Serious thoughts on pets

[perfectstorm]

I have a velcro dog. I have been with him every minute since my stroke 2 years ago. I adopted him six years ago as a puppy. He was SO bad lol.

We had such awesome adventures. River swimming, the beach, we'd walk for miles. Then my stoke hit and I couldn't walk. He is here now, waiting to get back to our adventures and understands my issue walking.

I alternate from feeling massive guilt watching him wait to CTB and him losing the little bit of me he has. I want out. But for him. My self-absorbed 23 yo son would care for him, but he'd be last on the list. I am empathic with animals. I know this connection will never happen for my dog with my son.
I don't have a thing to live for other than my dog. On the scale, my dog evens out a really shitty life. No money. Lost my home to foreosure. Can't work. Can't walk. Can't even tie my shoes. I am just able to walk outside on my deck after two years.
I attempted once before. I cried my eyes out for him. I am able to get to my car now so he wont see me and do SN. But my son will treat my dog crappy. Maybe he will get a wakeup call if his mom dies. I feel he just needs that front part of his brain to develop which happems around 24-25. I have been waiting so the end is more loving and less ego. I dont know but the bus is coming.

 

[pole]

your dog has a great parent and best friend.

being able to extend care and empathy for animals is a beautiful trait.

I'm sorry about your physical condition deteriorating. i too feel like I can't trust others, even my family to care for my cats when I pass. they just don't have the level of care and empathy that I do.

it's a difficult situation. however, you continuing to be by his side, giving him love, being a good companion goes a long way. he feels it every step of the way when he is with you. don't feel bad at all, you've done more than enough thus far for them.

have you thought about getting a dog walker that can take your dog to the park here and there? you can continue to express your love in different ways and make sure they get what you would want them to have.

 

[AbsurdCapybara]

Have you tried using a flirt pole with your dog? My dogs love chasing after one and all I have to do is stay put in one place and let them do all the work, ha.

I've thought numerous times about rehoming my dogs before ctb and I just haven't been able to bring myself to do it yet. I went as far as interviewing breed-specific rescues and having one lined up so that I could rehome them when it was time to ctb. I feel selfish for not giving them a better life, a better home where people actually want to live and enjoy life vs me that is tired, in almost unbearable pain and grief who just wants to check out. I feel like my dogs deserve a better home than what I provide them. I am really sorry for your pain, it all feels pretty hopeless sometimes.

 

[dogtired]

I relate pretty strongly to your situation - I used to do so much fun stuff with my dog but developed a chronic illness that makes it a struggle to even walk him now. I'm lucky to have a great dog walker who helps meet his exercise and mental stimulation needs but I desperately miss being able to do all that with him myself.

Don't feel like you have to leave him with your son when you ctb, you can make other arrangements. Personally I'm not leaving my dog to my family when I go even though they love dogs (they're pet dog people and not equipped to handle my high drive working breed; wouldn't be fair to them). I'll be leaving a letter asking my dog walker to either adopt him herself (she loves him) or find him a suitable home with someone she knows and trusts. This way I know he'll be happy wherever he ends up and that brings me peace. Maybe something to think about for your dog so you don't have to worry about him so much when you're gone.

 

[perfectstorm]

I just sat on the deck in the light rain with him and asked the universe to help us. The wind is blowing and he wants us to sleep outside tonight :)

He is still out there so I will hang with him a bit more. Good peoplw are here at this site.

 

[perfectstorm]

Have you tried using a flirt pole with your dog? My dogs love chasing after one and all I have to do is stay put in one place and let them do all the work, ha.

I've thought numerous times about rehoming my dogs before ctb and I just haven't been able to bring myself to do it yet. I went as far as interviewing breed-specific rescues and having one lined up so that I could rehome them when it was time to ctb. I feel selfish for not giving them a better life, a better home where people actually want to live and enjoy life vs me that is tired, in almost unbearable pain and grief who just wants to check out. I feel like my dogs deserve a better home than what I provide them. I am really sorry for your pain, it all feels pretty hopeless sometimes.

My dog is pretty big and is a mutt with everything but terrier to make him chase things. He mostly leans to husky and was alone and sick when the cops raided a dog fighting ring down south. He was a tiny puppy likely going to be used as bait for dog fighting. So thank goodness for that raid. He loves the snow and frozen sardines lol.

 

[future_]

i can understand if humans go through shit but why puppies

 

[neonzebra]

Can you find someone to adopt your dog who may care for him more than your son? I know that alone can be a tiring and stressful task especially if you can't do much.
I have a cat and he's one of the main reasons I have stayed alive this past year. Out of everyone around me he's the one who would probably suffer or just be left to die by my family. He would probably just run away as he hates almost everyone but me (and my mum when she was alive). I am thinking of trying to find someone to adopt him but with so many friendly cats and kittens out there to adopt I don't know if anyone would. So for now I'll stay alive for him

 

[FadingFast2023]

I am sorry about your situation, but I do think you can take solace that your son will take care of the dog whenever the time comes. I can really relate to this. My entire life's plan was to CTB right after my mother died. A couple weeks before she died unexpectedly I took in a stray cat and just fell in love with her. I have multiple methods ready to go, but I decided (for now) that I will endure whatever it takes to let her live out her natural life. But on the bad health days it becomes really hard, and my mind goes to a lot of insane places thinking how to handle the situation. She is 11 ... so I assumed it's another 4-8 years. I am sort of the walking dead, because other than taking care of her, I've given up on all other aspects of life. I

 

[FuneralCry]

That just sounds so horrible what you've been through, it's just so cruel how existence can easily just get much more unbearable for people but anyway best wishes, it must be hard to deal with being in that situation.

 

[physics]

Have you thought of daycare? Or perhaps convincing an old rich couple since these people are more likely to buy/adopt. you can convince them about it.
edit: you can also contact any orphanage to adopt your dog, just tell them that you don't have much time left and you don't want your dog to be in a sad environment. I.e. if you're planning to ctb soon. Afterall a good environment is the best you can provide to your pet after you're gone.
I'm sorry for your situation