How to Decide When to Put Your Dog to Sleep?
87Elderly Dogs
It is one of the hardest decisions that pet owners can make- when is the right time to put your dog (or other pet) to sleep. Because our dogs become part of the family, when they start to age and show signs of age, it can be very hard to decide when it is time to let them go.
If you have an elderly dog, you are probably taking all precautions already to caring for your older dog, but if you need a little help, you can check out Caring for an Elderly and Aging Dog for more tips for caring for an elderly dog.
It is a very hard decision to make, especially since out dogs become part of the family. We play with them, exercise them, train them, feed them, and in many cases sleep with them. Face it, we spend A LOT of time with our dogs, so when the time comes when you notice that you older dog just doesn’t have the same spunk as he used to, it may be time to start thinking about the one subject that no dog owner wants to touch until the last minute…
Euthanasia…
My Opinion Before We Get Started
Many people want to let God take over and decide when is the right time to let the dog pass on, but if you think about it, we have already pretended to be God by preventing all sorts of “natural” diseases and illnesses with regular shots, pills, and other medications. So is it fair to let out beloved pets live in possible pain and agony while we wait for God to take over?
I am not saying that everyone should go out and put their dog to sleep at the first sign of old age, but I believe that there is a point in every dog’s life that if he is suffering, it’s time to let him go.
You don’t want to keep the dog alive and in pain for your own benefit and selfishness. You want to think of what lifestyle your dog is currently having. If he is not happy, sick, and suffering, I’m sorry to be blunt, but it’s time…
Now, if you are still hanging in there with me, please continue reading while I keep my opinions to myself and I am as unbiased as I can be able the subject.
Below, I am going to try to explain the basics of how the procedure is done and tips to dealing with the grief afterwards.
Thinking about putting your dog to sleep
If you think about your dog’s wants and wellbeing, ask yourself what does he want?
The answer is actually pretty simple. Your dog wants fun, love, attention, and good health… That means no pain or suffering… Which is pretty much what we want ourselves.
There is no set time or limit or one-for-all decision that everyone can make as to when to put the dog to sleep. It is by individual situation and opinion as to when that time is. So, I cannot tell you that today is the day that you put your 13 year old dog to sleep just because he’s 13 because what if he still runs around and barks at strangers and begs to be pet and loved on? Now, that doesn’t sound like a dog that is ready to be put down.
But, we all know when it is time. It is just something that we do not want to have to face when it is that time.
How is it done?
Euthanasia is a very simple and pain free process. You can opt to have your dog put to sleep at the vet, or in many cases, the vet will be willing to come to your home to do it in your dog’s surroundings.
Most vet’s give the dog a shot of barbiturate, or another sedative, to relax the dog and put him unconscious, and then the vet or vet tech will give the dog another shot to actually put the dog to sleep and to stop his heart.
Not all dogs react the same. You will find that dogs with poor circulation may take a little long for the drugs to take into effect, and with some dogs, it may take a little longer for the muscle twitches to stop. In these cases, do not be alarmed or upset thinking that you have made the wrong choice. You dog is not fighting to stay alive, he is already fully unconscious.
Help Dealing with the Grief
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Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet
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When a Family Pet Dies: A Guide to Dealing With Children's Loss
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When Only the Love Remains: The Pain of Pet Loss
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Blessing the Bridge: What Animals Teach Us About Death, Dying, and Beyond
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Dealing with the grief of putting your dog to sleep
When dealing with the grief of losing a pet, there are many different means of coping. A few tips can include the following:
- If you know that your older dog is going to need to be put to sleep in the near future, go ahead and get another puppy. This will help you with the emotional pain when your older dog is gone.
- Go ahead and make plans, as to when you will put your dog to sleep (if you know that he is getting worse), where you will put your dog to sleep (the vet or at home), and what you will do with his body (leave at the vet, bury, cremation, etc). This will help with the coping process, having everything pre-planned
- Have someone go with you when you take the dog to the vet, or have someone with you when the vet comes to your home, so that you have someone that you can be with during and after the process.
- And, when the vet or vet tech is preparing your dog, just be with him. Hold him, stroke him, talk to him. This will help you and it will calm him.
If you want more tips, you can check out this hub about Dealing With The Loss of A Pet
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Comments
Sober subject. Great hub. Thank you. Bill
Hi Whitney: I think you captured the whole process very, very well. I had to put my dog down (it was some time ago) and it was a very difficult thing to do. As so many owners will say, he was my baby. My son. We had been through so much together. He was missing an eye and had surgery which (well, this isn't the place for that information) and he had saved my life as well. But you are right. You have to put all those things aside and do what's best for the dog. If he is in pain, it is time to let him go.
Thanks for a great hub, and giving me a chance to take a few moments to remember my best friend.
Great Hub that really makes a good point. My Mum's 14 year old greyhound, who also lived with me for 2 years will soon reach this stage, and yet we all love her dearly. I dread the day we have to let her go.
Having also had to experience putting my 3 year old Doberman to sleep around 7 years ago due to a rare hereditary condition that caused liver failure, I know how terribly painful this is, but I had no choice.
It truly is like losing a family member, and I never truly got over losing my Doberman "Odin".
I've had dogs die in my arms of old age and I've held them when they were put to sleep. The comforting thought is they seem to understand that you're doing it for their own good. While it hurts, you also know that to prolong the pain for a pet is cruel. It still is one of the toughest decisions to make. Thanks for the 'Dealing with Grief' section - practical tips to handle a highly emotional event.
My mum and dad had to take my 19 year old beloved Daschund to be put to sleep today. He had been suffering from epilepsy and last night he had a terrible fit. I have just moved abroad two weeks ago, and to not have been with him today I feel so guilty. I have cried all day and feel like I have lost my greatest ever friend. I'm going to be lost without the little fella...
Whitney you have touched on a raw nerve. As I started reading down the Hub I was thinking, oh yes just another Hub. Then the memories flooded back.
Over the years we have had Scruffy, Misty, Tinkerbell, Axl, Pierre (all very old in pet years and all very much loved, with probably misguided TLC) euthanised. It does not get any easier to make the decision. Only when ?
congratulations a beautifully crafted Hub
putting an animal to sleep is very very difficult. If the dog is old, and in pain then why let them suffer. Animals go to the same place we go to when we die. If you have a dog that is old and not in pain but is starting to lose its bladder control, lost his eye sight, and can no longer hear, then the dog should be put to sleep. Im sure the dog is scared and why would you want to keep a dog alive in this condition.
We just got back from the Vet who told us that our 11 year old Buddy has a large cancerous tumor. He is a wonderful dog and companion and has been with us since our son-in-law found him abandoned in the woods. Everyone that has every met Buddy say that he is the very best behaved dog they have ever seen. Well, now he can't really stand up, doesn't want to eat or drink and just lays on the rug with this eyes wide open and occasionally wagging his tail. We brought Buddy back home with us and now we aren't really sure what to do. His quality of life has deterated quite rapidly in the last 30 days. But to have him put to sleep in the next day or two is really a decision we must make. We believe we know what to do, but we are having a difficult time justifying it. Please help us understand.
If the dog is suffering, which it sounds like he is, then it will be up to you to decide if you want to put him out of misery or let him suffer a slow death.
My 15 year old sheltie, is 90 percent blind, deaf, he can walk around, but he mostly sleeps, he is not happy, he is not the same guy, he cant play and doesnt give hugs or kisses like he did six months ago, I have put off 3 times putting him to sleep, I cant let go. Now I think I can tommorrow ive got a appointment, am I wrong, I feel like I am killing him? Please help me!
You are helping him. If you feel he is suffering, you are helping him. It will be calm and peaceful for him.
OUR DOG IS 14 AY.O GERMAN SHEPARD/DOBBIE, AND NOT VERY HAPPY. HE MOANS & GROANS ALOT. WE HAVE GIVEN HIM ARTHRITIS DOGGIE TABS OF NO HELP. HE HAS HAD A VERY ENJOYABLE LIFE STYLE.. WHAT DO WE DO NOW????
