OT-Getting over that awful feeling.

[Csaks]

Yesterday we had to put down our 12 1/2 year old German Sheppard. Her hips were going and she had problems going to the washroom. Actually she couldn't seem to control it. Anyway I am having the hardest time struggling with the decision I made because she still had some spunk in her but that was getting farther and farther apart. I can't help but feel I rushed to judgment because of that spunk she showed randomly. She was having difficulty the last few weeks but I guess I'll never know if it was too soon or not......

This is the first dog I have had to do this for and it is tearing me apart. God I hope this gets better.

Sorry I just had to write this down somewhere.

 

[Cdn Gal]

My heart goes out to you. I am sorry for you loss. I can only imagine how you must feel. Dogs become part of your family. Deepest condolances

 

[LSmith]

I am sorry for your loss. I have had to put down my three cats.

My first cat to go was 15. I knew he was sick but the vet kept telling me that he wasn't dying and they insisted they needed to run every test they could come up with and tried every remedy known to mankind to cure him. The entire time though they didn't have a clue what was wrong with him. Of course I was ready, willing and able to authorize anything that would save him. Nothing worked and he should have been put down much sooner. Therefore he suffered unnecessarily and I will never be able to forgive myself for that.

My second cat to die was 17. She had been my best friend for 17 years. When she got sick it happened really fast. I took her to the doctor and they ran tests and of course didn't know what was wrong with her. They kept her for a few days with an i.v. in her giving her fluids. They said she was o.k. (still didn't have a clue what was wrong) and sent her home. By the next day I brought her back in because she was definitely dying and I vowed I wouldn't let her suffer like my first cat. The vet still tried to talk me into other options like surgery. I had to insist to them to put her down.

My third cat was 14 when she got very ill. Brought her to the vet, tests done etc. She had pneumonia. They drained her lungs but said she was still very ill. We opted to put her to sleep as well.

Besides the death of my mother, these are the three most traumatic things that have happened thus far. No more animals for me!

Anyway, I just wanted to say that you did the right thing by doing it before there was even more suffering involved. I believe you did your dog a huge kindness.

Good luck. Time does make it better.

 

[CanadianPaco]

This past Christmas, DH gave me a photo scanner. I have been wanting to preserve all our photos to disc. I just finished going through the photo album with the last pictures of our 12.5 yr old black lab who passed away in '07. He was our baby until our own babies came along. He helped me through operations and sad times and was always there for us! Two and a half years latter, the pain has lessened a bit. But he is always with us. Stay strong!

 

[maryliz]

So sorry to hear about your loss. I remember NOT putting our cat down before we went to Disney one year, because I knew I'd feel guilty that I just did it so someone else didn't have to look after him while we were away. In hindsight, I should have done it sooner.

Losing a beloved family member is hard ... that you're feeling better soon.

 

[LoveDopey]

Hugs to you We had to put our 14 year old border collie down this past summer so I know how you feel. They really become a part of your family.

 

[TashaRVT]

I knew he was sick but the vet kept telling me that he wasn't dying and they insisted they needed to run every test they could come up with and tried every remedy known to mankind to cure him. The entire time though they didn't have a clue what was wrong with him.

I took her to the doctor and they ran tests and of course didn't know what was wrong with her.
The vet still tried to talk me into other options like surgery. I had to insist to them to put her down.

Please don't take any offence to this comment, but it sounds like you should perhaps find yourself a new veterinarian - there clearly isn't a very good or trusting relationship going on there.

None of us gets into veterinary medicine for the $$ (trust me, I'm being completely honest), and the best we can do is try to build healthy, trusting relationships with our clients. You need to be able to fully trust your veterinarian, and what they're telling you is what's best for your animal; if you don't feel that way about your current veterinarian, I would suggest you move on and find another one.

 

[LSmith]

Please don't take any offence to this comment, but it sounds like you should perhaps find yourself a new veterinarian - there clearly isn't a very good or trusting relationship going on there.

None of us gets into veterinary medicine for the $$ (trust me, I'm being completely honest), and the best we can do is try to build healthy, trusting relationships with our clients. You need to be able to fully trust your veterinarian, and what they're telling you is what's best for your animal; if you don't feel that way about your current veterinarian, I would suggest you move on and find another one.

