How to explain a death in the family or having to put down a pet?

WOW I would ask the vet for some advice on this. If he can gently explain to her that the dog is suffering, she may allow it to happen. I have taken pets in for the elderly. I spend time with them reminiscing about their life together, make sure they say their good byes and let grandma keep the collar as a memento. I cry right along with them, can't help it. Some vets will send the owner a paw print disc with the pet's name on it.

What's the likelihood of getting another dog if Elie is euthanized, which sounds as if it's appropriate now or soon. Your profile states that you're caring for your grandmother living at home; are you living there with her and would you feel you have enough time to care for a replacement dog?

When I had to have my cats euthanized (at nearly 20 years of age), my vet sent me a touching emotional condolence card. Although I don't remember the specific wording, it was something to the effect that they provided love, comfort and companionship to me for years. Now it was my turn to acknowledge that, treat them with respect, and prevent them from any further suffering.

If you don't feel comfortable getting another pet, perhaps you can get a large toy dog that looks very real and keep it near your grandmother.

I just read this, and while I don't want to scare you, I think you should be aware of a possible downside. When my mom's cat had a stroke, he could no longer walk and the vet took it upon herself to euthanize him w/o mom's consent or knowledge. Mom was absolutely devastated and her health took a nosedive. She died soon afterwards. We all felt that losing that bond before she was ready contributed to her declining health.

Meghan

I had to do this twice and I am not sure if you will have the same results I did, but...
My 92 year old mom lived with me for 2 years. When she moved in, she brought her 20 year old Siamese cat and 13 year old German shepherd. Mom loved her pets. The dog developed a tumor and it was time. Due to the Alzheimer's sometimes the dog was mine and sometimes it was hers. I put the dog down when she was away at daycare and I told her when she got home. Of course, she remembered the dog was hers that day and she mourned and missed her but she did accept it. The dog was obviously struggling.

About a year later the cat, needed to go down. She was urinating all over my house. Every time I tried to talk to her about it, she would get very angry with me, she was going to go home and bury her cat in her own back yard, etc. etc. (In my mom's mind, she was just visiting me). By this time, her dementia was worse. I took the cat to vet while she was at daycare, got rid of all the cat stuff, told her the cat died, and when she got home and she just said "oh ok" and that was it. Out-of-sight out-of-mind.

What I would do - first have the conversation and see how she reacts. If she accepts it go ahead and do it. Secondly, there are vets that will come to the house and euthanize a pet at home. It is more expensive and I did think of doing this, but decided it wouldn't be a good idea. And lastly, she may not remember. I do not know how bad her dementia is, but I was shocked when I put the cat down and it was literally out-of-sight out-of-mind.

You have to think of the dog too, if she is suffering, please let her go.

Since Grandma may not be able to process the information as to why it would be humane to put Ellie down, if I were in your situation I would tell her what my husband's mother told him when he was 7 years old; his dog needed more space to run and play so she gave his dog to a nice farmer who had a large farm. I am 85 and still sharp, but it's fine with me if my children tell me well intentioned lies if I start losing focus. I like to believe that my beloved cats have all gone over The Rainbow Bridge.

I can feel your pain because it's the same situation I was in many years ago. My father lived with me for the last 9 years of his life and at first, he was able to come and go, travel, shop, etc. but around age 75 or 76, he started declining rapidly with the COPD getting the better of him. I was the only one of three children who would allow him to bring his dog (around 9-10 years then) with him to live with me. The dog eventually lost control of his urine and "'tested" all parts of my living room furniture, his bedroom furniture, and just about everything he came in contact with. He tried to take him out all the time so he could urinate outside but sometimes, male dogs spray just a little on everything they have in a house. I guess it's marking his territory. Of course, I worked a full time 40-50 hour job then came home and had to routinely get pet cleaner out and rags/brushes and clean the legs of my furniture and carpets. I also had carpet cleaning companies on speed dial and cleaned them on a regular basis until I finally bought a carpet cleaner to save money. I eventually had to start walking him at night because my dad was no longer able to do that and when he went in the hospital, he asked me the dreaded question...When I'm gone, will you take care of my dog for me? A death bed request is hard to say no to so I said I would as long as I could. He was satisfied and within days he passed at the age of 80. I tried to take care of him after that for months. I started coming home for lunch so I could let him out and my brother finally said this is insanity. Lets take him to a vet. I was run ragged trying to uphold a promise and still work and eventually my furniture started showing the wear of the dog. I asked my brother to go with me and we found a non-kill shelter and my brother talked to them about keeping him so he could go outside sometimes. He was so old his face had gray hair on it and not the black it used to have. I don't know if they took him out back and put him down but I knew I had no choice but to do this or I would have wound up in the hospital as well. I felt guilty for a long time but I knew it was for the best as he too, was whimpering from pain when we touched him. If your grandma doesn't really know where she's at or whether she saw the dog or not, you can do what I did and take him to a no-kill shelter and they will take care of it for you. If and when your grandma asks about the dog, tell her he was here just a minute ago, don't you remember? She will probably smile and say oh yeah. Eventually you can tell her that a cousin or someone else took the dog for awhile so you could concentrate on taking care of her and she'll see him later. She will eventually forget. Good luck and hope it goes well.