HE HAS BEEN A VERY GOOD FRIEND & UNDERSTANDING OF EVERTHING AND WE ARE SORRY TO LET HIM GO.
PERHAPS WE WILL MEET TOGETHER IN ANOTHER LIFE!
I agree. I have had dogs and cats all my life until very recently. Taking a pet animal to the vet for the last time is extremely difficult, and leaving him there and walking out the door without him is almost unbearable. Still, the time comes when it is the right thing to do. Not having to face that again made us decide, at our age, that when the last one left us, there would be no more.
Thank you for your support and courage to share, tonight I know that my beloved Gizmo is ready and I havd felt such emotion and guilt about this. He is 17, Red Min Pin, Beautiful and my heart. He was diagnosed with diabetis in 04' on insulin since, has survived most of his dog friedns from Back East and here in AZ. Recently after being away with me and our other dog Azzi at the Lake with th Rv for four days, he was him slef except less apetite, as returned , he was ill and the Vet says that he had enlarged Heart, namonia, then meds were needed, well after three days, he has stopped eating, getting sick, yesterday, he ate some even lifted his leg to go... he still has his pride..
But today no food, no water barely, and I have been crying and just being with him, am usually anyway., well while reading your story, the comments he got sick again, I just cleaned him, got him comfortable, know for sure he is going... I did think God would take hime home, but realize I need to help the journey...
I will be there with him tomorrow and will call our vet first thing, she was expecting him to pull through when we talked Friday and I said I am really worred I am prolonging his life ... I would never want to quit before the miracle happens ...
I just know my little guy has faought a good fight and has had an incredibel life and has been so much to so many...
Again, Thank you.
Donna
I found it helped to bring my dog home afterwards and to bury him myself the next day. It gave me some closure. I know exactly where his body is and that he's wrapped in his blanket. He has a nice spot in the garden planted with flowers.
I held him while he was pts and felt his spirit leave him like a breeze through my heart as his body relaxed. I spent time with him at home afterwards, he looked so peaceful.
i have the unfotunate task of taking my dog in 2 hours time to be put to sleep, he is 19 years old, now blind and deaf, not many teeth left, i have had him from 6 weeks old and he is my baby, as i'm typing this i'm crying uncontrollably but i know for his sake i've made the right decision, i'll never forget him he was such a faithful friend
I am 20 years old and I have had my dog Lucky since I was 5 years old. He was 2 when we got him and he is now having a really hard time getting up. He was 2 when we got him back in 1995. I know his time is coming but I am not ready to put him down. He has been and still is my best friend. Am I being selfish? And do you think if he is having a hard time getting up is a reason to put him down? He is 15 years told and we have been giving him Gluecosmin or something like that to help his joints. Before we started giving him that though all he would do is lay around. The medicine seemed to help, but again he seems to have a hard time getting up again. Please someone give me advice on what to do....I don't want to loose my best friend yet.....
Personally, keeping the dog alive is selfish, as he is pretty old and he is suffering. That's just my opinion, but it will be your ultimate decision as to what to do.
never thats 2mean
So you'd rather your dog suffer in pain and misery?
My dog of 10 years had to be put to sleep today. He has battled cancer for 4 months and took a terrible turn for the worst yesterday. I knew it was time. I think our hearts keep our beloved pets alive maybe a liitle to long in some cases as in ours due to us not wanting to let go. My children were devistated as I was but it was time. He is in God's hands now and in ours all the way till the end.
We love you and miss you Rocky!
My best friend and my "rock" for the last fifteen years, Boo, I fear is ready for me to help him go to the rainbow bridge. But how do I know for sure? I know he does not like being left alone any longer....and I have to work each day. I know that he has had several incidents in the last few months (the last one yesterday) where he has gotten stuck in our house...meaning his legs have given out on the hardwood floor and he doesn't have the strength to get up. He is scared I think....and he wants me beside him all of the time but I cannot be there for him as I want to with work and three children. He has been my friend, my angel, my buddy for so long--I truly have no idea how to go forth without him. I love him so much and he is such a fixture in my life--how do I do what I need to do? Please someone tell me how to do this.... I think I need to do it for him--it's not fair to him for me to keep holding on.
The kindest thing is to let him go. Our Greyhound had to be put to sleep a few weeks back. It wasn't easy by any means, and I raised her vein for the final injection. I knew it was the right thing to do for her sake. Her kidneys had clearly collapsed, and so had she. It was not fair to keep her going because we wanted her alive so we didn't have to deal with the loss. I see this as the greatest act of love you can give to your pet at the end, and am sure this is what they want, (and I am an ex-vet's nurse).
Just about 4 months ago, I put one of my best friends to sleep...Bartles was 17 and was in good health until his last day. I knew at that age, he could not go one much longer, and one day we awoke together and he could no longer stand up. I knew it was time and I let him go. I had expected it for several years, and, I still mourned his passing. While a loved pet cannot truly be replaced, I do have another wonderful dog...Kula is a pure, French, Jack Russell...wow!
We are going to put our baby girl Ladybug to sleep today. She has been with us for 15 years and truly was our baby. Our last child will be out of college in a few months and so she really was our only kid at home. Her health is not good and I know that this will be the best for her but it is extremely hard. All the comments I have read have helped but I am still heartbroken. Please pray for our family.
My 6 year old Golden Retriever Shadow was diagnosed with Lymphoma Cancer about 3 months ago, we gave him chemo treatments but he fell into the 20% that didn't go into remission.. and so the vet gave us chemo tablets to give him at home but they made him vomit and he stopped eating. We stopped the tablets so that we could get his vomiting and eating under control, and we have stopped the vomiting, but he still will not eat. We have to blend his food up and give it to him as a liquid, but even then... he doesn't take it voluntarily. He has lost SIGNIFICANT amount of weight, he is only 81 pounds right now, and he was 97 when we started... now all he does is lay around and doesn't really play becuase he doesn't have the strength to move around like that, he can walk fine when he has to go outside for the bathroom or something, but other than that, he just usually lays. The vet says we will have to make a decision soon.. and i don tknow what to do, i'm 16 and i've had him since i was 10 (he was 2 months), i hate to see him suffering like this, because if he would start eating again, then he would be doing fine, becasue his lymph nodes have gone done extensivly. Could it be that he has just given up? or is there still hope? id ont know what to do.. please someone help me and tell me what to do... i really dont want to lose him, i'm not very good at dealing with stuff like that, but i dont want to see him starving himself either, because really, if he's starving himself, then he's still dying, it's just a slower, more painful death, so what do i do? PLEASE help me :(. thanks
If the dog isn't doing anything except laying around doing nothing, and he's not eating and whatever else, then he is going to have a long slower death. If you want him alive, he will suffer. It looks like you ahve done a lot to help him, and I'm sorry that his cancer did not going in to remission. My puppy (18 months) is currently fighting bone cancer, and is on chemo. In your shoes, I would humanely have the dog euthanized because it seems he is suffering. You did all that you could do to help him, and I'm sorry that the treatments have not helped.
Our pets are amazingly sensitive about telling us when they've had enough, aren't they? They give us clues like stopping eating and drinking (those are huge clues). It's we, the pet owners, who tend to keep trying well after we should give up and do the right thing by our beloved pets. I don't know why this is -- could be a carryover from medicine for humans, where we expect miracle doctors to heal our fatally ill pets. I can say this because my husband and I have the vet bills to prove how out of our minds we were trying to keep our cat Penny alive. Yes, we managed to forestall her death by a few months. But at what cost? I can honestly say her quality of life at the end was terrible. I feel remorseful for forcing her to endure longer than necessary. But in the end, we "just knew" when the time was right. And we have never regretted that decision.
