Dogs

[deejdeej]

20 minutes ago, Unabomber said:

Looks like I’m going to have to make the hardest decision for my dog tomorrow. Really brutal 

Im sorry man, im sure you've given him/her the greatest life they could have had. 

[NAKC20]

23 minutes ago, Unabomber said:

Looks like I’m going to have to make the hardest decision for my dog tomorrow. Really brutal 

Its a tough call to make but you have to do the right thing for poochie. You will find it hard but im sure you will have lots of memories to look back on and be happy that he/she was part of your life. 

[Unabomber]

9 minutes ago, deejdeej said:

Im sorry man, im sure you've given him/her the greatest life they could have had. 

Yeah mate Nigel (named after the hero) has had a great life. But he’s only 9 and this time last week was absolutely fine, then Monday couldn’t wee and they were concerned about his kidneys, they then recovered but then found out he has prostate cancer which is why he can’t wee. He’s been in the vets most of the time since last Monday but is now home with a catheter. I think ultimately we are going to have to make the call tomorrow. As as soon as the catheter is taken out he can’t wee and going through chemo would be too much and no guarantee the prostate shrinks to allow him to wee. The hardest part is now he is home he seems so fine but he doesn’t know what’s going on inside. 

Edited 5 July by Unabomber

[Wolfox]

40 minutes ago, Unabomber said:

Looks like I’m going to have to make the hardest decision for my dog tomorrow. Really brutal 

Many of us have been there and it’s not easy (me 14 months ago)

 

It was heartbreaking but not hard with Dudley…. He’d run his race and I was doing him a kindness…. I think about him most days still

 

All the best to you and your pooch…

[Unabomber]

11 minutes ago, Wolfox said:

Many of us have been there and it’s not easy (me 14 months ago)

 

It was heartbreaking but not hard with Dudley…. He’d run his race and I was doing him a kindness…. I think about him most days still

 

All the best to you and your pooch…

Thanks it’s mad how close you get to a dog 

[Fathead1981]

So sorry you are going through this, i got my 1st ever dog at the age of 45 around 4 years ago and just the thought of her going makes me well up and this from a bloke who previously hated dogs! hope all goes as well as can be expected x

 

[FoyleFox]

Went been for our first trip out in the pooch mobile yesterday. It went very well. It was great to be able to walk somewhere, without him having to, then let him out for a walk and sniff about. Hop back in the buggy and go back without worrying he might be in pain or doing to much. 

Once the weather calms down, we'll hopefully be able to return to some nice days out.  

 

 And, it's enabled us to book a holiday for the 3 of us. 

 

Edited 8 July by FoyleFox

[Unabomber]

On 05/07/2026 at 20:01, Unabomber said:

Looks like I’m going to have to make the hardest decision for my dog tomorrow. Really brutal 

Well he’s still with us. Has cancer though so just cherishing however long we have 

[Parafox]

10 minutes ago, Unabomber said:

Well he’s still with us. Has cancer though so just cherishing however long we have 

A year ago we got a cockerpoo puppy. He's a pain but also an absolute pal. We're still in the training process and it can be challenging but we wouldn't be without him now. 

 

I do wake up sometimes, worrying about how we'd cope when the inevitable happens.

 

I really hope you have the best time with him till the end. 

 

 

[Unabomber]

21 minutes ago, Parafox said:

A year ago we got a cockerpoo puppy. He's a pain but also an absolute pal. We're still in the training process and it can be challenging but we wouldn't be without him now. 

 

I do wake up sometimes, worrying about how we'd cope when the inevitable happens.

 

I really hope you have the best time with him till the end. 

 

 

Thanks mate it’s brutal not going to lie. Had him since a pup and he’s 9 now. 

[SpacedX]

[Unabomber]

In a really tough spot. So Nigel has cancer and he does seem down, we should probably get him put to sleep but it’s so hard knowing if it is the right thing to do. 

[Wymsey]

44 minutes ago, Unabomber said:

In a really tough spot. So Nigel has cancer and he does seem down, we should probably get him put to sleep but it’s so hard knowing if it is the right thing to do. 

If any pain that he has gets worse at some stage, which will probably happen eventually, it'd very likely affect the quality of his life.

 

As you say it's tough as it's like having a family member.

 

 

[Thefox81]

48 minutes ago, Unabomber said:

In a really tough spot. So Nigel has cancer and he does seem down, we should probably get him put to sleep but it’s so hard knowing if it is the right thing to do. 

💙💙💙

[Unabomber]

He doesn’t seem in pain but doesn’t seem himself,

[Doozer]

1 hour ago, Unabomber said:

He doesn’t seem in pain but doesn’t seem himself,

It is an incredibly hard decision. On the one hand we don't want our beloved pet to suffer, but on the other we want to hang on to that wonderful relationship for as long as possible. In my own experience (three times) you'll know when the time is right for both of you. Best wishes.

[FoyleFox]

4 hours ago, Unabomber said:

In a really tough spot. So Nigel has cancer and he does seem down, we should probably get him put to sleep but it’s so hard knowing if it is the right thing to do. 

It's such a difficult position. I had a preemptive chat about this at the vets a while ago, they recommended an app called dignipets. You go through and score quality of life. It's not an exact science but I did feel better after doing it. 

