My German Shepherd

Question
My 7 year old german shepherd bitch, about 2 months ago, started having trouble with her back legs, then one day her back legs went totally on her. We rushed her to a vet, who did an M.R.I scan on her and decovered that she has slipped a disc in her spine and it had pinched nerves, causeing total loss in her hind area, which included passing urine, and feises. After staying in a pet hostial in Exeter for 5 weeks,and having phisio, she has come home to us, but she needs a harness to help her get up, and walk as the back legs are still notworking, plus it seems she has no feeling when she needs to open her bowls, and is soiling everywhere in the house.. We have been told that she may never get this feeling back, and she will always need the harness to help with walking.. After spending over 3 thousand pounds on vet bills, we cant aford anything else.. we are torn, on what to do, as she has been part of our family.. do you think it would be best to have her put to sleep, as all she does now is lie on her bed, she can't get up without aid, she can't run and play, and she is soiling herslf daily...  thank you

Answer
You have a very difficult decision.  I like to consider the dog's quality of life.  With all her problems, does she still have any activities she enjoys?  We had to make a decision about a 15 year old Lab a couple of years ago.  She was a frail, old dog her last couple of years, but still enjoyed her walks.  Finally her advancing problems robbed her of her walsk and even eating and it was time.  

We had another old dog that was soiling himself.  He seemed embarrassed by it.  He spent most of his last summer lying outside in the sun. As cold weather set in, we didn't think he would make it through the winter and decided it was time.  

You might wait a little and see if she regains control of her bowels and bladder.  If not, the time may have come.  

I am very sorry.