It's time

[Haertig]

In my area, there are vets that specialize in coming out to your house to put your animals to sleep. We have done this for our last four dogs, and two horses (not that you really have any other choice for horses). They do cost quite a bit more than taking your animals into your regular vets office, but if this service is available in your area, I highly recommend it. The people that come out are always extremely kind and caring. Our last dog that we had to put to sleep a week and a half ago - the vet came out in the evening, during a raging snowstorm.

 

[angie_nrs]

I thought maybe I'd put this here for all of us.
I may not outlive my new little guy, but if I do I'll remember this.
Maybe it will help some of us , may not.

I'm shamed to say twice I left the room because I just couldn't watch. Never again.

*******************

“Pets, it turns out, also have last wishes before they die, but only known by veterinarians who put old and sick animals to sleep. Twitter user Jesse Dietrich asked a vet what was the most difficult part of his job.

The specialist answered without hesitation that it was the hardest for him to see how old or sick animals look for their owners with the eyes of their owners before going to sleep. The fact is that 90 % of owners don't want to be in a room with a dying animal. People leave so that they don't see their pet leave. But they don't realize that it's in these last moments of life that their pet needs them most.

Veterinarians ask the owners to be close to the animals until the very end. ′′It's inevitable that they die before you. Don't forget that you were the center of their life. Maybe they were just a part of you. But they are also your family. No matter how hard it is, don't leave them.

Dont let them die in a room with a stranger in a place they dont like. It is very painful for veterinarians to see how pets cannot find their owner during the last minutes of their life. They dont understand why the owner left them. After all, they needed their owner’s consolation.

Veterinarians do everything possible to ensure that animals are not so scared, but they are completely strangers to them. Don't be a coward because it's too painful for you. Think about the pet. Endure this pain for the sake of their sake. Be with them until the end.”

- Tricia Mo’orea


Jim

It was so very hard to do this recently with our precious girl, but there's no way we would let her pass alone. Hubs had her embraced in his arms and she saw my tear filled eyes as I rubbed her ears and tried to comfort her until the life left her body. Now, I'm crying again thinking about that day. Ug! Why does love have to hurt so bad? I tell myself it's b/c the joy when we see each other again wouldn't be as sweet if we didn't go through any pain. But oh, how I miss my girl.

 

[goshengirl]

I am sad for people who haven't been with their pets when they pass. Yes, it is hard - but by not being there, they miss out on such a beautiful gift. To hold our beloveds in that time of transition. It is an honor I cannot put into words.

 

[viking]

As much as I hate putting a pet down, I hate even more seeing them suffer or live a life with now joy in it, that's what our toy rat terrier Minie was going through, she got so blind and deaf that she didn't know where she was going, always running into something or falling over sideways, that's what bothered me, she was still getting around but just didn't know where she was. She had never been much of a companion to us but was for our shelter dog, Lucy, we still loved her anyway, what bothered us the most was when her brother Micky took off, we think he was dying and he knew it and went off to die, my wife got sick over that, thankfully we still have our loving Lucy. Pearl, my thoughts are for your well being, you are a good hearted person and we can see that in the way you feel toward your pet as well as your concerns toward others here on this forum.

 

[JustMe]

we may be getting close. Yesterday he couldn't keep anything down, kept staggering and fell over a few times. This morning he wouldn't eat, nor tonight at supper, though in the afternoon he did manage to eat a couple of tablespoons of chicken and keep it down and has been drinking water. And just a few minutes ago, I gave him a couple of drops of my CBD oil to see if that would help him. So far, he's asleep in my lap currently.,

Still hoping nature will make that decision for me cause I'm not sure that I can

 

[Spikedriver]

we may be getting close. Yesterday he couldn't keep anything down, kept staggering and fell over a few times. This morning he wouldn't eat, nor tonight at supper, though in the afternoon he did manage to eat a couple of tablespoons of chicken and keep it down and has been drinking water. And just a few minutes ago, I gave him a couple of drops of my CBD oil to see if that would help him. So far, he's asleep in my lap currently.,

Still hoping nature will make that decision for me cause I'm not sure that I can

My Doberman was struggling at the end. I hadn't taken him to the vet but I know the signs of lymphoma and I knew what to expect. It had gone to his brain stem and he began to struggle to move.