I have two Old boys, They are both rescue dogs which we've had from only weeks old. They have now reached the age's of 14 & 15 and are showing old age and illness. Bill is 15, totally deaf, has lumps all over and is now just starting to lose the use of his back legs. Fagan is 14 and has cushings syndrome, He is very uncomfortable, has bad skin and is also deaf. Fagan finds it hard to get up and when he does he is limping from the front. I've thought about taking them to the vets to do the kind thing, but I feel so guilty as their illness and old age isn't my only area of concern - I feel so selfish for my thoughts. We have two small children whom have obviously grown up with the boys, but over the past year theve been messing in the house on a daily basis, I'm putting this down to their old age as it's not like them. Also were getting woke up sometimes 6 times during the night/mid morning as they are wining - sometimes for reasons I can't explain, so I'm up and down like a yoyo - not good when we to be up early for the school runs. I'm feeling really bad for even mentioning this and feel really selfish. I had the boys at the vets this morning and he said he has seen worse cases of old age, but also said he wouldn't stand in the way of any decision I make. I've decided to go along with the vets advice and put them both on Previcox medication to help them get along - he gave me a weeks course to try them. I feel so deflated as I live hundreds of miles away from family and friends and my husband is always away months on end as he is in the forces. My husband and I said that if the dogs ever became incontinent (through old age) or they started showing signs of losing the use of their legs then that would be the day we made the decision. They are showing all the signs and more - but what do I do and am I being selfish for putting the welfare of our lifestyle into the equation. I was hoping someone out their could give me some support and advice. Thanks for reading my post. Joanne xx
Joanne, in the end it is up to you to decide when it is time to euthanize the dogs. It sounds like they are not doing well, and they are suffering since they are not able to do the regular doggy things that they used to be able to do. In a way, yes, it is selfish to keep them alive and on medicines to keep them alive, but it is ultimately your decision.
We are trying to decide when to put our dog down. She still is eating and drinking, and can still walk. She has lost her hearing and has trouble going up a flight of stairs. We have an appointment for tomorrow, but we still are not sure if "it's time".
Thank you for your reply - I know I have to make that big decision, one which I haven't decided on yet. I have tried the medication the vet gave me, Bill seems to be taking it fine and has more manoeuvre now, however Fagan took it badly - his breathing and heart rate went erratic after the first day on it so i took him off them. The added problem I face is that if these tablets do start improving Bill's life - Fagan still has no improved quality of life due to the medication not working. I simply couldn't put my Children through the process twice and am still thinking that getting them put to sleep together is the nice option as they've spent the past 15 nearly 16 years together. I keep putting it on hold, i was going to take them in Feb, but am now possibly going to hold on (if they will) untill Mar/Apr when my Husband gets back home. Thank you for your support Joanne x
We put our 13 yr. old Bouvier to rest 2 days ago. We struggled with "the right time" to do it. She quit eating so I tried to hand feed her. She quit drinking so I tried to wet her mouth with water. I worried and fretted every day the past week but it was obvious. She was getting weaker and although her eyes were connecting with me, her body has lost a lot of muscle mass and weight (since her last vet check at the end of November she lost 20 pounds). My husband and I were with her and the process was painless and we both laid on the floor and held her head and stroked her and told her what a good old girl she was. She fell asleep with the sedative and then the doctor gave her the last of the medicine. Very peaceful, except for the both of us who wept through the entire process. Two days later, I feel relief for her. No more getting weaker and more being thirsty. This was a very personal and dignified option for our girl who deserved that. Aside from the obvious loss we feel (we picked out of the litter when she was 4 weeks old) it wasn't as bad as we feared. A lot of our hesitation was fear of the unknown. Her needs came first. Your intuition will let you know the right time. It was a blessing for her.
My cocker spaniel is 16 on April 11. He lost his hearing a few years ago. He has been taking medication for arthrits, congestive heart failure for a few years now also. In Oct. I took him to 3 different vets because he started taking seizures and pacing like he was out of it. Finally, 1 of the vets treated him for side effects of seizures which he didn't have one for 3 mths. Now, he has started back taking 1 a day. He has lost 3 pounds in 3 mths. Today, he has finally quit eating but is drinking. Don't want to take his life so I'm going to see how he will do tomorrow as far as drinking and eating and will be taking him in for fluids if not doing anybeter. Hope thinks will work out for him but he has a lot against him right now. He has lived a good like and has been my companion for almost 16 years. I love him dearly. I've never felt like this before. I know and dread when the time comes that I may have to have him put down. Hoping that he will go in his sleep but I don't think he will. He keeps fighting and holding on. My cat rubs up against him to comfort him also. She knows he isn't doing good.
When they quit eating you must get fluids from the vet and go from there. He is my best buddy in the world.
my 16 y/o daschound is now blind and has some hearing loss. She still eats and drinks and can walk short distances.. (like from the bedroom to the backyard) She doesn't play, just goes outside to potty and immediately comes in to lay down. She also has become very irratable and mean. She used to be so loving and loved to be pet and to cuddle... Now, she doesn't even let me pet her! She snarls and even has bitten me! I could've never imagined this because we were so close and I struggle with the next step.. I don't think she is herself anymore, but I am struggling with knowing if it is the right time. It's hard because she still eats and gets excited for treats, but something has changed...
I would not recommend putting a dog down for the convience of the owner. Only when the dog is suffering and in pain. When the dog will no longer eat or drink and loses control of bowls.
Has anyone else been through what I am going through and how do you deal with it? I love my dog more than anything else in the world, but since she has gotten so aggressive (the vet thinks it is age, site loss, hearing loss and some degree of her going senile) she no longer lets me hold or pet her... I now have had a total of 8 stiches in my chin (2 seperate bites) , 6 stitches on my leg just above my knee and several other bites that did not require medical attention just from me trying to help her up the back porch stairs, petting her when she came up to me one morning and the last one was me bending over to pick up a kleenex she was ripping to shreds!! I look at her though and see that she still gets joy from eating treats, has not really had a noticeable change in appetite and thus far can still let me know when she needs to go out... I think she is so cute and she just melt my heart! That is why I am so torn up! I love her with all of my heart, but am now scared of her! I know that these changes in behavior scare her also, but I saw my grandma go through this and she would've hated it if she was in the "right mind" to know what was going on... I know pets are not the same as people, but Chloe is as important to me as any person in my family! I would love to know if someone else has been through this...
I have not gone through what you're going through, but you're making yourself miserable by keeping the dog alive. If she is going senile and having aggression problems due to old age, then you may need to consider putting her down. She is not happy, hence the onset of aggression.
Thank You so much Whitney.. Actually I just got back from the emergency vet clinic... I was woken up from my nap today by a horrible "scream" from chloe... She was laying in the hallway unable to walk! Her left hind leg would not move and her left "arm" was so weak.. I took her in, they did testing and feel that she had a stroke... I am devestated! I think I dd the best thing for her, i just hope she feels that way... For anyone going through this, it is by far the hardest thing I have EVER been through! I stayed with her through the whole thing, I couldn't have imagined just leaving her there; alone... There is an organization that is called Pet Angels. They pick up the pet, is allowing me to go visit chloe again tomorrow (she is preserved as humans are after death), and they do a private creamation... They called me to let me know that they have picked up chloe and she is sweet! The angel in my area is Shelly.. She actually explained to me that she has been through this too.. She felt just as I do, and wondered at the time if she had done the right thing by making the decision... About 8 months later, another one of her dogs passed away on his own while she was at work...She said that was by far harder since she didn't get to say goodbye! It is really comforting to me right now....
Thanks again Whitney for this site and for your words of wisdom... This will never be easy for me, but I am grateful to know that I am not alone!
