I had to put down my cat on 12/23. DD bday is 12/24. Yes, it was horrible and very hard but part of being a responsible pet parent is knowing you will do the right thing when its time. I used Lap of Love, a service that comes to your home. I did not do this for my cat but only a few months later I had to put down my dog and I did use their services. Both were done very well but with Lap of Love, there was NO stress. He (dog) was calm. Both suffered with different cancers and both very very sick at the end. All I can say is if you choose to wait remember this is a holiday season. If things go downhill quickly in the middle of the night, you will be facing an emergency with all the associated costs and anxiety. This is one thing you have control over. I know it's hard. Best to you and family.

Please don't let your Doxie suffer.

I'm so sorry; it is the hardest thing to have to decide. But graywings is right. Do not delay, if it is time. It is the right thing to do. It will be much more difficult if she continues to suffer and there are no services available over the holidays.

I know it must be very hard, but honestly I would go ahead and take care of your sweet dog now. Think how dreadful it would be to face a crisis on the holiday itself.

It's time. There is never a good time. Do what is best for the dog.

I'm very sorry.

ML

I am so very sorry, and my heart goes out to you. A little over three months ago, we were at the same place with our sweet Tiger kitty. You know when it's time. You hope and pray and wish that they'll get better ... but when it's truly time, you know. Listen to your heart, even though it's breaking. Making that decision is one of the hardest things to do, but it truly is a mercy. I pray you will be overwhelmed with peace and comfort right now.

When it's time, it's time.

Our most recent loss, our beardie, went downhill fast and I couldn't imagine making him suffer another day. It was just too painful to even wish for him to suffer further so I could hold onto him just one more day.

I'm so sorry for you pain.

If your beloved doxie no longer can enjoy life, you, your family, the fresh air, a nice breeze or his food, it's time

If he's in pain, it's time.

I think they try their best to hold on for our sakes, but then they have their way of letting us know it's time to let them go.

You'll meet again. Remember that.

Such a hard decision. Not whether to do it but when to do it. Will she get better? Does she have a decent quality of life now? Who will feel better if you wait? You? Her? I have thought the time was right only to have a pet rally a little. And die 2 days later. It will be just as hard no matter which day you choose.

She's still eating and will pep up when she sees her leash, but I hear you all. :(

I'm so sorry! It is so darn hard. Don't wait, it won't help anyone to watch her suffer, regardless of the timing with the holidays. Sending big hugs to you...

In many years of pet ownership, I've had to put down many many dogs, and the only regret I have ever had was waiting too long and letting the dear dog suffer longer than necessary. Don't wait.

I agree with all of the above . We just put down our Peke who was 18 years old. So hard to do but like one of the other posters, our only regret is that we too probably waited too long. We miss her so but know she is no longer suffering. Sending hugs to you as you deal with this. Take care.

So sorry you're going through this. There is no good time to lose a fur baby, but you know when it's right and to not let her suffer...perhaps she needs to go to the other side to join your father as his xmas present....

Oh Polly ((((hugs)))), we've all been in those shoes and no question about it, it's torture, but knowing when it's time to let them go and being strong enough to do it is the one last gift of unselfish love we can give our beloved pets.

I am so very sorry Polly. I wish you comfort and peace in making this decision. (((Polly)))

I'm so sorry you and your doxie are going through this. I agree with all the posters who said they have regretted waiting too long to do what is inevitable and best for my pets. It never feels like the right time but eliminating suffering is the kind thing to do. Hugs to you.

So I prepped my 12 yr old, while she was loving up the Doxie, a few others got jealous

Polly, I'm so sorry you're going through this, especially at the holidays. I have had to say goodbye to many pets and it never gets any easier. But it's part of the unwritten agreement when we sign on to care of and share our lives with our beautiful pets. It's a kindness to not let it drag on. As sorrowful as I felt, I've never regretted a single decision I've had to make. It's part of life and done out of love. Wishing you strength and comfort.

She did what she had to do for you by getting you through some tough times. It's time for you to do what you need to do for her.

She'll be with your dad and your other dog. Love her all that you can but I suspect you know that it's time.

I'm not sure that there ever is a good time. I'm so sorry.

I am so sorry you are going through this.. but as you can see, so many of us have. It's the worst and most important responsibility we have as pet owners.

One of my dogs was declining in Dec a few years ago.. I knew the time was approaching (she had cancer) but I also knew she wasn't ready. I could see it in her eyes and in the way she interacted with me and my other dog. I was able to manage her pain and her anxiety (she had a adrenal tumor) through the month and I did my best to fill her days with love. On New Year's day, she just stopped.. stopped looking up when someone walked by.. stopped eating.. stopped having any real interested in going out. I knew the time had come and on Jan 2, I helped her peacefully let go.

