Do you know a place that takes in Sick dogs

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Does anyone know a place that takes in sick dogs? My dog has diabetes and is blind. He needs to eat every 12 hours and get an insulin shot after he eats. I have been dealing with him for a year and a half but in the winter months I can no longer do it. He has to stay in side but he drinks so much and the mess he leaves for me to clean daily has me constantly cleaning up. I lay out 3 wee wee pads at night and his pee and other doings goes all over. I hate to put him to sleep so I am hoping there is a place in the NY area that I can take him to. I hate to say this because I do love him the most in my house but If I can not find someplace soon he will have to go

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Oh Frank, how sad!

I wish that I knew a place for you to take him, but I don't. Hopefully someone else will have a good suggestion.

[jackio Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close jackio]

Hi Frank. I had a diabetic dog that I cared for for 2 years. Insulin shots twice per day, checking urine, adjusting the insulin. At the time the vet told me 2 years is a long time for a dog on insulin. They don't do as well as cats.
I hate to say it, but I think it may be time to think about putting your dog down. He is not going to improve and will only deteriorate. If you find a "doggie hospice" to take him to, you will feel guilty when he gets worse there. And you will feel even worse if you are not with him when his time comes.
I asked the vet, "how will I know when it is time?" and he told me if I am asking, then I know it is time.
If Tuffy (I think that's his name, right?) is not suffering, you can hang on a little longer, but prepare yourself and the family.
I am so sorry you are going through this.

[pittle Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pittle]

Frank, I am so sorry to hear about your situation. It is so hard to put them to sleep, but sometimes you have to. We have done this twice with our beloved Cocker Spaniels and it was really hard, but we had to do it. I cried for days after the first one, but got myself prepared when the second one was having so many problems last year. My husband says that he saw me sob more when we had to put Ed down than when my dad died of ALS. I was at least prepared for Daddy, but even typing this I get teary because I was a "Daddy's Girl".

We got Ed when he was 6 weeks old and he was 13-1/2 when he lost kidney function and hearing. Hubby took him to the vet and the vet said it was time so hubby said OK. I was not expecting it and literally fell to pieces. Our grandson was with us, so I had to try to hide my emotions, but every might, I was literally sobbing and shaking in bed for days. I loved that dog like he was my child. I still love to look at photos of him. We got another Cocker and I tried my best not to love him as much, but I did. Last year, Baxter had many health problems that we had to put him down too, but was alt least prepared. I still have moments when I think about either one of them and get a little weepy.

We have decided that we will not get another dog until we no longer travel and can just enjoy the one we have.

[Chap7 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Chap7]

Frank, I really feel for you. It's so hard to know what to do sometimes. I'm sure that if you just listen to your heart you'll make the right decision.

We lost our Golden Retriever last February after he had just turned 12. It was so unbelievably hard to tell my kids that Maverick would not be coming home from the vet. We still miss him so much even though we have Cougar now.

Having Cougar definitely helps though. He is a 10 month old British Cream Golden Retriever and he has such a nice temperment. And coincidentally, just today our breeder told us that she would like us to stud him out to her. We would get pick of the litter for our trouble so now we are discussing the possibility of adding a second dog. My kids are so excited.

Things just kind of have a way of working out.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Frank, I really feel for you. It's so hard to know what to do sometimes. I'm sure that if you just listen to your heart you'll make the right decision.

We lost our Golden Retriever last February after he had just turned 12. It was so unbelievably hard to tell my kids that Maverick would not be coming home from the vet. We still miss him so much even though we have Cougar now.

Having Cougar definitely helps though. He is a 10 month old British Cream Golden Retriever and he has such a nice temperment. And coincidentally, just today our breeder told us that she would like us to stud him out to her. We would get pick of the litter for our trouble so now we are discussing the possibility of adding a second dog. My kids are so excited.

Things just kind of have a way of working out.

Cougar a STUD - I feel so proud!