Hi My dog Sandy is nearly 16 and a collie cross whipett. She has osteoarthritis and the vet thinks that her kidneys might be on the way out because she's lost 2k in the last month. She is still enjoying her food and walks down the road and back with me. She bowls down with a loping gait as its downhill but comes back slow. She still enjoys sniffing at the grass along the lane. She sleeps most of the time when she's not having a drink or little munch. I'm writing because I know the time is coming when I'm going to have to take a decision to have her euthanased. I recently went away on holiday and the girl I asked to house/dog sit (I've got 2 dogs) has been very off hand with me and I had to come home early because she said she had stopped staying in the house. She has just told me today that she is disgusted that I am keeping Sandy in the condition she is in. My vet told me last week that although we should be thinking about it, that Sandy is still enjoying her food etc and we should keep an eye on her weight.
I feel terrible that this girl has been feeling so badly about me (I have been able to feel her animosity) and I aqm doubting my self now. How bad does my dog have to be?? Have i gone too far? Sorry but i needed to get this off my chest
Claire
My husband and I had to put our beloved 16 year old sheltie/shepherd mix, Buddy, to sleep this past weekend. We adopted him from the pound as a pup & you couldn't ask for a better family member! He was the sweetest dog ever and although we didn't want to admit it to ourselves, he was deteriorating much faster than we thought. This past week was bad, but nothing compared to what we dealt with on Saturday, which made up our minds to bring Buddy to the vet. She concurred with our thoughts, although I kept changing my mind... I just couldn't go through with our decision. Once in the vets office, Buddy didn't move an inch on the table... he just lay there. We stayed and talked to Buddy & held him and loved him as he drifted off, into a world free of pain. It's two days later and I can't stop crying, but reading everyone's comments here have helped greatly. We feel we made the right decision for our beloved Buddy... even though we may not have been ready to let him go. Buddy, rest in peace... pain free! We love you and you will always be remembered!! xo
PS Thank you for this helpful site
Our big labrador cross rescue dog is now 12 years old. The vet says he's had a stroke. He's slow to get up but still enjoys food and water. My problem is we live in a built up area - I fought for him when we moved here - but now if someone isn't in the room with him he barks all the time and he's LOUD! We can't be here all the time obviously and I'm supposed to be going on training for a week next week. He'd have to go into the kennels. Now I'm scared I'm rushing the decision for my own needs but my neighbour said he barked solidly for 2 hours when I was out yesterday. I love him and he's a loyal family pet but I don't know what to do for the best. How can I be SURE I'm not just being selfish. Thanks.
This is one of the hardest decisions to make regarding any animal. My cat had severe liver problems but he was helping me so much with my depression my mom couldn't put him down until after I went to treatment. At my barn we had the sweetest Arabian gelding who had many melanomas and was constantly losing weight and he had impacted so many people that nobody wanted to put him down but when he lost so much weight and his cancer had spread everywhere and we had to put him down... it wasn't fair for him to live like that because we needed him. His pain was too great and suffering was too much to watch. We were lucky that the barn is down the road from the equine hospital and he got to walk there.
After reading almost every entry to date. I am now considering it is time to put my 15 year old retriever/lab cross to sleep. Sammy still has his appetite (I think he will til the very end) but he is constently leaking urine and occasionally loses complete control of his bladder. He always was a very clean dog and there is no doubt he does like what is happening. He is still happy when he is outside and has his appeitite which is why I have prolonged any decisions. But he is quite wobbly and loses control of his hind legs often, he has also lost weight in his hind quaters only and is almost completely blind (due to cataracts). I am also treating him for a continuous inflamation of both his eyes and have him on metacam to help with his arthritis. Sammy is extremely fearful now and is very anxious over any noise, which is not good considering we have 3 other dogs. He must always be at my side and if there is any excess noise at all he will paw me, whine and try to climb up on me. He constantly whines but I think it is because he wants to be with us 24/7. I think he may possess a little dog dementia because when he is outside he will wonder and then look confused when I come outside to find him (he never used to do this and would never wander off the property). Now I am questioning that he may or may not be in pain but he is definitely FEARFUL of so many things now. Not to mention, one of my dogs (female saint bernard) will go after him every so often (which has just started happening over the last couple of months). I have to ALWAYS make sure I am on top of this because it terrifies Sammy so. Am I correct to start considering it is time?
My husband and I have spent the day crying over the decision to put our 13+ collie Sam to sleep. I have been in denial (and am still to some extent) that he's tired and ready to go. I'm sitting here with him by my feet and he's been more aware of his surroundings the last few hours than he's been in a year. Is it because of the extra attention we've given him? Nine years ago, I was put in the position of having to decide whether or not to take my 25 year old daughter off life support. She made the decision herself the night before, and died. I feel the exact same way I did then...am I going to do the right thing and enc his suffering? His quality of life isn't great, he chews himself raw. We haven't been able to have him groomed for over 6 months and he's full of mats. He can't get up easily and often looses control of his back end. He's lost alot of wieght in the past 6 months. All said, he seems relatively content. We have a new puppy that drives him nuts...she jumps all over him, licks his ears, etc. But they still play tuggy together. He's lost his "barker" and can't really see or hear too well. My husband adores Sam and feels in his gut that it's time. I'm ambivalent. Any advice? I am so torn.
as i write this in tears in 91/2 hours i will be bringing my best friend and companion my dog sam to the vet to be put to sleep he is approximately 13 to 14 i got him from friends of strays as they thought he might had been a year or so old when i got him and hes been by my side for 12 years black lab chow mix he has had arthritis for some time now tried rimadyl didnt like things i heard about it so i started giving him osteo biflex which helped him alot but now his hind legs wont support him so i carry him out when he needs to go i hope im doing the rite thing i was hoping he would die from old age at home then at the hands of a vet but i dont wish him to be in any more pain he still has appetite mentally hes great but his legs and bladder are done ive never had to do anything like this in my life before its been the hardest decision i have ever had to make and i hope its the rite one its helped alot reading everyone elses experiences thank you for sharing
I got a purebread GORGEOUS yellow lab when I was 16. She is pure joy!!!! I am now 29 and 2 years ago I moved across country without my lab (she is technically the family dog - my parents and brother love her just as much as I do and it wouldn't have been fair to her to take her away from her home.) She is 13 and tomorrow my parents have an appointment to take her in to be put to sleep. My heart is breaking. I had to call my family last night to beg them to take her in. I haven't seen her since June, but I call and ask about her all the time. She has gotten so weak. She can't make it up and down the stairs without stumbling, often times my father or brother will have to carry her up and down. She just lies around the house and doesn't seem to be interested in much anymore. My dad took her to the vet a month or so ago and the vet told him that she doesn't thing she is in pain, and that it's normal for a 13 year old yellow lab to have weak joints and hip displasia. She gave dad some arthritus meds and so he took her home, gave her a pill, and went to work. When he got home, my mom and dad said it was like night and day. She was back to her old self, standing at the dinner table watching them eat (we never really minded, so we didn't teach her not to do that), and she was suddenly barking again (my family said that she haden't barked in a very long time - several months.) My heart soared at this news and I was SO HAPPY!! Everything within me wants her to live at least until this summer when I will be home again for a visit (I said my goodbyes when I saw her last, but I would love to come home to a healthy happy dog!!). Since that one great night though, it seems that things have gotten so much worse. My brother had to carry her out to go to the bathroom and she couldn't even squat. He had to hand feed her a couple of days ago. She still waggs her tail. She is still drinking water and she ate her food last night. My dad and brother want to wait to see if she gets better in the spring (I'm from the VERY cold north midwest), but the thought of her suffering kills me. I hate encouraging them to put her down when I can't even be there to see for myself. I don't know if I did the right thing telling my dad to take her in tomorrow...I just really feel that it is selfish to keep her alive if she is in pain which she has to be if she is unable to go up and down the stairs (my parents have a split-level house so there is absolutely no avoiding the stairs.) Two nights ago she was outside (they have stopped putting a leash on her becasue she doen't walk very fast) and my dad said the the neighbors golden was walking by and my dog decided to "run" after him!! She was barking and moving as fast as she could but my dad got to her first. They think that she is just in pain right now becasue of that overexertion...maybe they are right, but she hasn't been very mobile in months. Am I jumping the gun? Am I right? I don't want to tell them to put her down when I haven't been there to see her and her present condition, but I DO NOT WANT HER TO SUFFER - she deserves better than that. Maybe the vet will have another suggestion tomorrow. Maybe not. I just want what is best for her...
