so sorry. I know your pain and what you are going through as I just went through it last month with my heart and soul Poe. Poe did not have DM but the symptoms were similar in that he had lost the ability to essentially use his rear legs well. While, he did not lose his bowl functions, he could not get up on his own and was only standing for about 10-15 minutes a day when I would get him up to go to the bathroom. He also had some discomfort unlike most DM cases.

I had the same questions that you have as Poe's mind was all there and I can honestly say that I have never loved another creature - be it human or animal - as much as I love Poe so the idea of letting him go was incrediably difficult. With that said, I knew I owed it to him to let him go when the time was right for him.

The night before I let him go I called a close friend of mine who had known Poe since a puppy (I actually met her when I signed up for puppy classes with Poe) and what she said resonated with me. She said that the time would never be right for me to let him go and it would be painful whenever I eventually decided to do so but after it was all said and done I would have far more regrets if I waited too long to let him go than if I made the decision on the early side.

After hearing that I woke up the next morning and knew it was time. I am blessed with a WONDERFUL vet who knew what I was going through as he and his wife had lost a Chessie to DM and knew what it was like to have a dog with the mind all there but the body failing. Even though it was his surgery day at the vet hospital, he called a couple of the clients with appointments that day and rearranged his appointments so that he could make a special trip to my house to let Poe go at a time that would give me enough time to take him to the crematorium to be cremated that same day as I avoid at all costs my dogs being put in freezers. I just can't handle the thought of that....

At the end of the day, I am glad that I let him go when I did. He passed away with a mind full of love for me and the ability to see the love I had for him not a mind clouded with pain and/or confusion. It has still not sunk in that Poe is gone and I do not think that I will ever truly get over losing Poe but I take comfort in knowing that I let him go when he still had his dignity. I know that this is what he wanted.

My thoughts are with you in whatever you decide to do.

Thanks everyone for your input; much appreciated and eye opening. I'm gateful that there are people who can give advice 'from the outside' so to speak. I will take it all to heart.

Ingrid-
I read your post about Poe- in my searches for similar circumstances; I'm very sorry for your loss. I agree with the 'words of wisdom' that your friend gave you about having regrets if you wait too long.

It is so sad to me that my big guy who has been the patriarch of good behavior for my other dogs has to go. I think there is a LOT to be said for teaching a new puppy (or dog) about fitting into a family when you have the ultimate role model right by their side leading the way. He made my job tons easier just by being himself and 'knowing' what his job was.

I actually have to print out all your replies so I can lay in bed tonight and read them over and over.
I don't know any of you, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I know Apollo does too.

Kelly