First, take Ellie to the vet. There are pills to control incontinence in a dog just like humans, doggie diapers. Plus remove any carpeting. If you euthanize the dog, your grandmother will not only notice, she will suffer from the loss. Find out the medical causes of the dog's problems. It might be a UTI, or she needs her anal glands expressed. Unless this dog has cancer and is suffering, let her live out her natural days. Otherwise, you can suffer the guilt of watching your grandmother suffer. This dog's presence is in her long term memory and keeping her going.

From a man's point of view, There is no need for animals to suffer, it is the only human thing to do. It is your house. I would tell her you are taking the animal to the Vet, have the animal put out of its misery. Tell your Mom you had to leave the pet with the Vet because that the animal is really sick. I would not say anything after that, just let it ride. If she has dementia she'll soon forget.
If she needs a companion animal there are plenty at your local animal shelters. If she asks where her dog or cat is, tell her they passed away peacefully, there is no need to tell her they were put down.
I know this sound hardhearted but they would not allow animals in rest homes or assisted living unless they are service animals.
I hated putting down my beloved Golden but she was suffering from cancer. Do what needs doing.

As Ferris said. We had an older dog that had that issue, the Vet said her sphincster-sp? just was not as tight due to age, causing the leaking. The fix was easy and inexpensive, we gave her what we dubbed her "No Pee Pee" pills daily, for years. Complete fix, around $20 a month. You probably already know the other possible simple reason, if they have a UTI, a perfectly trained dog will lose control where they wouldn't otherwise. Also an easy fix, take a sterile jar, catch some pee, drop off at Vet's office to be tested for infection.

The "falling", sometimes it's that tile and wood floors are slick, keeping nails short and tossing down a few rugs at key places has given a few of ours more years when we were afraid they were in trouble.

I think if it were me, I'd have her owner in on all the decisions, at least as much as possible. Like tell her "OK, I collected some urine to be dropped at the Vet's". Then when they call, "OK, test results said..." That way she'll know an expert is in on it, and that you did all you could, even if it is only in the back of her mind, and on some days. The loss will be hard enough, you don't want it compounded with the awful thought that all considerations were not given by her, and you.

16 is pushing it, but my GMA had a collie mix live to 18, you never know. You say she doesn't look like she feels good, and that may mean it is her time, (underlying organ failure, etc.). Or could simply be not feeling well from the Urinary Tract Infection. Investigate, keep GMA posted, often times the dog "let's you know" when it is their time by these clues, looking unhappy and sick is usually one of the clues.

Meghannp23. You have a good kind Heart, and I know from Your Post You do Love Your Grandma very much. Can You imagine Your Grandma was only 67 years young when She got Ellie as a young pup. 16 years is an incredible age for a dog, and it's testament to how well Your Grandma cared for Her best friend Ellie. Since Grandma has Demensia and Parkinson's disease She's got more than enough to deal with, so I would not upset Her. I'd advise to consult Your Local Vet, and if He says it would be better to have Ellie put down, as the Vet to put Ellie down, and tell Your Grandma Ellie died during the night of old age. This way You are being kind to Your Grandma, and to Ellie.

The name of the "No Pee Pee pills:
Phenylpropanolamine is used in dogs for the treatment of urinary incontinence ( urine leakage). It tightens the bladder sphincter muscle. Foster's Smith has them ranging from 22-28 cents each, under the brand name Proin. :-)

We had an old dog who started leaking pee, we took her to the vet and she had a hormone deficiency, a pill a day stopped the leaking. If you have wooden floors get a cheap carpet from store or ask a carpet store for a remnant. I would try that before putting her down. Also, for the sake of the dog, please don't take her to the pound. She will die scared, confused, and alone. I always stay and hold or pet my animals when they have to be put down. They have brought joy into my life and I owe them that much to see they leave this life as happy and calm as possible.
Speaking of that, reminds me of a sheep we had. She was 12 years old. All her teeth were loose and she was having problems getting up and down. She had been my daughter's FFA project. Said daughter had left home and had no room for the sheep, so she stayed with me. I loved her immensely, anyway, I took her to the vet for a shot. I just couldn't shoot her in case she didn't die quick. One butcher would slit her throat, and we could feed her to the dogs. Couldn't do that either. So, I took her to the Vet. As he shaved her neck and administered the dose, I fed her chocolate chip cookies. You can't do much better than to go to sleep eating chocolate chip cookies.

