You are so right. Better to rest in peace than to live in misery just because someone can’t let go. In a weird way it reminds me of the Schiavo case. Sorta…

I had to put my doberman down after 17 years. she was healthy for her age, but she started getting very painful joints, couldn’t stand up and became incontinent. It was the most painful thing I ever had to do.

putting them to rest may be the right thing to do and i understand the rational thoughts that you put into in..but somehow I can’t get myself to think about it….i too have 2 Dobs.(in india) and have not yet come to a stage where their end is inevitable…maybe I will do what you do…but it just is so hard.

I completely agree. People do let their dogs languish in pain for their sakes.

My question is dogs with serious aggression and behavior issues (I have one.) His issues are very much genetic and I know that at times he is very happy in his life, but at others he is so scared (and it comes out as aggression) that I know he’s unhappy.

So, do you think that dogs with serious aggression issues that can not be ‘cured’ or relieved should be put down as well.

There’s nothing physically wrong with him, it’s bad breeding that has caused his aggression.

My last hope is the behavioral vet at Texas A&M, if after we work with her, he doesn’t get any better, I’m afraid I might have to put my beloved Kaisermonster down :( - I already tear up when I think about it.

Is it my selfishness that keeps him alive or can he really be rehabilitated. Just something that plagues me everytime I look into his eyes.

Greeblie, I am fortunate in that I have never had to make a decision like that yet since my dogs are all pretty young (less than 3 years-old), but I think it was very brave and nice of you to do what you did.

Patrix, I cannot imagine having to put my babies to sleep too, at this point - but if ever comes a time when I think they are suffering needlessly, I think I would hold them in my hands when they are put to sleep by the doctors. I know a lady who has an 18-year-old miniature poodle who is blind and suffers from kidney and heart ailments - I seriously don’t see any need to keep that poor thing alive, when she cannot enjoy her life anymore.

V, first of all, my hugs to you. I am so sorry that yours is such a difficult decision to make. Hope is a crazy thing, especially in cases like Kaiser - I know it must be terrible for you to wonder whether the hope is real or something you are trying to hold on to. I don’t see anything wrong in you trying to your best to see if he can better. If not, I guess you will know when nothing else can be done. Good Luck!

thats so true…. i have dogs too and when u see them suffering the best thing u can do for them is to allow them to rest in peace……my dog was dying of rabies and in a small town we couldnt do anything and also we couldnt see her suffering.. so, we put her to sleep by poisoning her fav food..atleast it died without pain…….cried for days together but may be its all worth….thats why somebody aptly said the more i get to now pple the more i like my dog…..thats why we try to keep pple alive even they are brain dead but we dont like doing the same to our dogs…they are too precious

thats so true…. i have dogs too and when u see them suffering the best thing u can do for them is to allow them to rest in peace……my dog was dying of rabies and in a small town we couldnt do anything and also we couldnt see her suffering.. so, we put her to sleep by poisoning her fav food..atleast it died without pain…….cried for days together but may be its all worth….thats why somebody aptly said the more i get to know pple the more i like my dog…..thats why we try to keep pple alive even they are brain dead but we dont like doing the same to our dogs…they are too precious

I am replying the post from “v”. I had a very similar situation. I have the very sad news to pass on that I had to put my dog of 10 years down today. He was my 1st dog on my own.

He was very healthy (overweight, but healthy). I had chatted with Dr’s about “dog prozac” but in the end, I tried to just help get better on my own. Ever since he was about 1-2, he has biten. Usually defending turf, and not very ofter outwards at others.

Over the weekend, he was with me and my family and my other dog at the park. Two children (within 1 minute) had gone over to my dog, and he bit each of them. I have a 2 year old and a six month old. I knew that I was going to have to do it someday, and I feel extremely sad that I had to do it. I also very extremely sad that I waited for others to get bit.

It is a very sad day today. At the same time, I hope he is doing better where he is now, and I hope that he is not scared anymore. I will miss Jessee.

TODAY IS NOVEMBER 4TH 2003. I HAD TO PUT MY BASSETT HOUND DOWN TODAY, NAMED FLOSSY DOODLE. SHE HAS BEEN DIAGNOISED WITH LYMPHOMA JUST A MONTH AGO. HER HEALTH REALLY WENT DOWN SO FAST. SHE HAD GOTTEN TO WHERE SHE COULD NOT EAT OR BREATHE. IN JUST A MONTH AGO SHE WAS A SPUNKY LILLTE GIRL. SHE JUST TURNED SEVEN IN SEPTEMBER. SHE HAD BEEN TAKING PREDISONE, BUT IT WAS TAKING IT TOLL ON HER. JUST THIS MORNING I AWOKE TO HER JUST LAYING IN THE FLOOR , SHE WAS SO WEAK TILL SHE COULD BEARLY STAND. I HAVE CRIED SO MUCH TILL IT HURTS. I LAYED DOWN ON THE FLOOR AND HELD HER SO CLOSE AND TOLD HER HOW MUCH I LOVED HER AND HOW MUCH I WOULD MISS HER AND THAT SHE WAS GOING TO A BETTER PLACE AND SHE COULD FINALLY BE FREE TO RUN WITHOUT A LEASE OR COLLAR. FREE AT LAST. SHE WAS SUCH A SWEET AND SMART ANIMAL OR SHOULD I SAY SHE WAS WHAT I CALL A HUMAN ANIMAL. I WILL MISS YOU FLOSSY. LOVE YOUR MOMA.

I am so sorry to hear about Flossy, Nancy!

:( I am so very sad! Yet, I know it is time for her to go to sleep! Bow’s is a 19 year old yorkie she has been ill for some time and now is unable to control her body funtions therefor, I know what I need to do. I read the letter from the person who said the used poison in their dogs favorite food.
What did you use, and was this painful? I know they use a salt solution that will painfully stop the heart at the Vet and I can’t bring myself to do that. Please advise me on your peaceful technique!
Thank you for your time and I am very sorry for your loss! Diane & Bow’s

Jist, can you please answer Diane’s question?

Teddy has a huge c tumor which is ulcerated.
Can’t spend any more money on surgery.
Hard to see him suffer so talking about putting him to sleep but crying so much about it.
One of my daughters is willing to be with him when he gets the shot.
It’s so sad for all. We love Teddy’s spirit of energy and friendliness.
J

J, I am so sad for you - I understand that sometimes inspite of loving them so much, we must make tough decisions for our pets. I think it is nice that you are atleast putting Teddy out of his suffering instead of abandoning him or letting him suffer more.

Be strong for him!

I am torn. I have a 7 yo basset Lopey. He has joint/hip and back problems, but mostly does ok. He has in the past 2 years bitten twice, once was pretty bad, my exboyfriends dad, who in no way threatened him. Recently, he has snapped & growled at me. This morning he cornered me when I tried to get him to move out of my bedroom. He snarled, growled & lunged at me for at least 5 minutes. It was extremely frightening. I love him, but feel his health may be failing and for him to attack me is not acceptable. Has anyone faced a situation like this and put their pet down? I am trying really hard not to feel guilty about having to make the right decision.

Hi Sherri, that sounds like a pretty complicated situation. How big is your dog weight-wise? Is he small enough to be non-threatening even in attack mode? I have Great Danes, so I would be afraid for my life if one of my dogs behaved like that.

I hope you will make whatever seems to be the right decision for you, even if it feels hard on your heart.

Hi Shanti, Thank you for replying to me. He is about 70 lbs. He is a “big” basset, about 18” (bad breeding). In attack mode, he is not small enough to be non-threatening. When he attacked my exboyfriends dad - he didnt let go and kept going at him. And all he was trying to do was pet him! Since then, I have not let anyone take care of him. He has been going to the bathroom on the carpet as well - and he is fully house broke, so there is definetly a problem. I cannot repremand him, he will snarl at me. I dont want to live in fear of him turning on me at any moment. I can only hope that I am making the right decision.

Sherri, that is defintely a big dog and potentially harmful to you physically. I think it might be a good idea to get him checked up to see if physically he has a problem that is making him cranky. If not, I am afraid it might be better to let go of him while holding his hand than to live in fear for your life from your pet.

I went to my vet on Saturday to discuss my problems with Lopey. Aside from Lopey’s hip/back/spinal problems, he agreed that there must have been something more going on with him. (as if those werent enough). The vet told me it is his oath to his patients to preserve life and do what is best. In our case, Lopey was not having the quality of life he once knew and was becoming a danger to me and himself. I took him to the beach for one last time before we went to the vet. I knew none of this would be easy, but the guilt Im feeling is overwhelming. He never knew he wouldnt be going home again, and my home is empty without him. It would have been so much easier if he had been sick visually or I knew that he had limited time. Its not his fault that he was going senile. As he lay on the blanket and I kissed his nose as he went to sleep, I kept hoping he knew how much I loved him and that he forgave me. Shanti, thank you for allowing me to share with you and everyone.

My hugs to you, Sherri. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain you are going through - it would kill me to take a similar decision with one of my babies, but ultimately I believe in keeping the pet happy, healthy and alive than keeping them alive just so we can see them.

You made a very brave decision in letting Lopey go. I am sure he understands you needed to do this and I think it was nice of you to stay by him as he went.

I have a little 13 year old puppy named Spencer. Spencer has several problem. He is getting grouchier by the day. If you try to pick him up, he tries to bite-especcialy kids. He often succeeds. His teeth are falling out, he smells awful, and he is increasingly incontinent. His bottom looks like raw meat because he drags it on the carpet (which is mostly ruined now) all the time. I love this dog, but I think we need to have him put down. My husband of 35 years and my 16 year old daughter think I am evil to want to do this. I read it should be a family decision, but I can’t let the dog continue to suffer and to ruin our home-which is starting to smell regardless of our efforts to clean the urine. Help!

mt, I think 13 years is pretty old in a dog, especially if he is a large breed. You might try talking to a vet or a therapist to see if there is anything they can do to help your dog. If they cannot or if you cannot afford it, I think putting th edog down maybe the most humane thing you can do for him before his life becomes even more miserable.

