When it's time for a pet to go - updated pg2

[janette]

Our oldest dog, a border collie is about 15 years old, pretty old for the breed and has had some health problems but has stayed very healthy considering her age. She's had some mobility problems but since we've started her on arthritis medication she has gotten around okay.

We were gone last weekend and last night I noticed that she slept on the porch, she almost always goes into her dog house. She also didn't get up to greet me when I went outside. This afternoon she's in almost the same place and not making any attempts to get up. She will take her medication and isn't complaining but also not moving. I'm afraid her hips or back legs may have just given out.

I'm afraid that there won't be much the Vet can do for her. She's my DH's dog so it will really be up to him but I want to prepare the kids. We've lost a dog before but she died in her sleep so there wasn't a decision to be made. Spitz is older than both my girls so although she hasn't really been their playmate she's always been very much a part of their lives.

 

[pumba]

our hearts were broken......but Kaitlynn and Zachary are our grandkids and they lived in our other apartment......well they had been with Jasmine since she came to our home at six weeks of age.....it broke my heart to see Kaitlynn and zachary fall apart and cry .....but it is good to cry and to cry with them....They loved Jasmine almost as much as they love their own dog Clutch ....unbelievable that Jasmines one year anniversary is coming up......gone by fast in some instances and slow in others.....I am ready for another dog but hubby is not........

 

[helenabear]

Janette, I am sorry you are going through this right now. That is always such a hard thing to decide. I remember going through that with my last kitty. It was something I had wanted to do for quite some time. It wasn't my cat though so I couldn't make that decision. But his breath was labored and he was in obvious pain. He eventually had a seizure and we had to put him down then. I just want to say how sorry I am that you even have to be thinking about this. {{{hugs}}} to you all

 

[Pin Wizard]

I don't think there's any easy way to do it. A friend just put her poor old little dog to sleep this morning. Her 3 high schoolers are not handling it well at all.

 

[Otimon]

So sorry. This is a most difficult time for everyone.

My suggestion would be to be open and honest with your youngsters and let them be a part of any decision you make. Focus with them on all the wonderful times you had with Spitz, the funny things he did, how he was such a loving companion.

Let them know the memory of Spitz will live on and can never be taken away.
Hugs.

 

[ucralum]

I'm so sorry...we just went through this last year.

You've gotten lots of good advice...I'd like to recommend two books:

The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst
Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant (she also wrote Cat Heaven)

 

[Antonia]

My parents always told me that my pet had gotten married and moved away to live happily ever after with his or her new spouse. LOL

 

[skuttle]

I"m so sorry you're going through this.

My mom had to put to sleep my childhood dog almost a year ago. We had gotten Puff when I was in the 5th grade (I'm 25 now). I hadn't lived at home since 1996, so that made it a little easier for me, but it was still really hard. Puff was 13 years old, so he lived a very long life. He had fluid in his lungs and his heart just wasn't working as it should. The doctor said their wasn't much they could do. My mom called me and asked what I thought, and I told her to do what was best for Puff. I cried a lot and hugged my puppies extra. For a while I always wondered "what if...", but I know we did what was best.

{{Hugs}}

 

[janette]

Thanks everyone, I talked to the girls some. They seem to be okay, Spitz was pretty old before they knew her and she's always been a little skittish so didn't play with the kids. My DH is doing okay, I let him know it's up to him. He helped her get up and get some water but she couldn't stay on her feet. He brought her some food and we kept the other dogs away so she could finish it. Her favorite thing to do was pace the yard, hard to see that she can't even do that.

 

[Tuffcookie]

When our Buddy got cancer and I had to make that awful decision to let him go, youngest DS did not want to be there. My oldest DS told him "Alex, we're his family. We need to be with him"! So on that very sad ocassion there we were in the room at the vet's; me, DBF, oldest DS, his DW, youngest DS, and Buddy. Oldest DS and I hugged Buddy while the vet did his thing. And then he left us alone with Buddy for "as long as we needed to be there". Oldest DS didn't even care for Buddy in the beginning and here he was falling apart over a "dumb dog". For such a "dumb dog" he sure taught us a lot. I'm tearing up as I type this...It's never easy but show your feelings so they will feel more comfortable showing theirs. Hugs!

