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I knew it was bound to happen soon, but on Monday I wil be putting my beloved dog to sleep. He has been with us for 15 years (which is really good for his breed half lab/half pointer). He has gotten to the point where when I get home he doesn't even come to say hello to me anymore and just lays there and looks at me. I am going to make sure to give him one weekend of indulgence and enjoyment before I take him in on Monday.
How do many of you cope after putting a dog to sleep? I took the day off Monday from work, but when all is said and done I don't know what I will do once I get home? I am thinking of going somewhere and pigging out with some comfort food and then maybe go for a nice hard run.
So it bothers you that the dog is old and does not pay as much attention to you as before? People get old and serious also..If the dog is not in pain- if he can still get himself up to relieve himself...and if he can still eat- it's not time...The dog is going through his old man period....I never put a dog down unless he is on deaths door step and it is a matter of days before he naturally goes- Then it is okay to speed up the process...
Last edited by Sam I Am; 08-04-2012 at 05:47 AM..
Reason: rude - you don't know the whole situation - don't tell a poster they are killing their dog
There are four questions I ask myself before I take this step...
1. Can I stop the pain?
2. Are they still enjoying the things they love (playing ball, chewing on toys, etc.)?
3. Can they get go outside and relieve themselves w/out help?
4. Are they still eating and drinking?
If the answer "no" keeps coming up, then I know it is time...and it never gets any easier (I believe someone posted this earlier.) Only you know when it's right for your friend.
As to how to deal with it when the time comes, if it is comfort food and a run for you, so be it. Everyone deals with grief differently. Try no to be too hard on yourself, 15 years is a good life and a weekend of loving before this big step, is a nice send off.
My heart aches for you and what you will be going through on Monday. I am glad you will be taking the day off.
My last one (Tara - R.I.P.) I put down a year ago June and sometimes, I still well up with tears. I miss my ole girl...but then in late July, a year ago, I adopted another dog from the county shelter that had been there for six months. I cannot imagine my life without Diesel.
(I did not go there to get another dog. I went there to get my county tag for Spanky, and decided to take a look at the dogs in the kennels. When I came across Diesel...he had me at hello. I took him home and the rest, as they say, is history.) He did not replace her (Tara). No dog ever could. Again, I cannot imagine life without him and I am so glad I took a walk through the kennels.
Only you know what is right for your dog and yourself...and your future. I wish you the best.
I'm glad you are putting your friends well being and comfort above your own feelings, I feel we owe it to our friend to do what is best for them no matter how painful it is to our emotions.
One thing I suggest is to be at his side when he goes. The last buddy of mine (Angel) I had to put down I looked into her eyes as she slipped away. I was there for her til the end and I wouldn't do it any other way.
So it bothers you that the dog is old and does not pay as much attention to you as before? People get old and serious also..If the dog is not in pain- if he can still get himself up to relieve himself...and if he can still eat- it's not time...The dog is going through his old man period....I never put a dog down unless he is on deaths door step and it is a matter of days before he naturally goes- Then it is okay to speed up the process...
It's more than that. He cries in pain to get up sometimes, which is why he doesn't get up anymore to say hello. He has problems breathing. He can't walk more than two minutes until he starts gasping for air. Sometimes just sitting he cant breathe right. The vet believes he has a punctured lung, but because of his age there is nothing really to do for that. I cant even walk him outside in the front anymore because of this. His appetite is suffering as he really doesn't eat much anymore. Every week or so for the past few months he accidentally loses controls of his bowel movements and does it in the house. He accidentally urinated about two times in the house in the past month. He is 15 going on 16 so he has been old for quite some time itnot like he started getting old a couple months ago. He is simply not enjoying life anymore and I can see it in his eyes that he is ready to go.
Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chicagoist123
It's more than that. He cries in pain to get up sometimes, which is why he doesn't get up anymore to say hello. He has problems breathing. He can't walk more than two minutes until he starts gasping for air. Sometimes just sitting he cant breathe right. The vet believes he has a punctured lung, but because of his age there is nothing really to do for that. I cant even walk him outside in the front anymore because of this. His appetite is suffering as he really doesn't eat much anymore. Every week or so for the past few months he accidentally loses controls of his bowel movements and does it in the house. He accidentally urinated about two times in the house in the past month. He is 15 going on 16 so he has been old for quite some time itnot like he started getting old a couple months ago. He is simply not enjoying life anymore and I can see it in his eyes that he is ready to go.
You don't have to explain. You don't have to explain this to anybody. You're his person. YOU know when it's time, when his quality of life has no quality left to it.
I know that you came here for one reason. Not for someone to tell you what to do. Not for anyone to confirm that you're doing the right thing. You came for emotional support and for virtual hugs. And those? I give you both of those. In abundance.
Monday is going to be a craptastic day for you. But remember his long life. Remember all the love that you shared with each other. Remember all the memories you built together. Remember that you are doing the most selfless thing for him -- releasing him from a life that is no longer a happy one for him. (We can't do it for ourselves or for our human people -- thank God we can give our pets that sort of dignity and grace.)
So. Monday. Yeah. Remember that we're all here hugging you in some sort of way. And crying with you. And sharing your pain and heartache.
all I can say is Im so sorry that you are having to go through this and it does hurt for a long time but if you do decide to put him down then remember it is okay and that you are doing what is best for him . Im in tears just reading these so I have to go now so tootles to all of you but i cant read or type anymore .
You don't have to explain. You don't have to explain this to anybody. You're his person. YOU know when it's time, when his quality of life has no quality left to it.
I know that you came here for one reason. Not for someone to tell you what to do. Not for anyone to confirm that you're doing the right thing. You came for emotional support and for virtual hugs. And those? I give you both of those. In abundance.
Monday is going to be a craptastic day for you. But remember his long life. Remember all the love that you shared with each other. Remember all the memories you built together. Remember that you are doing the most selfless thing for him -- releasing him from a life that is no longer a happy one for him. (We can't do it for ourselves or for our human people -- thank God we can give our pets that sort of dignity and grace.)
So. Monday. Yeah. Remember that we're all here hugging you in some sort of way. And crying with you. And sharing your pain and heartache.
Be gentle with yourself.
ETA: What's your boy's name?
reps owed... such wise and good words... as always....
You don't have to explain. You don't have to explain this to anybody. You're his person. YOU know when it's time, when his quality of life has no quality left to it.
I know that you came here for one reason. Not for someone to tell you what to do. Not for anyone to confirm that you're doing the right thing. You came for emotional support and for virtual hugs. And those? I give you both of those. In abundance.
Monday is going to be a craptastic day for you. But remember his long life. Remember all the love that you shared with each other. Remember all the memories you built together. Remember that you are doing the most selfless thing for him -- releasing him from a life that is no longer a happy one for him. (We can't do it for ourselves or for our human people -- thank God we can give our pets that sort of dignity and grace.)
So. Monday. Yeah. Remember that we're all here hugging you in some sort of way. And crying with you. And sharing your pain and heartache.
Be gentle with yourself.
ETA: What's your boy's name?
My kudos wand is out so reps to you when I can...well said.
To the OP, remember the good times, and as you stated you'll spend a good last weekend saying goodbye. Last fall I went through the same thing with my beloved Gator, his last days were filled with all the food he wasn't supposed to have and he near waddled to his grave filled to the brim with all he loved.
I did this last year and it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life. What "I" would do afterward, did not enter my head. It was all about my dog. Would you wonder the same thing if you were pulling the plug on a human?
I'm very sorry for your loss. When I put down my lab down a couple of years ago, it was the hardest thing that I've ever had to do. I still miss him today even though I have a 5 month old lab that keeps me very busy.
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