I am going to have to put down my german shepherd female, Shadow on monday. Vet isnt open tomarrow or I’d probably do it then. Shes about 14 years old ad purebred. My husband and I have been discussing it on and off for the past few years, which have been not great for her. She never gave me the ‘sign’ though that it was time til today. She has a bad back end of course, typical pure bred problems, but til today she was always slow to rise, but good appetite and when shes up, shes willing to ‘try’ and play. A set of storms ripped through yesterday and today though and when I looked at her, she has to stay outdoors, she was breathing heavy and not doing well at all. And the silly snot wouldnt stay in her shelter out f the rain so that didnt help her at all. Its hurting me that its time, but I know it will ease her discomfort and pain.

Im tearing up as I write this, Im such a sap. This will be the second dog I have owned that I have had to put down, the first was my shepherd/husky cross that was 7, I put him down 2 years ago on valentines day, as he ended up being diagnosed with diabetes…too late, one day he was fine, next day..bam. I never saw ‘any’ sign on him til it was too late. I have had family dogs put down before. I grew up with dogs, but when they are your ‘own’ its harder.

Dorothy, I am so sorry you are haiving to make the decision that you have at hand. I hope you will be able to atleast rescue another dog from a shelter give it all the love you have given your German Shepherd all these days. It will also help you cope with your dog’s death.

We will eventually get another dog, but for now we will take a break, probably about a year. We have alot of yard work we want to do, fully enclosing our property, not just part of it like it is now, easier to do when you arent needing to restrain a pet. So eventually, in a year, maybe two we will get another, but for now, I still have my 3 kitties as well. Thank you!

I agree sometimes it helps you recharge your batteries to take a little break. Good luck with everything, Dorothy!

I have a male dog that was droped off near my home 10 years ago. He has been an out door dog, in a kennle with a dog house, fed and watered daily and well cared for. We had been getting him his shots and all but now there are these dumb new laws about dogs being out doors all the time and you have to have this that and everything else to insure the aminals comfort. So this past winter durring the worst of the cold spell here in Central NY we brought him indoors. He totally distroyed my house trying to get back outside. Now he shows signs of heart worms and maybe other conditions of the heart. I feel he should be put down but I am on very limited income since I got sick with cancer a few years ago and can no longer afford VET prices, can I get medicine on line to put him down myself. I love him but I am too weak any more to carry on, and I wont just drop him off somewhere as he was dropped off here.
Give me your thoughts and views please.

Today is one of the sadest days of my life. I had to put my 4 year old doberman Roxie down. After years of struggling with her seperation anxiety, I recently asked my mother if she could keep her since she was home most of the day and I had been getting complaints from my neighbors about her barking and whining all day. After living with my mother for a few weeks I noticed her weight drop dramatically, from 70lbs down to 50lbs. After a few test, Roxie was diagnosed with Liver Disease. She was on medication and I was just starting a supplemental diet I found on the internet for liver disease. Just yesterday when my mother ran out for about an hour, she returned to find that Roxie had eaten a chocolate cake, crumb cake and some m&m’s. After my mother called me with this news I promptly called the vet who had me bring her in immediately. They induced her to vomit and injected charcoal in her to absorb some of the chocolate. She seemed to be doing well until last night at about 8pm when the chocolate toxicity began to set in. The vet said they were closely monitoring her and that she seemed a little better. This morning when I called they said her condition was worsening because with the liver disease she was not diagesting the drugs properly. I was given the choice of having them perform extreme measures to rid the toxicity or putting her down. They said the biopsy showed a severly damaged liver and a poor prognosis even if she were to recover from the chocolate toxicity. When I saw her, she looked so frail and helpless I could not bear to have her indure any further treatment. Because the ingestion of the chocolate happened so soon after she started her liver medication I did not have the chance to see if the medication or diet was working.
The vet let me spend time with her and stay while she was euthanized. Not having children yet, I consider her my baby. I am sooo sad. She was so young and full of life even while she was sick. I pray to god that I made the right decision. Roxie, wherever you are, I love you and will miss you always!

JC, I am so sorry for what you are going to have to go through. I am sure you can talk to a humane society or shelter nearby and they will certainly help you.

Bonnie, I am so sorry to hear what happened to Roxie. I am really glad you made the choice to stay by her side when she was being put down. I think it was nice of you not to let her die by herself. I am sure she appreciated having you nearby.

JC, I would go with Shanti’s suggestion, contact your local humane society, or rescue organization and let them know your plight, your dog may have a chance to be saved afterall.

:(today is April 24 2004 Yesterday morning I called the vet out to have my dog put down. He still wagged his tail and enjoyed his food, but he had been suffering from cancer. He had a lump on his nose about the size of a tennis ball. He had a body of a collie and a head like a saint bernard. His real name was Mickey but I called him Hairy Monster & Fungi cause he was the size of a sheep and very furry. The vet came to the house as I thought that would be better for him than upsetting him by putting him in the car and taking him to the vets myself. He was in the back yard and I called him through, he came wagging his tail not knowing what was instore. We laid him down on a blanket and the vet gave the injection. I was at his head end stroking him and kisssing him. I didn’t even realise he had gone his eyes were still open. I feel so guilty now. Though I think I should of had Mickey put down months ago before his lump got so big. But I thought I would know when the time was right. I was waiting for him to go off his food & was really hoping he would pass away in his sleep. Today I am feeling rather numb although as the day goes to evening I am crying again. I just watched some video footage of him before he got ill and realise I have lost my best friend and I hope he forgives me for having him put down.

In memory of Mickey 1997-2004 Rest in Peace my loyal friend.

Carl, I am very sorry for your loss. I cannot even begin to imagine how much that must have hurt you to make a difficult decision like that. I am sure Mickey appreciated being in your arms during his last moments.

My dog Husky, a large male German Shepherd, had to be “put down” two days ago. His full name was Huskarian von Bear and was nearly eleven years old. We had to put him down because he could not walk without either falling or dragging his hips, he did not get up to go to the bathroom, his feet bled when he walked because he dragged them, he had developing cataracts (which would eventually lead to blindness, and a slew of other problems.

My mom and I stayed with him while the vets ended his suffering. I miss him more than I ever could have imagined and I nearly break into tears every time I walk by where he used to lay. The house feels as empty as a tomb without him. I feel horrible, but am happy that we were there at the end to ensure him that everything would be alright. My mom kept saying, “We are going to help you as best as we know how, Husky.” It was truly one of the saddest things I ever experienced. The poor guy was so innocent. I broke into tears as he looked up at me with his cloudy eyes before she injected him. I’m going to cry just thinking about it.

I definitely believe we did the right thing by euthanizing Husky. It would have been immoral to allow him to continue the way he was. I could see in his eyes that he had enough. The question we had to ask ourselves was “Is living how he is living right now really living?” He was miserable in those last months and I know he is happier wherever he is right now.

People question the morality of putting an animal to sleep, when they should be questioning the morality of keeping an animal alive in such a horrible condition.

Husky is with my grandmom right now. I know he is happier. He is free. Husky, wherever you are, know that we always love you and will be with you someday, to run around with you in those large green fields.

God bless you, Husky.

Matt, thanks for sharing that with us. I completely agree with you that it is very selfish of us to try and keep a terminally ill pet alive just because we don’t want to stay away from him. I think you made the right choice for Husky.

:beam: I just wanted to say it has helped me a lot finding this site and telling my story of Mickey in his last moments. I miss him so but I know I will never forget him and I am so pleased I found this site to share my grief with it has helped alot. Thanks to shanti for the reply :)

Today we are going to pick up Husky’s ashes. It is very sadening to have to do this, but I think it sets a peace in everyone’s mind, including Husky’s. Thank you for the support and to everyone who is going to have to put their animal down, make sure you are there with him. They are loyal to you, so you should be loyal to them.

As I write these words I am feeling terrible. My dog is 16 years old his name is Ebony. He is suffering of oral cancer. I know he has to be put down because he must be suffering but I feel terrible make the decision. When the vet put him down what is it that they inject? and what does he feel? I’m being a bit selfish, but I love my dog so much. I need lots of advise.

Mercy, I have never had to have my dogs put down yet (they are pretty young), so I don’t know much about the process. I hope one of the other guys who visit here can help you with the decision.

Hey, Mercy. I know it is tough, but you are doing the right thing.

When we put my dog Husky down on 4/20/04, we brought him to the vet’s. First, they shaved his arm, wrapped a turnicate around it, and found a vain. Then, they injected a saline solution to ensure that it was the vain (this has no effect). After that, the doctor came in and injected Husky with a purple liquid. This is what ultimately put him to sleep. It is VERY fast. It took about six seconds for the doctor to inject the final solution and, about ten to fifteen seconds later, she said Husky passed away.

After it is fully injected, your dog will rest his head, like he was being knocked out. He’ll breathe a little heavily, but is not in pain. The doctor said it is not uncommon for them to flinch or move a little after they pass on; it is just the muscles relaxing. Husky did not flinch, but he did exhale after he died. That was his last breath.

Make sure you spend plenty of time with your dog and thank him for everything. Also, make sure you are at his side when the time comes, because he would undoubtedly be on your side if the situation were reversed. It matters a lot to him for you to be there to keep him calm and make sure he doesn’t feel alone.

It is very sad. Don’t be afraid to cry, because the doctor is used to it.

Sadly, I also must mention that your dog’s muscles will relax, and so will his bowels. So, I recommend walking him before you go to the vets. But, Husky didn’t do that, so it may not happen to you.

I hope this helps. Make sure you remember all of the good times and try to do something with your dog that he always enjoyed (or give him something that he always enjoyed).

May Husky rest in peace. I miss him.

Matt

Thank you so much for sharing the process with us, Matt - it must have been really hard to relive those moments for you.

My Westie Barny is having a really hard time and so am I. The Vet says his kiddneys are going and he’s had a bad heart for 4 years which has been treated by pills but now all of the sudden the medicine isn’t working and he is having these continous passing out..almost like fanting episolds. It’s so scary but the Vet says he probably doesn’t even know it’s happening. His heart isn’t beating fast enough. Today he’s wont eat and everytime he drinks water he throws up. I think he knows something because he keeps trying to find hinding spots to lay down in. The thought of putting him down is killing me. He’s 14 and he’s had a great life I know but as you can imagine …..well I can’t stop crying. I want to do what is best for him ….how do you know?

