Off-Topic: Putting a Pet Down

[stewart092284]

So, I have to put my beloved Dog Shiloh down on Tuesday. He's a diabetic, has pancreatitis, going blind in one eye, and has a smallish to medium sized growth under an armpit. He had a fatty lump a few years ago but this one has me more concerned.

He's still a happy Dog. He still loves his walks and he adores me. Which is what makes hard. I lost my mom last year. I'm an introvert so I struggle meeting new people and making new friends. And I don't have a ton of friends. At least in person in town.

He'd be 11 in the spring so he's not a Spring chicken.

And I want him to go before he gets really sick. I don't want him to suffer too much. I just... I feel like... I'm murdering him. And that if I'm wrong and he would have had a lot more time with me than what have I done?

The vet didn't even really ask because we've been flirting with being at this stage before. They've thought he was close to here for a while now. Maybe since April. I've tried to drag it out up until now and also, its becoming harder to afford paying for the two, sometimes three prescriptions and prescription food and IDK that he's have a quality of life.

I know he loves me. I know I love him. I know hes a happy Dog. I Know I wish I could win the lottery and find a way to make him 5 years younger. I know I wish I could snap my fingers and undo any number of things but that as we all know is not life.

I guess my questions is - and I know its different for everyone - how do you reconcile the faith, love and trust in a pet's eyes and not have it feel like you're betraying them? I want to say I"m not, because I'm trying to keep his interest at heart and let him go while he can still enjoy his walkies, enjoy his car rides and his appetite and occasionally, although more and more rarely play or chew on a bone. I 'm struggling with it.

I want to be selfish. I want to say, hell no, I'm not letting go. But I also want to do right by him and I'm struggling to square those two things

 

[ClonerJams]

I had to do this last year. Hard as hell. The best thing I heard was that your dog looks to you to do this for them when they're suffering; euthanasia is an act of kindness in this kind of situation. Really sorry you're going through this; owning a dog is great, but this day comes for all of us and its never easy.

 

[2020cy]

Been through it too many times, it’s awful. I guess when they aren’t having any fun or functioning, you have to call it.

 

[jsb]

It's really, really hard. But I truly believe you are doing the right thing for your dog. Giving a dog a peaceful ending is a gift to them.

I don't know if your vet offers this, but sometimes they will come to your house to do it.

 

[CRcyclone6]

We are going through the same type thing with our 15 yr old basset. I know it's time, my wife and kids are another story. You aren't betraying them, they need you to make the decision.

 

[mark42]

Tough as heck to do, but is something that is sometimes necessary.

 

[Cyclonepride]

So, I have to put my beloved Dog Shiloh down on Tuesday. He's a diabetic, has pancreatitis, going blind in one eye, and has a smallish to medium sized growth under an armpit. He had a fatty lump a few years ago but this one has me more concerned.

He's still a happy Dog. He still loves his walks and he adores me. Which is what makes hard. I lost my mom last year. I'm an introvert so I struggle meeting new people and making new friends. And I don't have a ton of friends. At least in person in town.

He'd be 11 in the spring so he's not a Spring chicken.

And I want him to go before he gets really sick. I don't want him to suffer too much. I just... I feel like... I'm murdering him. And that if I'm wrong and he would have had a lot more time with me than what have I done?

The vet didn't even really ask because we've been flirting with being at this stage before. They've thought he was close to here for a while now. Maybe since April. I've tried to drag it out up until now and also, its becoming harder to afford paying for the two, sometimes prescriptions and prescription food and IDK that he's have a quality of life.

I know he loves me. I know I love him. I know hes a happy Dog. I Know I wish I could win the lottery and find a way to make him 5 years younger. I know I wish I could snap my fingers and undo any number of things but that as we all know is not live.

I guess my questions is - and I know its different for everyone - how do you reconcile the faith, love and trust in a pet's eyes and not have it feel like you're betraying them? I want to say I"m not, because I'm trying to keep his interest at heart and let him go while he can still enjoy his walkies, enjoy his car rides and his appetite and occasionally, although more and more rarely play or chew on a bone. I 'm struggling with it.

I want to be selfish. I want to say, no, I'm letting go. But I also want to do right by him and I'm struggling to square those two things

I've been in that situation a few times, and it is never easy. I always try to watch them closely and see if the quality of life is still there. If it is not, and they're just struggling through a life of pain, the humane thing to do is to let them go. I thought about as though it were me. Would I want to continue on with nothing but misery?

It's not simple, because you cannot feel what they are feeling, but I've always reached a point where it broke my heart to watch them go through more, and that's when I've made the call.

 

[jsb]

We are going through the same type thing with our 15 yr old basset. I know it's time, my wife and kids are another story. You aren't betraying them, they need you to make the decision.

Oh man, my parents have had a series of rescue bassets over the year and they haven't even been my dogs, but I've struggled each time.

