Really worried about my dog

Katiehound

I'm afraid I agree with just about every one on this posting.... the time is now.
Some years ago I had an older dog diagnosed with something terminal, I think it was leukemia. He was getting weaker but loved his walks. Then I planned to take him with me to Ireland which was his favourite place but involved a very long journey. One of my friends very courageously told me that I was doing it for me, not for him. In so many words she said: Please have him pts here before he suffers. So I did, and drove the 500 miles in tears.

I learned my lesson

When I had my last dog pts three years ago a (different) friend wrote "You gave her....very bravely, the opportunity of a calm, painfree and dignified end."

As pet owners we have the responsibility to give our animals a good quality of life, and then a humane end. It takes a lot of courage but pets rarely die in their sleep. Would you want your dog to suffer? No. Better to do the deed sooner rather than later. Keeping an animal 'hanging on' would make me feel very guilty. Actually I know someone who did that.....and she looks back and says that what she did was wrong.

Sorry that this is such a sad subject. I will be thinking of you.
Take care

Sally_A

You will do the right thing Steph, it will churn you up, and I wish you all the strength you can muster.

Dogs give us unconditional love, it's the least we can do to help out when we are needed, no matter how much it hurts.

Sending courage and love your way. xxx.

zaksmum

Did you get an appointment with the vet, Steph?

SadBunny

I had to put on a brave face - it was very important that I should be there for him; and I think anyone who can't hide their distress should stay out of the way.

murphydog999 wrote: »

That's a really, really difficult thing to achieve.....:(

My daughter stayed with him the whole time until the vet came; but then she had to go because she couldn't cope. Our boy would have been bewildered and frightened to see her so upset.
I am more used to heartbreak so it was down to me to hold his paw - I also think that if it is down to you, you find an inner strength for their sake. I managed to keep the sobs in check until after he had gone - and I don't think it matters if you do shed some quiet tears - you just keep stroking and telling them how wonderful they are.
They will probably have become used to seeing tears over the last few days and not think anything of it.

Plus my kids leaving home...

I used to think at least your pets will never leave you - until the shocking day I lost one.
I suddenly realised they don't live long enough.
I hate seeing them grow old (I cannot bear the song "Memory" from the musical Cats) but then they do become even more dear to you.

It is better if a pet can enjoy good health into a ripe old age, and then die peacefully in their sleep.
The next best thing is for us to help them go gently.

Steph, this is far, far worse for you than it is for your dog.
You are there to comfort her; but sadly there is no comfort for you - except the knowledge that you are doing your very best for her.
I do feel for you.

Stephb1986_2

I would do anything for her I would die for her, wouldn't it be amazing if there was such thing as being immortal.

She seems a lot better tonight but I've made an appointment at the vets for her tomorrow just to get checked over.

I'm not sure I could have another dog because I grow far too attached to animals and it really does break my heart losing them, when we found out she had cancer I cried for days my parents call me Dr Dolittle lol.

I didn't think that such a little animal could take all my love like she does You lot might think I'm crazy and that it's only a dog but she's been my best friend for 14 years....

Steph xx

laurel7172

SadBunny wrote: »

I have never regretted doing it too soon - probably because I have never yet managed it.
I have bitterly regretted doing it too late

This. Both my cats have been pts on the operating table, after an exploratory op that identified there was no hope. So both spent their last conscious hours in a cage at the vets, frightened and alone.

I have the comfort of knowing I gave them every chance, but I don't know if it was the right thing to do. Actually, because of the outcome, I can safely say it wasn't. Sometimes, you have to love enough to let go, and, what's harder, love enough to shoulder the uncertainty afterwards.

Froglet

Stephb1986 wrote: »

I would do anything for her I would die for her, wouldn't it be amazing if there was such thing as being immortal.

She seems a lot better tonight but I've made an appointment at the vets for her tomorrow just to get checked over.

I'm not sure I could have another dog because I grow far too attached to animals and it really does break my heart losing them, when we found out she had cancer I cried for days my parents call me Dr Dolittle lol.

I didn't think that such a little animal could take all my love like she does You lot might think I'm crazy and that it's only a dog but she's been my best friend for 14 years....

Steph xx

If you're crazy then so are a lot of other people,mainly here!! Anyway,what is crazy about loving a dog/pet and having that love returned ? To me those who don't love and care for their animals are the crazy ones.

My first dog i rescued as a puppy about to be PTS as a 7 week old runt of the litter. She grew into the most faithful dog you could ever wish for.She saw me through an abusive marriage that if i hadn't had her love i may well have topped myself.I left him twice but returned because i hadn't managed to take her with me.So the third and last time i made sure i did and because of that i stayed away and made a new life for us.One that didn't mean she shook every time my ex raised his voice or hit me.

So i do know what you are going through.This scruffy mongrel that no one wanted broke my heart in two when she finally had enough of life,after 15 years, and i had to let her go.I thought i could never ever love a dog again.But as a testament of her love i felt a huge hole afterwards and ,married again,we made the decision to fill it.We had another wonderful rescued dog ,and inevitably had to face the same thing again.But the relief of knowing they weren't suffering any more outweighs by far the pain of losing them.

If we had to choose that or letting a dog die in agony because you couldn't face that final decision then no one would understand and you could NOT call that love for your animal any more.

Steph i am pleased you are going to the vets again today.Get an honest opinion from them,even though she may look brighter now.Dogs and cats are very good at hiding illness.

bugslet

Hi Steph

Everyone else has eloquently said what I think, so I'm just wishing you strength today.

bugslet x

zaksmum

Stephb1986 wrote: »

I would do anything for her I would die for her, wouldn't it be amazing if there was such thing as being immortal.

She seems a lot better tonight but I've made an appointment at the vets for her tomorrow just to get checked over.

I'm not sure I could have another dog because I grow far too attached to animals and it really does break my heart losing them, when we found out she had cancer I cried for days my parents call me Dr Dolittle lol.

I didn't think that such a little animal could take all my love like she does You lot might think I'm crazy and that it's only a dog but she's been my best friend for 14 years....

Steph xx

Of course you're not crazy. Just a loving caring owner like every dog deserves.

Good luck today and please let us know how you get on.

Sukey

Thinking of you and your girl today, Steph.
x