Annette, I think sometimes we try to pretend we don’t know what to do, because it breaks our heart to think of the solution. I think you will know what to do soon enough. Barny has had a great life and I think that if he is only going to suffer going forward, there is no point trying to prolong his suffering. Good luck!

it has been SO helpful reading this site. Yesterday we put our beloved Shadow to seep and I can’t stop crying. She was a purebred standard poodle, really part human, who developed lung cancer only 6 weeks ago. She had surgery for that and in the last 2 weeks got sicker and sicker until we found out that there were massive tumors on her stomach and one kidney. She could barely walk or stand and we had no choice. But I still feel guilty and miss her so much. I keep ethinking someone should open up a canine nursing home. Not serious, I know she was suffering but she was brave and beautiful to the end. My whole family came to the vet to say goodbye and my husband and I were with her till the end, holding her beautiful fluffy head. My house is so empty I can’t stand it. SHe did not feel any pain - the vet gave her a shot to tranquilize her, she slept and then lost consciousness and then he gave her another shot that finished the job. She was at peace.

Amy, I am glad we were able to help you find some peace. My sympathies are with you.

I am very sad today, This past weekend I took my two dogs (sisters) to the pound before they dont listen to any of my commands or my son. I did not think it was quality of life just living in a pin and not be able to run around. Everytime I let them out they would run to other people yards and would not come back home until they were ready. This use to upset me and I did not know what to do. We called the pound after we drop them off to try to get them back but you had to pad 140.00 to get them back. I do not have the money and we tried to call people to help get them out, but the law is the law. I feel so bad and guilty for doing this because they are going to put them down tomorrow. I really hurt and I wish I could turn back time…..

I want to say that I am very much glad that I found this website in my searching for help regarding my pet Anubis. Long story short, he’s got a major Domminance Aggression problem that I’ve now come to understand has more to do with my poor training and management techniques then him being defective. I’m getting help with an animal behaviorist, and reading a few of those specialitly training books that deal with Animal Behaviour Problems. (Found on Amazon.com). Fingers crossed.. lets just say that if I can re-train my crazy :mad: doggie… then there is hope for others out there.

DirecTV, don’t post here again with that bullshit! This is not meant to be a place for advertising.

I feel sorry for your loses, Harvey and Amy. Know that your dogs are in better places now and will be with you soon!

I need some advice, for the past year or so Gus, my lab/rott mix (about 110 lbs) has been limping/favoring one of his hinds legs. We’ve done the whole round of X-rays and tests, he takes Deramax and the vet is pretty sure he is having trouble with his ACL, about 2 months ago it blew out completely and he rarely uses that leg at all. I have decided not to do the expensive surgery given his age 7-1/2 years and my own situation. He also has some aggression issues which are getting worse. He is terrified of thunder/firecrackers etc. and has to be traquilizered for the smallest storms. He will snap at people regularily and has bitten the ankle of someone who just moved too quickly towards me about a year ago. This weekend he bit a friend who startled him, not badly, barely broke the skin. But if Gus really bit someone he could easily break a bone, then today I touched his leg, startling him and he snapped at me.
Clearly his pain pills aren’t working, and while it doesn’t seem to affect his diet, he isn’t acting like himself anymore, and I am afraid he is going to hurt someone. I work away from home alot and he has to be in a kennel and I am afraid he will seriously hurt someone there. I feel horrible because I don’t want to let him go, and I can’t tell if this is better for him or for me anymore, is my fear of what might happen and the fear that he might be in pain-really there? I just can’t tell with him, for the most part he is so stoic you just can’t tell unless you catch him off guard. I read a few of the posts of people with agressive dogs who have had to put them down and I don’t want him to seriously hurt someone, he has hurt people and he is so big he could permanently damage someone if I let it go to far. If you have any advice, I would gladly welcome it. Thanks.

Well, it is a tough situation. I think that if he is a threat to other people or even you, he probably should be put down; but if all he is doing is snapping at people that startle him, maybe you shouldn’t put him down. Just tell other people to only approach him head on so he can see them and do it slowly. The whole tranquilizing him during storms thing is a little extreme. If he goes berserk during storms, maybe you should lock him up.

I know he may not be using his leg, but if he can manage without it and is not struggling, there is no reason to put him down. Remember, it is not like being a human where losing one leg of two means you need to hop. He still has three perfectly good legs.

I guess the decision is really yours, but if he is just a grump, don’t put him down. Maybe you should get a cage to put him in when there are storms.

I hope this helps!

I put my 11 year old chocolate lab to sleep thurs.
It was one of the hardest things I have ever done.
I also went alone. I would advise anyone who has
to do this to please take someone with you. The
ride out there was bad enough, but the ride home
was worse. It was my husbands dog . Of course
it really was all of ours, kids wife ect. But in the
end my husband couldn’t take him. I had to. I know
that it was his time, he had arthritis, eye problems,
heart problems, ect. But he loved me until the end.

I have been reading this site trying to find some hope in what I have to do in the next day or so. I have promised my Mishka that I would let her go to a better place. She has been my baby for 10 years (she is 13 now) and in pain from hips. She was a runner, happy to be alone on the beach running and running. Now, she can barely make it outside to go to the bathroom. I have kept her hanging on for me. This weekend I promised her I would let her go and now I am so sorry for my promise, I will miss her so. I know this is the best thing, but I have loved her like a child. I just can’t seem to face what is in front of me.
I love you Mishka.

My Willie came to us in February as a stray. We tried to locate the owner to no avail so decided to keep him. Now we are in a condo and he is showing aggressive/protective behavior towards some men. He has bitten and drwan blood on one neighbor and had nipped at the little girl next door (7 yo) twice. I’m afraid taking to the pound will only traumatize him and he will be put to sleep anyways. He is vwery loving and wonderful and we love hime very much but how much do you let happen before making a decision that he is potentially a danger? Please help. Any advice would be appreciated.

I think your dog may be a bit nippy, but aren’t all dogs? Just keep away from the neighbors and make sure he is in a cage or locked in your yard when you don’t have him in the house. There is no reason to “put down” a perfectly good dog because he has some spirit in him…

My husband and I are thinking of putting our 10 year black lab to sleep and need some advice. She has cataracts and can barely see,she also seems to have lost her appetite. When she is at rest of standing still her legs tremble something awful,so she paces. She also drinks alot of water. Do you think it is time to put her down and let her go?

jc, we have a 12 yr old Lhaso Apso named Gizmo who has cataracts, now hard of hearing, trembling, and began last week to stop eating, only stopping to drink a lot of water. We took Gizmo to the vet last week and got results this weekend that Gizmo’s kidneys are now failing her and that is why she is drinking so much water to offset her internal chemical imbalance. She has basically starved herself over the last week losing 5 pounds. We have decided to put her down tomorrow morning. We have always referred to Gizmo as “Daughter No. 1” and our whole family will miss her tremendously but now she is going to a better place. We wish the same for you as well.

My dog had 2 be put down today, 2wks ago sum1 on a motorbike ran over her, she recieved a few wounds and had a fractured spine. she lost all feeling in her back legs and had to move by dragging herself around. The vet cut my dogs foot 2 c if she cud feel anything and she didnt even flinch so my dog never came home. i am waiting 4 a phone call to say she is dead. im so upset its like a human family member had died:(

I put my dog down of 6/24 after being with her for 13 years, 8 months and 4 days. She was the best dog I had ever had or I have ever known. It is so hard. I know I did what was best, and she was so at peace. I believe she knew what was going to happen as she laid down on her own before the shots were given. It took less than 15 seconds. I couldn’t believe she had left us. She was our joy. I miss her so much. She had begun acting incoherently. We had basically lost her spirit a couple of weeks ago. We were told it was a stroke, which most dogs recover from. We found out out it waas a brain tumor. Please say a pray for us and our dog. I know she is running in a field somewhere now. I know it waas for the best, but the pain is so bad and intense. It doesn’t seem fair that life still goes around you when you are in such pain.

I have to make the decision to put my 11 year old Tuggy down. He has been diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma,prostate. The vet thinks I shoud bring him to an oncologist just to make sure that nothing can be done. He has a large mass and is now on pain medicine. He has trouble urinating and with his bowel movements. He’s starting to have problems going up and down steps. The new appointment is an hour’s drive away and in a week. I think I would be doing my litte Tuggy an unjustice by putting him through more tests and procedures, not to mention the drive. He doesen’t do well in cars. What do you think? I watched by husband suffer from cancer for a year. I don’t want Tuggy to suffer anymore, but it’s a hard decision to make. He’s such a good boy and we love him so much.

Krys,
You are already tellng yourself the answer, as hard as it is. I would advise being there when they put little Tuggy down, it may give you some peace.

It a hard thing to do and to live with afterwards. Even though you know it is best, your heart will break. I miss my Gina so much, but I have no doubt it was the right thing to do.

Try to remember the joy your baby has given you and you have given your baby. The unconditional love you have given eachother. This is the most unselfish decision you will ever make in your life.

Take care and give my love to Tuggy.

This morning we put our Willie (a.k.a BuddyBear) down. He 14 yrs old. It was a very hard thing to do. However, Willie could no longer walk. On the day my husband ask me to marry him. He gave me Willie instead of an engagement ring. I feel as if I have been kicked in the heart. I keep looking for him around the house and then I remember that he is not here. I know I did the right thing. But, I can not help feeling like I killed him. He was such a wonderful little dog (little boy) and I will miss him forever.

This morning we put our Willie (a.k.a BuddyBear) down. He 14 yrs old. It was a very hard thing to do. However, Willie could no longer walk. On the day my husband ask me to marry him. He gave me Willie instead of an engagement ring. I feel as if I have been kicked in the heart. I keep looking for him around the house and then I remember that he is not here. I know I did the right thing. But, I can not help feeling like I killed him. He was such a wonderful little dog (little boy) and I will miss him forever.

JUST NEED SOME COMFORT IN LETTING HIM GO… LOOKS LIKE WE’LL BE PUTTING OUR DOG, BUNKY, TO SLEEP IN THE MORNING. HE HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL, LOYAL DOG. BUT HE IS SICK WITH KIDNEY FAILURE AND NOT RESPONDING TO TREATMENT. HE IS AN ENERGETIC ROTTIE, WHO WILL BE GREATLY MISSED BY HIS 2 “PUPPY” BOYS AND HIS MASTER AND MOMMY. WE LOVE YOU BUNK.