Zoe,
I can see how this decision is heartbreaking for you! I hate to say put her down, (i know how that feels and it is not easy) but it is not normal for a dog (especially a lab) to have 1 burst of activity and then suffer as a response... That can't be quality living and this instance should be about quality of life rather than quantity... I think your baby knows how much she is loved which is why she is putting forth so much effort, but that would be exhausting for anyone.... She deserves peace and she can't make that decision on her own... I wish you the best and you will be in my prayers...
I found this poem online and I read it every night... It just seems like it was written through my Chloe's thoughts... Hope it can bring to you the same comfort it has to me...
"I'M STILL HERE"I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep. I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear, "It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here" I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you as you pour the tea, You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me. I was with you at the shops today, your arms were getting sore. I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more. I was with you at my grave today, you tend it with such care. I want to reassure you, that I'm not lying there. I walked with you toward the house, as you fumbled for your key. I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "It's me." You looked so very tired, as you sank into a chair. I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there. It's possible for me, to be so near you every day. To say to you with certainty, "I never went away." You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew.. In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you. The day is over...I smile and watch you yawning And say "goodnight, God bless, I'll see you in the morning." And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide, I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand side by side, I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see Be patient, live your journey out...then come home to be with me.
I am going through the same as most of you - i had a 15 yr old staffie cross and had to take her to the vets yesterday to have her put to sleep - it was the hardest thing i have ever done but thought i would be ok. A day on and i cannot control my crying and wonder if i have done the right thing. For the last 2 years she has had trouble getting up and loses control of her back legs - she spends a lot of the time with them out behind her and dragging them around the garden - she was on senaquin which is like glucosamine and also rheumacam which is a painkiller and has been on this now since october and i have been sleeping downstairs with her. i know what i did was right but keep thinking she may have lasted a while yet.
I don't know if I'm doing the right thing. My 11 year old dog has a tumor on her spinal cord, we're not sure whether or not it's malignant, but in the past few weeks she has gotten worse and now hads a real hard time standing up and walking as both of her back legs are affected. This past weekend she became incontinent. She does not look like she's in pain, she's on various pain medications regardless, and she's eating and drinking and chewing on her bone and happy to do things, but can't. She gets excited to go for a car ride, to go to the park. I bought a wagon and can now bring her places, and when we get there she hangs out outside, rolls around in the grass. It's hard for me to make the decision because she still has that spark and the will to do things. I ordered a cart but questioning the decision constantly, now I'm thinking that I should let her go, but I don't know if she's ready. What if she's not in pain and still completely aware and full of energy, but almost paralysed in the back and incontinent? Should I try the cart? Or should I let her go? This is the most heartbreaking decision I've ever had to make and I keep doubting myself.
I rescued a toy poodle 3 years ago who was neglected and had obviously never received good vet care. His fur was matted everywhere and he was underweight not to mention other problems. I had him shaved completely and then had some teeth pulled. He then gained weight and was so much happier. Unfortunately because of the previous owners neglected health care he would always get really bad tartar build up and his breath was unbearable. This also led to him being really uncomfotable and having less urge to eat. He had already been under anesthesia once since I had him and it took him a full day to recover. His mouth built up with bad tartar again and I had decided to put him down for fear of not surviving anesthesia again. I then decided to have his teeth cleaned one last time, and the vet reminded me again that this was very risky at his old age of 14. My little angel made it out of anesthesia amazingly. It was the day after that I picked him up and noticed that he wasnt recovering right. He was breathing fast and hard. He would urinate but hadnt moved his bowels in a week. He didnt eat til 3 days after the cleaning. As the days went by he became less interested in trying to drink or eat. I couldnt stand to watch him breathe like he did. I realized my little angel would have to be put to rest. I then almost a week after the teeth cleaning, put my little baby to rest. I have felt and still do feel guilty for having his teeth cleaned one last time instead of having him put down. I guess I figured he was gonna make it and recover. My advice is if your dog is old, think twice before anesthesia. I hadnt seen him as peaceful in that final week as he was when the vet injected him and put him to sleep. I felt relieved and my baby was finally at peace. Even though I only had him for three years he became my family and we had many happy moments together. Not a day will pass that I will not remember him. Sleep well my angel. Until we meet again.
In response to you stephanie and trying to decide whether or not to put your dog to sleep. You have to think if that were you, how would you wanna live? You also have to remember that dogs hang on for their owners sometimes even when they are in pain. They are our family, and they have always looked out for us. They sometimes try to be strong for us and dont give up. Just like my dog I just put down. Refer to the above story. Before his last teeth cleaning and before the last anesthesia, my dog loved to sleep with me and even though he was half blind and had to be carried down the stairs to go outside, he still noticed when I came home and got excited. Your dog is 11, and she is breaching old age, so please don't prolong anything you dont have to. Remember....you have to think what you would want. It is very hard to put your dog to sleep. I cried that day and every day since. Everything in my day reminds me of him and not a moment goes by where I don't see him or think of him. If you do decide to lay your baby to rest spend as much time with her as you can and talk to her and tell her how happy she has made you. Tell her that you promise to end her suffering if she is in pain. Kiss and hold her as much as you can. But don't keep her around for your own comforts. You will only feel a hundred times worse when she eventually is laid to rest. And if you do put her down, be with her and talk to her as this will make you feel better and comfort your dog. I hope this helps.
It does help. Today I brought her to the lake in her red wagon. She used to fight it, but now she willingly goes is because she can barely walk, and she really seems to enjoy it. At the lake though I felt that she was frustrated because she wanted to walk around and do things, smell things. She rolled in the grass, chewed on sticks, but I feel that quality of life has gone down another notch. I know that with a doggy wheelchair she would be able to do that, but it's not the same. I feel torn between waiting for the chair to arrive in 2 weeks, or making the decision as soon as possible. I'm afraid that if I decide to let her go and the chair arrives, I'll feel horribly guilty, like why didn't I wait and at least try it? But she has always been a proud being and I don't want her to go down like this. I'm spending as much time with her as possible, every evening I bring her to the park and we sit in the grass and look at the city lights and I talk to her about everything. I'm gathering the courage to do it, but I will. I think next week at the latest.
In response to your situation Stephanie: I once had a 14 year old shelter rescue that I only had for a few years but seemed like her whole life. She was so full of energy and spunk that it broke my heart to have to put her down. One day out of the blue she started dragging her back legs and was barely able to walk. She seemed to be in so much pain but for only a few brief moments. Soon enough, the pain would subside and she would go back to being her same old playful self. Nearly2 weeks went by with these 'episodes' happening about once every 2 days before I finally took her into the vet. After the xrays came back it was clear to me what I needed to do. It didn't take a genius to see that her problem was the softball size tumor in her abdomen. Within days, she was getting dilusional and refusing to eat her food. She would eat a very small amout of people food for the next few days but then she refused that too. Next day, stopped drinking fluids. Lucky for me, the day after seeing the xrays I had already made arrangements to have her put to sleep when the time was right. Everything was in place and it was her time. It broke my heart to do it but I at least had the luxury of seeing her spend her last moments at home. I still have a hard time coping but at least I know that I did the right thing and I have no regrets. I nor anyone else here can tell you what the 'right' decision is. If your dog is in no pain, eating, drinking, and spirits seem to be high still then my 'PERSONAL' opinion would be to not put her down just yet. Wait for her chair but have arrangements in place just in case she worsens quickly like my dog did. I wish you the best of luck and keep us informed =)
Koba, our 11 year old White German Shepherd, died peacefully in her sleep this afternoon.
