Old dog being PTS

WolfSong2000

Skintski wrote: »

Well that's me in tears. I always hate having any animal put to sleep, you feel like you've signed their little life away and I always feel incredibly guilty even when I know it has to be done. We have our first dog at the moment, she's four and I often wonder how we'll cope when the time comes.

Sending your dog lots of get well thoughts. Hope you get some more time with him.

Thanks....unfortunately time's run out for him. He obviously knows it's the end and is lying outside...I left my mother trying to rouse him and bring him inside as it's started to rain, but he's having none of it. I always assumed he'd die peacefully on "his" sofa (really the family sofa, but he claimed ownership), but he doesn't have the energy to get up there.

Bloody vet isn't picking up, either (our vets are a couple who are our neighbours as well)....just delaying the inevitable at this point, and I can't seem to stop myself from continually bursting into tears/sobbing at regular intervals.

The "pup" in the photo (now fully grown and massive!) has also realised something's amiss and isn't eating. He's also keeping a close eye on the old dog.

I wouldn't trade the 15 years I've had with the old boy for the world, but my God, the same thing that made it so easy to love him makes it so hard to say goodbye

Froglet

I wouldn't trade the 15 years I've had with the old boy for the world, but my God, the same thing that made it so easy to love him makes it so hard to say goodbye

That is it in a nutshell.I always think "better that you suffer BECAUSE you care,than they do because you don't care."

So many animals have a lifetime of no one caring,never mind somone not making this purely selfless decision(but oh,so damn hard) when it has to be done.

WolfSong2000

Froglet wrote: »

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this, the last battle, can't be won.


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


We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.

Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end


And hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree,
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.


Don't grieve that it must be you,
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close,we two, these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Always makes me cry,even after our last dog was PTS 4 years ago.But i also believe it is a comfort to those going through it at the moment.

Wolfsong we KNOW the pain you are going through but we also know ,in time,it does heal.Try to hold on to the happy memories,and be glad you are there with him,right now,at the time i am posting this.

Thank you so much...I know this poem well and it's given me a lot of comfort in the past.

I know I'm simply doing what needs to be done, and that ending his suffering is the last good thing that can be done for him - it is an act of love - but it still hurts like hell. I just yearn for him to be the young, healthy, energetic boy I remember him as...the dog that jumped a 5 bar gate, on an uphill incline, from a standstill, ran into the middle of the road, getting hit by a car and *survived*, miraculously because he was in such good health (he gets annual christmas cards from the chap who accidentally hit him, bless him). Every time I look and see the old dog he has become it saddens me.

On the other hand, the day before yesterday he was fine - yes, old, but still enjoying life and walks and pottering around. Then yesterday his breathing became heavy and we took him to the vets (which is probably what finished him off)....despite me reminding vets that he has a slipped disc in his neck and not to pull him, they did, right in front of me :mad:. Vet also knew something was seriously wrong as normally he barks the place down and annoys the hell out of the vet nurses, but yesterday he was very quiet and when he got home he was refusing food (not like him at all!)...I guess then I knew it was the end, but it is so hard to say goodbye...

The sadness doesn't mitigate the joy and love he's shown me and brought into my life, but it seems the ones we love the most are the hardest to say goodbye to. I just wished more people would recognise/be sympathetic to the fact that losing a pet is losing a member of the family and that the same level of grief is attached.

WolfSong2000

Well, vet has finally been contacted and is coming over in just under an hour....I am so torn. Part of me wants to be beside the old boy until the end and part of me wants to run away and hide so I don't have to see the old familiar slowing and eventual cessation of breathing that will signal I have lost my beloved boy forever.

In a way I know I have already lost him - he's totally given up and is lying on the floor with vacant eyes and is still finding it hard to breathe. In a sense it's a comfort as I know (and he's making it clear) that he's ready to go, but whilst it makes it a little easier, it's still one of the hardest decisions of my life, even though it's one of the most obvious and straightforward.

Apologies for the constant ranting...I just feel totally lost

aliasojo

I wish there was something I could say that would give you comfort but we both know there's nothing that will make you feel any better right now.

I wish you strength to get through this.x

walwin

I'm so sorry WolfSong.

Believe me I know how painful this is, but it's absolutely the right decision because you love him so much.

Thinking of you xx

bugslet

So sorry to hear this Wolfsong. Its' a horrible time but you know you are doing the right thing.

Wish I could say something to help.

PaddyPaws

Wolfsong so sorry to hear about Old Boy, sending you cyber hugs. We're all here, holding your hand and supporting you at this very difficult time.

I hope I am as brave as you when the time comes for my baby (16 1/2 year old collie x) and have the courage to make the right decision.

PP
xx

janeys

(((HUGS))). It is never easy but it is right.

chris_n_tj

I am sending you all my love, I know only too well what you are going through as i lost my lad 3 weeks ago and i am still feeling raw.

My boy was far too young, he was only 8 but there was nothing else that could be done.

As for the final and I know best thing for my boy. He laid in my arms and it was so calm, I told him I loved him and would never forget him. He just gave a small sigh then he was gone.

Go at your own pace and take things an hour at a time, I am a lot better now but have the odd blip. Some one told me about the Bluse Cross service, I havnt used it yet but I might.

http://www.bluecross.org.uk/

Just take your time and remember there is always some one about you can talk to .

Chris xxxxx