On Sat morning I put my dog to sleep, His name was Kaiser. I had Kaiser for 13 years he was like one of my kids, I loved him so much. He got to were he couldn’t see very will or hear and his joints were hurting him. He was loosing so much weight that he was skin and bones he was also loosing all his hair. Keeping him was selfish so I put him down. I stayed with him until the end and also for about 30 afterwards just talking to him so that he would know that he wasn’t alone. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do.

Today I have to put my 12 year lab mix down. I have 2 children (4 and 3 years old) and he growled and snapped at both of them and bit me 10 days ago. When he bit me, he didn’t break the skin but I think mostly cuz i pulled my hand away fast. He had a look in his eyes that I had never seen before and now I am afraid of him. My husband doesnt really want me to do it but says that its my dog and my decision. I have another lab mix that is 10 and shows no signs what so ever of being aggressive or snappy. This is the hardest day of my life to date. He was my first dog and first baby. I found this site and I tell you, I thank God because it makes me feel better about my decision.

I am so glad I found this website. You don’t know how much better it has made me feel. I have been so heartbroken for 2 weeks missing my sweet Brandy. He was almost 15 years old and he was a Cocker Spaniel. He was the PERFECT dog. He never gave me any trouble and was very healthy up to about 4 months ago. I noticed he was acting more tired (not wanting to walk up the steps ect….) but I thought it was his age. I’m sure some of it was but July 4 he collapsed on our living room floor and I thought it was a seizure(he had a few seizures prior to this) so I asked my husband to take him out because he would lose his bowels sometimes. He took him out and we found him again collapsed on the grass. My husband brought him on the porch and I thought he was dying. I cried and told him his mommy was here. Then he just got up like nothing had happened. We brought him back in and he started walking in circles and then got dizzy. We just took him to his lot because he always would get in his house and sleep outside. He seemed fine the next day but when we got home from the grocery store, we went to get him and he wouldn’t get up. We brought him in the house and he was like in a semi-conscious state for about 4 hours. I felt that he was dying so I comforted him. He finally “woke up” and tried to lift his head but was too weak. We kept him on a sheet in our bathroom all night. The next morning he was still the same but had urinated on himself(poor thing) so I took him to our deck and worked with him and was able to get him to walk. He just walked in circles like he was confused. He did drink but wouldn’t eat. We nursed him all day and night. The next day, I walked him again but had to carry him up the steps. He drank some more water and threw it up immediatly. His poor little head just fell in his water bowl and he was so weak he couldn’t get it out. We decided then that he would need to be put to sleep. We bought him a big plastic box to put him in and decided where to bury him. We took him to the vet but decided not to have tests run because he was so old. I didn’t want him to live like that anymore. As much as it hurt he wasn’t living, he was existing. The vet said Brandy probably had geriatric vestibular syndrome and liver and kidney problems, heart blockages, and his teeth were in bad shape. I thought I was prepared for this but when she told me he was gone, I lost it. I have cried 11 days straight. This week has been a little better but I miss him so much. I keep trying to think of the good times we had. I had him for 13 years. He was like a child to me. He was so sweet. I know that he woudn’t want me to cry though because when I would get upset before, he would always follow me around and try to comfort me. I hope this has helped someone. I know it is very long, but I had to talk to someone. My family lives in another state. Just know that if your dog no longer has that “spirit” in his eyes and he can’t “live” anymore but just exist, don’t be selfish. Let your dog go for HIS good. It will HURT tremendously, but you will feel better once you realized you loved your dog so much, you let him go…..

My pug dog has had mast cell tumors for over 2 years and has been treated with chemo. She did quiet well until the last couple of weeks. She is 12 years old and I have asked the vet and the cancer specialist to tell me when I should let her go. They just seem to make another appointment and tell me to wait. She does not seem like herself and I know she is in pain some of the times. Why don’t the doctors help you with the hard decisions. It is very hard to know what to do. I am so sad.

My pug dog has had mast cell tumors for over 2 years and has been treated with chemo. She did quiet well until the last couple of weeks. She is 12 years old and I have asked the vet and the cancer specialist to tell me when I should let her go. They just seem to make another appointment and tell me to wait. She does not seem like herself and I know she is in pain some of the times. Why don’t the doctors help you with the hard decisions. It is very hard to know what to do. I am so sad.

me and my dad are gonna go in with my dog(bichane*spelling*) to put him down. Ive had him since i was 3, he is now 14. He cant control his bowels, he has a cancerous wart/lump on the inside of his ear, he has a torn rotator cup that wont heal fully, he has trouble getting around, and shakes when he stands up. He’s 75% blind, deaf, and can hardly smell. I know its his time, but it’s so hard, you allways think, well maybe if we just work more he will get better but i know he won’t. Now that he’s going, you wish that you could have been there more, played with him more. I think thats how you feel with anything that is going to die-parents, friends, animals. I’m sorry Sparky
Little-Foot Harris.

poor sparky had bad blood circulation too, so it took a lil bit for it to kick in, and he allways hated being poked, so he was struggling tell the end. :( how could one help but not cry. me and my dad couldnt keep it together. sad. i guess my older brother was crying when he got news that we had to put him down too. my mom couldnt get in the car to even go there. although these last 2 years were hard, and the ending was very sad. it was all worth it

I had to put my dog down over a month ago when he got deathly ill due to anemia. As much as I wanted to keep him alive, I knew how selfish it would have been. It’s always hard watching a pet die. It killed me to know he spent his last weeks of life in such pain. My whole family was there and we all cried. It’s still hard to deal with today.

I’m stuck in a hard place and don’t know what to do. Please someone help me!!

My bull mastiff, Daytona, is 4 1/2. She was diagnosed with lymphoma about 2 months ago. After days of pondering, my husband and I decided not to go through chemo. 1. We reschearched and chemo and it only prolongs her life maybe 10 months 2. I don’t want to extend her suffering.

To us, she does not SEEM to be in pain, however, her eyes are bloodshot and she is going blind (if she’s not completely blind already) she picks at her food where as prior to this, she ate like a hog. Some days are good days, while others may not be so good. I don’t want her to suffer ( which i don’t think she is) but I don’t want to end her life short. I cry almost every day. She is my baby and I don’t know what to do. Please, if anyone has gone through this lymphoma or know any symptoms of when the end is comming, please let me know.

My family and I chose to put our 15 year old Lhaso down Friday night. Her name was Precious and she was a WONDERFUL dog. She began to have seizures, not eating, and then not moving. Thankfully she did not suffer too long. We took her to a 24 hour vet to end her suffering and then buried her in our backyard where a rose bush will be planted. It’s a tough time when you are watching your dog suffer. It’s sad that she is not with our family anymore, but knowing that she is in peace, comforts us:-)

The day I’ve dreaded for months came today. We had to put our precious “Daytona” to sleep today due to lymphoma. I did not want her to get to the point of suffering and the vet said that would come within a couple of weeks. I miss her so much. My house feels so empty without her. My husband and I both went in with her. I wasn’t going to until Dianne wrote me and said I should. Thank you so much Dianne, I would have regreted it if I didn’t. She looked so peaceful. I love you Daytona and miss you!!!!!!!!!!

In Loving Memory of “Daytona” 1/22/00-7/28/04

“You are gone, but you will NEVER be forgotten”

Am I doing the right thing?

I’m glad I found this website and was able to see what others have been thought. I have an 8yr old Pure Bred Germ. Shep. He’s my big baby boy. He’s been suffering from an ear infection for the past couple of months… The vet has given me medications.. and I clean his ears out everyday. But it seems to be getting worse. Lately I’m begining to think that he’s going deaf because of it. He can’t hear any of us (me, mom or sister) when we walk up next to him.. and just the other day I went to the yard to unleash him (gas company was over so I had to leash him up), I was talking to him and he didn’t look up… it wasn’t until I touched him did he even realize I was there. The vet says he can do an operation for about $1K min. That’s a lot of money that my family doens’t have. My mother and sister are telling me that putting him to sleep would be best… it would save him the pain of going through a cold winter with this ear infection that won’t leave… but I can barly swallo the thought of killing him………….. would it be the “humane” thing to do??? I hate to think of it… but I’m kind of in a stand still… take him to the vet a final time… or hope that one of these days the infection will miracously go away….

Any advise or help would be great…

:angry: my mom and dad just split up and there have been 2 friend/family deaths all this week alone(july25-31 2004). Yesterday I was told that my dog had a incurable illness and he had to be put to sleep. Today July 29 is the day he was going to be put down and it has been the hardest thing i have ever gone though in my short life. But i understand the pain my dog was going though and and sad I could not afford to cure him. HE WAS MY BEST FRIEND AND THIS WORLD AND I MISS HIM WITH ALL MY HEART. This is for you Spencer. I will never forget you.

I am so glad I found this website. I am in so much grief. Last week I had to put my beloved dog puppy down. He was fifteen years old. About five years ago he had kidney failure. We pulled him through. He went another two years then had kidney failure for the second time. I had to give him an IV injection daily over the next three years. He had joint and back problems. He went totally blind from cataracts, and went deaf. In his final days he was all boney, slept most of the time and when he would get up he would pace. The day before I made my decision I took him to the vet, who wanted to always run more tests and I walked out with a $300.00 dollar bill, and two bags full of pills, as always. I was lucky to be able to afford the expensive care it took to keep puppy with me but I felt that night that enough was enough. I felt that as long as I could afford his care the vet would put him on life support before letting us go. The next day I got up and looked at my poor suffering dog. This was my dog I had for fifteen years. My husband looked at me and said “it’s time to let go”. I was not able to do it, so my husband had to. I have not stopped crying, I feel like I killed him. My mother died also this month, I pray that are together, I feel that they are.

