Not exactly a vent, just some pre-wedding pet angst

Good grief! Sorry to hear about the sick pets. Is boarding an option when you two travel?

Just wondering, genuinely curious, why can't the dogs be on the same level? Or why can't the ones who have trouble with the stairs be on the first floor?

Sounds like boarding is the way to go. Or hire a professional. Significantly better and more reliable than a friend.

We basically have to walk behind him and work his legs for him, and we have to support him to walk across uncarpeted floors. FH is worried it's going to be too much for his cousin to handle. He's thinking it might be time to put the dog down, but he's otherwise in good health. And this is his baby. These dogs sleep with us in our bed, this grumpy old man of a dog helped get FH through his divorce. I don't want to feel like we're putting him down to make our honeymoon more convenient, or that we're afraid something might happen while we're out of the country that we can't fix, and he can't be moved to the first floor to make it easier (the first floor is all hard wood anyway, and he wouldn't be able to get around at all), and putting him down because it's 'time' (I don't think it is, but that might be my emotions talking) will cast a pall over our whole wedding. FH cried when he got the diagnosis, he's going to be a mess when he actually has to let him go. The other problem is when we come back from Italy, if Oz is still with us, FH has to have shoulder surgery. On the days the dog can't get back upstairs even with help, he won't even be able to carry him, and I can't (he's 84lbs). I don't know what to do here, what to suggest to FH to do...the only dog I ever had to put down it was obvious it was time...she had tumors and couldn't walk at all by the time we made 'that' appointment, and could barely breathe. I just don't know what do with an otherwise healthy dog with gimpy rear legs.

Rachel, my dogs aren't very alpha and would probably welcome another member of the pack, but his male will attack other dogs. He only likes his sister, who's been with him since a puppy. At this point,thought, he'd probably only hurt himself, which is also a concern.

Although he maybe healthy except for his legs how is that affecting his quality of life. I understand pets being our babies but it is selfish to keep a pet alive if they are suffering. Is it just stairs he has a problem with? Or is it getting around anywhere? Pets can't tell us exactly how they feel. I am not saying put him down just to make things convenient but if he is suffering it is time.

Have you heard of Rover.com? its a pet sitting site. You might be able to find someone on there who would be willing to do all of that.

So... hire a professional pet sitter?

This was a lot of words for a simple question.

Also, sounds like the dog should be in a wheelchair.

Is it possible to fit the dog with some sort of wheelchair type of thing for his back legs? that might make it easier, though i'm not sure they make those for large dogs.

Wait you have to walk your dogs legs for him?

I'm sorry. Get him on one of those wheel things or put him down.

Can you board the dog at a vet? They can take care of any problem that might arise while you're gone.

1) Hire someone to watch your dogs. A paid professional should be trusted to handle the arrangement, dole out medication, and handle medical emergencies by taking them to the vet.

2) You do not put down an otherwise healthy dog because it becomes inconvenient for you. I get the stairs are a pain and you can't take him up and down when your FH can't, but that's no reason to kill him. He's old and handicapped, not on his deathbed and suffering in his final hours.

I know its hard to think about especially since the wedding is so close but you need to think about the dogs quality of life. When I put my old man down last October it was the hardest decision I've ever had to make, BUT I honestly wish I would have done it sooner. His quality of life was not good towards the end but I was just being selfish. If you truly think it's not his time to go then that's ok too. Is there anyway you can push the honeymoon and the surgery back? I cancelled 2 trips when my dog was sick towards the end because I knew I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happened when I was out of the state. If they are truly your babies then they need to come first.

I would have a veterinarian board the old, disabled dog. You can also discuss the concerns with the vet when you drop him off and they may have some good advice for you when you pick him up about his quality of life.

Hire a professional in-house pet sitter for the others. I use a licenced/bonded pet sitting service for our cat. I personally recommend an organization versus a single licensed individual if you can find one; my parents have had some problems with individuals petsitting, but on the whole it works very well and it MUCH less stress on an animal.

This is very sad. I don't necessarily think you need to put him down though. I would look into one of those hind-leg doggie wheel chairs and consider moving him and his friend to the first floor. Also, definitely hire a professional sitter. It probably won't be cheap but it will be worth it.

The dogs that need special attention need to be boarded with a veterinarian. When you get back from your vacation, the vet may have some advice to give you to improve your dog's quality of life.

It's not about watching the dogs, per se. Boarding is not an option, Oz is a cantankerous oldman who does not like his routines messed with. He'd be out of his mind in a kennel surrounded by animals he wants to kill. I guess it's more about coming to the realization his time is coming, and worrying that it's going to come before our wedding and FH is going to be devastated, or worse, during our honeymoon, when we can't be there.

As for his rear legs, he can get around on carpet ok, he kind of walks like a drunken sailor, but can't do slippery floors or stairs very well.

LoveinDC, that's what we're saying too. But it's a tough call between his needing a little extra care, and his quality of life sucking. And we're afraid he could take a turn for the worst while we're away. I'd postpone the honeymoon, but it's already booked. There are not good answers here, I'm just kind of venting.

This sounds like what happened to H's dog after we got married. It happened so fast (a week). He wasn't able to walk or go to the bathroom. It was such a hard decision bc he was healthy otherwise and he was only 8yo. We did put him down, bc his quality of life was so poor. I know you may feel like there's a hidden motive for putting him down, but it may just be his time. Sorry you're having to go through this, especially before your wedding.

Good thing people gave you another option other than boarding - a professional pet sitter, licensed and bonded.

My dog had a sever spinal injury, and walked the way you are talking about. Get that dog a WHEELCHAIR.

Professional pet sitter. Wheelchair. Done.

Why don't you hire a professional dog sitter? They have tons of websites. Some will stay at your home. Others you can bring to theirs. I'm shocked at how many people are ready to put your dog down. I have two pups and one is getting older. She actually just had cancer but they believe they got it all. If the dog is in pain that's one thing but if he's just having a hard time walking I don't think that's a reason. I think a trip to the vet would be able to help. But as the owners in sure you know how your dog is feeling. I remember last year when my mom had to put hers down. It was awful. He was her life. He had some kidney issues and things kept getting worse. To the point where he couldn't walk. When she brought him in she was a mess. They looked at him and said its a good thing she came because he wouldn't have last through the night. I met her at her house and she was a mess. She just wanted to cry, drink, and go to bed. It's awful. If she could have done something, anything, to prolong his life she would have.

Hire someone, decide if the your baby is in pain, take them to a vet if you are having issues (not just that it's convenient) but if they are in pain. Good luck.