The poor dog is suffering

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I am very upset with how my family is caring for my sister's old dog. I disagreed with my sister on how she was treating her dog throughout its life, but I usually had support from my parents. And while, before, the dog was just not treated to my higher than average standards, wanted for bit more attention, and was sometimes needlessly uncomfortable, now, she is needlessly suffering.

Her health visibly deteriorated overnight and the diagnosis was terminal. One day, she was taking slow walks just because she likes to stop and sniff the grass every few feet. The next day, the walks were still slow, despite her not stopping to sniff, but because she was no longer moving as fast; the speed and the distance dropped sharply. A week later, she now has to stop and rest every few feet and cannot make it past our property.

Before, she had some pain because of arthritis, but she only showed it during physical exams, when the vet pushed on her joints. Then one day, she stopped putting any weight at all on one of her legs. She has a hard time getting up on her own and falls more and more.

She was always picky about where to sleep, but now, despite having difficulty getting up or moving around, she cannot find anyplace to get comfortable. Last night, she was dead tired and could barely hold her head up, but she still could not get comfortable.

She has always been slow and picky about where to potty as well, but now, she cannot squat without help.

The only semi-"good" quality of life she still has is her appetite. She loves food.

At least, the vet was clear that there is no way to extend her life. My family cannot be in denial about that. But my family is talking about just trying to mitigate the symptoms until she passes. In my opinion, she has already passed the point of having poor quality of life. We should be focusing on planning a last awesome day for her before helping her to pass peacefully.

I did not bond with her as much as my own dog, but I do care for her. I have lived with my sister and her dog for almost as long as she has had her. It was my responsibility to care for her on occasion. She is harder to work with because she did not have as much training as I am used to, but I blame my sister for that, not her. She should not have to suffer any longer, just so my family can have more time with her.

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31st of July, 2013
Diagnosed: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Auditory-Verbal Processing Speed Disorder, and Visual-Motor Processing Speed Disorder.

Weak Emerging Social Communicator (The Social Thinking-­Social Communication Profile by Michelle Garcia Winner, Pamela Crooke and Stephanie Madrigal)

"I am silently correcting your grammar."

That would be lovely for the dog.....to be made as comfortable as possible until the Doggie Heaven day.

I agree with you that suffering should not be prolonged. I feel for your sister's dog and for you. I'm sorry.