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

I'm sorry about your little dog's troubles, Frank. I can't believe it's been a year and a half since his troubles began. You must take wonderful care of him!

I do think that sometimes we wish so much that they could stay with us that we hold on to them beyond the time when it is kind. My DH says that you have to ask yourself if they are able to do the things that dogs love--running around, chasing a ball, playing, jumping, eating, barking, going for walks. If your little dog is not able to do these things, is it kind to keep him going? And could you really give him away so that he was with strangers at the end?

[longtimer Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close longtimer]

Our dogs are like children to us and it is so hard to see them get older. We have a 13-year-old beagle who is intermittently going through some of the same issues (not diabetes, but has Cushings, which causes her to drink incredible amounts of water and, then, of course, pee all over the place). Still, most of the time she is still running around and even has some playful moments. Truly, I understand your frustrations. We are at the point where we will have to replace the carpet once our dog passes because it's been impossible to completely clean.
My heart goes out to you. Think of your dog's quality of life. Sometimes it's better to put them down and allow them to pass peacefully. Please keep us posted.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Frank you are one of the biggest softies I know. Only you can make the determination that it is Tuffy's time and not just that it has become a huge inconvenience and a lot of work for you, for longer than you expected.

It is a very, very difficult time. Would he take to a large crate at night to make clean-up easier perhaps?

[akparsa Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close akparsa]

I'm so sorry!

We have a young dog with potty and health issues and it certainly is a stress. The kids love him, I love him, but this is a daily challenge and it wears you down emotionally and financially.

If you're at the end of what you feel you can do, one option you might try is the local rescue organization for his breed if he's a purebred.

Rescue organizations are staffed by these amazing people who are dedicated to caring for dogs, getting them placed in new homes if possible, and caring for the impossible to place ones. It takes an incredible person to do this and I think there is a special spot in heaven for these people in the hereafter.

This would be a nice time to consider a nice donation to the rescue organization for your breed or the no-kill shelter in your area I'm going to do that right now.

Anita

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

We have a young dog with potty and health issues and it certainly is a stress. The kids love him, I love him, but this is a daily challenge and it wears you down emotionally and financially.

If you're at the end of what you feel you can do, one option you might try is the local rescue organization for his breed if he's a purebred.

Rescue organizations are staffed by these amazing people who are dedicated to caring for dogs, getting them placed in new homes if possible, and caring for the impossible to place ones. It takes an incredible person to do this and I think there is a special spot in heaven for these people in the hereafter.

This would be a nice time to consider a nice donation to the rescue organization for your breed or the no-kill shelter in your area I'm going to do that right now.

Anita

Good point Anita!

I heard on the news that with all the budget cuts the animal shelters are really hurting. Not only are people not able to afford to care for their pets and turn them in but $ for basics have been slashed.

Local shelters and humane societies will gladly accept not only cash donations but cans of wet pet food, kitty litter, etc. If there is one not far from you consider buying a case or two the next time you are in Petsmart shopping for bowser or fluffy.

Of course if you have room in your heart or your home for a new furry friend then ...

[longtimer Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close longtimer]

What a beautiful cat! And right at home in the comfy bed too!

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Frank, I am so sorry. It is so hard to put down a beloved pet but you have to think of of the quality of life. You can stay with him while they do it, at least 2 of the stages. I had never done that, but did it with Silver , my cat. She went in my arms and I swear I saw love and gratitued in her eyes. Good luck. shaggy

[Ann-Marie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ann-Marie]

Angel's Gate Hospice - Animal Hospice - Animal Rehabilitation Center
Frank, I work for years with the Executive Director Sue Marino. She is an awesome nurse who has dedicated her life to hospice for animals. They did have a residence on LI, but started to receive a lot of flack from the neighbors. I was out there once, and what an amazing setup. All animals are free to sleep with them and roam the house on there own free will. There were dogs there that had paralyzed back legs and they were running around with walkers for dogs. I would look into this place, however I am not sure how far away they are now that they have moved.