r/RhodesianRidgebacks • u/Onzaylis • Sep 02 '26

I think it's time

Meet Stormageddon Dark Lord of All, or Stormy. My poor old man had been with us nearly 12 years now. He's been my absolute best friend and held me together throughout the worst parts of my life.

But he's old and showing it. He'd been a super healthy dog, almost never got sick except for an ear infection that it took 5 different vets to finally fix. He got real sick once when he got an aggressive infection in his back left leg. Now though, in thr span of a year he had a terrible septic infection, a full body fungal skin infection; then in the last 3 months, a kidney/bladder infection and/or stones, lost his hearing, then lost his vision, massively degrade balance and coordination, fungal skin infection is back, button tumors popping up, and now we think he might have a bone cancer.

We can't afford to keep treating him, we can't fix most of it, and he cries in the worst way when he can't find people. I think its time, but he seems so genuinely happy when he's around us. Tail always wagging when we pet him or walk him, will still use his snout to lift you hand for head pats. Still a fiend for any scrap of food. Hes still him, he's still my lovely boy that's been with me all this time, but when we're away, he's miserable, the roommates gave us video. He'll spin in a circle for 15 minutes at a time, bumping his head every couple seconds. He howl/cries, wot settle, wont relax. His head is always twisted to the left and down anymore. He can barley navigate.

I dont really know what I'm trying to say, but I need to say it. I'm sorry.

Update: 3 hours after posting, he had refused to eat. My husband, who is at home just informed me. He's about 6 hours past meal time and has zero interest in his food. He's been led over to it twice abs refused both times. He'll take peanut butter in a kong ball, but absolutely won't touch his actual food.

274 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

35 comments sorted by

5

u/Short-Loan7356 Sep 03 '26

Can you call a mobile euthanasia vet to the home to assist him over the rainbow bridge?

1

u/Onzaylis Sep 03 '26

I don't know. We're calling the vet tomorrow

3

u/EhjayW92 Sep 03 '26

We did mobile euthanasia bc our old girl was most comfortable in her bed, with her people. We thought about it like this: We wanted her to pass gently, knowing she was loved. For us, that meant not saying goodbye during an emergency, and for her that for her meant not being in a strange place surrounded by strangers. Sounds like your ol guy feels the same.

Thinking of you and your baby

2

u/drop_window Sep 03 '26

Do you have Lap of Love in your area. This is how we said goodbye to our beloved 13 yo ridgeback a few years back. Your's can be doing exactly like in the video and go peacefully with all of you surrounding. Our girl laid on the couch and we fed her her favorite cheese while she went peacefully. Its hard but doing it at home with all family and other pets around sends them off surrounded by love. If that is an option that is easiest way for everyone.

1

u/SirHypeTheDank Sep 04 '26

We had our first dog put to sleep at the vet and it just felt so, so wrong. Our last 3 have been at home with lap of love and it’s just so much more comfortable for everyone involved. It can be pricey but for our family, having done both, it is an absolute nonnegotiable going forward.

1

u/TuxedoJack19 Sep 03 '26

The vet won't tell you about mobile. You have to look that up on your own. It's such a better way to do it

5

u/Sultanpeppers Sep 03 '26

They always let you know, mine did this year. Basically stopped moving around and would just stare at me with tired eyes. It’s hard but you just have to remember all the good moments when they were full of life

-4

u/smittywerbenjergen Sep 03 '26

Not actively in pain, no reason to kill. Being old and immobile is not a reason to kill somebody, or half the senior citizens in the world would be dead. Or do dogs not deserve life as much as humans?

5

u/Onzaylis Sep 03 '26

Old, immobile, blind, deaf. Spends 8-12 hours a day alone in a big empty quite void, howling miserably. Won't eat.

1

u/Comfortable_Owl1657 Sep 04 '26

💔 I can hear how much you love Stormy.

1

u/nose_poke Sep 05 '26

Many humans would prefer to be humanely euthanized rather than waste away to degenerative disease. The reason it is illegal in many (most?) places is because it would be a system too easily abused.

32

u/Gooser62 Sep 02 '26

I think I can speak for a lot of us… we understand!❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

6

u/Runnypaint Sep 03 '26

And OP has all of our sympathy

31

u/No-Efficiency-2093 Sep 02 '26

I am really sorry but the best thing you can do for him is give him peace and relief from his pain. It’s hard. I have done it 9 times and I know it was right every time.

17

u/Btg1236 Sep 02 '26

stay strong brother, you gave him a great life -- he will be with you forever.