TC

 

[Planogirl]

I'm so sorry janette. These decisions are so difficult and heart-breaking. {{{{Hugs}}}}

 

[goofy4mickey48]

We just had to put our dear brittany spaniel"Hope" to sleep yesteday, she has been a part of our family for 13 years, she was the most wonderful, loving and obediant dog and friend. I am having a hard time dealing with it! Her back end went due to some kind of sickness that caused nerve damage she could'nt get up or move at all, her back legs were dead., they tried steriod injections which didnt work, we found out she also had cancer and other problems, the doctor was very kind but he said she was in dire health and recommended we end her suffering. She was in the emergency clinic over the weekend , i know all she wanted to do was come home! We stayed with her when the doctor gave her the injection and tried to comfort her and tell her what a good dog she was- i can hardly type this trough the tears, i have 4 children 2 have moved out and live in Maui so far away from Clevland Ohio, this feels like another end to a wonderful part of our lives- like i said i'm having a hard time = thank you so much for the chance to express my feelings.........GOOF

 

[The LK 4]

{{{hugs}}} for you both janette and goofy. It is such an upsetting time when you lose a pet. I cried forever when our dog Magic was put to sleep a few years ago. I hope the memories of the good times you shared with them will help brighten your day a little bit.

 

[pnelson]

There is a wonderful book out there called "The Fall of Freddie the Leaf". You can order it from Amazon. It really explains nature & life cycles to kids. It's a very good book and we use it sometimes in the classroom when these questions come up because we have to stay away from the whole religion aspect. You might consider ordering it. It really is applicable to anyone-no matter what religion they are.

By the way, we have a Border Collie also-14 years old and his time is probably pretty soon.

 

[justjulie]

My heart is with you. We just went through this last year when our beloved golden retriever, Montana, could no longer get up. My children, 6 and 10 at the time, went with us and stayed with her as long as they needed. The vet was wonderful and I truly believe them being there to be able to say goodbye helped their healing. It is a very difficult decision (I'm crying already) but they're family and we wouldn't want to see family suffer. Hugs to you, I've been there too.

 

[jamsmom]

I am so sorry you are having to think of this. What a tough decision. Hugs to you and your family.

 

[jx3smom]

These posts are making me cry. I feel so quilty about not being there for my cat, Mr. Red last week when my brother took him to the vet. He had been caring for my cats and giving Mr. Red his meds and found him on the floor. When I left for WDW he was ok(on thyroid meds). The vet said he was just too sick and it was not his thyroid. I am glad I really didn't have to make the decision but I feel quilty.

Hugs to you. This is a very hard time.

 

[janette]

jx3smom - I had a cat years ago, she'd been sick and I knew it was time but I couldn't face taking her to the Vet. I had my DH do it while I was out of town. I still regret it sometimes but not sure how I would have gotten through the appointment.

We made her an appointment this afternoon. I've been bringing her water this morning. She's still looking up and drinking but wasn't able to move to go to the bathroom. Just does what she can with her upper body. I've given her some extra pain pills that she takes for her arthritis. She still isn't complaining but can't believe that she's not in pain.

 

[MerryPoppins]

The same thing happened to my dog Penny years ago. She just got where she couldn't get up. It's a hard thing to have to do, but the kind thing in the long run. I can't imagine not being able to move and not knowing why.

I second the book The Fall of Freddie the Leaf. It's good for adults and children when it comes to understanding any life cycle human or pet. We have it and my kids like it.

I'm so sorry. I'll keep your family in my prayers.

 

[janette]

I went out to get her in the car and found she'd passed away. No decision to make, quess it was her time. She's been a part of our life for a long time. We'll miss her.