13 years ago I had to put Sam, my unique Irish Setter down, he was 16 and 1/2. He could no longer use his legs. This past Monday I had to put my Irish Setter down, he was unique, not like Sam, but just as special, unique, proud and an individual. Samson, 12 and 1/2, he could no longer use his legs. I cannot express the joy and completion of my soul that both these special souls enhanced my life with, words could not do justice to the meaning and life they gave to me. I believe in a peace of mind and spirit in the next life, and dogs, at least for me enhance the journey with an insight to the simplicity of happiness we find there. Domestic animals, cats, dogs, whatever gives one peace of heart, mind and soul are here to share our burden because they know that this is a challenge we are here to learn from, a choice we have made. They are here to support us, if we so choose to have that luxury. They know that this frustration of life is temporary and we will return to something greater than this and that this frustration stuck in the vessel containing our spirit is temporary. Well, at least that is what I feel, that is my firm belief. We are here to learn, we chose our learning experiance prior to our entrance here. Our support comes from the swift unconditional love of our sweet soul extentions, we call pets. We are burdened with so much, our human brains connect, mis-connect, frustrate, challange and distract us from what is true, what matters. I have looked into the eyes of the furry companion that blessed me with its presence, and I have seen acceptance, love and understanding. Such enlightenment, accepting what is inside me, and you. Love, pure love. So simple…for them, so complicated for us. Love, not only your animal companion, but also your human companions. Enjoy simplicity of life, as they do, let go. This life only matters from what you learn, relax. They find beauty in your love, so simple, so hard for us.

Love one another,

with love,

Maureen

I am 14 years old and have an aussie shep named sammie who is only 3 years old. Ia m crying as i write this because we are thinking of putting my dog asleep. He’s bit people a coulple times bee of teritorial issues but today he turned on my best friend who he’s known all his life. He just leaped off my bed and started barking and growling at her like he’d snapped yet he didn’t bite her. My mom is calling the vet in the morning about putting him asleep……i am very torn by this because i know how hard it is to say goodbye from losing my dad and brother and i’m afraid i’ll really regret it. All these details about putting your dog asleep makes me feel even worse!
please help! :(

On Sunday our beloved Rufus (Black Cockapoo) was given his bath, which he hates. He ran around wagging his tail playing catch. I brushed him then we all laid down to watch TV. It was around 8:30 PM and he was still sleeping, I shook him and he barely moved. Around 9:30 he started to have a seizeure it lasted a while..I was frantic and went upstairs to call the vet…he seizure continued until I was almost off the phone. He was scared, disoriented and salivating. We took him. My husband then told me this wasn’t the first time, he had seen him do this three weeks ago.

At the vet hospital he had a seizure in the waiting room. They immediately took him back and kept him overnight. I was up at 4:30 and felt something was wrong he had another violent seizure just minutes before I called. I picked him up from the hospital and transfered him straight to the vet. He was normal in the car. He stayed at the vets office and had a very violent seizure there. They once again injected him with Phenobaritol and Valium. When I picked him up he seemed a little weird, out of sorts, and my fear was that he was dying and they didn’t know the cause. He was diagnosed with epilepsy, but I think it was secondary…he had so many violent attacks in such a short time.

I took him for a walk which he loved. He laid in my lap most of the evening seziure free. We put him in our bed that night and he slept on my pillow with his head on my shoulder. The next morning Rufus was Rufus, vibrant, barking to go on his walk. I left for work thinking he was ok.

On my way home my husband called me and told me my 3.5 year old puppy was gone. He had gone blind, was extremely oriented, yelping in pain, scared, etc. I feel so guilty about leaving him, and not being there when they gave him the shot. He was nicknamed ‘Shadow’ because he was always at my heels.

I felt like my heart had been ripped out. When I got home I called for him just his toys, his bone, and his bed. My loyal friend was no more. I know it was for the best, but it hurts so bad . My 10 year old daughter is with her grandparents for the summer and doesn’t know yet. Wish us luck in breaking this news. This was her first dog.

I AM HAVING A HARD TIME. THIS SUNDAY 081504 I HAD TO PUT MY DOG OF 10 YEARS TO SLEEP. I HAD JUST TAKEN HER TO THE VET 081204 AND HE SAID SHE WAS JUST OLD AND HAD UPSET STOMACH AND HIP DISPASIA. HE GAVE ME PILL FOR STOMACH AND SAID I WOULD HAVE TO CALL OR COME BACK FOR THE HIPS. WELL THAT WAS THE LAST TIME SHE ATE WAS THUR. AND SHE BARELY DRANK AND HAD TROUBLE WALKING I TOOK HER TO A ANIMAL HOSPT. THEY DID EXRAYS AND BLOOD WORK . THIS WAS WHEN I WAS ADVISED SHE HAD ACUTE KIDNEY FAILURE. AND WITH AGE TREATMENT WAS A SLIM OPTION. I HAD MADE THE CHIOCE TO PUT HER TO SLEEP. I CANT SLEEP, ALL I DO IS CRY. I WAS WITH HER TILL THE END. I FEEL SO GUILTY AND MISS HER TERRIBLE. I JUST KEEP ASKING IF I HAD MADE THE RIGHT CHIOCE. AND DID IT HURT HER TO BE PUT ASLEEP. I JUST KEEP THINKING HER JUST LYING THERE LOOKING UP WITH ME WITH HER BROWN EYES JUST WAGGING HER TAIL WHEN I WOULD TALK TO HER.

My Darling Pepper, How do i get over the grief of loosing my georgeous staffordshire bull terrier 2 1/2 years old, she had a brain tumor that was fast growing i noticed a change in her about 4 weeks ago when she could not stand straight she was leaning to her right i thought she had something in her ear so i took her to the vets and he said that she had some hair in her ear and took it out, about 2 days later she still wasn’t the same she didn’t bark she wouldn’t play nothing just lay in her bed and slept all day, we took her back to the vets a week last thursday and was told that she needed a MRI scan so we drove 100 miles and it was the worst journey of my life we were told about the tumor and givin tablets to give her a bit longer life, over the weekend she was so bad she couldn’t see where she was going i didn’t want my pepper to die she was everything to me she was there when i needed her she would hug me all the time and never leave my side, why has she gone she did nothing wrong she was the niceset dog you would ever like to meet.

My Prayer to my baby Pepper,

WHEN I DIE AND GO SOMEWHERE FAR,
ILL WRITE YOUR NAME ON EVERY STAR,
SO WHEN THE ANGELS COME THEY’LL SEE,
JUST HOW MUCH YOU MEAN TO ME…

Good nite my sweet heart i will never forget you xxx

My puppy Lady is 17 years old and is being put down in a half hour. I love her more than anyone I’ve ever known. SHe has been my best friend since I was six and I would do anything for her. She has arthritis and is blind and deaf. She has a hard time standing and can barely walk. I will miss her more than anyone I’ve lost and regret forever the things I put off doing with her. Sofar, I’ve been crying for 2 days and all I can do is stroke her fur. I love you Lady. May God take you in his arms so you’ll be safe and comfortable. I love you and I miss you already….Jessica (Mommy)

Yesterday, I put my old english sheepdog down. It was a hard decision, but after going to the vet and having the vet confirm my reasons, it made it a lot easier. I estimate my dog to be 15 years old, bad hips, worsening heart murmur, and cancer that had spread through his body. When he started bleeding over the weekend and hadn’t stopped, nor could I stop it, I decided it was time. If the vet hadn’t confirmed my above suspicions, I don’t think I would have been able to put him to sleep because he was still able to function on his own and get around with little help aside from the occassional problem with stairs. My family misses him and I don’t think we will stop missing him, but I know he is in peace now, rather then covering up pain.

I am in so much pain. I had to put my miniature Pomeranian of 12 years to sleep today. He had congestive heart failure, and had so much water retention that the lasix was not working. If I even had a glimmer of hope that he could have been made to be comfortable, I would have delayed it. But I would have been selfish to have prolonged his life just for me. I know it was the right thing to do, but it hurts so much. I miss you Gizmo - there will never be another you.

I had to put my German Shepherd/Norweign Elkhound, Tasha, to sleep yesterday afternoon. She just turned 11 in August. Those 11 years have been so precious. I noticed her stomach getting very swollen and solid, so I took her to the vet. She ended up having a rather large malignant tumor in her spleen and was bleeding internally. And to think, she was healthy a few days ago with the exception of having minor arthritis in her front right elbow. This was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, but I didn’t want her to suffer with all the pain she was in. I loved her so much. I miss you Tasha and love you! I know you’ll watch over me. We are having a memorial plaque made to put into our garden along with her ashes, toys and other things she loved.

Some monster disposed of 2 sweet little puppies by dropping them off at the gate that leads to our land in the country. I had been feeding them for a week when today I found the fuzzy little female very ill. I brought her home and to our great sadness found she had parvo. The vet says the other pup probably has it too. She died quickly but I know she was in pain all day until I got back to her. How can some humans be so cruel to helpless animals? Surely God is watching them. Not a sparrow falls, remember.

