 Re: How old is too old ?
[Re: Julie Sloan ]
#363025 - 06/23/2012 10:03 PM |
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" My next trip home to visit, that is going to be a very big and persistent part of the conversation."
MHO is that you are absolutely right, and that you should should be as blunt as necessary.
I get really disgusted with owners who live in hazy denial, when one minute of thought would tell them where their beloved dog is most likely to send up without a written plan in place. It's not pretty. It's not even straight to PTS .... it's usually a couple of unwelcoming and unsuitable homes down the ladder, more upheaval, and then last days spent looking and hoping and waiting for whoever left them there to come back. THEN death at the hands of a stranger, with no loved one holding or reassuring the dog.
I say none of this to grieve members here, because people who regularly post here aren't going to let this happen. I say it to give some true words to those who need them, to make that tough point to the owner in denial.
It just kills me, every time I see it.
And it's ALL THE TIME.  
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Re: How old is too old ?
[Re: Carol Blumlein ]
#363026 - 06/24/2012 12:21 AM |
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If the wife and I left the planet tomorrow I know my kids would be doing rock/paper/scissors, at the very least, over who gets Trooper (lovable clown with a dark side).
My youngest grandchild Scotty already knows that Thunder is his. Durn little (6yr old) beast can make that dog mind better then anyone but me.
old dogs LOVE to learn new tricks |
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Re: How old is too old ?
[Re: Cheri Grissom ]
#363027 - 06/24/2012 01:03 AM |
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I feel that the decision to acquire a dog (or puppy) of a certain breed, an energetic, high-drive dog, a big dog, a dog with special needs, or you name it, depends less on your age and much more on your health, energy level, and commitment to meet the dog's needs. We have all met 70-somethings that could run circles around the average 40-something.
Regardless of our age, I feel it is very important to have plans in place for the continuing care of our dogs if we should become sick, disabled, or die. Don't just assume that one of your friends or family will take them. Talk to the people you have in mind about it. Don't let your dog end up in the dog pound. Ask anyone who works in rescue if this happens. It does, too often.
Absolutely!!! Regardless of age. I just saw an add at my vet's bulletin board for a lovely 10y/o GSD bitch. This dog is Schutzund titled. They are GIVING her away to a good home and say her 3 y/o daughter is also available. Reason: MOVING!!!
My heart aches for these beautiful dogs.
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Re: How old is too old ?
[Re: Carol Blumlein ]
#363028 - 06/24/2012 07:52 AM |
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Many beloved dogs are put to sleep at the bedside of terminally ill patients, or PTS shortly after their death. I have participated in this a number of times. It has always been the stated wish of the owner, and they have been absolutely firm in the belief that this is the right and only thing to do. Some clients have had the pet cremated, and the cremains interred with their own bodies, sometimes at the dismay of the funeral home.
Its occurred to me that ideas humans have remain unchanged from ancient times.
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Re: How old is too old ?
[Re: Carol Blumlein ]
#363031 - 06/24/2012 09:24 AM |
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We have a dog who has some pretty severe emotional issues. Although she is 11 years young, and a heinz 57, she will be PTS sleep if we should befall some accident together. She has enough difficulty in her normal surroundings and I would not put her through what she would go through by having her rehomed, if I could find someone willing to take her on.
I think Mom knows that I would take him and make sure he ended up somewhere good, but I don't feel like I should have to in order to keep her from having to think about it now. In an emergency, yes, because she doesn't want to have to think about it, no. I am having the same trouble getting her to write a will, so I think it is something more than the dog. Who gets the couch is meaningless, though, it is not a living thing. Where the dog ends up is important.
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Re: How old is too old ?
[Re: Betty Landercasp ]
#363035 - 06/24/2012 10:51 AM |
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"Many beloved dogs are put to sleep at the bedside of terminally ill patients, or PTS shortly after their death."
The heartbreak of shelter and rescue work has made me see this as sometimes the kindest thing possible.
People who are terminal and know that what their beloved animal would face would be beyond cruel --- maybe geriatric, maybe "with problems," maybe even comfortable only with the one person and otherwise fear-aggressive, a dozen possibilities I can think of very quickly -- maybe sometimes that is what's behind such a decision.
I've gone through and come out the other side of believing that any PTS of a relatively physically healthy dog is always horrible. There are situations ..... like this one:
We have a dog who has some pretty severe emotional issues. Although she is 11 years young, and a heinz 57, she will be PTS sleep if we should befall some accident together. She has enough difficulty in her normal surroundings and I would not put her through what she would go through by having her rehomed
All good posts. Good topic. Good thing to bring into daylight, often. JMO!
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Re: How old is too old ?
[Re: Betty Landercasp ]
#363039 - 06/24/2012 02:45 PM |
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Many beloved dogs are put to sleep at the bedside of terminally ill patients, or PTS shortly after their death. I have participated in this a number of times. It has always been the stated wish of the owner, and they have been absolutely firm in the belief that this is the right and only thing to do. Some clients have had the pet cremated, and the cremains interred with their own bodies, sometimes at the dismay of the funeral home.
Its occurred to me that ideas humans have remain unchanged from ancient times.
This is definitely better than a life of misery.
On another aspect: one breeder told me, she would rather know her dog was at "Rainbow Bridge" than stolen, lost,and never knowing his/her fate.
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Re: How old is too old ?
[Re: Carol Blumlein ]
#363044 - 06/24/2012 05:55 PM |
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I don't know how I would function if Tanka ever went missing. I think I would never stop looking. I would rather have him dead, like you said, than gone with an unknown fate.
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Re: How old is too old ?
[Re: Carol Blumlein ]
#363047 - 06/24/2012 07:07 PM |
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Most folks would be totally shocked, surprised, even hurt if they realized how easily a dog can re establish a bond with new owners. Even dogs of advanced age.
FOR ME, taking them with me when they can be cared for till it's THEIR time is cruel. Leave them with a trusted family member or friend!
old dogs LOVE to learn new tricks |
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Re: How old is too old ?
[Re: Carol Blumlein ]
#363055 - 06/24/2012 08:52 PM |
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I have a very large extended family, and our animals are always part of the big family. If something were to happen to me tonight, there would be several people who know and love Sadie offering to care for her, and do it in honor of my memory.
If not, they know I would haunt all of them.
Sadie |
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