Had to put our dog down...

[Maritime Q-Scout]

it took me a while to build up the courage to open this thread.

my dog is my best friend, I mean, he means EVERYTHING to me. What I'd do if anything happened to him I don't know. I don't know if I'd have the ability to put him down despite it being the right thing to do.

I don't really have any advice, I once had a prof that said on the first day of class "I don't accept late assignments, ever! Only excuse is if you're sick and have a doctor's note, or if a family memeber dies, and YES your dog dying counts, he's a member of the family just like anyone else."


Now my heart's broken... have to go to Cowperson's site to see his dogs (mine at home is a Golden as well) then to open the directory on my computer of just Turk.

[Cain]

Originally posted by Bean@Feb 3 2005, 05:59 AM
He is a great little guy that started aimlessly wandering around the house all of last night bumping into things and what looked like suffering some balance problems. He would endlessly pant and although he had a bit of an ear infection; I thought it that everything had to do with that.

Turns out he lost the battle to a brain tumour and would either spend the rest of his days without an appetite and blinded without a sense of direction or ended prematurely as painlessly as possible.

As the Topic title reads, we did put him down and boy is the family feeling the effects. Would any other pet owners in similar situations be able to provide any advice? I know that in the larger picture, things will be clearer, but my sister is taking this very hard since she had a major role in raising him as a pup and he was our first dog. (he was only about 6 years old)

R.I.P. Chris

Thanks,

Whoaaaaaaaa does that hit close to home.

I have a dog who lost almost all sight within the last year and a half, is prone to panting excessively, has very bad balance and a verrry erratic appetite. I thought it was just bad eyesight + growing old. Now I am quite worried that it could be more.

How did you find out the extent of what was wrong with your dog? I would be absolutely crushed to lose mine...and I am sure you are as well....my condolences...

My dog is 9 and a half though, golden lab. Not sure if that makes the symptoms any more realistic?

[???]

im in the same situation, my dog is on his last few weeks. he still gets bursts of energy and is happy but has bone cancer that spread to his lungs. vet says until he stops eating its ok to keep him around cause hes not suffering. but its only a few weeks before it catches up to him. question, when its time, do you go with him to get it done? or does the vet take him by him self?

[Mike__]

Originally posted by ???@Feb 3 2005, 04:34 PM
im in the same situation, my dog is on his last few weeks. he still gets bursts of energy and is happy but has bone cancer that spread to his lungs. vet says until he stops eating its ok to keep him around cause hes not suffering. but its only a few weeks before it catches up to him. question, when its time, do you go with him to get it done? or does the vet take him by him self?

I'm guessing its all up to you, but if it were me I would definetley stay with my dog till he passed away. Boy, I'm tearing up here thinking about the day that is going to happen to my dog. I just can't stop visuaizing him looking at me right before he dies, we do everything together, we've had good times and I'll definitely miss him.

[spydermal]

dogs truly are a mans best friend.

[BlackArcher101]

Sorry to hear about your loss. My family is close to losing our first pet.
We've had our rabbit for close to 11 years now. He has lost all eyesight for a year now, and just recently his enthusiasm has dropped considerably. There is also a growth which I suspect to be a tumor. His balance is off and lacks most energy, but his appetite is still good.

Problem is, my family doesn't want to take him to the vet. I don't know if it's stuborness or being cheap. I will probably have to take him myself without them knowing. Your family did the right thing Bean by taking him in. I don't think I can stand a another day looking at my rabbit in such poor shape. It's hard though.

[Indi]

Originally posted by ???@Feb 3 2005, 11:34 PM
im in the same situation, my dog is on his last few weeks. he still gets bursts of energy and is happy but has bone cancer that spread to his lungs. vet says until he stops eating its ok to keep him around cause hes not suffering. but its only a few weeks before it catches up to him. question, when its time, do you go with him to get it done? or does the vet take him by him self?

its whatever you want to do, you can go in with your buddy, or you can wait for the vet to do it himself. Me, I went in, last thing I wanted my little pal to be was scared.....thinking about it, thats the last time I cried...couldnt leave the parking lot for 20 min cause I couldnt see.....I really dont like this thread

[Cowperson]

Originally posted by ???@Feb 3 2005, 11:34 PM
im in the same situation, my dog is on his last few weeks. he still gets bursts of energy and is happy but has bone cancer that spread to his lungs. vet says until he stops eating its ok to keep him around cause hes not suffering. but its only a few weeks before it catches up to him. question, when its time, do you go with him to get it done? or does the vet take him by him self?

I make it a point of responsibility to be in the room as they go and I've been in the room with five cats and one dog as they've been put to sleep.

My first experience was with a cat and was very bad for myself, absolutely shocking frankly. Alive . . . . then dead. Peaceful but emotionally horrible. I was younger and just broke up in tears and then, when I'd finally pulled myself together, walked out of the room, red-eyed, with an empty cat cage to a cheery:
"HI, HOWAREYA,WADDYADOINHERE," from some friends who had an appointment. ###### off!!!

