When do we know when it is time to put our precious pets down?

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   twig22bendposted 12 years ago

   When do we know when it is time to put our precious pets down?
   
   Time after time we come to the realization that we must put our pets down. How can we do this without the pain and guilt?

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2. 95

   peeplesposted 12 years ago

   
   
   I don't think there is a way to do so without pain and guilt if we truly love the animal. On the 15th of this month we put down my 13 year old dog. She NEEDED to be put down. She had mass cell tumors all over her body that a week before the 15th started to make her miserable. I always told myself she would let me know and she did in her own way. She stopped wanting to be touched, which was highly unusual, she would lay next to my side of the bed and cry, and she had a look in her eyes of suffering. When I got her to the vet they confirmed that it was time. Even with their reassurance and the fact that I know it was best, I still spent the whole ride there, every minute we were in that vet room, every minute bringing home, and even as I buried her telling her how sorry I was. It was by far the guiltiest moment of my life even though it was the right choice. That guilt is love, but we should never let our guilt keep us from doing the right thing.

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      twig22bendposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you peeples, for putting  this decision into perspective. It all comes down to what is best for the pup.

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3. 99

   DrMark1961posted 12 years ago

   I think Peeples answer was great. Unfortunately we must decide when an animal no longer has quality of life and no longer enjoys the day. It is not just age, but if the dog is whining and no longer wants to be touched, like her dog, it is time.
   I am attaching a photo of my handicapped goose, Football. She does not have the same life that the other geese have, but she is not suffering. Is her quality of life good? No. Is her quality of life acceptable? Yes, I cannot ask her but I think so.
   But to do it without pain and guilt? I really do not think that is possible.
   (my ISP connection is bad tonight and I cannot upload her photo)

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4. 59

   Organised Kaosposted 12 years ago

   It's interesting how we can decide the 'parameter's' that we would take the suffering away from a dear pet...yet we can't do the same for humans, who can tell us what they want.
   
   I don't want to ever put a pet down, but is that looking after myself and my feelings or really caring about a being that has only given to me over time.

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      peeplesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Great answer, but yes, I never wanted to put down an animal, and the last week of my dogs life was a week of selfishness. I let my animal suffer so I could get more time. Truly caring is not letting something we love be miserable.

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