Hanna

I have a 14 year old German Shepherd named Hanna. She has been one of the best pets I have ever had and her time is near it's end. She has been having some trouble with her back legs for a while, but still could get around and play with my other dog. This past weekend her condition became much worse. She can barely get around now and has to have help getting outside to go the bathroom.

The vet basically said there is not much we can do now. She just got a steroid shot and we have about a week's worth of steroid pills and pain pills to help keep her comfortable. There is really not much chance of her regaining much mobility and at her age any kind of surgery or acute care is not warranted.

So I have come back to the most difficult part of being a pet owner- when a pet becomes ill how and when do you decide on euthanasia. I obviously don't want her to suffer but since she can't talk you don't know how she really feels about all of this.

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The medicine seems to be helping slightly. She has a bit more mobility this morning buy not enough yet to really say her quality of life has improved. So do I let her struggle on for a few more days? I think I at least owe her a few days to see if the meds help more- she seems pretty comfortable when she is resting.

I had one cat several years ago that was 19 years old and died peacefully in his sleep- I wish that everyone could be that lucky.