Had to put our dog down...

[Bean]

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,

[JiriHrdina]

So sorry to hear man. But you did the right thing.

[zarrell]

Sorry to hear that Bean. I know that when I was younger my cat got run over by a car and it was only a few days later that we got 2 new kittens. Maybe go down to the shelter and take a look around.

[Bean]

Thanks JH,

The worst part is that it came right out of the blue and I found out about it via cell phone with no ability to be present during his last moments. I had only left the house about an hour or two before it all took place

Not sure how I can handle the loss of a human family member let alone one of the family pets. Let it be a message to all CP'ers to not take relationships for granted.

[Calgary Flames]

Sorry to hear that, but you did the right thing... as hard as it was your pet would be thankful.

From my experiences, the easiest way to get over the loss of a pet is to get a new one... Trust me. A new pet around the house is a great time and makes the loss of a previous pet alot less painful and you'll grow to love your new pet as much as the pet you lost.

[calf]

Sorry for your loss. Non dog/pet owners seldom realize how much they really are a part of the family.

It's obvious you did the right thing.

My first dog, Shadow, began getting growths on her head/back at 10 years old. They appeared to be benign. So they were going to do the biopsy and everything, but did the blood tests first. The blood tests showed she had low platelets, so if they would have proceeded with the procedure, the wounds wouldn't have healed, she would have lost a lot of blood, and would have died. They traced this problems to some older-dog suppliments we were told to giver her, so we took her off of them so she could get her platelet count up, get the procedure done, then live for a few more happy years. However, taking her off those suppliments meant the good they were doing wasn't happening anymore, so she almost immediately began wasting away...losing her appetite, losing a lot of weight, etc, and had to put her to 'sleep'. Yea, it really sucked...and still does typing it ;_;

Just keep strong and remember the good times with your companion.

I'd say don't get a new pet right away - have time to accept/deal with the loss, some time for rememberance. When you're ready get a new one if it feels right. We got a new dog a year afterwards, and she's great - not a replacement, just a new member of the family.

[browna]

Can't help you out, but sorry for the loss.

Some pets will be hard to replace.

I wasn't a "cat" guy, until met the gf-now wife 5+ years ago.

Barnaby is one of those cats that are rare..smart, a character, with a whole lot of personality, and liking strangers, and liking activity and being played around with and picked up more then sleeping.

We got another cat 1.5 years later, and its the typical sleeping/eating only cat who doesn't like to be picked up, runs away if strangers come in etc etc. Very boring with the only personality coming out when wanting food.

Now, a dog for 6 months, and everyone who has one knows what kind of active companions they become....

But, when Barnaby goes (in hopefully a long time) it will be very hard, given the nature and personality of most cats, to find a cat that will develop the same charcter and playfullness that he has.

These being my first pets, will make loss that little bit harder.

[Rejean31]

Sorry to hear about your loss, Bean. I farm, so I know how you feel. I feel terrible anytime we lose a calf, and that is usually before you can even form a bond with them so losing a pet that has been a part of the family is even worse. Just remember, time is a great healer.

[Inferno]

Sorry to hear that.

I've lost two cats who were run over and one kitten that I had for two weeks who died of a stomach virus. I havent had to go through a human death yet but losing my cats was very hard especially the first one because that was the first time I had to deal with a death and we had her for 12 years.

With the kitten I was more upset because she never had a chance to live but later that night I got my third cat from my cousin who lived on a farm and had found a litter of kittens in a barn that the previous owners had left behind and wanted to get rid of them because he had dogs. When he was run over about four years later I was able to deal with it better having gone through it before but it was still hard because he was the perfect cat. He loved people but knew if a person wasnt a cat person and wouldnt bug them. A few people told us too that they arent a cat person but liked him.