No offence taken but you should know we went through 6 different vets during these times and two specialists. We went far and wide for our cats. Only one out of the 6 suggested we put down our cat even though they were all clearly dying. Five of them acted like they could save them with more tests or surgery.

 

[TashaRVT]

No offence taken but you should know we went through 6 different vets during these times and two specialists. We went far and wide for our cats. Only one out of the 6 suggested we put down our cat even though they were all clearly dying. Five of them acted like they could save them with more tests or surgery.

I do understand what you're saying; absolutely I do - and I have the greatest empathy for you. It's really hard to know (even for those of us in the "profession") when enough is enough, and it's ultimately the veterinarian's job to be the one to tell you. I'm sorry that you had to go through that, I'm sure it was horrendously difficult.

 

[lisaviolet]

Yesterday we had to put down our 12 1/2 year old German Sheppard. Her hips were going and she had problems going to the washroom. Actually she couldn't seem to control it. Anyway I am having the hardest time struggling with the decision I made because she still had some spunk in her but that was getting farther and farther apart. I can't help but feel I rushed to judgment because of that spunk she showed randomly. She was having difficulty the last few weeks but I guess I'll never know if it was too soon or not......

This is the first dog I have had to do this for and it is tearing me apart. God I hope this gets better.

Sorry I just had to write this down somewhere.

Just . I'm so sorry.

 

[iluveeyore]

First of all, please accept my sympathy.
Secondly, don't feel guilty or that you made the wrong decision. We waited back in 2000 way too long to put our 7 year old Newfoundland down. He had enlarged heart disease and we kept him on meds for 7 months. Then, the day we finally gave up being selfish and put him down, he had spent the night outside under his favourite tree not being able to get up at all. We had to have the vet come and put him down at home because I was unable to lift a 120 lb dog alone. We were so sorry we let it go that long.
On December 31, 2008 we had our 11 year old Newf put down after a week of him having diarrhea all over the house. He still got around fine and seemed happy and was eating, but he couldn't control his bowels, and the last straw was that morning when his stool contained blood. I couldn't put the old guy through tests, and our budget definitely wouldn't allow for treatments. We decided he'd had a good, long life and we had him put down. We cried in the vet's parking lot for half an hour, then went home and gave our 8 year old Newf lots of hugs and hope he stays with us for many more years.
I know our pets are like our children - the problem is they can't talk to us and let us know how they feel our what they want us to do. The can let us know they love us unconditionally, and trust that we know what's best for them. Your dog knows how much love you gave, and you are so fortunate to have had a pet live so long. Hang on to the memories - each day it gets easier, and now just looking at pictures makes me smile instead of cry.

 

[Csaks]

Thank you for your thoughts on the matter and well wishes everyone.

The sad part is our vet Mike has known her for all but 8 weeks of her life. Mike had just started his business back then and Cognac was one of his initial customers. He saw her more than average because she had allergies or something that would make her lick certain spots raw, so she had tests and diets trying to cure it. He had about the same amount of trouble performing the final act as my wife did being there for it. I am sad to say I could not be in the room and retreated to the waiting room and cried like a baby.

I know it was right but the selfish side is screaming that she could have held on for a few more weeks or months maybe. I am glad to hear the other side of the equation though. I guess it is never a good time, regardless. Even our younger dog Dakota knows something is not right and runs around looking for her.

It is truly amazing how a four legged furry creature can grab a hold of your heart and wiggle their way into the fabric of your life. I was thinking today, we got her when we first moved out on our own. I was 27, now I'm 40, just over a quarter of my life, she was at my side. Incredible.

Tasha, would it not be a small world if you worked at Mikes place. He's right on Westney Rd in Ajax.


This is a picture of her.

This is one with her and Dakota at the back door.

Thank you everyone for letting me blow off steam, so to speak and thoughts are always welcome.

 

[abirdd]

Wow - so I'm sitting here

I guess it comes down to the fact there is never a good time to say goodbye.

As my vet reminds me, we have an "aging population" in our home. Over the last three years we have said goodbye to many of our beloved friends. Hardest for me was Silver, our first retired racing greyhound. We had to part only days after Pierce was born. Coming from such a high (new baby), to a horrible low (Silver's death) was such a blow to me. Harder still is the fact Duncan, who will be 4 year old next month, still talks about Silver on a regular basis. He reminds us how much he misses him, and hopes they can be friends again someday. He also had photos of each dog and cat we've parted with on his dresser, so he can "talk" to them everyday.

