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Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
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Originally Posted by Alaskapat528
My pit, Dakota had Cushings Disease and severe arthritis. She lived to the ripe age of 10 years which is a long life span for a purebred pit. We did everything possible for her up to her getting a shot each week to help with the arthritis. The vet had told us this was the last thing she could do for her since we had tried various medications that only worked so long. It got costly but she was given every chance as we wanted her to have.
One morning she could not get up; I helped her by lifting her hind quarters which she would then get her back legs going. That particular day she could not even stand; she laid there and I saw the "look" in her eyes which told me she had given up and could go on no longer. Any animal lover would be able to recognize the look they get. It broke my heart but we took her to the vet to have her put to sleep. We stayed right there; I talked to her, hugged her, told her how I loved her and kissed her head and when she was gone, I cried my heart out. That was several years ago. No, I will not let my animals suffer; as painful as it is, I will take them to the vet to end their life in peace and without pain.
Enough typing since I am now tearing up; how I miss her and all my others that have passed on.
I'm tearing up just reading this. Well, no, that's not true -- I'm out-and-out crying.
I couldn't even have read your post a few months ago, and even now it brings misted eyes. Now, with my 7 month old pug buddy sleeping on my lap, life is full with the anticipation of years of companionship to come. A year ago it was another story. Two dogs lost to cancer, and just months apart.
I tell myself that when time comes, I won't wait too long to do what I need to do. But I've already done that twice in years past. It's so hard but ultimately you do your duty as guardian of your companion. These are deep, and raw, and private matters that are worked out as they unfold.....In recognizing those times when I should have made that final veterinary appointment sooner, I have to forgive my self a wee bit. I really tried to do my best.
That's all you or anyone can do Sherman Joe, their best. And that's what you did.
I've had to have 2 of my dogs put to sleep by a vet. . The first suffered a reaction to a sulfa-based antibiotic and his blood marrow shut down no longer producing RBC's. This was 13 yrs ago. I think I let him go to long, hoping and praying for a miracle. Three weeks at the 24/7 emergency vet. clinic, a number of blood transfusions, etc..... I finally gave the ok when it was obvious he was suffering and had no more strength to fight for his life. He wasn't going to improve. Should I have done this days before, maybe, but he was not yet in obvious pain.
The second, this Spring, my lovely Springer Spaniel rescued from a pound. He had lymphoma and went though all the treatments failing in his next to last week of chemo. He made it 6 months past his diagnosis and was playing up to three days before I took him to the vet to be put to sleep. He had wimpered all night, digging at the bed and at me because he was so uncomfortable. By the time the vet opened he could barely stand to do his potty business. I asked the vet if this was as "good as he would be and if the rest of his days would be this or worse". When the vet confirmed my fears I knew I could not be selfish to make him go through the pain for my wish of a few more days. We had been given an extra 6 mos. with the treatments and he lived his life full of kisses and wags. I still miss my snuggle pup. For those of you who know what I mean he was a "velcro Springer". When he was with me I could not take a step without tripping over him. And, since he's been gone I cannot take a step without missing him.
I fear the next time I'll have to do this. My senior lab at 12 yrs. has kidney disease. My heart will break apart completely to lose another as he is the reason I remember to breathe each day. It was only with his help I made it through the loss of his Springer "brother". I'd do anything to save the lives of my dogs; sometimes, there just isn't anything we can do for them but to keep them from suffering longer. They give us so much in their short lives, peace instead of pain seems to be so little in return.
Our Min Pin is about 10 now, she was a rescue and has had a very tough life. She has canine epilepsy and was heavily medicated for years to control ( or attempt to control ) her seizures. A side affect of the meds was possible liver failure, so we had her tested every six months for proper liver function. In october we noticed she was not doing well, we thought she just had a sick stomach. Well we rushed her to the vet, she was on deaths doorstep. She had gone into full liver failure and things did not look good. She stayed at the vets for a few days and then off to an internal specialist that saved her life. My wife and I cried for 4 straight days thinking it was over and wondering if we were doing the right thing. We talked about putting her down because we could not live with ourselves if she were suffering. After 2 months of strict diet and a new medication regiment to control her liver function, she is still here and doing awesome ! We are blessed to still have her with us, healthy and happy. But the time will come when we discuss putting her down again, I can tell you, I will not be ready when the decision time comes. But if she is not enjoying a quality life, I will make the decision very quickly.