The dog was the worst for emotional impact though. Cats sort of hover around your life but dogs are IN your life. That laid out my wife and I for quite a while but we got our first Golden 15 months later. It was time to move on.

Two cats which spent fifteen years with us went the next year, another 10 year old the year following.

Four animals in four years after spending a long time together.

They're with us, all cremated.

Now we have two Golden's, both six, and four cats, under five years of age.

There will be days in the future that will be ruff but we'll be there for them . . . . I won't leave them in a cold, impersonal room alone for that.

But it cuts you up no doubt. Particularly since you're choosing the time they'll die.

You just have to focus in your head that you gave them a good life and it was inevitable they would predecease you. There's no other way to look at it.

Cowperson

[pope04]

http://rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm

Bean, this is a pretty sappy poem, but I hope it brings you comfort. My mother received this poem from her vet when she had to put her dog, "Toby," down on January 2, 2004.

You see, "Toby" was a Mother's day present from me in 1986. Let's just say a not very well-received one. He was a Wheaton cross, and he was kinda crazy to start with. He literally ate most of her furniture, but eventually he grew on her.

He lived a good, long life - nearly 18 years - but his passing, while not a shock, was pretty traumatic for my mother.

[Eddie Bronze]

The only "advice" I could even think of to give is that time heals. It is very tough to see a member of the family pass. I've been through this several times. Four bulldogs, three of which had to be put down because of illness. The other one passed away suddenly. I came home from work and the poor guy was lying on the floor by the door, "asleep" shall we say? I had to carry him out of the house. One of the hardest things I ever did, as it was my sisters dog. Everyone deals with it differently, but the only thing that will help you one day look back on the memories and deal with the loss is the passing of time.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally posted by Cowperson+Feb 3 2005, 10:49 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Cowperson @ Feb 3 2005, 10:49 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-???@Feb 3 2005, 11:34 PM
im in the same situation, my dog is on his last few weeks. he still gets bursts of energy and is happy but has bone cancer that spread to his lungs. vet says until he stops eating its ok to keep him around cause hes not suffering. but its only a few weeks before it catches up to him. question, when its time, do you go with him to get it done? or does the vet take him by him self?

I make it a point of responsibility to be in the room as they go and I've been in the room with five cats and one dog as they've been put to sleep.

My first experience was with a cat and was very bad for myself, absolutely shocking frankly. Alive . . . . then dead. Peaceful but emotionally horrible. I was younger and just broke up in tears and then, when I'd finally pulled myself together, walked out of the room, red-eyed, with an empty cat cage to a cheery:
"HI, HOWAREYA,WADDYADOINHERE," from some friends who had an appointment. ###### off!!!

The dog was the worst for emotional impact though. Cats sort of hover around your life but dogs are IN your life. That laid out my wife and I for quite a while but we got our first Golden 15 months later. It was time to move on.

Two cats which spent fifteen years with us went the next year, another 10 year old the year following.

Four animals in four years after spending a long time together.

They're with us, all cremated.

Now we have two Golden's, both six, and four cats, under five years of age.

There will be days in the future that will be ruff but we'll be there for them . . . . I won't leave them in a cold, impersonal room alone for that.

But it cuts you up no doubt. Particularly since you're choosing the time they'll die.

You just have to focus in your head that you gave them a good life and it was inevitable they would predecease you. There's no other way to look at it.

Cowperson [/b][/quote]
my guy's 6 as well, no matter what I want to be there when his time comes. Maybe I'll be asking you for help to get through it, and more than likely returning the favour shortly there after.

I pray it's not for a LONG time yet...

[Bean]

Originally posted by Cain+Feb 3 2005, 10:51 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Cain @ Feb 3 2005, 10:51 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteBegin-Bean@Feb 3 2005, 05:59 AM
He is a great little guy that started aimlessly wandering around the house all of last night bumping into things and what looked like suffering some balance problems. He would endlessly pant and although he had a bit of an ear infection; I thought it that everything had to do with that.

Turns out he lost the battle to a brain tumour and would either spend the rest of his days without an appetite and blinded without a sense of direction or ended prematurely as painlessly as possible.

As the Topic title reads, we did put him down and boy is the family feeling the effects. Would any other pet owners in similar situations be able to provide any advice? I know that in the larger picture, things will be clearer, but my sister is taking this very hard since she had a major role in raising him as a pup and he was our first dog. (he was only about 6 years old)

R.I.P. Chris

Thanks,

Whoaaaaaaaa does that hit close to home.

I have a dog who lost almost all sight within the last year and a half, is prone to panting excessively, has very bad balance and a verrry erratic appetite. I thought it was just bad eyesight + growing old. Now I am quite worried that it could be more.