Bassets really are the best dogs.

 

[NoCreativity]

I had to put my 11 year old dog down almost 2 years ago to the day. He had diabetes that we thought we were managing well, all of a sudden that November he started losing weight.

He was still happy and could do most things on Thanksgiving, then that Saturday I woke up in the middle of the night with him puking everywhere.

By that Monday we took him to the vet and he was in ketoacidosis which is a horrible thing to witness. He went from energetic to not being able to walk and eat so we had to put him down.

It's absolute heartbreaking and I still think about him alot, especially this time of year. I dont know exactly where I'm going with this story but I feel your pain.

 

[stewart092284]

I had to do this last year. Hard as hell. The best thing I heard was that your dog looks to you to do this for them when they're suffering; euthanasia is an act of kindness in this kind of situation. Really sorry you're going through this; owning a dog is great, but this day comes for all of us and its never easy.

Its just.. IDK. Its hard because he's happy? I see the cataract, I see the effects diabetes and everything else but he's happy. He's so happy to see me or have me around.

Like I always thought, I would know 100% I was right because he'd be so sick it was obvious.
But now... I can see his not his usual self, though again, being older that's harder too - but I know he's struggling.

But every day, even though its a struggle, he tries to keep up with me and tries to go everywhere etc...

Which I'm grateful for. I love that dog more than almost anything. I Just - that makes it harder. I feel like this is the right thing. I just wish I could know 100%

 

[stewart092284]

I had to put my 11 year old dog down almost 2 years ago to the day. He had diabetes that we thought we were managing well, all of a sudden that November he started losing weight.

He was still happy and could do most things on Thanksgiving, then that Saturday I woke up in the middle of the night with him puking everywhere.

By that Monday we took him to the vet and he was in ketoacidosis which is a horrible thing to witness. He went from energetic to not being able to walk and eat so we had to put him down.

It's absolute heartbreaking and I still think about him alot, especially this time of year. I dont know exactly where I'm going with this story but I feel your pain.

So sorry to hear that. Yeah and sometimes seems maybe to being trouble with his bladder, etc. IDK.

Like I said, there's a lot of - yellow flags? They might not be red yet but there's a bunch of yellow flags.

And I don't want to see him at the red flag stage. I saw my mom there. I saw my dad there. I don't want to see dog there. I want to see him, as a happy, old, but happy ball of fluff.

And I just hope, if I am early on this - then I hope he can forgive me

 

[NorthCyd]

Dealing with similar situation right now. 15 year old lab/retriever mix that basically can't get up on his own anymore and is having incontinence issues. If we help him up he can walk a little bit, but he simply won't be carried and won't use a ramp and he is really struggling to get up and down the deck stairs. He is still eating which is the only thing keeping him going. It's time but wife and kids are not ready yet. It sucks, especially around the holidays.

 

[CRcyclone6]

So sorry to hear that. Yeah and sometimes seems maybe to being trouble with his bladder, etc. IDK.

Like I said, there's a lot of - yellow flags? They might not be red yet but there's a bunch of yellow flags.

And I don't want to see him at the red flag stage. I saw my mom there. I saw my dad there. I don't want to see dog there. I want to see him, as a happy, old, but happy ball of fluff.

And I just hope, if I am early on this - then I hope he can forgive me

He will forgive you, maybe even thank you when you meet again. Give him some extra attention, etc. It's not an easy decision, but might be what's best.

 

[JP4CY]

I am so sorry.
It's the worst but most humane thing to do.

A few more extra treats and if you're able to, be there at the end. My guy is getting old and I told my wife when it's time, I want to be there as the last thing he sees. Whenever we've been at the vet before he's super nervous and just shakes and looks at me. I owe it to him to reciprocate the love he gave us.

 

[stewart092284]

He will forgive you, maybe even thank you when you meet again. Give him some extra attention, etc. It's not an easy decision, but might be what's best.

That's what I keep saying. And FWIW - it probably makes me sound crazy but when I ask him if he's feeling okay or usually I'll ask "Shiloh are you sick" and he will lean forward and give me a nose bop. I know that wouldn't stand up in court but thats one of the ways we communicate is I'll ask him a question and he bops me.

So... doesn't mean I'm right. But I do think ultimately, it's time. My mom thought it was time last July. But I just - I don't have kids. Maybe will, maybe won't one day.

So Shiloh's the closest thing I have. And I just, I'm a having a hard time with this decision. And I know he's happy because he knows I love him and he loves me. I just... hate that they get older so fast.

 

[stewart092284]

I am so sorry.
It's the worst but most humane thing to do.

A few more extra treats and if you're able to, be there at the end. My guy is getting old and I told my wife when it's time, I want to be there as the last thing he sees. Whenever we've been at the vet before he's super nervous and just shakes and looks at me. I owe it to him to reciprocate the love he gave us.