He was having mild difficulty moving but mentally he was confused. He would go stand in the shower and whine, because he didn't know where he was. Or just look around and "see without seeing".

Then one day he didn't come back to the house at feeding time. He was living with my Pops, who loved him and he loved Pops. I got the call and took my daughter along.

We searched the farm but couldn't find him. It was a restless night. Daughter and I stayed at the farm and resumed the search in the morning. We found him in a spot we had already searched the night before, so he had been mobile, but he couldn't move his legs now. I found a vet 25 miles away that was open on Saturdays. We wrapped him in a blanket and put him in the front seat. He was alert on the trip.

I carried him in and laid him down on the floor in the exam room. The vet saw him there, as he was, and gave him a mild sedative. We spent a few minutes with him, just talking and holding my forehead to his head. He was trying to fight it, trying to move his legs, and our hearts broke. The vet returned and gave him the final shot. He lifted his head and raised his ears when the plunger went down, looked at the vet and then at me, and went still.

Burying him was one of the hardest things I ever did. He's on top of the hill at the farm, under a mulberry tree. We covered his grave with stones to keep digging creatures away. That was 3 1/2 years ago and I still think of him at least once or twice a week.

God bless our pets...

"Chance"

 

[Pearl]

we may be getting close. Yesterday he couldn't keep anything down, kept staggering and fell over a few times. This morning he wouldn't eat, nor tonight at supper, though in the afternoon he did manage to eat a couple of tablespoons of chicken and keep it down and has been drinking water. And just a few minutes ago, I gave him a couple of drops of my CBD oil to see if that would help him. So far, he's asleep in my lap currently.,

Still hoping nature will make that decision for me cause I'm not sure that I can

I miss my girl so much, what a huge void in my life! But I am so glad she is at peace!! Don't let that baby suffer! It's so hard, but do it for him!!

 

[angie_nrs]

we may be getting close. Yesterday he couldn't keep anything down, kept staggering and fell over a few times. This morning he wouldn't eat, nor tonight at supper, though in the afternoon he did manage to eat a couple of tablespoons of chicken and keep it down and has been drinking water. And just a few minutes ago, I gave him a couple of drops of my CBD oil to see if that would help him. So far, he's asleep in my lap currently.,

Still hoping nature will make that decision for me cause I'm not sure that I can

I'm so sorry you are going through this. It is heartbreaking.

Our girl started staggering a bit toward the end too. We found out that she was in end stage renal failure and that her kidneys weren't able to clear the toxins from her body causing her balance issues. The vet was amazed that whe was even still standing. He said she would probably be able to live another week or two if we wanted to take her home. We made the difficult decision then and there to let her go b/c we knew her quality of life would just worsen and we didn't want to put her (or us) through that agony. In hindsight, I'm proud of us for giving her the gift of a pain free ending. I hope if that time ever comes, someone will do the same for me.

 

[JustMe]

He slept pretty soundly for a few hours atleast and this morning he's still unsteady on his feet, but seems just a bit more alert. When I can get myself woke up and moving, I'll offer some food and see where it goes from there.

In some ways I wonder if I shouldn't have already made the call and it's long past due.............other times I think I can't take a life that's not ready to go. We'll see how it goes and just play it by ear

 

[Spikedriver]

He slept pretty soundly for a few hours atleast and this morning he's still unsteady on his feet, but seems just a bit more alert. When I can get myself woke up and moving, I'll offer some food and see where it goes from there.

In some ways I wonder if I shouldn't have already made the call and it's long past due.............other times I think I can't take a life that's not ready to go. We'll see how it goes and just play it by ear

My vet once told me, if you pay attention they'll let you know when it's time. You'll know. God bless you and your dog.

 

[Bacpacker]

My vet once told me, if you pay attention they'll let you know when it's time. You'll know. God bless you and your dog.

