How do I cope with having to put my dog to sleep?

ashleypoole24 · 03-19-2010

This is tearing me up, i don't know how in the world im going to deal with this... Sassy is almost 15 years old, i got her when i was 9. Im now 24. She is stone cold deaf, blind in one eye, and just about blind in the other, and now she has a collapsed trachea, she goes around gasping for air, coughing, and i can tell she is so miserable. I know her time is here, and it come so much faster then what we wanted, I cannot stand this. She is my baby, she is been in my life for as far back as I can remember. I dont have the strength to put my baby to sleep!!!!!!!!!!! I wish she would just fall asleep and never wake up, instead me having to go and put her to sleep.... I cant stand this......... i feel like im letting her down but ive done everything i can for her, shes on more medicines then i take... give me the strength, and the advice please!!!
m_b4f869b06ac94b4fb7649654a1ccf5b6.jpg

Todd · 03-19-2010

I am very sorry you are going through this situation. Just like with people, sometimes you just have to let go no matter how hard it really is. Everyone, dog and human, dies at some point. It's just the way life works. I'm sure she lived a wonderful 15 years, which is more than one could ask for as far as a dog's lifespan. If she is suffering and you've truly done everything you can do, it would be to not only your dog's benefit but yours as well. If she is suffering, all you are doing by keeping her alive is putting her through unwarranted pain. As the old saying goes, if you truly something you've got to let it go. I don't want to say you're being selfish by keeping her alive since she's suffering, but you aren't doing her any favors. I understand it's hard to let go and I can't imagine myself in your current situation, but with the great gift of live comes death, which you must learn to accept as part of existance in this world. If she's suffering and there's nothing you can do, put her down. No matter how hard it may be, you must come to terms with yourself and realize that it's something you must do and it's something that comes with owning a pet. It comes with the territory if you will. Everyone has gone through it or will some day so realize that you are not alone. Putting her down will peacefully end her suffering after a long, wonderful life and will soon put you at ease for you will know she is no longer suffering and lived a wonderful life. Just think of the positive times you shared together and remember this is not the last time you will be with your little sister. You will be reunited some day, reunited in a truly bette place. She may even greet you at the gate's of Heaven with her tail wagging and body wiggling all about! You will be with her again some day in a better place, where all people and their beloved pets are reunited in the name of faith and love. Everything will be alright.

sparky · 03-20-2010

Im so sorry for what your going through with your little dog , but i know how your feeling ,we had to put our dog oscar to sleep last july,we had him from a puppy till he was fifteen years old,he had developed a slight loss of memory (like old people get ) hearing loss slight blindness and painful limbs ! We knew it would be the kindest thing to do ,but kept hanging on saying "we.l see what hes like in a week or two .It was a very sad day for us when he went but he was asleep in a second ....i like to think hes now jumping around out of pain in heaven with my mam !

Lara's mom · 03-20-2010

We've all been where you are now at some point. Unfortunately, what you're going through is one of the hardest and most heartbreaking things you'll ever have to do and there are no easy answers.

There comes a time when you have to love your baby enough to let her go. It's incredibly hard and it hurts like hell but, somehow you'll find the strength to do what is best for Sassy. You gave her a good life filled with love. Now that her time has come, letting her slip painlessly out of this world and into the next is that one final act of love that you can give her. You'll find the strength because you love her so much.

LindaLinda · 03-20-2010

I know it is a really really hard thing to do. It feels like a mack truck has ran over your heart, but you are her caretaker and must do the best thing for her. Like my Vet always says every time we have to put our dogs down, "He/She has given you so much all these years. This is your last final gift to him/her". And it truly is a gift....one of freedom from pain and sickness .Sassy has given you so much friendship and unconditional love for all these years. Now it is time for you to return the favor, and give her peace and a life free of pain. She will be waiting for you on Rainbow Bridge. I know mine will! That is what keeps me going, just knowing that I have not seen the last of my precious babies. Good luck to you. Hope your heart finds the right answer.

ashleypoole24 · 03-23-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by LindaLinda

I know it is a really really hard thing to do. It feels like a mack truck has ran over your heart, but you are her caretaker and must do the best thing for her. Like my Vet always says every time we have to put our dogs down, "He/She has given you so much all these years. This is your last final gift to him/her". And it truly is a gift....one of freedom from pain and sickness .Sassy has given you so much friendship and unconditional love for all these years. Now it is time for you to return the favor, and give her peace and a life free of pain. She will be waiting for you on Rainbow Bridge. I know mine will! That is what keeps me going, just knowing that I have not seen the last of my precious babies. Good luck to you. Hope your heart finds the right answer.