She had suffered from some health issues the last few weeks, and for the last couple of days had what seemed to be the flu. I put her out about 4pm this afternoon, and she came back in and laid down on a rug and went to sleep. She never woke up.
Even in her crippled state, she got to 'go for a ride' with us up to Thief River Falls MN this past weekend to help our daughter move. We didn't know it would be her last trip, but I am so happy that we took her along.
I am also grateful that I was with her when it happened. She wasn't in a lot of pain, and she passed away at home on a favorite rug.
She was a great dog, and will be greatly missed.
we put my dog down yesterday... i have been like crying non stop. This made me feel alot better though thank you... but the sad thing is my dog was only seven and she only got to live half the life that she should of. She had cancer...
It is so hard, and I don't know if it truely ever gets easier... Today is the one month marker from the day I had my baby, Chloe, put to sleep. It has been a very long day on this emotional roller coaster!.. She was 16 and although I know that she had a good life, there is still a small part of of me that wonders what else I couldve done for her! Not a day goes by when I don't think of her.. When a get home from work, a part of me still gets excited to see her as if she was still here to greet me! I am crying less frequently now, but it is at totally random times! I know deep down that I did the best thing for her, and I honestly think she was ready, but that doesn't mean I was... My heart goes out to each and every one of you that is having to go thru this...
I adopted my dog from the shelter almost 16 years ago. I am quite a loner and she has been my best friend who I could always count on. She has been the one constant in my life for all that time. She lost her hearing about 2 years ago and she has little control of her legs anymore. She cant climb stairs and she sometimes falls down and can't get herself back up. She also is losing control of her bowels more and more. She still eats and drinks and gets happy for a treat but I can tell it hurts her just to get up or lay down or walk. I used to run with her but now she can hardly walk and can't go for car rides because it hurts her. I have been thinking about putting her to sleep for a year now, but the time is coming. I have read every post on this board and crying my eyes out. My dog has slept in the same bed as me for 15 years and I am going to miss her so much! But I am not going to keep her around for too long for my sake. Just getting myself emotionally prepared.
Our 13 year old dog (who does have signs of aging -- slight deafness, cataracts, arthritis) was recently diagnosed with a tick born disease. The initial treatment seemed to work, but the disease has apparently done damage to her liver and pancreas. While we have tried all of her favorites, and every recommendation vets, holistic physicians and friends suggest, as well as appetite stimulents, and anti-nausea drugs, she has basically quit eating. She won't be tempted by steak, chicken, salmon, eggs or anything else. The vet said that he can run more tests. Can do a ultra-sound, and then a biopsy. That may get us to a confirmed diagnosis, but it won't repair the damage and it won't bring Rosebud back to a pre-illness level. She's old. She's had a great life. She's been a wonderful companion. But what now? Do we keep trying to tempt her with favorite foods? Do we just watch her degenerate further? Right now she has some energy, and will bark once in a while and is not incontinent. The arthritis is troubling to her. If anyone has any words of wisdom, I sure would love to read them because right now, we just don't know what course of action is best. BTW, we are disinclined towards heroic efforts.
I have a 12 1/2 year old Golden Retreiver that has lost all use of her back legs due to hip dysplasia. Penny had a seizure 2 weeks ago was put on seizure medication and now cannot walk - too shakey. She still drinks water and loves to eat and wants 'cookies'. But she cries when she needs to pee or move her bowels because she cannot walk or crouch and must just go in the house. After she goes she is fine.
Is it time?
I forgot to mention before the seizure and for a few days afterwards we would assist her walking with a towel around her back hips.
We are living with a 15 year old dear "mutt" Rusty. Rusty is on prednizone daily. His hind legs are weak, making getting up difficult. He is deaf and having difficulty seeing, although he can see movement. He eats most days, drinks water daily and sleeps alot. He pees and poops daily in the house, even when one of us checks on him hourly.
Our difficulty is this: both my husband and myself feel it is time to put him out of his pain, but our 29 year old daughter disagrees. Rusty has been her dog since she was 14. She loves him dearly and wants to keep him alive. She is not ready to make this decision yet.
Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
Honestly, it is your decision as the dog seems to be yours, even if it was her childhood dog. It seems the dog is suffering. I would sit down with your daughter and explain this to her. She is old enough to know when the time is, and by keeping him alive at this point he's miserable it sounds.
I'm having a heck of a time with this decision. I've never had to do it before. Our 11 y/o Dalmation has kidney failure. She's still acting pretty normally (happy to see us when we get home, barking at strangers and other dogs, etc.) but we're having a heck of a time getting her to eat. Seems like she'll like something for a few days, and then no more. Then we have to come up with something new. My wife is 7 mos pregnant and I fear the situation may effect her health, or at least her mental health. I'm pretty sure it's time, but I'm having trouble making the decision. I guess I just need someone to tell me it's time.
I had to put my little man to sleep over the weekend.. He was a 14 year old pekingnese and I had him way before i had my three daughters and my husband. My heart is breaking and I keep questioning myself if I have done the right thing. The past two years he has had trouble walking on both front and back legs, he kept dehydrating and just pretty much slept all day.. I would hear him wimpering because he was stuck in the middle of the floor somewhere or was stuck laying in his pee pee and couldn't get up.. The hospital told me it also appeared that he had a neurogical problem . The doctor said he isn't having a good quality of life so after several hours in the waiting room and lots of crying I decided to let him go... It was the most horrible decision I have ever made and after a few days I still have major breakdowns and I miss him so much!!! It is so hard. I washed his blankets, he had many and last night decided to start sleeping with his blanket. I found some comfort with that. I also gave each of my children one of his blankets that they now sleep with. I also have decided that I am going to plant a plant in his dog bowl which one of my children had made for Taz and put it where he use to lay. I am also planning to make a collage of all the fun times with him to hang on my wall. I just need to find things to help me celebrate the good times to try to help with the emptiness and the sick feeling I have in my stomach. The doctor gave me the choice to stay with him during the process or leaving him. I could never just leave him.. I held him in my lap during the time it was done.. It is very quick and he had such a look of peace on his little face.. But... still does not make it any easier. My fear was to come home and find him dead or having one of my children going to pick him up and telling me that Taz is cold and stiff and knowing that he died all alone... At least I was there with him holding and kissing him and he was not alone... He was the best dog ever and he will always be my little man!!!!
My sweet dachshund will be 17 this August 7th. He has been the greatest dog ever - my 3rd dachshund. About a year ago he seemed to start going downhill. His hearing is hardly there. If I call his name (loudly) he stops and tries to figure out where it is coming from. His eyes are clouded with cataracts. He has lost weight - down to 8 lbs from his normal 12. He has a collapsed trachea and coughs and chokes from time to time. He limps a lot of the time because his hind legs must hurt. He decided after 16 years of sleeping with me that he wants to sleep alone. However, he whines and cries out during the night. He still eats, and lately has been drinking a lot of water - much more than before. He still gets excited when I come home from work and follows me around for the remainder of the day. Most of the time his tail is high, but I have noticed that at times itis tucked between his legs.
I know that it is probably time to let him go - but I feel like I am betraying him.
I have scheduled our vet to come to our house next Monday to put him to sleep. Both of my children (now in college) are coming home to be with him. I am feeling so bad - very depressed and sad. I need some help because this is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I don't want him to go.
Sharri,
I am so sorry for what you are going through!! I am crying while reading your post remembering that day almost 2 months ago when I had to make that decision.... It was by far the hardest thing ever! My dauschund, Chloe, would've been 17 in Aug! I am still not over the loss of her and I don't think I ever will be! I have come to terms with the fact that I did what was best for her!!! Her quality of life was not what she deserved! I know that I can't say anything to make your decision any easier, but really think about your baby and know that you have her best interest at heart... He deserves that!!! I wish you all the best in your time of sadness and my heart and prayers go out to you, your baby and the rest of your family....
Thank you Dena for your kind comments. Tell me a little about Chloe's health when she died. Did she have some of the problems that my sweet Gerst is having?