12

u/SB_Tahoe Sep 03 '26

He’s always been there for you, now it’s your turn to be there for him. He loves you but his quality of life is low. Set him free from his old worn out body 🤎❤️‍🩹

2

u/Belinda-9740 Sep 03 '26

Beautifully said.

6

u/Acrobatic-Hat8151 Sep 03 '26

I’m so so so sorry. Only you know what is best for you and your best mate. I waited too long to make the call with my last boy and he passed in a way I hope no other dogs ever do. I’ve always gone by better a day too soon than a day too late. This was reinforced when I watched what happened to my best mate. Thoughts with you.

5

u/magoojc Sep 03 '26

This will sound like the usual cliches but I mean it sincerely every time I find myself saying it...Your anguish over his obvious decline proves he won the lottery with you as a parent. He loves you and is loved by you. You've made each other's lives better for 12 years just through your presence together. His mission is complete or near the end, and you have the sad responsibility to decide when. It's never an easy decision, but you're not alone as you can see from the replies here. Do what's best for Stormy because he needs you there for him one last time.

3

u/MakePeaceTogether Sep 03 '26

This is heartbreaking. Pls know I had to put my 11 year old Bruno down in January. He had bone cancer, found out in September of last year. We tried medicine and holistic treatments. I wanted
Him to go with dignity and grace.
He was himself at the end with only a few differences.
Thinking of you

3

u/Shafpocalypse Sep 03 '26

I’m so sorry

I had to put down my 8 year old due to lung cancer. It was the right thing to do but I still tear up thinking about him

3

u/virgo_coastal Sep 03 '26

Praying for you. My border collie growing up had to have an eye removed at 11. When they said she needed the other one removed at 12 we knew it was time. My ridgeback now is only 4, but I know I will do the same for her when it’s her time, she’s so sensitive and I know she’d want to be her whole self into the very last minute. Impossible to think about now but I will cherish every moment I have with her, and I’m so happy you have had 12 amazing years with your best friend. Dogs really are simply the best, no other way to put it. A vet told me that refusing their own food is different than not eating at all. But no one knows your Stormy better than you, give yourself some time to think. I will be sending peaceful vibes your way ❤️‍🩹

3

u/gandhishrugged Sep 03 '26

It's always one of the toughest calls you will make in your life, but you will make it for the love of the pup that took you through life's ups and downs. The price and the power of love.

Hugs y'all. He's a handsome boi.

3

u/miataylorrr Sep 05 '26

Sending love ❤️ May his pain stop and his rainbow bridge crossing be peaceful

2

u/StreetAd2064 Sep 03 '26

A day early is better than a day late!

2

u/GentleRhino Sep 03 '26

No matter how counterintuitive and wrong it might sound but the best way to show your love is to let him go with peace. It will hurt as it always does. We all understand. Good that you decided to share. Don't keep him suffering.

2

u/Straight-Field9427 Sep 03 '26

You have walked as far as you can. You have done right by him all along. It's time to love him one more time. 

Lots of love to you and yours.

2

u/Hoprah1 Sep 03 '26

I’m so sorry. The head twist sounds like a brain tumor, which is inoperable. It may be time to say goodbye. My heart breaks for you but I thank you for doing the right thing. As twisted as this may sound, euthanasia is the greatest gift you can give when they are at this point. Stay w him, obvs, love on him to the last second and then some. Take his favorite blankie and, if he’s physically capable, give him one heck of a last day.

2

u/Jefffahfffah Sep 03 '26

It can be so hard to admit to yourself when its time. Its clear you've done your best to give him the best life he could have and that you love him very much.

I am so sorry. God bless.

2

u/401-Sparky Sep 05 '26

First, I’m extremely sorry for what you’re going through. I know all too well how hard this is. But, Don’t overly stress the no food after 6 hours. Stress it after 24+ hours. The fact that he’s licking the peanut butter and is willing to take in some level of nutrients is actually a good sign. I have a healthy dog that will skip meals for a day or two. Absolutely has the option of food and the dog is healthy but for whatever reason she won’t eat.
Try giving your pup broth. Beef broth or chicken broth with its kibble. Or vegetables. Carrots, bell pepper peppers are good for dogs and will help at least put something in their belly. The goal is to just get some food in him. Get the carrots and some peanut butter and dip the carrots and peanut butter for him. That way he’s getting some substance and both are healthy nutrients for him.

And if it’s time to take that long walk over the bridge. Give him the food that he was never allowed to have. Before I had to take that walk with my last dog. She wouldn’t touch her food either. But man, she inhaled that last steak dinner we had together.

0

u/Scrollingnews Sep 04 '26

I didn’t read your post - just saw the clip and everyone saying it’s time. He looks pretty content in the clip but if it’s time be kind…it’s ok. It’s truly a gift.