It's heartwrenching when you realize the impact a four legged friend can have on every aspect of your life.

Now I must go find some kleenex...

 

[autumnpalm]

I'm so sorry.

We had to put our dog down this past autumn and it was one of the most difficult things I've ever done. The hardest part for us was that he was not in pain or anything but he had a bad infection that was dangerous to our other dog (and to humans as well) and our vet said the only thing to do was put him down.

I have a picture of him sitting on my dresser now and I miss him every day but it does get easier with time. I'm sending you hugs and prayers... I know how hard it is but you did the right thing.

 

[fan1080]

Very sorry to hear your story, and the others posted as well.

We are approaching the same decision for our family pet too. He's a beautiful little white, toy poodle. He will be 14 in May, and is having trouble with his rear knees, hips, has gone blind, he is deaf, etc. We've had him to the Vet recently for some issues with loosing control of his peeing/pooping, Vet says he also probably has cushing's disease. Vet thinks he has a year and a half at the most.

It's especially sad for us because this dog belonged to my mother who passed away suddenly from a heart attack in 1998. Dad didn't want to keep the dog and we didn't want to see him go to someone else. We didn't want a pet, but we just couldn't let him go. He's been a wonderful addition to our family, but sadly, we will have to say goodbye very soon. It will be a sad day for sure, just as many have said here.

All the best.

 

[busyshrew]

My sympathy and .

Please don't beat yourself up about this decision. You did the right thing. DH and I had a beautiful shepherd/lab cross who began to go downhill. But we let it go on too long - she stopped eating, lost bladder control, was unable to get up and down the stairs in front of our house and by the very end was in pain. I sat beside her for 2 night crying my eyes out because I was having such a hard time letting her go. Selfish, I know. But I just kept hoping and hoping that she would improve..... the vet had to come out to our house for the euthenasia as well because we couldn't get our girl into our teeny-tiny car. Thank God for the kind vet.

Don't second guess yourself!

 

[Csaks]

Wow - so I'm sitting here

I guess it comes down to the fact there is never a good time to say goodbye.

As my vet reminds me, we have an "aging population" in our home. Over the last three years we have said goodbye to many of our beloved friends. Hardest for me was Silver, our first retired racing greyhound. We had to part only days after Pierce was born. Coming from such a high (new baby), to a horrible low (Silver's death) was such a blow to me. Harder still is the fact Duncan, who will be 4 year old next month, still talks about Silver on a regular basis. He reminds us how much he misses him, and hopes they can be friends again someday. He also had photos of each dog and cat we've parted with on his dresser, so he can "talk" to them everyday.

It's heartwrenching when you realize the impact a four legged friend can have on every aspect of your life.

Now I must go find some kleenex...

I'm sorry Abirdd, I didn't mean to make you cry as well....

I'm doing better thanks to all your replies and insight. Thank you everyone.

I have a question or two for those with multiple dogs.
Some background. Dakota the younger one is not herself in any way, shape or form. She plays but her heart is not in it. She loves rawhide bones and in the past would devour a 8" one in a matter of hours but now all she does is patrol the house looking for her lifelong buddy with it in her mouth, checking all the rooms. She is usually a bundle of energy hard to settle down but not since Sunday. I try to keep her busy for both of our sakes but it just seems like nothing is working.

The questions are:
-Does the remaining dog ever snap out of it like we do?

-Will my happy go lucky Lab Cross come back or is the laid back, uninterested one here to stay, basically does their personality change with this?

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

 

[tgropp]

My heart goes out to you. I know how you feel. 18 months ago, our 15 year old cat was sick and the vet told me that it was best to put him down. He was suffering. I took him in and held him while he got the needle.....and I had tears for over a year and my eyes are tearing up as I write. It took me 9 months before I could get another pet. I have a nephew who refuses to get his children a pet because he remembers how much the loss of a pet affected him when he was young. You will feel better soon, but the tears will be there for a while. Take care.

 

[Csaks]

Just got her ashes and clay paw print back today.
Teared up a bit but it is getting better.

The little one has grown up we surmise, she is taking on traits of Cognac. Barking at noises, patrolling the house every few hours at night or just all around more protective. Gone seems to be, my forever one year old goofy puppy. I figure she thinks she needs to step up to the next level and take over where the old girl left off. Sad to see her change but I guess that is nature.