euthanasia of a loved one

[Miranda]

Well, I've been blabing about the bike thieves at my house, and I think it's been attributed to my dog being sick. Big dogs barking tend to keep the riff raff away. The dog hasn't been able to bark lately.

My lab is 5yrs old. She has a back issue and is not getting better with meds. The other option is surgery. A gf had a similiar thing with her golden and it was $5K for the surgery, and not great odds that the dog would get better.

Tonight my poor baby lost controls of her bowels all over the family room carpet. She can't really walk, nor hold her back end right to go potty. She is such a good dog with no behavior issues. I know she just can't help it.

Sad part is that her mind is right. She's normally so active, and can't do anything but lie in one spot, and quivers. I don't know if she hurts, or is just so upset that she can't partake in things with the family like normal. Maybe both.

After tonight's incident, we're starting to think maybe the thing to do is put her down. The vet wanted to know how she was doing at week's end.

She's my third baby. My hiking partner. I love her so. But, it's heartbreaking to watch as is. Do you think the dog feels any pain when they get put down? I know there is some type of shot given to stop the heart. DH said he thinks they sedate them first prior to the shot?

I've never had to take a pet in before like this. It's just sad.

Here's a pic of her doing her most favorite lab thing in the world... swimming. Without the use of her hind legs, I think she would sink and drown.