I agree... and that's the one part I'm struggling with the most. I know not seeing my little old man's eyes move or his chest rise again... that's going to crush me.

But I do know that I need to be there for him

 

[JP4CY]

I agree... and that's the one part I'm struggling with the most. I know not seeing my little old man's eyes move or his chest rise again... that's going to crush me.

But I do know that I need to be there for him

The toughest part for me is the house feeling. If we go away for a weekend, we always have family or friends that would rather have him vs being kennelled. When we get home though and start to unpack, if he's not in the house it feels empty and very "echo-ey."

 

[Gonzo]

So, I have to put my beloved Dog Shiloh down on Tuesday. He's a diabetic, has pancreatitis, going blind in one eye, and has a smallish to medium sized growth under an armpit. He had a fatty lump a few years ago but this one has me more concerned.

He's still a happy Dog. He still loves his walks and he adores me. Which is what makes hard. I lost my mom last year. I'm an introvert so I struggle meeting new people and making new friends. And I don't have a ton of friends. At least in person in town.

He'd be 11 in the spring so he's not a Spring chicken.

And I want him to go before he gets really sick. I don't want him to suffer too much. I just... I feel like... I'm murdering him. And that if I'm wrong and he would have had a lot more time with me than what have I done?

The vet didn't even really ask because we've been flirting with being at this stage before. They've thought he was close to here for a while now. Maybe since April. I've tried to drag it out up until now and also, its becoming harder to afford paying for the two, sometimes three prescriptions and prescription food and IDK that he's have a quality of life.

I know he loves me. I know I love him. I know hes a happy Dog. I Know I wish I could win the lottery and find a way to make him 5 years younger. I know I wish I could snap my fingers and undo any number of things but that as we all know is not life.

I guess my questions is - and I know its different for everyone - how do you reconcile the faith, love and trust in a pet's eyes and not have it feel like you're betraying them? I want to say I"m not, because I'm trying to keep his interest at heart and let him go while he can still enjoy his walkies, enjoy his car rides and his appetite and occasionally, although more and more rarely play or chew on a bone. I 'm struggling with it.

I want to be selfish. I want to say, hell no, I'm not letting go. But I also want to do right by him and I'm struggling to square those two things

We had to put our 13 year old lab down a few years ago. Very tough and different for everyone. We were all in there with her, me, wife, and two daughters. Girls were a wreck, they didn't want her to see them crying so they stayed towards her hind end just petting her, I was down on the floor with her petting her head and ears and just making sure she could see me and was feeling all the love she could before she dropped off from the injection.

We got a very nice wooden urn with her ashes, a very nice card and note from all of the staff at our vet's office (they knew her well from all the times we boarded her there for vacas), and a ceramic ornament with her paw print and name.

Very tough, sorry man.

 

[stewart092284]

Oh that terrifies me too, especially as someone who lives alone. The emptiness... the emptiness is going to be brutal.

This is my little old guy

 

[cmjh10]

So, I have to put my beloved Dog Shiloh down on Tuesday. He's a diabetic, has pancreatitis, going blind in one eye, and has a smallish to medium sized growth under an armpit. He had a fatty lump a few years ago but this one has me more concerned.

He's still a happy Dog. He still loves his walks and he adores me. Which is what makes hard. I lost my mom last year. I'm an introvert so I struggle meeting new people and making new friends. And I don't have a ton of friends. At least in person in town.

He'd be 11 in the spring so he's not a Spring chicken.

And I want him to go before he gets really sick. I don't want him to suffer too much. I just... I feel like... I'm murdering him. And that if I'm wrong and he would have had a lot more time with me than what have I done?

The vet didn't even really ask because we've been flirting with being at this stage before. They've thought he was close to here for a while now. Maybe since April. I've tried to drag it out up until now and also, its becoming harder to afford paying for the two, sometimes three prescriptions and prescription food and IDK that he's have a quality of life.

I know he loves me. I know I love him. I know hes a happy Dog. I Know I wish I could win the lottery and find a way to make him 5 years younger. I know I wish I could snap my fingers and undo any number of things but that as we all know is not life.

I guess my questions is - and I know its different for everyone - how do you reconcile the faith, love and trust in a pet's eyes and not have it feel like you're betraying them? I want to say I"m not, because I'm trying to keep his interest at heart and let him go while he can still enjoy his walkies, enjoy his car rides and his appetite and occasionally, although more and more rarely play or chew on a bone. I 'm struggling with it.

I want to be selfish. I want to say, hell no, I'm not letting go. But I also want to do right by him and I'm struggling to square those two things

Not in this situation yet, hopefully won’t be for several more years. But, the gf and I have promised each other that when the days come for our 2 that we will both be in the room and be there till the very end. You are your dogs entire world, and one of the worst things you can do is leave them in their final moments. Make sure you do that, and you will give your dog everything it needs.

And now, I need to go wipe the tears from my eyes.