:huh: I AM IN BAD NEED OF ADVISE…WE HAVE AN 11 YEAR OLD BLACK LAB.HER NAME IS MISSY..THE VET. HAS ADVISED THAT SHE BE PUT DOWN DO TO A TUMOR ,CANCEROUS,THAT IS CAUSING HER EXTREME WEIGHT LOSS..MISSY HAS ALREADY UNDERGONE TWO OPERATIONS FOR CANCER.BUT THIS TIME IT DOES NOT LOOK GOOD. THEY SAY SHE IS TO WEAK TO UNDER GO ANOTHER OPERATION…I AM HAVING SUCH A HARD TIME EVEN THINKING OF PUTTING HER DOWN. I CAN SEE THE PAIN IN HER EYES,,YET I FEEL LIKE I AM MAKING A DECISION THAT IS TO PUT HER TO DEATH…GOD MY HEART IS HURTING..I FEEL LIKE “DEAD WOMAN WALKING“.I DO NOT WANT TO PUT HER DOWN, AND I DO NOT WANT HER TO SUFFER. I LOVE HER ,SHE IS ONE OF MY BABIES..AM I BEING SELFISH…WHEN AND HOW AM I TO COME TO TERMS WITH THIS.MY HEAD SAYS I KNOW…MY HEART SAYS I CAN’T. I AM MISERABLE. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO..EXCEPT CRY..WHAT DO I DO??? FROM SHERRY

I need some help! My puppy is 1month and 16 days old and he has worms. He is a rat terrier and a very small and young dogs and i need to know what to do? I can’t afford to have him treated immediatly but I am afraid he will die. What do I do? Please someone help me! I don’t know what I would do without prince( my puppy) PLease if you can help me email me at krazysmaiden@yahoo.com! Please help me if you can!!!!!!!!!!!!!:(:(:(

My beloved Chui is a dalmatian of 14 years. I held her in my hands when she had no spots. I have loved her and cared for her every day. She has been around the world, gone thru quarrantine in the UK even lived in Saudi Arabia. My husband died in 200, and left me with our dog Chui, and our daughter. My daughter has a little 4 year old poodle but Chui the dal has been with my daughter since she came home from the hospital. Chui is her sister. Chui can barely walk. She is so slow and her back legs give out all the time. She paces, circles the coffee table over and over. she cant really control her bowles and is totally senile and deaf and batty. I love her with my whole heart and she is a part of my late husband. She has a huge appetite still, but is not herself. My daughter who is also 14 is in total denial. Lost her dad at age nine and doesn’t want to lose her dog sister. I cry all the time. PLEASE HELP ME. Alison

I forgot to thank you for your site.
As i sit at the office i am in a flood of tears reading all these sad stories. Thank you for caring.
Alison

I just got back from the vet to put my dog to sleep. He was 16 years old and had been with me since a puppy. Even though I know it was the right thing to do (he was blind, deaf, and had a seizure or stroke, couldn’t walk, etc.), after I let the vet take him to the back room to examine him, I just couldn’t go back there to see my dog. I couldn’t be there when they actually put him to sleep. I just didn’t want that to be the lasting image in my mind. Does that sound terrible, that I didn’t want to see him through to the end? I am in tears thinking about it.

I am still crying - at 53. I had a very hard decision to make, I made it, it was right, but I have lost my best friend. Fritz was just a mutt we got from the pound about 8 years ago. He was the most loving dog I have ever seen. When I laid on the couch, he would always jump up and lay on my chest for hours. When I had surgery and was laid up, he stayed on the bed almost the whole time. He was a funny, funny dog. He would howl for his food, he jumped (I mean jumped straight up over and over) when asked if he wanted to walk. For some reason he always barked at the neighbor we didn’t like but no other neighbors. His job was to wake up people - he learned it waking up the kids for school. My wife works 3rd shift and I would always take her a coffee about six - as soon as he saw the coffee cup he was ready to go do his job. Quite a friend, he always would snuggle up for petting or belly rubbing and was always ready to give a puppy kiss.

2 years ago he started wetting inside. we took him to the vet and he had developed diabetes. It was bad and we gave 2 shots a day. Last year he went blind. More and more insulin and higher doses - up to 25 mm 2x a day for a little dog. Then we found out he had Cushing’s disease, but he never responed to medicine. He was getting more and more skin diseases, eye infections and ear infections. I decided it was time to let him go. It took me a week. We are all heart broken, but know he was only going to get worse and he was not very good right now. I took the walk by myself tonight and just cried the whole way.

Last week, when I decided, I read all these letters and cried until 4 AM. People at the vets were crying too cause they had gotten to know him too. Fritz could do many tricks - the best one was giving high fives. Not any more and I will miss him.

My sweet little Gizmo for 11 years has serious epileptic seizures once and a while but. tonight my dog was hit by a car; he got up, I brought him back to the house and immediately started calling hospitals in the area that’s when the seizures began and they would’nt stop and there was no animal hospital that would see him without PRICE first. I am so upset. I haven’t sleep all night So my dog has to go thought this pain :( until I can get him to that vet this morning. I think I will ask the vet to put my little Gizmo to sleep he has suffered so much and I am so worried so many things could be going on. I’m going crazy with worry.

Stephanie

Yesterday was one of the hardest days of my life. Had to make the decision to put down my sweet Shelby. She was a beautiful sable and white sheltie and had a beautiful spirit to go with her good looks. She was 10 yers old and about a month ago, we had three places removed, turned out to be cancer. It was really aggressive and the places we removed came back and multiplied all over her body. There were probably 20-30 different areas. Some became ulcerated and you could tell by looking at her normally bright and shiny eyes that she wasn’t feeling well. It was so difficult, because she tried so hard (I’m convinced for my sake) to try to maintain. Making the decision to not let her suffer anymore was so devastating and I pray I made the right decision. The vet said it was the right thing to do and she has seen too many “Mamas and Daddys” try to keep them alive when the last and greatest gift you can give them is to let them go. My “little girly” had such a sweet spirit and I am sitting here sobbing like a baby. I am trying to remember all the joy that she gave us and after a while, that may work. For now, it still hurts too much. We buried her beneath our wisteria bush and I made a stepping stone with her name on it. She was a Mama’s girl although she loved her Daddy as well, totally unconditionally. One of the ladies at work gave me a book about dogs and there is a saying: “My goal in life is to be as good of a person as my dog thinks I already am.” If I could be half the person that Shelby thought I was, I would be doing great.

I have read with interest the views expressed in this column and wish to add my perspectives as an animal lover, an animal welare activist and owner of pets. In my work as an animal welfare activsit I am often faced with the dilemma of taking a decision which is emotionally traumatic to the most conditoned and rational minds.

The decision to put down the animal is ostenisibly in the ‘best interests of the animal’ ‘to put him out of the misery’ to ‘put him to sleep’. BUT a few crucial points have to be taken into consideration before the needle is stuck in his veins for the last time.

* Are we sure in our judgments in ending a life and are they in the interest of the animal INDEED or are we trying to convince ourselves to find an escape route as I often hear the words ’ I can not see my pet suffer’.
* Have we explored the possibility of getting the animal ALL the possible lines of treatment offered by medical science (not just in Allopathy but in other forms of medicine like Homeopathy as well). I have seen atleast half a dozen animals which have had a miraculous recovery after traditional or alterntive systems of medicines have been used).

* It is important to take a second or third medical opinion before taking this crucial decision. No doubt our vet is one of the best and well informed persons in the world but he is as human as me and you and he can give you the medical odds of the recovery of the animal or otherwise. It may be a good idea to discuss with an animal welfare activist nearest to you or on the internet before you finally put your pet on the table for the last time in its life.

I neither advocate Euthanasia nor condemn it outright. But I am trying to emphasize the human fallability in our decision making to sniff out a life and if we are truely convinced that , the only way out is putting the animal down, its a sound and mature decision. Otherwise we are consigned to live with a prickly conscience for the rest of our lives as I have seen scores of animal lovers have ended up with.

I welcome any discussion and debate on this crucial issue. Feel free to email me on nsubramanya@indiatimes.com

regards and love
subramanya

Today is Monday and I have just spent the first weekend without my beagle, my little companion, my buddy, my best friend, my child, Adobe - Dobe for short. My little buddy was caughing on Saturday morning and we immediately took her in. Thinking that it might be her allergies. The doctor took x-rays (quite common with a dog her age - 11 yrs) and found some fluid around the lungs. He suspected that she had bronchitis and gave us antibiotics and told us to return for a follow up x-ray the following Saturday. On Sunday I noticed that Dobe had swelling in her stomach and was hoping against all hope that this was related to the medicine. We took her in first thing Monday morning where they ran tests and took more x-rays. The fluid buildup had increased and her breathing was a bit labored. We took her for an ultrasound on Monday night and a lump was discovered in her chest. A biopsy was taken and we were sent home to wait for the results. Fearing the worst I decided to take off of work and spend the next few days with my buddy. We did nothing except lay on the master bed (sorry, on her master bed) snuggling, sleeping, eating, talking and just being. She had always been there for me in my times of need and I owed her nothing less. Those couple of days were and will be the most memorable of my life. I told her how much I loved her (my little saying was ” I am loving on you something fierce”) told her again and again that she was the most important thing in my life. I told her how much I would miss her and I thanked her for being the best little pup that anyone could every want. Once I received the news that the lump was a cancerous tumor and was a very agressive form not responsive to treatment, I knew in my heart what I must do. I spent the next two hours with Dobe explaining what needed to be done and why and told her that I would see her again. I cried and she would lick my tears. When I ask her if she understood she looked directly into my eyes, came up to me and gave me a gently kiss. That afternoon my husband and I said goodby to Dobe. We were with her to the end. I was looking direclty into her eyes and she into mine. I know in my heart that I did the right thing. She was never in any pain or discomfort. She was acting totally normal except for the ocassional cough but was slowing down a bit. She did not seem to enjoy her walks as much as ususal and was sleeping more. I think this is what made it more difficult as she did not outwardly look sick. I still ache incrediably and I hope that my feeling of loss will lessen with time. She was my only pup and the house seems so empty. My husband says that we need to fill the house with a couple more furry babies but I am just not ready. They say that I will know when the time is right - I hope so.

I have a dog named Bear who is 13 years old. He is a mixed breed but a beautiful dog between a shephard and lab. While I am writing this, he is dying. He can no longer walk because his hips have deteriated. He always loved to walk and run with my husband and I. He was also the best alarm system we could have had in our home. He always had a great bark which scared strangers. But he has been the sweetest and most lovable dog that a person could have. He has always loved us unconditionally. I am losing him now. Last night I layed with him on the floor and let him know how much I loved him. He wagged his tail as if he understood. He is not suffering as he dies but since he has not eaten for a couple of days, we are going to have him put to sleep if he does not pass on after this weekend. I know how he hates to go to the vets office so I was hoping he would pass away on his own. But if not we will take him. We will miss Bear greatly but believe that someday we will meet again in heaven. Wanda

my heart is breaking! My 1 and a half year old chow shepard mix is dreadfully ill. In the past week she has lost 4 pounds and has run a high fever. She has been at the vet twice this week. She is weak, pale, panting listless and today she has quit eating and drinking. Her name is Goldie did I tell you that? No I don’t think that I did. She wants to stay outside and not come in. I know this is’nt good she would not come in despite how cold it is tonight I had to literally carry her in. She has remained in the spot I put her in since. 4 hours or more ago without getting up at all. Today they took a blood test at the vet, I won’t know the results until tomorrow. They mentioned that it may be a autoimmune problem. I have a feeling this is the beginning of the end. MY heart is breaking for Goldie she is so young and now she may die. I have two kids too a daughter who is 9 and a son who is 5. I feel so helpless watching her suffer, she has hardly had a chance at life!

