Is our dog dying?

[candygirl333]

PROBLEM:  My husband doesn't think our 15 yr old dog is dying, and won't/can't put her down. My husband doesn't think that her incontinence (pooping and peeing all over the house) is a good enough reason to put his dog down. My husband is TORN UP about ending her life, since she was a rescue dog from an abused home. She doesn't seem to be in pain, but she doesn't look happy nor like she is enjoying life. We have tried doggy diapers for incontinence, but due to her spinal stenosis, she can't wear them. She won't stay on a doggie pad, and has to be locked in the laundry room because she dribbles pee all over the house. She is ruining our carpet and hardwood floors due to the acid in her pee. She is on 4 baby aspirin a day (81mg each).  

The Vet encourages us to put her down. The Vet says anything over 13 years (for a dog her size) is considered bonus years and she is at the end of her bonus years.  He questions why we still keep her alive.

HELP US ASAP!!!  This situation is consuming our thoughts and our emotions.

Symptoms:
Spinal stenosis and walks like a drunken sailor.  Back legs start to fail when she stands still, until she ends up falling over or laying down.
Drinking a TON of water and coughs/gags when she is finished
Peeing and pooping in her sleep or involuntarily - constantly dribbles pee
Anal glands impacted and had to be expressed last mo.
Her breath and overall smell is HORRIBLE.  
Lost 8 lbs (normally 56 lbs down to 48).
Cysts on her body and 1 large one on her tongue (which vet said was benign).
Can't see or hear well
Nips at people
Keeps tail tucked in
Eats well
When she barks a brown spit comes out of her mouth and onto the windows (not a lot, but some).
Nervously paces all over the house at night.
Acts like she has dementia and doesn't know where she is.
Sleeps all day, takes a 20-30min crawl/walk a day.
Gums are a pale pink.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

Dear Candy,  You absolutely did the right thing and I believe that wherever she is she thanks you for it.  She did not have any more quality of life and she sounded unhappy.

She is now in her happier place enjoying her perfect body and mind and definitely looking over you!

[candygirl333]

Thank you for your kind words. We put our dear friend down this evening.  It was gut wrenching. I hope she doesn't hate us for this, because we are feeling a tremendous amount of guilt.  I pray for forgiveness, and I pray she is out of pain and onto a happier place..... looking over us.  Our hearts our breaking tonight.

[Frickinducky]

I hate to say it, but it is time.  I just went through this a few months ago with my chow lab girl.  Turns out she had a tumor at the back of her tongue.  I didn't wait as long.  She was just starting to have issues with swallowing.  The brown coloration and smell were infection and blood.  When she stopped having more good than bad days, I felt it was time.  The urine is probably burning her skin and the breath could be a combo of infection and renal issues as well.  It hurts, but time to let her go.  She is suffering physically and probably emotionally as well.