For me, unmanageable pain would be a reason to not delay .. but for both my dogs (one had cancer, one died of very old age), it wasn't an issue of pain. They both let me know they were tired and ready to let go. I can't tell you how I knew-- but i promise you, I just knew. You will too.

(((HUGS)))

Tearful hugs to you and your doxie. My 15 year old girl is pacing around, and I can't even imagine. We might have another year with her. You'll make the right decision.

I'm so sorry. My Sissy is 14.5 and the day after Thanksgiving I had to take her to the only vet that was open that day. Had a knot come up on her face. I thought it was an abscessed tooth but he told me that it wasn't and that he didn't want to guess what it might be. I told him I didn't want to know. He gave her antibiotics for her infected gums. The knot is gone and she acts like she's feeling better. Still doesn't have much of an appetite.

Cute picture. I know you and your family will sure miss her. I will say a little prayer for you.

You'll know when it's time.

I can't add more to the good advice people have written above, but want to let you know I'm sending good thoughts to you and your family. Hope it helps to know so many of us understand.

Best wishes to you, your family and your dog. It is always a tough decision I was really hoping my 18 year old cat would make it through the holidays, especially as I had some health issues this fall. Sadly he declined quickly a few weeks ago and I had to say goodbye, couldn't even wait for his regular vet appointment but had to take him to the emergency vet on the weekend. His back legs gave out also and that's when we knew it was time. Like your situation he still had some quality of life so it was difficult to make the call but after his decline it became clear that we had to take him in.

I found this quality of life assessment online and it made my decision to take him in a lot more clear and gave me some peace with my decision.

http://www.naturescornermagazine.com/help_companions.html

Just reading the quality of life assessment has me crying. That's a good summary, and thankfully we have a long way to go.

She was a hand me down, rescue. She was already ten when she came to us. Soon diabetes and a uterine growth slowed her down..but did not diminish her spirit. Sweet and trusting to the end. It has been four years now and it feels like yesterday. Coming home to no greeting will never be fun.

Arcy- she was a cutie!

update: my DH feels she's not quite ready to go yet, she frolicked over to him when he walked through the door last night, and ate all her dinner. He's a better judge than I with these things, but I know it's coming. I will keep you all posted.

And thank you all for your kind words. It really means a lot.

Polly, I'm in this same sad boat with you. I have a 12 year old Westie who is the love of my life, and she's got untreatable cancer. We're keeping her comfortable with pain meds, and I watch her constantly, knowing a horrible day is coming. I have no advice for you, just hugs.

I'm so sorry. I was in your shoes this time last year. I knew our almost 13 year old German Shorthair Pointer was at the end of his life, and I was thinking I'd wait until after Christmas, but I realized that I needed to do it the right thing for him even though it was hard for me. We put him down on Dec. 17. :(

I probably waited a bit too long, and I didn't realize how much stress I'd been under thinking about whether or not it was the right time until he was gone. There was almost a sense of relief. Missing him wasn't as difficult as wondering and worrying about whether or not I was doing the right thing. We all still miss him terribly, though.

When the time comes, I highly recommend getting a vet to come to your house. It was so peaceful and less stressful than taking him to the office.

Oh, Polly, I am so sorry. I am also going through this with my tiny doxie, Punkin. She was a rescue I adopted about eight years ago when she was seven.

Sadly, I had to have my pug buddy, Albert, euthanized about a month ago. I was very sad but it was a very peaceful process. The decision of "when" is so difficult, though.

I'm so sorry, Polly. fwiw, I went through the process with an older cat a few months ago. I ended up keeping him at home and letting nature take its course (following DD2's advice - she worked at vet office for 4 years). I am not sure I want to do that again. Having been through both choices now, I can say that watching for days on end is so much harder. Not only on me, but the pet. We currently have 2 older dogs and another cat and I won't do that again. If only they would go quickly, without any warning, in their sleep.

Patriceny - I'm so sorry about your Westie. We had a Westie until about five years ago. She was a wonderful companion - so sweet but independent and strong too. Hugs to you.

We had to say goodbye to a cat on Dec 23rd. She stoped eating and drinking when we lost our other cat to heart failure. It was doubly sad and hard to watch, but she told us loud and clear that it was time to let her go. We've gotten and parted with 2 more cats since then -- at 18 and 19 yrs -- in the spring and summer. It isn't any easier when it isn't the holidays. It's just the hardest part of having pets. Thank goodness we have years of hellos to look back on. ((hugs))

Robo, thanks for the link to the quality of life assessment. Very helpful. We had to put down our cat a few years back and it always bothered me that maybe we did it too soon. Based on that assessment, he was a 12 and the assessment says 8+ euthanasia recommended.

Polly, so very sorry you have to make this decision.

Better too soon than too late. Do be careful. It's a fine line and you can get caught in an emergency situation where things get delayed.