Today is the day. I am very sad.
Sharri, Chloe's health had declined.... She was near deaf and near blind.. No weight loss, but her coat was dull and the life in her eyes had disappeared and I never noticed... She spent her days sleeping and lost interest in playing.... She also developed a moodiness/aggressiveness that was not characteristic of her at all... She was still loving and cuddly at times (mainly night time), but just seemed very unsettled and anxious during the day... The day I made the decision to put her to sleep, she had a stroke... She lost the movement in her hind legs and was so scared... I will never forget it... I loved her so much and wish there was more I could've done, but in my more rational moments (I am not having one right now) I know I did the right thing... Actually, I knew she was not in the best of health and I think I may have kept her here to long... Let her suffer to long... I look back and she spent more hours in each day unhappy than happy, and she still spent so much time "being tough" for me... I wish I would've seen the signs earlier... How hard it must've been for her... I know she knows how much I love her just as your Gerst knows how much you love him! It is a hard decision, but it comes down to are you keeping him around for him or for you?... I still struggle, but I know I did the right thing... I can't imagine you would've had these thoughts if you didn't know deep down too.... If Gerst was "enjoying" life as he used too, you would NEVER even consider this so really look at it through his eyes... I am so sorry for what you are going through today. I know you will get through this, but I can honestly tell you it isn't easy... I think though that just proves how much your little Gerst means... Read this poem, (i posted it earlier, but it really comforts me and I hope it will you too...)
"I'M STILL HERE"
I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep
I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear, "It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here"
I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you as you pour the tea, You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today, your arms were getting sore. I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today, you tend it with such care. I want to reassure you, that I'm not lying there.
I walked with you toward the house, as you fumbled for your key. I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "It's me."
You looked so very tired, as you sank into a chair. I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It's possible for me, to be so near you every day. To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew.. In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over...I smile and watch you yawning. And say "goodnight, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide, I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand side by side, I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see, Be patient, live your journey out...then come home to be with me
Gerst is gone. He slipped away peacefully in my arms at home, with all of his family beside him. He was wearing his new grey sweater and looked more beautiful than ever. He looked directly into my eyes as the sedative the doctor gave him began to work. He did not fight - he knew it was for the best. It took less than 1 minute for his "heart of gold" to stop beating. I knew he was gone when the entire room turned dim - and I felt his tiny body give weight to my arms.
Last night was one of the longest nights of my life, and this morning was the first morning in almost 17 years that we didn't share breakfast, special kisses and secrets. It rained hard during the night last night and I wasn't sure I was going to be able to stand it - the fact that he was in the cold, wet ground and I was in "our" bed.
Today I struggle and want to feel him in my arms. I want one more minute, one more kiss, one more secret. But it will not be.
He is buried in the backyard beside "our" swing. We shared so many hours in that swing, and had so many long talks. It was in that very swing that I told him that he would soon be going to the Rainbow Bridge. After I explained everything to him I put his face to mine. My cheeks were already wet, but I could tell his little nose was running - he was crying along with me. We both knew that it had to be - but neither of us wanted to be without the other.
My precious boy. I will always love you, and will never forget you. I'll see you again someday. Watch for me...
My 13-years-old westie Kes has cancer. We found out about 8 months ago right after we got a puppy. My husband sais it's time but I don't think I can do it. How to prepare yourself for something like this if you know it has to happen this weekend?
my dog might have to be put down hes shaking raelly badly
You will never know how grateful I am to find you today. Bill and I know that the time has come to let Bear go. She was 15 last December. That is the same month we discovered she has a large sarcoma near her lungs. She came through radiation with great results. However, this March it has returned and is starting to encroach on her lungs.
They sent us home with instructions to let her eat whatever she wants and make her comfortable. Needless to say we have done both.
We have had to do this twice before and it never gets easier, but it is not about us, it is about her. She is wandering from place to place looking up with eyes that say please do something. So we are in process of making the necessary arrangements with the vet.
Bill has built her a box and is digging a hole in one of her favorite places. Bless her sweet heart there will be no more suffering. suffering for her. She has given us so much love for so very long. It is time for us to show our love for her.
Will she missed. Oh my God yes!!! The tears just keep coming.
Thank you for being here today.
I'm so sorry to hear your story. I hope that I can help in any way.It can be very hard making the decision to euthanize your pet, especially as they become big parts of our family.
Here's a hub that I have about dealing with the loss of a pet, maybe it will help you through the emotions and understanding them.
This is a great site - but I have been sat here blubbing my eyes out. My beautiful Weimaraner Luna is dying. She was diagnosed with a tumour in her chest, which we now know was probably there a good 6 or 7 months. I have tried everything for her, but recently she has started refusing food (we've tried sausage, steak, chicken etc.), looks like a bag of (beautiful) bones and whilst I don't think she is in pain - has refused her meds today, which mean that she will start to get sick again. Luna is almost 14, which is great for her breed and everyone keeps reminding me what a wonderful life she has had. She has been with me since my late 20's and has been involved in all my escapades over the years... she really is a mans best friend. The hardest thing of all right now is to know if it really is the time to do the deed... Luna still enjoys a walk - and maybe it was my imagination, but this afternoon she walked for longer, lingered for longer as if saying her farewells to friends and the countryside that she loves so much. I have a routine vet check up with her tomorrow to see how things are going, but it appears that their "max 3 months" prediction is about right. She won't eat, she has a bad stomach, she drinks plenty and can take herself out to the garden to do her business, but in my heart - I know I need to kiss her goodbye.
Well - my lovely girl Luna was put peacefully to sleep this morning. She knew it was coming, she was dignified to the end and I miss her already. My other dog knows something is wrong - the parrot keeps calling her name and I am heartbroken.
I am glad I found this site - reading through everyone's experiences made me realise that I was doing the right thing.
RIP my beautiful, faithful friend
Always a very difficult decision but deep down you know it is the right one. From the day you take your new pet home you may as well expect to have to perform this kndness in the end. I have found that few dogs die naturally as the vets medication extends their life so much. Often your beloved dog will let you know when it is time. So sad but you owe your pet this final act of love.
its hard to know that i'll be taking him for his last car ride tomorrow.i have delayed it for 5 months but my 14 year old pit/ german shepard mix Chief has an appt to be put to sleep tomorrow morning.his hips started to go out on him 7 months ago and he has been getting around with the help of a leash i made to lift his hind legs.with his hips gone he still tries to chase the cats and barks like a ferocious watchdog ,with a bobby brady bark thrown in the mix..he is old and gray.hes been with me thru some of the best and worst times.he has a tumor ,cant walk,but still eats and drinks.up until today he had control of his bladder .the reason i am going to take him in is because he is withering away to skin and bones..Chief has a million nicknames,but "oldschool "fits him best now..Im gonna miss him!
I'm sorry for everyone's loss:( My yellow lab is only 1 year old and she has a genetic condition were both of her back knees are bad. The surgeon said he could do sugery on both knees (one at the time) Which each one would be about a 3-6 months process. All the surgeries would be about 6k plus. What would you guys do?? Can anyone give me advise here? My husband and I are so torn!!!! We are completley heart broken. She drags her back legs, and hopes around, and when she has to use the bathroom and squat her back legs shake:( Should I just put her out of her misery??
Jen,
A friend of ours has a 2 y/o yellow lab named Emma.. She has had surgery on both knees... one after the other and she is a completely new dog now!! It was very sucessful!! I have to say, if the surgery is something that you can work out financially, I wouldn't hesitate if I were you! I think the recovery was actually harder on my friends than Emma... The hardest part was keeping her "semi" confined for 8 weeks following each surgery...
So many people don't have the option to give their pet a new sense on life, but you do! I would not think twice about taking it if I were in your place...
Hope this is helpful...