Our Katie sure did. She hadn't been hardly able to get up to go to the door. But when we finally got up the nerve to call the vet, I carried her down the steps and she did her thing then walked straight to the truck for her last ride. She wasn't a fan of going anywhere in the truck, but that day she was ready. Its been nearly a year and still breaks my heart when I think about her. But she not suffering and is now watching over my garden beds with our other old golden Rosie. We layer then next to each other

 

[Haertig]

In some ways I wonder if I shouldn't have already made the call and it's long past due.............other times I think I can't take a life that's not ready to go.

Everybody feels that exact same thing. That's what makes it so hard. Once you start asking yourself this question, the time is very close.

 

[JustMe]

He did eat about 1/4 cup of food earlier today. That's the most he's eaten in 2 days, though normally it would have been more like a whole cup or more. I just tried offering him supper, but he wouldn't touch it. I'll probably be calling a vet tomorrow.


UGH, I've never had to do this before. I've had both dogs and cats, especially cats most my life, but either they passed on their own, or I wasn't able to keep them for whatever reasons

 

[Pearl]

He did eat about 1/4 cup of food earlier today. That's the most he's eaten in 2 days, though normally it would have been more like a whole cup or more. I just tried offering him supper, but he wouldn't touch it. I'll probably be calling a vet tomorrow.


UGH, I've never had to do this before. I've had both dogs and cats, especially cats most my life, but either they passed on their own, or I wasn't able to keep them for whatever reasons

It's SO hard, but do it for him! You know I just went through this recently and I know exactly how you feel! I know I did the right thing for my sweet girl, NO REGRETS, a ton of heartache! I feel so lost without her, but I know it was right! I could have prolonged her life for a very short amount of time, but that would have prolonged her suffering! Lots of love to you!!

 

[JustMe]

It's SO hard, but do it for him! You know I just went through this recently and I know exactly how you feel! I know I did the right thing for my sweet girl, NO REGRETS, a ton of heartache! I feel so lost without her, but I know it was right! I could have prolonged her life for a very short amount of time, but that would have prolonged her suffering! Lots of love to you!!

Yes, I know you did and thank you. I know it's the right thing to do in my head.......but, but, but

 

[DrJenner]

In some ways I wonder if I shouldn't have already made the call and it's long past due.............other times I think I can't take a life that's not ready to go.

In the people world...I do a lot of family meetings for really sick patients.
I always tell them, please don't feel like you are making the decision to pull the plug, it's not like that. Their body is declaring itself and dying. We are prolonging the dying process by keeping them alive artificially (and are really good at doing that) -- and the potential for suffering is there, especially if life support is a bridge to nowhere (ie.. a terminal illness that is not reversible).
You are doing the most unselfish act there is. Hugs to you.

 

[winds-of-change]

I’m so sorry. Our pets final days are always so difficult.

 

[dademoss]

Yes, I know you did and thank you. I know it's the right thing to do in my head.......but, but, but

If I could, I would come for support. In the meantime, you will be in my prayers.

 

[JustMe]

Well change of plans. Was looking up vets and found one that that's all they do. Getting myself ready to give them a call and the dog came scrambling into the house because he did a poopy. Something he hasn't done for the past few days. For the last several months, anytime he'd do 'his business' he'd come barreling in thru the doggy door all excited of his accomplishment. Mind you, the opening for the doggy door is a little too high for him, so he has to climb, stumble, hop in. He's fine, but when he's in a hurry it's kinda comical

Anyway, a little while later I offered him some food. He ate it all, which surprised me so I offered him more and he ate that too. Needless to say, I didn't make the call and glad I didn't.

Thinking of the last few days I kept wondering why he had been so sick. At the time he had acted fine, just threw up his supper. Then acted like he wanted to eat so I fed him some plain chicken with some fat. And he threw that up as well.....then after that he didn't want to eat until yesterday and only a little bit. Then it kinda dawned on me, that the other day I had added a little yogurt to their food. And when I thought about it some more, anytime I've added a bit of yogurt the dog wasn't interested or didn't like it. So that's an easy enough fix, for now.

I know he's old, he stands in the corner often in a dazed stupor, he's half blind and deaf........but if he can still eat & poop & get excited about it, who am I to take that away? I know the day will come. It may be tomorrow or next week, next month or next year, but I need more to go on before making the call.