After he died we didnt want to get another cat and have to go through that again but a couple months later decided to adopt two cats and make them house cats and it really helped though to this day I still miss my third cat. The youngest one is good about not trying to get outside but the older one stills tries to get out especially in the summer. Just this weekend my uncle didnt close the door right and he snuck out and had we noticed the door being open 5 minutes later he probably would have been hit too because just when I looked out the window he was headed for the road and when my dad and cousin got to him he was hiding under my cousin's truck. It would have been hard for a driver to notice and stop in time with besides part of his back which is carmel he's all white.

So like everyone else I would suggest getting another pet. It really helps get you through the mourning process much faster than you would if you didnt.

[Deelow]

I was going to make a thread about this..more asking for advice. My family dog (more my parents now as I have been gone for the past few years) is 16 now and it's just about time. He's been getting progressively worse. When I go back and see him now he's not himself. Lot's of p*ssing and sh**ting in the house. He still gets energy and everything but he's just a space cadet more or less. Anyway, it's getting to the point where it's just about time. The other day my mother send me this in the mail..honestly it's pretty sad and uncomfortable, but it's true..maybe show it to your sister if she's old enough to understand. I had a difficult time getting through it and applying it to my good friend of 16 years.

"Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.
Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between blows, your patients and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice as the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps fall upon my ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory that the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no home, I would rather follow you though ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my God and I am your worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not
reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell when I suffer from thirst,
Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do you bidding, to walk by your side, and to stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.


And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in you arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest--- and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew,
my fate was ever in your hand."

anyone's eyes well up? just a litte?

[300spartans]

Sorry to hear about your loss, I completely understand.

Our golden was only seven years old when he started to lose his appetite and was drinking massive amounts of water. So we took him in and they diagnosed a massive chest tumour. Being our first dog, we wanted to do everything we could but treatment was going to be extremely expensive with no real chance of success. So we went on for about a month while he got worse everday.

Those were really tough times. I really wanted to stay home but I had school. Coming home was always difficult because he had usually eaten a small amount and then thrown it up. I remember how he used to be so hot with fever that all he would want to do was go outside in the cold. I remember sitting with him for hours outside in the cold late into the night

About a month after they diagnosed the tumor, it was now massive and was all over his chest. So we decided to do the right thing and put him down. We planned to put him down on the 15, the night of the 14, he slept in my parent's room instead of mine. At about 3am, my mom knocked on my door, it was weird because I knew what it was about. Prince had passed away in the night, the day before we were to put him down.

As in your case Chris, my sister took it very hard because she had also raised him alot and she was unfortunately in Edmonton at the time and had no chance of coming down to see him. All she got to see of her dog was his ashes

We haven't gotten a dog since then, its been 4 years now and I dont know if we as a family ever will. I certainly plan to when I have a family of my own someday.

I dont know what else I can really say. Thing will of course get better but all you can do right now is keep lots of pictures around and remember the good times.

[JiriHrdina]

That is really touching stuff Deelow.

It reminds me of a nice little statement Cowperson (I think) used to have in his sig. Something like "Please lord help me to be the man my dog thinks I am ". Always thought it summed up why we have pets rather nicely.

[FlamesAddiction]

Putting the dog down was the most humane thing to do. Keeping him alive would have been selfish.

I've had to get pets put down before. It hurts for a while, but somehow you get over it.

[spydermal]

I can relate. Just 1.5 months ago a week before christmas I lost my dog of ten years. It was messed up, he woke up fine chased a squirel, and then out of no where he couldnt get up and was really weak, and to make it worse it was a sunday and there were no vets working so we had to call one. The only thing the vets were doing to help him was giving him injections, which we could do at home, so we let him come home to die. I know if he was in pain we would put him down but since the vets didnt know what was wrong and thought he had a chance to recover, we let him die at home because they said he wasnt in pain just sick in a weird way(also there was no place my dog hated more then the vet). Im glad he got to pass on with the family he loved. It was the hardest thing ive done all my life so far watching him take his last breath. I feel for you, and im sorry to hear about your loss. Also i know it may sound kinda funny, but I got my dog cremated so, in the spring i can spread his ashes in his fav spots. For me it helped me get over it a bit more, and kinda gave me a realization of that hes really gone. Also the only place to get rid of a dog or any animal in my town is the dump, and i wasnt gonna let my friend get put in a dump.