How did you find out the extent of what was wrong with your dog? I would be absolutely crushed to lose mine...and I am sure you are as well....my condolences...

My dog is 9 and a half though, golden lab. Not sure if that makes the symptoms any more realistic?[/b][/quote]
The most terrible thing about how I found out was that I was at the Chinook Staples parking lot when I found out..nowhere near home and pretty much useless in all accounts. A friend of mine was driving that night and boy was it a sad ride home on Deerfoot Trail. (I live in Beddington)

Chris acted that way (panting, balance and wandering) very rarely. We never thought much of it as these bouts would happen about 3 times before in the last 2 or 3 years.

Unfortunatley all of my knowledge was second hand as my parents and sister rushed Chris to the vet who made a diagnosis and suggested that they take him to the emergency room/hospital. That is when I got the call and was asked what to do....as we all agreed on the same thing I was en route home when it all took place. If you are interested, PM me and I will send you the information I get from my sister. She is still feeling down and all of the kind things that fellow CP'ers post really are helping to ease the loss. (for me at least)

Cain, I don't know what your financial status is; but I would suggest a trip to the vet asap. I do not know how I would act if I was told that my dog's life was in count down mode but I sure as h3ll would have made every effort to get the problem fixed to extend his life instead of being so naive about it to get such a dreadful surprise.

As for the question of being present during the last moments, I would agree with Mike__and the like by being in the room to ensure that my pet was not scared. It breaks my heart that his mind may not have been all there to be able to understand what was happening to him.

...excuse me.


Edited to quote the correct CP member.

[shoestring]

I feel for you it is such a tough place.
I feel for all of you that have posted.
Tears kept welling up. I've thought about losing my guy and really don't know what to say.
You did the right thing. But they are the best of all buds and that makes it so difficult.
Read the poems above and send them to others that know you and your dog.
It always helps to share.

Remember how glad he always was to see you.
Make somebody else that happy to see you.
And be that happy to see others.

[Cain]

Bean:

My dog (really a family dog) has been to the vet in the past while to get her eyes checked out, as we were thinking of doing something for her sight if we could...turns out that it was not only a cataract, but also a retinal problem as well, so we could not help her.

I highly doubt that they did anything except for waving their hands around her eyes though, and definitely did not check for much else...

Probably will just have to monitor the situation closely for now...she does get quite disoriented at times (although we just moved and she is blind...so a little understandable) and will not eat for a day or two, then wolf down anything she can the next.

The main thing in my mind though is that she is still generally a happy dog...not in the best shape, but by all indications is still enjoying her later years...and thats all that matters I guess.

It would break my heart for something to happen to her...She's the first pet I've had and it already breaks my heart watching her with my sister's new lab...One old lab who is well past her prime contrasted to a ball of energy that just won't quit.

What a sad and depressing thread.

[habernac]

good words from everyone in this thread.

I lost my best friend 8 years ago last month. It was one of the hardest things I have ever experienced, and I have always had regret for not having the guts to be in the room with her as the vet put her to sleep. I haven't owned a dog since, and I may not ever own another one. She lived a good life, she was 16. Geez, I'm getting teary eyed just typing this out......

I agree with Cow that cats would be easier for me to get over than my dog was. I own two cats right now. One turned 3 yesterday, the other is a couple of months older. Hopefully, it will be many years before I have to go through that pain again. But I will be in the room until the end next time.

[metallicat]

I am sorry for the loss Bean. I don't have any pets, but my brother walks a neighbours dog everyday and he is a part of the family. I haven't cried in real life in a long time, but this thread has got me all emotional. I am sure things will get better for you, and I wish you all the best.

[Skyceman]

REAL sorry to hear that, Bean. I feel your pain. Only advice I recommend is to realize your dog is at peace and is no longer suffering.

Dam - this was one painful thread to read!

If I were God, I would have made dogs live to the equivalent of humans.











Scuse me while I go hug my dog now.......

[FireInTheHole]

So sorry to everyone reading this thread who has lost a pet.

I have only had one dog - we got her when I was 5 and she was just 6 weeks old. I was 18 when we had to have her put down due to cancer. When the time came that she needed to be put down, I drove to the vet to be with her with her so she wouldn't be alone when she was put to sleep - but it turned out to be one of the hardest experiences I have ever endured. To this day - 15 years later as I read this thread, I have been crying for the last 1/2 hour as I try to get through all of these messages. I will never forget our last moments together - and many times I have wondered if it would be easier if I wasn't there when she was put down. Believe me, it is no easy thing to witness - something that will be with you for the rest of your life.

When my wife had to have her cat put down a year ago, (she had her for 18 years) I advised that she not go in while the vet put her down - I really don't think she could have handled it. Looking back on it, I think it was the right call for her.

To be there, or not to be there - very difficult call to make, and from my experience you will know what will be best when the time comes.

Here's hoping that its a long time before any of us have to go through something like this.