I'd get something from the vet (who no doubt deals with this every day). Let the dog quietly die at home, rather than in the sterility of an exam room. That may just be too much for grandma. My brother has mother living with him and he has "put down" several dogs by this method. First he begins talking to mom about how old and sick "so and so" is, and then they kind of decide on a date to "take the dog to the vet". Amazingly, the dog never quite makes it to the vet. Then grandma can grieve and be sad, before you have the remains removed. I say this with tears in my eyes as I had to take my beloved Border Collie in and have her put down. I've never cried so hard in my life. I hated that she died in her least favorite place on earth.....

Prolonging the dog's life for even a few months is a long time in dog time. She probably has arthritis, which is very painful. One of my dogs was on the "pee pee pills" but she was a young dog and responded well to the medication. If the doctor can treat her symptoms with medications, great. If not, I would not delay the inevitable.

I agree with everything said. Take the dog to the vet for any possible treatment. If there is any way to comfortably extend the dogs life, that is the thing to do. Grandma and dog are very dependent upon each other. If nothing can be done, tell grandma the dog is suffering and cannot be helped. Ask if she wants to end the dogs suffering. My husband has Parkinson's and dementia but can still express his desires. I agree that if you put the dog down, grandma will probably decline.

I agree wholeheartedly with Ferris1. Talk to a vet. There are medications and they work. So do doggie diapers. Ellie is your grandmother's comfort and vice verse. Additionally, any change (especially an emotional jolt, such as removing Ellie) will most likely make your grandmother worse. Alzheimer's/Dementia is mean like that…

As for a replacement dog, personally I don't feel that's a good idea for anyone, including the dog. The dog won't be as attached to your grandmother and as willing to sit with, and sleep by her. It may not even attach to your grandmother. You and your dad will have to care for it, your grandmother will disappear from it's life at some point (I'm sorry to be blunt, but that's the sad reality… either via Assisted Living or Heaven), and a younger dog will require more exercise.

BTW, a no-kill shelter is NOT easy to take an already cared for dog/cat to. Believe me, I've tried! I've now cared for two strays, one cat (fed on my deck until we found an owner), and one dog (kenneled for 9 months - $2500!! - until we found an owner.) Because I was unwilling to leave it on the street for the dogcatcher or the fox to take care of, these were 'cared for pets' and the shelters (and I contacted TEN within a 50 mile radius!!!) were not willing to take them.

KEEP IN MIND… YOU WILL CHOOSE WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU AND YOUR GRANDMA!!! Don't let people here judge or criticize your choice. It may happen. IGNORE THEM!!! (Even me!!)

So my two cents worth… and then some! Good luck, whatever you decide!!

... when you say "you want her involved in the decision to put it down" .. when dealing with dementia, I guess you can "try it. ... but I agree with a couple guys above, if the pup is suffering, it's more inhumane not to let it go just-because of a fear you have of how a dementia ridden owner may find it difficult to handle. To me, it's not a "difficult decision, its one that needs direct care and respect to the animal, and then the care to your g-ma regarding the wording you choose to use with her. Another on here suggested making a story up about taking it to a farm, I'm not against that either,why? Because it's not like a dementia sufferer lives in reality. Because you even wrote this type of question looking for answers to a seemingly straight up situation, sounds like you need to take the pup to the vet and let another you respect suggest to you on what to do. By belief is; When it comes to "pain and our pets/ animals, decisions need to be made In 100% in respect to the animal, not so much the humans that are around them.

....and once again commenters such as "ferrisone" as usual directs and instructs without ever reading posters entire words carefully nor thoroughly, For any commenter to turn around and direct any poster on what to do, need I remind you that there is an unspoken duty to first read the subject matter content entirely then respond from a more thorough understanding at least from what the poster is offering, Those who respond to posters without respecting them enough to even start from a well read position are nothing more than soap box glory seekers,

Let me amend my "wholeheartedly agree with Ferris1". I forgot the part where she said you can "suffer the guilt of watching your grandmother suffer". Ferris's judgmental nature reared its ugly head again, once again negating her helpful advice and leaving you with a very lingering, hurtful statement. I'm sorry you had to read that…

This forum is NOT for judgement! It is for encouragement. Be encouraged by everything else offered. You will choose what is best. Good luck.

skyhigh: So you think a woman's POV is that there IS a reason for animals to suffer? Gosh, I didn't know that -- so my cat Sophie should have been put down as she was suffering? Good grief, man, don't be so offensive.

I may it have been clear. When I said to ask her if she wanted the animal to suffer, I assumed she would say no. Then, you have the animal put down if there is no other way to alleviate it's suffering. She may forget and will probably decline but you cannot let an animal suffer. My husband is end stage and would still say to not let an animal to suffer.

