Yes, I know

[Cookielady]

We have been traveling around the USA for about 3 months now. We travel with 3 Chihuahuas. No big deal. Our oldest is 13, has a collapsed trachea, enlarged heart, pinched nerve in his shoulder, and bad hips. Because of this, I do not usually put his harness on him. I carry him outside, he does his business and then I carry him back in. If he feels like going for walks with the other 2, we get out his stroller so he can enjoy it more. He is never more than 2 feet from me.
I spend most of my time, explaining to people why he is not in his harness. I have been reported by so many but, I always explain to the camp personnel as soon as we arrive so that they know why he is not going by the rules.
I found it funny that the last person that "reported" me is someone I have watched on several occasions NOT picking up after their large dog. Sorry, to go on but we are just trying to make our little angel comfortable and happy during what may be his last trip.

[Code2High]

I think the string idea is very good. The expen also, as it would allow him to enjoy more time outside when it is comfortable. But the nearest Dollar Tree or similar store probably has a very lightweight piece of rope... I get 70 foot long pieces of clothesline that has no weight to it at all. Create a loop big enough to go over his head and small enough not to fall off too often, and it should provide a visual "leash" for passersby without any discomfort to the doglet. One less nuisance to deal with.

[CatandJim]

We are also to the point of having to carry our Pistol Pete outside at times at home but always while traveling. The motor home stairs are not an option for him to even try now. Make no mistake he is still happy, eats well, wags like a whirlwind, and finds joy in smelling around.... like your Ricky.

With that said, we do still attach a leash to his collar because he has no problem with wearing it and he is able to walk around some while we are camping but I know that won't last forever. Our days with him are dwindling down to a precious few. Will it be weeks or months? Time will tell.....

If anyone wants to make some sort of judgment about any decisions we make with our Petey, it would not be any of their business and I would tell them so, post haste.

I am sure you take excellent care of your pets, at all ages. Give them all ear scratches from me please. Enjoy each day, cherish the time you have with them, because as we all know time passes far too quickly.

[Crowe]

I appreciate e eryone's comments and I can assure you, we would never let Ricky suffer needlessly

Something none of us on here that know you ever doubted.

[Cookielady]

Ricky and our other 2 chihuahuas have had the same Vet sincece Ricky was 9 weeks old. Dr. Harvey is very compassionate and in the past he has let us know when one of our pets was too far gone to save or suffering and we have as a team made the decision to put the animal out of her misery. Dr. Harvey gave us enough medicine for us to make this trip and told us to take him as he knows how much Ricky has always enjoyed Rving.
When I carry Ricky outside and put him on the grass, his tail starts wagging and he actually tries to hop around like a puppy. He loves the new smells, he loves it when people come up and ask if they can pet him and he loves to ride in the stroller.
So he takes medicine at night, so he can't run, he still loves life and that is all that matters. In fact, right now he is bugging me for a pupperoni dog treat.
When the day comes, we will discuss it with Dr. Harvey but until then, we will just love him. Just as we do our almost 12 year old chihuahua and the 10 year old.
I appreciate e eryone's comments and I can assure you, we would never let Ricky suffer needlessly.

[resmas]

To avoid being "reported" for violating rules, could you not fabricate a collar and leash that you could use and/or attach to the stroller somehow. I'm thinking just a ribbon or something very lightweight that won't irritate the collapsed trachea and won't make the dog nervous??? Unless someone came close to you, it would appear the dog was leashed. And if they came close enough to see that it is just a ribbon, they would be close enough for you to explain your unconventional set-up.

[sher9570]

I think this thread has really gone off the rails and a lot of it is offensive.
Time to close it Doc....maybe???

Sher

[Crowe]

Simply put, "Judge lest ye be judged".

[dspencer]

nabi wrote:
I have bilateral shoulder injuries and a chronic back condition, all d/t nursing for way too many years. Some days I can't get up out of bed or out of a chair without help from Wayne....I hope he doesn't decide to put me out of my misery , as I am also elderly ! :E

Nabi i couldn't agree more, that was without a doubt the rudest crudest comment anyone could have written!!! I sure hope that when TexasShadow gets up in years no one lift's a finger too help him.

[Code2High]

Telling someone whose animal you've never seen that they need to put that animal down isn't politically incorrect. It's rude. There is a difference.

