Please help - is it time??

Errata

So many of us have written 'you will know when it's time' shows it isn't a coincidence - you really will know. Enjoy your weeks together.

foreign_correspondent

I think (for you as well as her), you do need to make this a nice time for her - I know you are not really happy with the quality of life she has, so do try and let her end her life as happily as possible - give her a great time;)

Doggy biscuits, bits of cheese and lots of love and fuss are in order I think. Enjoy the time you have with her.

tylersbabe

Enjoy your time together, it sounds like you have a lovely vet.

I let my dog Tyler go just over a year ago, and, I never believed that they would tell you it was "time". But as difficult as it was for me, my dog let me know, lot of treats required me thinks.

frugallass

I'm heartbroken for you - cherish the time you have together over the next few weeks x

kizzyw

So gutted for you,im actually in tears as i type this.We went through exactly the same recently and ended up having our baby pts on New Years Eve.So endless hugs for you,some good advice already offered re enjoying the time you have left,i tried to but hubs after having a minor op just before Christmas was rushed back in for emergency op after things went wrong my time was spent nursing both but when the time came we both knew,wish i'd taken pics ...its hard but its the most selfless loving act you can do for your pet.One memory i have that brings a smile to my face was when hubs was on mend he fancied some steak,the day after pooch was off food so cooked him hubs steak Pooch loved it hubs had soup.Cling to any good memories,remember the fun times and take comfort in the fact that youve done your utmost:A

suki1964

Ive had a wee cry reading this and Im just so pleased that you know you have a few more weeks yet. a few weeks to get used to the idea, to start your goodbyes and to gather as many more wonderful moments as you can.

When it was my lads time to go we only had one more night together. It was not long enough and at the same time a lifetime.

I had the vet come to the house and my lovely lad went to sleep on my lap whilst being fed malteasers.

You will know when the time is right, as will she. Be strong, and take strength in the thought that we as owners are privileged in being able to make our pets passing as painless as possible

olibrofiz

I'm in tears too. I'm afraid that I'll have to make that decision, much sooner than I'd like, if the treatment doesn't work. Thinking of you.

YorkiePud_3

Having been in a similar position over Christmas till having to pts my lovely cat (mouth tumours), I can tell you in all honesty it is the most wretched thing in the world ... when you lose an animal suddenly or when you don't perhaps expect it, it is heartbreaking enough, but to know that the end is coming and it could be a matter of weeks is so surreal ... you don't grieve for them because they are not yet gone, but it is like grieving for them while they are here ... it is a numbness and a loss that hasn't happened yet, but you feel it ...

When I brought my cat home from the vet, knowing it was just a waiting game till she had had enough, I said to Mum, "I'm grieving for her while I still have her, and that's not fair to her, but I can't help it."

It is amazing though how, when they have a good day, it is almost as thought nothing is happening ... as though things are "normal" ... how they used to be ... and you forget maybe for 5 minutes, or for half an hour, how sick they are and that soon you will need to say goodbye.

I had Holly for 3 weeks after diagnosis ... after the first week of me going through that "grieving" thing, something just clicked inside me ... it all fell into place ... if her time was soon coming, then my responsibility to her, as well as to feed her and care for her, was to make it happy ... to make her feel comforted and to make her feel that everything was okay.

A lot of pet owners won't understand and might think, "silly moo!" ... but I found that to keep my emotions in until I was out of the room, (so she couldn't see me!) made her less fidgety ... I am 100% sure that our pets sense our moods ... and the one time I did cry when I was laid beside her, she seemed really on edge and disturbed ... so I made up my mind never to break down or be sad around her ... and yes, you have to force yourself to act naturally ... but you can do it ... *S*

For all the years you've had, or the small amount of time in my case ... for all the fun and the games ... you CAN do it!
Cos right now, she needs you to just be you ... there's time for crying afterwards, but she needs you to be the same fun, kind, loving person you have always been and that will reassure her ...

Yes, it's easier said than done ... but when, a little further down the line, you can look back and say, "well, we bought her those toys, and gave her those treats and gave her all those extra cuddles and she loved it all", it will bring YOU a sense of peace knowing you did everything you could just for her ...

Take care and cherish every moment ... take lots of piccies. Even if you can't look at them yet, take them. When the time is right for you, you will feel a lot of comfort having them around ...

Hectors_House

JoolzS wrote: »

You are in no way a bad person for considering putting Millie to sleep.

Last year our beloved cat was diagnosed with mouth cancer. She was 18 years old so we chose not to have it operated on. She lived with it for about six months and was still living fairly OK, up until the last two weeks. With hindsight I really, really regret keeping her alive for the final two weeks as, especially during the final week, she was obviously in a lot of distress and was struggling to eat.


Don't be too hard on yourself Julie.

My previous cat developed mouth cancer and the vet let us know our options and we kept her going for another 6 months before I had to make the hard decision we all have to make if we love our pets.

In my case her cancer grew up her face and, although she was in no pain when it started to affect her sight I decided it was time.

I came across some footage I recorded of her in those last months. It was summertime and the pain relief gave her back a lot of her quality of life but I'm also thankful that we can ease their way ouut of this life when the time comes.

dianetheartist

Someone gave me this poem after I had my two old girls put to slee last July-it says it all.
If it should be....
If it should be that I grow frail and weak,
and pain should keep me from my sleep,
then you must do what must be done,
for we know this last battle can't be won.

You will be sad, I understand,
but don't let grief then stay your hand,
for this day, more than the rest,
your love and friendship must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years,
what is to come can hold no fears.
Would you want me to suffer? So,
when the time comes, please let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend,
only stay with me until the end,
and hold me firm and speak to me,
until my eyes no longer see.

It is a kindness that you do to me,
although my tail it's last has waved,
from pain and suffering I have been saved.

Do not grieve, it should be you,
who must decide this thing to do.
We've been so close, we two these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.