It does feel like a mack truck has run slam over my whole body, i feel like im letting her down, i have never had to put any animal to sleep before, i cant watch them put her to sleep and watch my baby die, i just cant.

Todd · 03-24-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashleypoole24

It does feel like a mack truck has run slam over my whole body, i feel like im letting her down, i have never had to put any animal to sleep before, i cant watch them put her to sleep and watch my baby die, i just cant.

I understand how you feel, but you are NOT letting her down. If anything, you are letting her down by not putting her to sleep in she is suffering. It's like taking a beloved relative off of life support, it's hard but you know it's the right thing to do in the relatives interest because of suffering.

Let me ask you something...

Is the dog still eating? This is generally the sign I look for when comtemplating putting a dog to sleep or not. When it stops eating, you know its suffering and it's time.

ashleypoole24 · 03-24-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd

I understand how you feel, but you are NOT letting her down. If anything, you are letting her down by not putting her to sleep in she is suffering. It's like taking a beloved relative off of life support, it's hard but you know it's the right thing to do in the relatives interest because of suffering.

Let me ask you something...

Is the dog still eating? This is generally the sign I look for when comtemplating putting a dog to sleep or not. When it stops eating, you know its suffering and it's time.

Todd,

I can look at her, and I know she still knows who I, My father, My mother, My husband, and my other animals are, She is still coherent and very alert, and happy. She just goes around coughing, hacking, sneezing, and struggeling to breath when its time for her medication. She eats like a horse, and she is healthy otherwise. Its just so hard watching her lay on the ground and rub her neck on the floor to get some releif, I sometimes sit with her and just rub her neck for her, and pet her, and hold her and tell her how much i love her. Then i usually end up crying and she looks at me like, Why are you crying sissy? Im crying now just writting about it. I just dont know how im going to cope with taking her to vet, and watching her go to sleep and knowing she will never wake up again.... omg.

Lara's mom · 03-24-2010

You will find the strength you need when the time comes. The last face you'll want her to see is yours. The last voice you'll want her to hear is you telling her how much you love her. The last human touch you'll want her to feel is yours. It is the final act of love and perhaps the ultimate act of love that you can give Sassy to end her pain.

I've had furry companions all my life and I would never not want to be there when their time comes to leave this existence. It's an honour and an act of love and devotion.

Todd · 03-24-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashleypoole24

Todd,

I can look at her, and I know she still knows who I, My father, My mother, My husband, and my other animals are, She is still coherent and very alert, and happy. She just goes around coughing, hacking, sneezing, and struggeling to breath when its time for her medication. She eats like a horse, and she is healthy otherwise. Its just so hard watching her lay on the ground and rub her neck on the floor to get some releif, I sometimes sit with her and just rub her neck for her, and pet her, and hold her and tell her how much i love her. Then i usually end up crying and she looks at me like, Why are you crying sissy? Im crying now just writting about it. I just dont know how im going to cope with taking her to vet, and watching her go to sleep and knowing she will never wake up again.... omg.

It sounds like her time may be coming near but as long as she seems happy and still eats like a horse you may want to hang on to her for a little while longer. Being that I obviously can't see her and don't know her situation firsthand like you do, it's a hard decision to make. What exactly is her condition and what medication is she on? Has she had any surgeries? If we can come up with something to make her more comfortable in that respect I think she'd be alright for a little while longer since she's easting and seems happy at times and such.

ashleypoole24 · 04-02-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd

It sounds like her time may be coming near but as long as she seems happy and still eats like a horse you may want to hang on to her for a little while longer. Being that I obviously can't see her and don't know her situation firsthand like you do, it's a hard decision to make. What exactly is her condition and what medication is she on? Has she had any surgeries? If we can come up with something to make her more comfortable in that respect I think she'd be alright for a little while longer since she's easting and seems happy at times and such.