Thank you to everyone for the support and encouragement, I do appreciate it very much. I may be prolonging the inevitable and may have made the wrong choice, but what can I say, I'm a wuss

 

[Pearl]

If he's not hurting and back to eating, he's good to go for a bit! I was so up and down before I KNEW there was no choice! You'll know!! Keep us posted!

 

[dademoss]

Well change of plans. Was looking up vets and found one that that's all they do. Getting myself ready to give them a call and the dog came scrambling into the house because he did a poopy. Something he hasn't done for the past few days. For the last several months, anytime he'd do 'his business' he'd come barreling in thru the doggy door all excited of his accomplishment. Mind you, the opening for the doggy door is a little too high for him, so he has to climb, stumble, hop in. He's fine, but when he's in a hurry it's kinda comical

Anyway, a little while later I offered him some food. He ate it all, which surprised me so I offered him more and he ate that too. Needless to say, I didn't make the call and glad I didn't.

Thinking of the last few days I kept wondering why he had been so sick. At the time he had acted fine, just threw up his supper. Then acted like he wanted to eat so I fed him some plain chicken with some fat. And he threw that up as well.....then after that he didn't want to eat until yesterday and only a little bit. Then it kinda dawned on me, that the other day I had added a little yogurt to their food. And when I thought about it some more, anytime I've added a bit of yogurt the dog wasn't interested or didn't like it. So that's an easy enough fix, for now.

I know he's old, he stands in the corner often in a dazed stupor, he's half blind and deaf........but if he can still eat & poop & get excited about it, who am I to take that away? I know the day will come. It may be tomorrow or next week, next month or next year, but I need more to go on before making the call.

Thank you to everyone for the support and encouragement, I do appreciate it very much. I may be prolonging the inevitable and may have made the wrong choice, but what can I say, I'm a wuss

Glad to hear he is eating again, and pooping is also important

 

[Peanut]

Joe... I've been expecting for a week, it's time. I decided it was best to take him to be put down Friday about lunch. The only 2 vets within 50miles were both out of the office.

So I hoped for the best... but yesterday morning he refused to eat. I finally got him to drink a bowl of water about 11pm. I expected to find his body this morning but I couldn't find him anywhere. I knew he couldn't have gone far. Finally found him just a bit ago, he crawled under a storage building. Still alive but looking bad. Got him to drink some more water but he refused to come out... the vigil continues...

If he makes it until morning I'll take him to any vet I find.

A few of my favorite pics... he was 7/8ths GSD and 1/8 Great Pyrenees sheep dog. He was 6inches taller and 30lbs heavier than a normal GSD. Those extra long legs made him very fast, couple times when he was young he chased down deer and killed them.

He was also extra smart, even among working dogs. This is so hard...

 

[user 55]

Nice animal. Sad times.

 

[Bacpacker]

Sorry to hear about him

 

[Tootsie]

What a beautiful dog.
May these next hours pass as easily and peaceably as possible.
Good byes are so painful. I believe God loves us and our pets so much, that it’s not good bye, but see you again someday, friend.
Prayers for you both.

 

[goshengirl]

@Peanut I don't know what to say, except I'm so sorry. He's a beautiful boy.
I'll ask my Remmy to meet him at the bridge.

 

[user 55]

Peanut, know we understand how difficult this can be. Know he will understand and be in a better place. We've just gone through this and it sure hurts but it hurt more watching him suffer. In an off twist of fate a nephew that was born with heart issues, had open heart surgery before age 1 is getting a support dog. $13,000 or so later with training this animal will be by his side at all times. He will protect him. He will alert when there is a medical concern. He will do a number of other things.

My point; his name is MAX. The same as our pet we put down. Ours was beside him whenever he was here. My belief is this kind soul of an animal has returned yet again to assist a human. All dogs go to heaven for sure. Then they come back to continue their tasks.

I so miss my friend. You will too. Hang in there. Cannot say it gets easier or better but I know wherever ours is he is supporting someone that needs to be. So sorry you have to experience this.

 

[Magus]

It's depressing to hear of the passing of such noble beasts.
May the great pack accept them to their bosom!

 

[Patchouli]

So sorry, @Peanut

 

[Solar Geek]

Very sorry for you.