Since your grandmother has dementia, it is not fair to expect her to process strong emotions and be a part of such a decision of putting down a beloved pet. With brain damage, it's unlikely she can think this through like she would if she didn't have dementia. Reasoning, using good judgment, etc. is not normally a trait of someone with dementia. Dementia patients have magical thinking, focus on what they want and may use the maturity level of a child, so, I wouldn't put such a burden on her. Plus, she may forget and have no memory of the topic later on....so, I'd seek vet care for the dog and if it isn't possible to help him, kindly put him down. There's nothing to be gained by hurting grandmother with this news.

I'd give grandmother any explanation to spare her pain. Such as, he's getting groomed, will be returned later.

I can clearly tell you that there's probably not going to be an easy way to tell her. Have you considered getting a special canine wheelchair for the canine so that she can walk better? This is just something to consider if the dog is otherwise doing OK despite a few issues. Another thing you can do is see if there's such a thing as canine diapers. I never thought some of the stuff out there actually exists until I started seeing it online. I was actually surprised and very amazed at the canine wheelchair, and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if you Google canine diapers and actually get positive results. Since I don't know the dog personally, these are just some suggestions I'm putting out there.
If the dog must absolutely be put down, I don't think you'll be able to avoid a serious fight over the dog, especially if you're not willing to give her replace her with another dog you'll be able to avoid a serious fight over the dog, especially if you're not willing to replace her with another dog and help cheer up your grandma. Older people often like animals, and just ripping the dog away from her that she's had for so many years will devastate her, which is why I must ask if there's any way to help the dog where help is needed instead of putting her down at least right away.

What I was thinking in light of what someone mentioned about lying about the dog being groomed is the fact that grandma is going to get suspicious when the dog doesn't return from the "groomer", and I don't blame her if she doesn't know the truth and she becomes very suspicious because then you'll really be in for a much bigger fight. There may not be an easy way around this but she deserves to know the truth despite her mental condition. If the dog must be put down then definitely replace the dog with another one for her comfort because the next dog will most likely be somewhat of a therapy dog for her to help her get through the loss of her current dog. Losing a pet is not easy and for some people, having a replacement backed up with another will make the loss much easier to deal with.
A friend of mine has had several dogs in his life, and anytime he's lost an aging dog, he always managed to have another dog help him through his loss. My friend has never been without a dog as far as he's told me. His current one is actually a therapy dog and I think every time he's lost a dog in his life, the next one has always turned out to be a therapy dog especially with his mental condition.

How would u or her handle it if the dog died in its sleep. I would take it to the vet first. He is an old dog. If the back end I going he may be in pain. Maybe the doctor can make him comfortable but this is something that u will eventually have to deal with.

I had a cat that sprayed. She wrecked carpets and furniture. I was cleaning up all the time. Once in tears. I can't imagine having that responsibility and my Mom too. If grandmoms was in an AL she wouldn't be allowed an animal if she couldn't care for it. NH not at all.

... This is getting ridiculous ... I'm reading "get meds to elongate its life, I'm reading replace the dog" (which is a rather stupid idea given the age and mental state of the subject) .., I'm reading put it on meds to stop the symptoms?.. and buy a wheel chair for the dog,?..??? Then I'm reading guilt ridden comments and almost threats of warnings that if you the put the dog down the gramother will "for a fact" decline?????? ..,. Poster writes that her grandmother is in her 80's has dementia etc, and you people think it's best to advise such?? Poster; if the animal is suffering (and I said before if you really don't know then get a damn opinion, one that you respect so you actually listen to their suggestion (and by pro I don't mean anyone on here claiming to be, I suggest a vet (..but you genuinely do know what should be done and you honestly already know what to do about it, so why even ask such a question is beyond me. If an animal is suffering by the pain that it's feeling, if it's life quality has past and it's now just living day in and day out with its age related problems and ailments that is /are causing pain, then don't sit there for 6 months to a year (as you've said you've done) and allow it to go on and on in pain just because you are worried how a human will take it .... ridiculous, and it's cruel no matter what your reasoning. So-what you might have to repeat the story to your grandmother for a couple weeks, what ever story you tell be-it the truth or not, but by god stop the himhawing around and do the humane thing, and all this about letting the dog die at home of a natural death,,,a dog riddled with pain from hip displasia or arthritis or worse, and pain so bad that it whimpers to move,,,that is not going to die a "natural death" it will die a painful one. wiseup here and quickly, do what needs to be done and deal with the aftermath as you need.

...and then I read someone telling an already full time caregiver to start putting diapers on the 16 year old dog to keep it around longer for the 83 year old grandma?????????????????????? Absolutely Unbelievable.

Tired, are you always so critical of people who are sincerely trying to help?

Tired wrote: "wiseup here and quickly...". That's really quite harsh advice to someone who's dealing with a very challenging and emotional issue. Perhaps you might want to think about your own response instead of criticizing others.