[Jagger]

So very very sorry for your loss.

We lost our dog who was basically our first child, last September. He was 10.5 years old. He had this past summer suddenly got a new lease on life. Full of vitality and vigour. We were so happy to see him that way. Then just as suddenly he stopped eating his food, had trouble standing up and was bumping into things. It was so sad and distressing to see. We had two boys at the time (we have since had a new baby) and I can still remember both of them placing a blanket on him and giving him a hug the evening before he died. It was like they knew he was going. He passed away in the middle of the night.

I've lost my mother and grandparents and to be perfectly honest with you this didn't feel any easier at all. He wasn't just a dog he was a true member of our family who had been with us since he was four weeks old. It is extremely hard and upsetting but we feel that he's out of his suffering and is in a better place. Not a day goes by that we don't think about him. Our home certainly feels different now that he's not here.

Your family did the right thing. There is nothing worse than suffering and your dog is no longer suffering and is in a better place for sure. I truly believe that.

[Cowperson]

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,

Sorry to hear of your loss.

The cruelest thing of all is that the moment you get a puppy, you also know there is a dark day down the road as they inevitably pre-decease us.

You did the right thing but that doesn't make it any easier.

You gave him a great life and that's all you can do.

I have two Golden's and four cats and my web site has a memorial page to the Sheltie and three cats we've had to put to sleep before. It hurts each time . . . . and will in the future.

Cowperson

"Dear Lord, help me to be the person my dog thinks I am."

[Bean]

Originally posted by Deelow@Feb 3 2005, 06:59 AM

"Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.
Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between blows, your patients and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

"

...I read the two first lines and I almost look like your Bertuzzi avatar. I work in front of clients all the time so I am not going to further deteriorate my composure by reading the rest of it. Thank you for posting that and I will definately send my sister a copy of your mom's message.

[pope04]

Sorry for you loss, bean. Had to take one of my own dogs in on March 19, 2002, and that was so hard.

[OldSam]

I've had to put down several pets and it hurts dreadfully for each and every one of them. Console yourself in knowing that the people that becomes vets usually are in it because of the love of animals and they do everything they can to save them. The decision is hard, but know that it was the best one to make and you undoubtedly saved your dog immeasurable pain and suffering if you had waited longer.

The worst thing animal owners can do is be selfish for their feelings and not think about the feelings and pain of their animals.

Years ago, I had a young animal that was exposed to chemicals accidentally and a decision to euthanize him had to be made. It is a terrible story and I wouldn't want to make anyone look like Bertuzzi again. Suffice it to say it was psychologically draining. The vet was crying when he did the autopsy so I knew my decision was the right one. The day after, yes the day after, I was visiting a friend and I saw a replacement. Yup, the day after. I felt guilty. Seriously guilty.

But three months afterwards, I was in Michigan and given a half brother that became my best friend and companion for 18 years. What a wonderful friendship we had and shared. Two and a half years ago, he had to be euthanized and although I was dreadfully upset and still have a photo of him on my desk, it was so the right time to do it. He did everything I ever asked of him and I could not cheapen our bond by keeping him alive just because I didn't want to lose him.

[Table 5]

Ugh, i feel your pain. We too have cats who have passed 11 years of age now now, and sooner or later, the inevitable will come (hopefully many years from now). When you spend so many years with an animal, they are nothing less than family.

But you did the right thing. I know of a woman who has a dog with the exact same affliction (tumor with blindness AND deafness), and she refuses to have him put down. The dog is almost 20 and doesnt move at all, and can hardly stand up. She loves the dog immensly and just doesn't have it in her to give up, when in reality it would be the most humane thing. But when it comes to pets, it's hard to say goodbye.