We put our baby to sleep today and it was one of the hardest things we ever did.........I miss him so much already, but I know it was time today, he stopped eating everything but treats in the last few days and had a lot of other health issue's happening in the last few weeks too. My biggest gift to my wonderful Sheltie that we had for the last 15 years, 7 months and 3 days was by having the vet come to our house and having him be held in our arms while he was being put to sleep, at least I knew he was with his Mama and Daddy at that last moment...........that is what I'm trying to say........please be with your pet when they're being euthinized, don't be a coward and say you can't take it.........they need you at the last moment to say that you love them and know you are there for them. I love and miss my Kramer forever........10-23-93 to 5-26-09. Ruff Ruff
Dena,
Yes! That was very helpfull thank you! The vet called and said my Lilly has torn her ACL in both legs:( She said surgery was the only option.
My chow chow dog Misha became blind a year ago at 13 and I called to set up an appt to have her put to sleep. A receptionist at the vets office told me that blind dogs can get accustomed to their surroundings and lead a happy life - thank god I took her advice and my chow chow Misha had 1 extended year with me and her brother Hunter. A week ago, her hips and legs went out and she cried when she would try to get up. i had to pick her up to go outside but eventually she could not even stand up to relieve herself. I made up my mind that if my dog could not walk or was in pain, it would be her time. Today, it was the most difficult drive to the vets office and I cried like a child with no shame (I am 46) but as I type this letter, I am so happy that I held Misha as she went to dog heaven and said my goodbyes but for those of you that will have to do this most hardest thing (putting your dog to sleep), I give 3 pieces of advice: a) you will feel much better if you stay with your beloved pet during the euthanasia because your dog will appreciate your second to last act of kindness of being with them when there time has come because weren't they there for you in your most difficult times? If you are not with them, you may have some guilt after they are gone. The greatest act of kindness is taking away your selfish desire of prolonging their life even if they are in pain and letting them go to dog heaven so they can be healthy and happy and never have any pain again. Finally, something most of the comments here neglect to mention is that I hope you will have that peace of mind that this is only a temporary separation and you will join your best friend (s) again in the future and this time, it will be for eternity (no more pain and no more worries of putting your best friend to sleep a second time around). Hunter and I will see you shortly Misha. Love you. Dave
I have a 8 1/2 yo Great Dane. Nala is the sweetest girl in the world. She lives to please. She has arthritis in her hips. She has been on Medication for this for about 2 years. She still eats, and gets up very slow. once she is up she seems ok. I know its comming, I just dont want her to get any worse, because I know she will feel like she is letting me down. She still perks up when I come home, and barks at the squirrels. I just dont know if she is just doing what she thinks I want her to do? I dont want to put her down too soon, but I dont want her to suffer for one day!!
Any advise would be much appreciated.
I would ask your Vet if Nala is in pain (I could tell when my dog was in pain because she would cry when she tried to stand up). If the pain is manageable and she wags her tail (a sign that she is still enjoying life), I would keep her. However, if the pain is constant and the tail no longer wigs at that fast pace, perhaps Nala is telling you it may be her time to go to dog heaven. My advice to you per my comment, hug Nala when the time comes to pet her to sleep (I cry every time I think of that moment but also feel a great relief that I did not abandon her at that most crucial time as some owners cannot bear to be there when that time comes). Dave
I am struggling with putting my dog to sleep . . . he is around 13 or 14 years of age (I adopted him at 2 or 3, owners were uncertain of his age . .). He is the 1st dog in my life and the sweetest and kindest dog I could have ever asked for. In the past year he has lost his eye sight, hearing, and urinates in my home every 20-30 minutes if he's awake. My husband and I are constantly cleaning up after him and are very stressed out by the smell and labor of it all. We've tried pee pads, he avoids them, diapers don't work, and we've tried to give him proin tabs for the past several months, but he won't eat them . . I've tried to crush it into his food, put in peanut butter, cheese, pill pockets, etc . . .he avoids it like he can smell it in them. But, we love him and have been putting off the "vet" visit because he still has a healthy appetite and walks fairly well on most days, although he cannot go on extended walks . . .only from out the back door and into the yard and back. He doesn't play anymore and he doesn't speak/bark . . .which is unusual because he was always a very vocal dog. We did get a puppy for the kids this past Christmas hoping he would spunk up a bit, but instead he avoids the puppy as much as possible. My husband is ready to put him down and somedays I am too . . .but I am struggling with it a lot and feel like I am killing him for our own convenience when he's not ready . Or is he???
Any advice would be appreciated.
My dog lived an extra year even though she became blind at 13 but like your dog, she still ate and was able to walk to the back yard and back into the house. I knew the time came when she could no longer get up on her own and cried when she tried to get up - in your situation, it appears your dog may have some time left IF HE STILL DOES THE FOLLOWING: he drinks water daily and has an appetite; he can walk without any assistance from you; and the final biggie: does he wag his tail when you come home or enter the room (this is a sign that he is still happy and is enjoying life). If you answer yes to all three, my opinion is that he has a few more happy days with you. When the time comes that you don't answer yes to all 3, take him to the vet and hug him as he is put to sleep (do not abandon him as some owners cannot take the pain to watch their dog put to sleep but the guilt will set in if you are not there for his last moments). Until then, enjoy him but as a precaution, you may consider the vet as a second opinion. Finally, it was too late for me to give my dog a supplement before she could no longer walk, but I have heard wonders about a product of Synovi G3 (google it as I am not a seller trying to make sales and you can buy it from multiple places). Good luck. Dave
This week has been the hardest week my family has ever had to endure. Last Tuesday we found out our 11 year young aussie/heeler was suffering and our options were very limited. Choices were to perform costly tests, operations and subjecting her to numerous fearful procedures (she could never stand a kennel, even to become beautiful at the groomers). And then there was to love her, hug her and tell her what a great girl she was (is) and then say good-bye. She had become blind and had become weakened due to anemia and this week it became neccessary to carry her up and down the stairs to go potty. Well, my husband carried her; she remained determined to go on her own for myself, until this morning. After so many mornings, aftermoons, evenings and night of her moving herself for mommy, she needed my help. Our always strong girl had become so weak and dependant upon us that it became heartbreaking. Putting her to sleep was for us an act of love that hurts so much, we now continually look for her to come around the corner and give us kisses, to howl at passing nearby emergency vehicles and to come begging for another tasty treat but she doesn't. Thank you Whitney, this hub helps to share but the hurt and love remains. God bless and support all of you! And Spring, your family misses you tremendously!! May 1998 - June 2009 the best years of our lives.
A week ago we had to have our beloved dog Pippa put to sleep as her back legs had failed her.She was already on medication for eye problems, slight heart defect and she had been on this medication for some years. After a week away I came home and realised how much she had deterioated and knew that the time had come, On her last day with us we gave her as many treats as she wanted but had to wait until almost teatime before it was time to take her to relieve her suffering. Part of me wanted to stop the clock at that moment and part of me wanted to hurry up and get it over with. I felt like my heart was breaking. IShe died peacefully with us both with her and although she was 16 we had rescued her when she was 4 years old from a breeder who rejected her all because she didn't have any more pups! With us both being now at retirement age we gave that little dog everything that we could but that knowledge doesn't make it any easier.I have kept three of her little soft toys which are by my bed and that does give some comfort as they smell of her, albeit a bit urinary!! We have had her cremated are awaiting her ashes back from the vet and have bought a lovely rose and pot for the ashes and are going to put it in the sunniest spot in the garden. Our house fells very empty now but am not keen to have another dog as no dog could match our beloved Pippa. I got a lot of comfort from the poem earler on this site and also from reading Rainbow Bridge.Your site is very very helpful to people in this situation as you then realise that the true dog lovers do actually feel the same as you do,God bless you for this site X
Storytellersrus says:
10 months ago
I remember my dad saying the hardest decision he ever made was putting down his faithful companion, our dog Lord Tuppence- Tupper. My husband says the only one consistently happy to see him arrive home is our dog Herschel. I dread the day we will have to make this decision. Very supportive Hub. Good for you.