Update we lost our dear Goldie yesterday. She had end stage Leukemia. She is missed already and loved always. When I wish upon a star thoughts of you are never far. We love you baby.

We lost our dear Roodie 2 nights ago. He was a brittany and was only 10 years old. We made the horribly hard decision to put him to sleep. He was diagnosed with cancer a year ago and recently he went blind, running into things. Sometimes he could find his way around, other times not. I am devastated. I miss him so much I hurt. My house is so quiet now. He was the best dog in the whole world. An incredible companion, friend to my 2 boys, great camp dog, and so funny. I keep crying and don’t know when I’ll ever stop. I want him back so bad. It really hurt me that he was so scared when we took him to the vet to put him down. They gave him 3 tranquilizers before the fatal injection. My heart is so broken. I loved him so much.

i had to put my dog down today,i cant stop crying and cant believe how empty the house is.

Hi I am having some questions about what to do with my dog. I have a chubby, 10 yr old mini doxie who is still urinating throughout our house. I think some of it stems from jealousy of my 18 month old (she will potty under his highchair if he is eating). Tonight she urinated on the arm of my sofa all while staring at me while I was in the kitchen. My husband is ready to put her down but since she has been my “baby” for so many years, I’m having a hard time with this idea. I’m open to suggestions on what to do with her- help! Her frequent urinating is causing some heated discussions between my husband and myself.

Our oldest mixed breed dog is in so much pain, can’t hardly move and is losing control over his bowel and bladder. I would like to be able to send him home to a more peaceful place myself. If there anything I can do for him at home to releive his pain permanently. We can not afford to send him to the Vet for this and I think it would be too traumatic for my dog and the family. Please give me some advice on how to do this at home.

Thank you.

I am in the same situation. Trying to decide what to do about my 12-year-old min pin who has congestive heart failure, heart murmur, almost blind, etc. For those of you who don’t know, a lot of vets will put the dog to sleep first with an anesthetic like the one they use when they are going in for surgery. This is absolutely painfree to the dog, like you going under anesthesia for surgery. once that takes effect, then they give them the other shot (the overdose) that actually kills them. It is much kinder to do it this way. Some vets will even come to your house to do this which i personally think is the most humane way to do it.

I just my 15.75 year old mixed breed dog to sleep. The vet did exactly as Dee’s posting explained. Once Clancy got the second shot, he was gone in less than a minute. It is heartbreaking but he is no longer in pain. He had been acting old for severl months now and losing control over bowels, sometimes several times per day. As of yesterday, he could hardly get up and when he walked he started to spin around, he was practically all bones. It was time. Very humane.

I came across this site while looking for other options available to treat my little Maggie for congestive heart failur. The lasix doesn’t seem to be helping and I’ve had her abdomen drained twice. It’s filled up again. She eats very little and sometimes has mucously foul smelling loose stools. I know if I had drained again she would be fine for a short while. She doesn’t seem to be in any pain. Just sleeps. It’s especially hard this time of year . Also even harder because my husband is terminally ill and he’s failing very quickly. He surpised me with Maggie 15 yrs ago right before he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrigs disease. To lose both of them so close together is unbearable.

My doggy KUKA a pitbull was diagnosed with cancer. We had taken her to a vet here in the US, because it started with her eye like 3 months ago, we took her and he said she didnt have anything, when her eye was the size of a golf ball. How can she not have anything? So my mom and I decided to take her to Tijuana, Mexico. But we didnt make that decision until a month after because my mom was working and she couldnt take me, and im 16 i cant drive over there alone yet. My grandmas dog, lobo, had been really sick and they were able to cure him over there. So we took her and they gave her medicine and everything they didnt think it was a big thing, but they did have to take her eye out. The vet, just to make sure, decided to send some of the flesh that was in her eye out for analysis, it turned out to be cancer. We thought we were going to have her back, just as beautiful and healthy as when she left. She stayed over there for two weeks, then my mom told us that they were going to put her to sleep. I dont think i have ever cried so much, but my dad and I didnt want her to die alone. We didnt want her to think that we abandoned her so we made the choice of bringing her back here and keeping her for as long as we could, and we have been doing that for the past two weeks, shes been happy and running around. Until this week, for where her eye use to be, it seems something is growing there, and she cant eat anymore. I know we have to put her to sleep now, i just cant accept it, I am going to miss her so much. If only I wouldve taken her to the vet sooner maybe it would’ve done a difference.

We just put our mixed breed dog down this morning. It was not an easy thing to do. We have tried to put it off for weeks. Which is selfish on our parts. But she kept getting weaker and weaker. She was 14 years old. I got her when she was 6 weeks old. (we got her from an animal shelter). Out of all her brothers and sisters, she chose me.
At the end she was blind, deaf and losing her bowels and urinating all over the place. She had a stoke which made it even worse. So we looked at it from her perspective and seen in her eyes that she did not want to go on like this anymore. We will miss Sprocket very much, (I am now crying like crazy) but love will do that to you. May she rest in peace. We love you sprocket.

Love Mama and daddy

I found out last night that my 12 year old sweet Yellow Lab Morgan has kidney disease. I made the decision to let her go rather than to make her last days spent at a vet’s office undergoing tests and being scared. I’m so upset about this, she’s my first dog and 12 years later I’m so frightend of losing her. I can tell she’s tired and almost ready to say goodby. I’d rather she went quitely in her sleep rather than having to make this decision.

I love you my little Morgan girl, you have helped me though so much. I hope I’m doing the same for you.

Colleen

i feel all of the pain all of you have went through. just this morning i had to put my 13 year old black lab named shadow down due to kidney problems. after having 2 malignant lumps removed from her stomach in the past, and after getting blood work last year, it was determined that her kidneys were starting to fail. 2 weeks ago she still had the behavior of a puppy, but stopped eating and started throwing up everything she ate. at first i put her on a rice diet and when she stopped eating that i started giving her real food. i think cheesesteaks were her favorite. after about a week and her not getting better, i brought her in. my options were as follows: leave her there for 5 days to try to flush out her kidneys(may work, may not), try to flush her myself at home, or put her to sleep that night. i opted to try to flush her out myself giving her 1 intravenus bag of medicine per day for 3 days under her skin at the back of her neck. apparently she was too far gone and not getting any better. all she would do is lay around all day. feeding her was like pulling teeth now, but she still never stopped smiling. i knew the end was near, so i decided to let her live her life out as long as she wasnt suffering. my vet doubles as an emergency facility at night, so i was prepared to bring her whenever the time came. last night she woke up and breathed real heavy for about 10 minutes. i decided this was the best time if any. i called the vet and apparently stopped doing the 24 hour emergency thing. great time to find this out. i had no choice but to wait. all went well until 5 in the morning when the heavy breathing started again. only 5 minutes this time though. all the while, still smiling and loved being pet. i decided that i didnt want any suffering through the night when i couldnt do anything and put her to sleep this morning, still smiling and wagging her tail.
part of me feels like i did the right thing, the other part feels guilty that she may of had a few more days of happiness left. i never imagined how hard this would be the day i brought her home against my parents decision to keep her. they got over it and 2 years later i moved out anyway. all in all, the fun times we had together was all worth it. and i know i gave her a great life. i just wish they could live forever.
shadow, until we meet again, i love you.

Thanks, I’ve been trying to find someone that thinks this way… and hearing someone elses thoughts about how its mean to keep your dog alive when hes sick was wut i needed. My parents (im 15..) are putting our dog (whos 17!!) down tomorrow morning and im just in torture right now

I’m at the stage where i’m considering letting my dog go. He’s an 12.5 large male Rhodesian Ridgeback who’s health is so so, has stomach problems along with back leg problems. It’s hard for him to stand with his back leg problems, being a large dog. Yesterday, i think he developed a bladder infection. I’m taking him to the vet today for that problems but i’ve been thinking about his quality of life these past weeks. He sleeps alot, does go outside but wants to come in after going potty. Can’t really take him for walks because of his back legs. He also gets stomach ailments frequently which has now caused him to loose weight. Now i think this bladder infections which is causing him discomfort. He just looks so sad. He’s a beautiful dog, looks rather young for his age, not over weight. I’ll ask the vet what she’s says. I just don’t want him to suffer at his older age and not be selfish.

This past Saturday, my family had to say goodbye to one of its most beloved members: our dog Kiko. Kiko was a cockapoo and had been very sick with what turned out to be kidney failure, and there was sadly no way to help him. Kiko had been a part of our family for the past ten years, and he was truly the best companion one could ask for. I already miss the way he would be waiting for me at the door when I come home, his tail wagging with excitement. And it’s sad not to hear him playing with his monkey doll, which at had become known to all as his girlfriend. We treated Kiko as we would any member of our family, and he showed us great love in return. The house feels all too quiet without him. We miss him greatly, and I know that nothing can ever fill the void in our hearts that is left by his absence.

Almost all of U ppl were in favor of killing old, sick dogs and tht dogs are like a member of your family. If it is so, then would u ppl do the same to a family member? I dont thnk so. I am in favor of putting pets down, only if the animal is suffering and tht there is no chance of it surviving. I have seen people killing pets who have amputated legs but are in good health. Old or sick Dogs or other pets are killed because they no longer serve the purpose. Humans is a selfish animal. Dogs give unconditional love to their owners. And then again humans love to act ‘GOD’ deciding who to kill and let live.

We’re having my 11 year old pug put down tomarrow!The hardest thing in my life I’ve ever had to do is going to be saying goodbye to him.We have had him since he was 4 months old.He is in so much pain.I know it is the right thing to do but it’s hard and we will do it.

My 17 year old pekinese has not been able to walk well for a year ,she falls down alot.She is still eating and she pretty much lays in her fecies.She does wag her tail very occasionally , when she knows that I am trying to help her.She has very bad arthritis but, I cannot tell that she is in pain.I am trying to make the decision if she is ready to go.Please give me some feedback,I am desperate.Do you feel like her life of a dog is over?
From her loving momma!!!!