And it's hurtful to someone who is already facing the pain of losing a beloved pet in the near future. Euthanasia is a heartbreaking decision that people who know and love the animal need to make for the animal. There are differences in people, but also differences in animals, due to temperament and constitution. Some animals with a given set of conditions may be miserable, others might be happy. Pain control may be good in one case, impossible in another. Insisting that you know what is best for an animal you've never even met, is an indication that you have no idea what you're talking about.

There are certainly times and places where asking the right questions and helping someone to look at what is going on is helpful. Telling someone they are wrong because you know more than they do about an animal that they live with and you've never seen, is not helpful.

[sher9570]

It's really pretty simple for those of us that believe in not allowing our pets to suffer needlessly, we will make that decision when that time comes.

It's easy to make assumptions and pronouncements when it's someone else's pet and you would do this or that.

Well I believe that no one knows my pet's situation better than me, I know when it is suffering and I know when it's happy and I know better than anyone when my pet is still enjoying his life.

So I think we should all just respect what this lady does to keep her pet happy and as healthy as possible so it can enjoy what time it has left.

And if that includes carrying it out to the grass and setting it down to do his thing then picking it up and carrying it back inside the RV...oh my some people just have too much time on their hands and not enough empathy or compassion for anyone else.

Guess that's enough from me, I just read all the post here and it really set me off.

Sher

[dturm]

I shouldn't have quoted you, my bad. I agree totally with what you said.

I responded in this thread due to several posts that seemed to imply the OP should have put this dog to sleep because of his condition.

My point was about different perceptions about what constitutes suffering.

[westernrvparkow]

dturm wrote:

westernrvparkowner wrote:
...In my opinion, it is inhumane to allow a pet to suffer in it's final days...

I don't think you'll get anyone to disagree with this statement, but having to deal with this on just about a daily basis for 36 years, I've found that every person's definition of "suffer" is different.

To some the diagnosis of cancer is that point - even though the animal could have months of normal happy life with no symptoms even without treatment.

To others, a dog with a broken back, totally incontinent and in pain with zero chance of recovery wasn't the point of "suffering" - had to talk long a hard with that one.

The extremes may be pretty obvious, but there is a whole lot of gray area in between. I've learned to avoid TELLING people what to do and to give them options, sometimes with what my personal decision would be if it were my dog/cat.

It's pretty easy to stand on the sidelines in judgment for somebody else.

Doug, DVM

I agree with you 100%. However, I think I have been quoted out of context here. I was responding to a post that seemed to indicate euthanizing a pet was akin to killing a functioning adult. While this country has not embraced euthanasia for humans, it has taken steps forward in allowing people to make informed decisions regarding their own end of life with my mentioned DNR (do not resuscitate) and other living will provisions. Hospice care and other end of life strategies aimed at giving people comfort at the end of their life are a vast improvement over fighting a losing battle to add a few extra days to a person's life. Our pets deserve no less compassion.

[ReneeG]

Thank you Dr. Doug.

[dturm]

westernrvparkowner wrote:
...In my opinion, it is inhumane to allow a pet to suffer in it's final days...

I don't think you'll get anyone to disagree with this statement, but having to deal with this on just about a daily basis for 36 years, I've found that every person's definition of "suffer" is different.

To some the diagnosis of cancer is that point - even though the animal could have months of normal happy life with no symptoms even without treatment.

To others, a dog with a broken back, totally incontinent and in pain with zero chance of recovery wasn't the point of "suffering" - had to talk long a hard with that one.

The extremes may be pretty obvious, but there is a whole lot of gray area in between. I've learned to avoid TELLING people what to do and to give them options, sometimes with what my personal decision would be if it were my dog/cat.

It's pretty easy to stand on the sidelines in judgment for somebody else.

Doug, DVM

[nabi]

" In my opinion, it is inhumane to allow a pet to suffer in it's final days. I have had to put down my best friends too many times, and though it brings tears and heartache, I know I did the right thing. Pets are unable to sign "do not resuscitate" orders and cannot request that caregivers do not use extraordinary means to keep their bodies alive when their spirit wishes to leave. It is an act of unselfish love to end a pet's suffering. "




I couldn't agree more...but I think the owner, who sounds to be very rational, can decide when it is the right time to do the most loving thing by letting them go...not d/t a counting up of symptoms ( which they may be treating and keeping the dog as comfortable as possible ) and deciding thats what makes the final decision . I am an owner of 2 special needs chihuahuas and have often had people say "I would put that dog down ! " But why?? They only need to some special care and some special daily routine changes...for example..like maybe not wearing a collar with a collapsed trachea ! JMHO
PS...I totally understand the pain of losing a special pet, I lost one last October and still have not had a day without a few tears....