Special thanks to Dr. Molly and her team in Venice, Fl.
I guess I have the other side of the story in that all my dogs have died naturally and in my arms. I think euthanasia is over-used but I do believe that there are times when it is necessary. I am grateful that I did not find it necessary.
When my dogs became old, I adjusted my life to them. In my experience I found that they seemed embarrassed and frightened as their bodies failed them and I think that is because nature is cruel to the weak and infirm. Watching them it seemed as though they feared the rejection of the pack (myself and the others in my household, including other animals).
When their appetites began to fail, I bought ground beef, liver and other meat to supplement their regular food. I carried them outside and balanced them in order to do their business no matter how often that was - my dogs were definitely embarrassed by any accidents. I kept their bedding clean and fresh smelling, and made their bed thick with blankets.
I protected them from the other dogs, as in when the older dog was unsteady on her feet and feared that other dogs rushing to greet her would knock her over. I would take them to their favourite places and sit with them in the sun.
And I saw them change when they realized that I was there with them until the very end, and that they were not rejected, and still had their place in the family. My dog that died last 14 months ago in her last days would hop (she had 3 legs) around the corner and give me such a loving look and a sharp bark and then hop back to her bed, that it still brings tears to my eyes. No one who saw her doubted what she was saying. That she loved me, that she was grateful for the peace, and that I was there for the long haul.
And she passed away naturally while I sang to her and stroked her as gently as a child going to sleep, looking absolutely peaceful and secure. I miss her so much and still automatically take four biscuits when I give my dogs biscuits, before I realise she is not here any more.
What makes things really hard is that I have two dogs who are also older dogs. My beagle will turn 14 in August and I've never had a dog live much past 14 and it is just really, really hard to let them go. Each time I think I can't go through this again and that I will never have another pet in my life, but I always do get another pet.
The only thing that makes it endurable is that it would be much worse for our pets to outlive us than for us to outlive them, never knowing who would be prepared to commit to taking care of them.
3 of my dogs are buried in my garden where they liked to watch me as I worked. One is buried at my parents' place, in their garden because she lived part of her life there and that was where her heart's home was aside from myself.
I just ran across a retired woman and her dog on a hiking path. We got to talking and she said she grew up on the farm and they never put dogs down. They just let them die naturally, and often the dogs passed away in their sleep.
When my dog was dying, I often wondered if I should have spent the time with her holding her and being with her instead of rushing off in a panic to the vet to spend a few hundred having her put to sleep.
I've known many people whose pet died naturally at home and it was usually very peaceful. Humans pass away at home naturally.
What are your thoughts?
It all depends on the circumstances.
If they are throwing up everywhere, in extreme pain, or something along those lines, I would want to put them down.
If they are just old...sure, I'd let them pass on at home.
One of my childhood dogs died at home and my parents were considering putting her down because towards the end, she could barely get up.
I think there is no right way. We all feel the guilt whichever way we go. We just lost our beloved dog. He was old and we knew the time would be soon. We decided to let him pass at home in his own bed with his companion there with him. We stayed with him until he took his last breath. He was terrified to go in the car to the vet or anywhere and we did not want his last hour to be tortured with the trip and strange surroundings. We believed as a family that we would not put him through that. My heart breaks for any family that has to go through this.
It depends...if my dog is just old and may need help getting up or down then no I could not put her down.
My previous bull dog had an inoperable tumor on her kidney, vet said just take her home and enjoy your time until it's time..you will know when and I did so we put her down.
Our lab mix died in his sleep at 15, we woke up in the am & he was gone...
I believe that euthanasia for the purpose of stopping terminal pain, suffering and misery is a hugely selfless act of love. How I wish my babies would have died suddenly in their sleep without ever suffering. I, too, think that you just "know" and my beloved dog of 16 years let me know. We communicated very clearly - hard to explain if you haven't been in that situation. It was the least I could do for my companion who had given me so much for so long. I still miss her every day but am thankful for the happy memories.
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Each time I think I can't go through this again and that I will never have another pet in my life, but I always do get another pet.