 

I did notice a change in DB during the very hot weather, he's seemed better now it's cooled. Has that helped Nigel at all? 

[filthyfox]

On 05/07/2026 at 20:01, Unabomber said:

Looks like I’m going to have to make the hardest decision for my dog tomorrow. Really brutal 

At least its YOUR dog.

I am the stray dog warden (amongst other things)

Yesterday a DICK of a dog owner dumped his rottweiler on a public footpath.

Dog attacked a member of the public  Police seized it, sedated it and took to vet.

Dog not chipped, believed abandoned, so it was to be treated as a stray.

Vet examined while it was asleep= heart murmur and crutiate ligament disease in both hinds.

My decision based on their recommendation-  let it stay asleep and not wake up.  It was in pain, and would be in pain for the rest of its life.

First time in 10 years i have had to make that decision.

TWAT!

 

Ps- our Council maintains a perfect 6 year record of not putting rehomeable dogs to sleep- so YES it affected me

 

 

Edited 20 August by filthyfox

[VLC86]

Both of my husky’s are 13, 14 in December and one of them has been on anti epilepsy medication since he was 1.

 

He’s got a really solid abdomen and is having a scan on Tuesday. I’ve got everything crossed it’s not the worst outcome, he’s a great dog bless him.

[Spudulike]

I've never had a dog but I do a lot of walking, especially since I gave up work almost two years ago. Never thought that I would want one but my daughter has a cross Cocker/Lab that I really like and it's starting to bring me around. Often think during my walks that it would be great to have a canine companion. However, reading some of the emotional accounts on here of illness and tough decisions has put me off. Not sure if I want all that and the vets bills. Guess that I'm not committed enough.

[FoyleFox]

29 minutes ago, Spudulike said:

I've never had a dog but I do a lot of walking, especially since I gave up work almost two years ago. Never thought that I would want one but my daughter has a cross Cocker/Lab that I really like and it's starting to bring me around. Often think during my walks that it would be great to have a canine companion. However, reading some of the emotional accounts on here of illness and tough decisions has put me off. Not sure if I want all that and the vets bills. Guess that I'm not committed enough.

Unfortunately, having a canine friend does come with financial and emotional costs. It's also a big commitment. It is massively outweighed by the many years of joy and fulfillment. We probably share less of those, although they're more fulfilling. 

 

We've had 12 to 13 years of very few issues, or big vet costs, the occasional cut paw etc. But, in the last year, our boy has had more issues and associated costs. Mostly covered by insurance. Unfortunately, it's a peril of age. 

I've not dissimilar emotional stress with elderly parents. 

 

If you don't feel you could do full time commitment to a dog, have you considered joining the borrow my dog scheme, then you have the enjoyment of a canine companion for walks without the costs and emotional involvement. 

[Spudulike]

1 hour ago, FoyleFox said:

Unfortunately, having a canine friend does come with financial and emotional costs. It's also a big commitment. It is massively outweighed by the many years of joy and fulfillment. We probably share less of those, although they're more fulfilling. 

 

We've had 12 to 13 years of very few issues, or big vet costs, the occasional cut paw etc. But, in the last year, our boy has had more issues and associated costs. Mostly covered by insurance. Unfortunately, it's a peril of age. 

I've not dissimilar emotional stress with elderly parents. 

 

If you don't feel you could do full time commitment to a dog, have you considered joining the borrow my dog scheme, then you have the enjoyment of a canine companion for walks without the costs and emotional involvement. 

Yes, that has been suggested but not sure that I want the responsibility of someone else's dog. I'd be twitchy about letting it off-lead to chase a ball in case it doesn't come back or comes to some other harm.

 

I think that it'll be all or nothing. Mrs Spud says we should get one then changes her mind 5 minutes later 

[Tommy G]

Lab owners - what age did you start putting them on joint meds, and what did you use? Ours is 4 and thinking of starting soon. 

[VLC86]

On 20/08/2026 at 23:13, VLC86 said:

Both of my husky’s are 13, 14 in December and one of them has been on anti epilepsy medication since he was 1.

 

He’s got a really solid abdomen and is having a scan on Tuesday. I’ve got everything crossed it’s not the worst outcome, he’s a great dog bless him.

Bit of a rough one, he’s had his scan and the tumour is that big they can’t establish where it’s coming from. He might still have a while left or he might not, he’s don’t really well either way bless him.

[SpacedX]

3 hours ago, Tommy G said:

Lab owners - what age did you start putting them on joint meds, and what did you use? Ours is 4 and thinking of starting soon. 

It wouldn't be medication unless there is hip and elbow dysplasia or arthritis actually diagnosed, rather supplements which many vets recommend for the breed as a preventative measure between the age of 5 - 7 years old. If you have an English pedigree, they are statistically more prone to hip dysplasia than elbow dysplasia, though they carry a well-known genetic predisposition to both. Arguably, because they tend to be bulkier than American labs, that can exacerbate the condition. As I'm sure you are aware, it's crucial to control your lab's weight. I've seen so many owners using supplements whilst remaining completely oblivious to the fact that they are overfeeding their dogs. Also, avoid flingers or hurling a ball long distances because when they get up to full pelt and then wheel around it can be very damaging. I know that they do this naturally when they zoomie, but repetitively playing ball games which are anything above short distance and tosses can be very damaging, as can flights of stairs.