I held my 16 year old Silky Terrier as she was put to sleep this morning…. after being diagnosed with extremely aggressive oral melanoma 15 months ago (at which time she was estimated to have about 3 months to live.) She was also deaf and blind and arthritic, but getting along OK until the last month. The tumor was so large she couldn’t close her mouth, and it bled constantly especially when she tried to eat. I was given the option of having part of her jaw removed, and putting her on feeding tubes etc., but the cancer had progressed to other organs and I couldn’t see prolonging her suffering. A lot of tears, but it was the right thing to do. NOTE TO AMIT>>>>I think you are dead wrong in your comments, the people writing here are people who love their animals and are very torn about making the decision to euthanize. Granted, there ARE selfish people who put dogs down because they become an inconvenience, and I abhor that, but those people have not posted here. Furthermore, as far as “if it were a family member”…… last year I went through the agonizing death of my father in a home hospice situation, and I only WISH there had been the option to end his suffering and grant him his wish to die before enduring the indignity and pain he had to go through. Unlike our beloved pets, he had the ability to express his wish to die yet was forced to continue a life that he was most anxious to leave. I realize misuse of euthanasia is a big problem, but I am thankful we do have the option for the animals we love, maybe someday we will have the sqme option when our own quality of life lets us know it is time to move on.

:( today was a very hard day for me i had to put my beloved teacup poodle of 16 years to sleep she has been a great dog even if she was spoiled…she was having seizures but then she had congestive heart failure and the vets tried everything but couldnt save her the saddest thing was holding her before she passed..she used to sleep at the end of the bed every night tonight is going to be a hard night

i have a hard decision to make i have a 4 yr old lab chow mix, have had her since she was a baby, im now married and have a 2 year old and a 10 mo old baby, she has recently started growling at the kids, she hasnt bitten or nipped at them, but you can tell she means it when she growls, i love her to death, but how long do you take a chance, im so scared she will bite one of them. any one with a suggestion please let me know, im afraid im going to have to put her down.

We have a 16+ year old mix. He is half blind, almost totally deaf, sleeps almost all day and night, is incontinent (we have to take him outside every hour), he’s very stiff and wobbly, but he doesn’t seem to be terminally ill. Honestly, he almost controls our lives. What do we do?:huh:

My dog Brutus was put to sleep today. He was an american bulldog, much different then the standard english kind. He had a brain tumor and was only 7 years old. The hardest part was that he looked good from the outside and was still athletic. He even ran in the yard last night. ITs just that he has many accidents in the house which never occurred, spun in circles all the time, barked for food 24-7, was agitated, confused, and sad. If there was a chance of him getting better i would’ve kept him around but he was just deteriorating and getting worse each day. Like all of you I feel he was like a brother to me, my best friend. Whenever i was upset i could just hold him and he would lick me or give me the reassurance that everything was alright. He sounded and was prtective but coud not hurt a soul(enless it was a field mouse). He was strong, goofy, stubborn, and gorgeous. I hope i made the right decision and I no is he happier and in peace. I can only pray that he will be with me forever no matter how many pets I have. May I see him again in my dreams, after i die, my memories and pictures. I believe he is watching me and looking after me in heaven now. And one day we will meet again.

Yesterday, March 4, 2005, I had to put my 11.5 year old Border Collie, Prescott, down due to Cancer. He had two tumors, one on his spleen and one by his colon. It came so sudden. He started eating less and I thought maybe his teeth were sensitive, and then he started limping. I took him to the emergency Vet Clinic Tuesday night and they drew blood and sent him home with Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and an Anti-biotic. He looked and acted great Wednesday, then Thursday I was at work, I don’t know why I went, he didn’t look all that great, and I cried at work all day. My husband called me to let me know that he wasn’t doing so hot, he had to carry him outside to use the bathroom and he just laid there on the ground. I left work early and we took him to our vet and we decided that night to go through with surgery and it was scheduled for Friday, yesterday morning. That Thursday night I came to the decision that it was not right to put him through that, he was so weak, he could pass during surgery and if he did make it what kind of life would he have? So that night my husband and I camped out in the living room with Prescott and got to spend our last night with him loving on him and saying our goodbyes. God I miss him. I found him as a pup at 3 months when I was a sophmore in college, he helped me through some tough times. He even helped me find my husband. He never warmed up to any guy I dated except John. I know it was the right thing to do, I had to be strong for him and make that decision. We love you Prescott and we know that both of ours Grandmas are up there taking care of you in Heaven. Love, Cara and John

I just experienced the pain of having to put our dog down. Our dog was a pomapoo. Her name was Sassy and she was 13 years old. She became very sick over the summer, and a trip to the vets dicovered that she was diabetic. Just last week she started being very sluggish and was vomiting all over. This last vet trip was very heart wrenching when we were told that her liver was failing. We could not let her suffer any more. She was just like a child to us and we lovered her very dearly. It was the hardest decision we have ever made. We will miss you Sassy but you will live on in our memories forever.

We have a dog, supposely part Chichuachua and part terrier, Got here about 4 years ago from the SPCA, she has little problems over the years. And now we find out that she has a broken front leg that won’t heal, with out taking it off or doing a bone graft. Choice of $2500 or $600.00, she is our daughters dog, and she pees in her room and poops in her room. I’ve taken her to the vet, and the vet said that she should be fine with the leg off, however, none of us don’t know how old she is, not even the vet, but the vet does guess pretty old 10-14. She does’nt seem to have all her senses with her, she is not smart at all, does’nt hear or smell or see very well. I’m not sure if the vet, is just telling us that the leg off would be better, cause they want the money or what.
Help,,,,just need some thoughts.

Our daughter can’t put the dog down, cause of the “what if?” drives her crazy. But she is alot of work now. wait until after surgery, and not sure if she will get better.

thanks,,,,
Birdie

I took my baby, Tassie, a 16 year old poodle to the vets today. It broke my heart. The last few months have not been her best, she was no longer able to go for walks as she was blind and arthritic, but I, like amit, could not play at God. I gave her the very best of food (expensive yes) and love and kept her clean. To be honest, my life would have been easier these last few months if I’d taken her sooner, and selfishly? that thought did cross my mind at some of the worst points, but I chose instead to do the utmost I could to make her last days comfortable. Yesterday she just stopped eating and she couldnt take water without my help. That was my time to say goodbye and it is heartbreakingly painful. We have had some wonderful times together, very treasured memories, and she will always be my gorgeous puppy.
Maybe I kept her too long? I dont know but I didnt feel I should play god, as long as she could feed herself and wasnt in pain I was happy to tend her basic needs and give her all the love she wanted. I wouldnt put a human down if they were blind and incontinent and to me she was my best friend. She was my 21st present.
Very old people dont have the same quality of life as when they are in their prime, yet they still gain comfort from the love and closeness of their families. What is a lower quality of life when the alternative is death? I dont know - but for me the answer to take the life of your best friend is when it is in pain, when its obviously suffering and you know they will not recover. I’m very glad my little dog was as healthy as she was but it made the decision to take her so much harder. If I had a dog with cancer, or severe organ failure, or constant fits, crying in pain - I wouldnt hestitate, (I let an 8 year old poodle go with chronic organ failure)….but old age is so much harder to judge…
Whatever you decide, you are reading these posts like I did yesterday to make the hardest decision you have to nake and my heart goes out to all of you. It sure isn’t easy.

On Friday, I had to put my 14 y/o black lab mix to sleep. He couldn’t walk, was pretty much blind, had accidents, and just didn’t seem happy. I didn’t want to watch him be put to sleep, but I also didn’t want him to be alone and scared, so I stayed by his side.

Although I know it was the right decision, I feel so guilty. He was the nicest dog in the world, everyone thought so. I know I’ll never see him again, and it makes me feel sick to my stomach. Reading this website had helped though, b/c it helped me realize there are others out there that feel the same.

Please someone tell me if I am doing the right thing. I have a 12-year-old cocker called Beau. He is my baby boy. I have taken care of him since he was 8 weeks. He was diagnosed with Diabetes and is being treated for with insulin shots for 2 years. He has gone completely blind. He was also diagnose with Cushing disease which his Dr. said the best coarse of action is to turn his Cushing into Addison and treat him for Addison disease. He is a sweat dog, however he does not sleep at night he is agitated and walks around trying to wake me up when I hold him he is calm, other than that he cries all night. He still walks and eats and drinks, is it time for him?

We’re so sad…confused. We had to put down our last Dalmatian, Domino, who was having seizures several minutes long, several times a day. We had him on Phenobarbitol twice daily/didn’t help. We loved him too much to watch him suffer so much. Our decision to put him down came after he turned on my daughter upon recovery from one of his seizures. We couldn’t risk him hurting my daughter. Domino was 3 yrs old. We have another dalmation, Chip. He just turned 8. A month ago he suffered his first seizure. We had all the blood work and xrays done. Clean bill of health. No explanation for the seizures. First known seizure, 2/26/05, second 2/27/05. Tonite he had three seizures. He is taking Phenobabitol/it’s not working. Increasing this med will make his quality of life/well there won’t be quality. I’m heart broken! What do I do…I can’t stand to watch him suffer…and if you’ve ever witnessed the severe and uncontrollable thrashing of a seizure….it’s horrible! We’re afraid we’re going to have to put him down. But, don’t know if it’s too soon. What to do? Very Sad…

My parents brought our dog Shadow to the vet today. They didn’t stay with him for it, and my mom told me that he was crying when they were leaving. I feel so guilty; I love Shadow, but I know that our love was nowhere near enough. He was only a little over 10 years old and his two hind legs weren’t working anymore; the vet said he only had another 2 months before he absolutely had to be put down. He was the most caring, intelligent and loving dog ever. I miss him so much and am so oppressed by these feelings of guilt and regret. I should have been there for him. He loved my whole family so much and as us kids grew up, we didn’t give him the attention he deserved. He always loved us and always greeted us affectionately whenever he saw us even from a distance. I’ll always remember the summer mornings when he would break free off his leash and out of the backyard and take off. We would wake up and find him gone. But he always came back after a morning of exploring and trouncing around the neighbourhood. He always came back…he never ever wanted to be without us. Oh God, I love him so much, please let him feel the love wherever he is and keep him safe and warm within your all powerful arms. Sh