From: wolf775nsp@TAKEOUThotmail.com   
      
   We put our 18 year old sheltie mix down last year when she went blind in   
   addition to her other problems (arthritis, incontinence, bad hygiene,   
   constipation, lack of appetite, etc.). It was very difficult for us,   
   traumatic at the very least. We had tried various medications and   
   regimens and nothing seemed to work well.   
      
   But it was the right time. We were fighting a losing battle and although   
   she didn't seem to be terribly uncomfortable it wouldn't be long before   
   she fell on the stairs or developed more painful conditions.   
      
   10 years old isn't that young, I think of 12 as a nominal age for   
   passing of most dogs. You will be doing him a favor of saving him from a   
   long, uncomfortable decline and a poor quality of life. There are lots   
   of dogs at rescue organizations that need loving families. Our new girl   
   is a joy who really appreciates having a home.   
      
   I can't express the terrible pain and guilt we felt when we put ours   
   down but it was the right decision for us. No one can tell you what the   
   right thing is for you to do, but you should know that euthanasia is a   
   valid and humane option.   
      
   Good luck.   
      
   jsciba@yahoo.com wrote:   
   > My dog has had diabetes for a few years and has gone blind from it. We   
   > give him insulin shots daily (my wife won't tell me how much it costs!)   
   > He also has terrible skin allergies that cause him to smell   
   > horrendously. I can barely stand to be in the same room with him. The   
   > allergies also cause him to scratch and bite himself constantly, which   
   > aside from being annoying, causes his fur to get wet and smell even   
   > worse. It's embarassing to have company over. He can't hold his bladder   
   > for more than a few hours, which limits the time we can spend away from   
   > home.   
   >   
   > We've made countless trips to vets to address his allergy problems, but   
   > medication choices are limited because of his diabetes. My wife bathes   
   > him twice a week with medicated shampoo (per doctor's orders.)   
   >   
   > This is how his day goes: Wake up, pee outside, scratch, scratch, chew,   
   > chew, eat dog food, scratch, scratch, poop outside, eat his own poop,   
   > scratch, scratch, chew, chew, stink, stink -- well -you get the idea.   
   >   
   > The point is, I want to put him to sleep, but my wife and daughter   
   > think that would be cruel. He's only 10 years old (a small terrier mix)   
   > and doesn't seem to suffer, but he can't do any doggie activities   
   > anymore, and he's costing a lot of money. It would be hard for me to   
   > put him down, but that would be true even if he was truly needing it.   
   >   
   > Am I jumping the gun on wanting to put him down???   
   >   
      
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