Todd,

Thank you so much for your kind kind kind words, your's and everyone elses. However, Sassy passed away today at about 1:10pm, I was holding her. She got to the point where she had to hold her head up in the air and lay over her favorite vent. I even put her a fan infront of her face to help her out. I layed down beside her and pet her and told her how much i loved her and told her that she was the best dog in the world and that i would miss her so so so so so so so much, and i was rubbing her and she was looking at me like, i love you too mommy but im so tired.... and she got up after that and layed down at the other vent and then went and layed under the bed, but i got her out and took her back to her other vent and when i put her on the floor, she fell over and was struggleing for her breath, but I then got her favorite blanket and wrapped her up in and sat in the middle of the floor while me, my mom and my dad and my other animals said our goodbyes, and we all cried and cried and cried and cried and cried and cried and we just hugged her and held her.................. My husband makes tombstones for a living, and he is going to make one especially for her.

Todd · 04-02-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashleypoole24

Todd,

Thank you so much for your kind kind kind words, your's and everyone elses. However, Sassy passed away today at about 1:10pm, I was holding her. She got to the point where she had to hold her head up in the air and lay over her favorite vent. I even put her a fan infront of her face to help her out. I layed down beside her and pet her and told her how much i loved her and told her that she was the best dog in the world and that i would miss her so so so so so so so much, and i was rubbing her and she was looking at me like, i love you too mommy but im so tired.... and she got up after that and layed down at the other vent and then went and layed under the bed, but i got her out and took her back to her other vent and when i put her on the floor, she fell over and was struggleing for her breath, but I then got her favorite blanket and wrapped her up in and sat in the middle of the floor while me, my mom and my dad and my other animals said our goodbyes, and we all cried and cried and cried and cried and cried and cried and we just hugged her and held her.................. My husband makes tombstones for a living, and he is going to make one especially for her.

I am very sorry once again for your loss. You gave the dog a great live and you can bet you'll both meet again in Heaven.

BreakfastAtTiffany's · 05-13-2010

=[ It's like reading somthing that I woudl write in like five years(I have a dog he's ten and I've had him since I was a kid too, I'm 18 I'll be 19 in june)

Our first Rotty we had to put down, her lower body was paralyzed, she couldn't even pee. We ended up having to put her down, it was heart breaking she'd try to hard to get up..but all she could do was lay there...what kind of life is that for a dog? At least a person can watch tv or read a book or somthing.

I know just what you're going through. And remeber it's for the best. Make sure you give her a hug and a kiss good-bye, and rub her belly.

gambler-girl · 05-13-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashleypoole24

Todd,

Thank you so much for your kind kind kind words,

Todd you are very compassionate, God bless. And God bless the little dog who is now releived of it's pain...

GG

Todd · 05-13-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by gambler-girl

Todd you are very compassionate, God bless. And God bless the little dog who is now releived of it's pain...

GG

Thank you. And yes, I will second you blessing for the dog who is relieved of any pain and is in a better place now.

cherylmartin · 05-19-2010

ashleypoole24

I am so sorry for your loss. And yes, the loss of Sassy will feel like mack truck has run over you (I still have days like that). I know.

But my Jasmine was there to greet her at The Rainbow Bridge. Be strong ashleypoole24, for now Sassey is free from pain and is waiting for you.

Jasmine's Rainbow Residency at RainbowsBridge.com

Bungy · 01-11-2011

I know how you feel or at least can imagine. I had to face the hardest decision of letting my boy go after spleen tumor spread onto his liver. I can't bear it... it has been just 2 days and I can't stop crying. Loss that no words can describe, loss that no tears can express, loss that my heart can't bear....

I have created Spleen Tumor in Dogs- Awarness Raising Facebook Page. You can share your photos, videos and thoughts.

"Maybe you've been looking for love in all the wrong places. A dog will treat you better than anyone you'll meet at happy hour. Trust me. I've been to happy hour

chiclet · 01-11-2011

I started crying as soon as I started reading your post. It brought back memories of how hard is was to let my cat go. I don't remember the exact year but it was a few years ago. I think at this point what upsets me most is that I didn't let her go sooner. I know the experience will help me when the time comes to let my puppy go. This is what I would have told you, but the decision has been mercifully taken from you.

My deepest condolences in this difficult time. May the good memories and family help you through this.

AbbyTy · 03-23-2011

I'm so sorry for what you're going through.... unfortunately, we'll all have our time to go through that with the furbabies we've loved and cared for

I'm grappling with this now, which I'll go into another time.

Do you have a vet who will make house calls? If you have a vet you are comfortable with who will come into the house, would that make the process any easier? I have heard of some people doing this...