| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/15/2006 12:14:48 PM | I have two 12 year old shar peis and I am to the point of having to put one down and it is killing me. I will need help. I doubt I can drive and cry at the same time. I can't imagine saying goodbye for the last time. I lost a sharp last year and watched him die and I will never let a dog suffer again, but...
She isn't in pain right now...too long to go into. I am probably being selfish in keeping her around for me. Maybe she isn't ready yet. I know I am not. Don't know what else to say...just painful. | |
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| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/15/2006 12:22:56 PM | Take someone with you. It's really too dangerous and too emotional for you to be driving. Also I remember when I had to take my coco mo in, he was 23 and that's real old for a cat. I knew it was his time, but I couldn't think straight, my knees buckled and I was crying so hard, no taxi would pick me up! At least I had know better than to try and drive.
I brought a friend with me with is was time for Charliegirl, my faithful dog of 16 years. It was better having someone there, but my knees still buckled and I was still a mess.
I can only say, that the thing that helps me is imagining them up in pet heaven, romping through the meadows and creeks, chasing bunnies and having a blast, no pain and having Jesus watch over and laughing at all the fun their having. I don't know if this helps you, but it sure helps me out of those moments when I just miss them so much. God Bless | |
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| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/15/2006 12:40:24 PM | | I had to put down my 10 1/2 year old Akita last August. Whenb I got him I knew they usually only live to be about 10. So mentally I thought what it would be like to not have him around, but nothing prepaired me to have to actually put him down. It was hard even tried to save him but he was just to sick an old. I still think of him offten and miss him, I took him almost every where. The worst part is, I can not find the numerous pictures that I have of him. | |
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| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/15/2006 12:41:16 PM |  hold strong.
I've never personally had to put a pet down. My mom had when I was 15 and in winnipeg for summer vacation. My girl is 13 now.
I can't imagine what you're going through, nor do I want to. | |
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| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/15/2006 1:33:19 PM | I had a deal with my late husband that when he died I would put down the family dog who could no longer see, hear or smell, or make it to the door in time.
The very day my husband died, my sister went with me to the vet. It was emotional, even though it was a long time coming.
You do need someone to help you drive or just to be there. | |
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| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/15/2006 1:43:28 PM | Some vets are willing to come to you, if you're doing burial on your property. If not, take someone you trust with you.
(My current furkid is only 3, but the dog my ex-husband kept is almost 9. I don't even want to think about that day.) | |
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| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/15/2006 2:00:57 PM | I had to have my beloved co cker spaniel put down when she was 6. She had some health issues and I did what I felt was right at the time. To this day 5 yrs later, I still question myself if I did the right thing. It was the most difficult decision I had to make and I was not ready to get another dog untill 3 yrs. later. I went alone and bawled the entire way home.
Like everyone else has advised you, take someone with you, it's a time any animal lover needs support.
~D  | |
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| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/15/2006 4:01:27 PM | I used to work at a vets office. And from my experience I can tell you, if you feel your pet no longer has quality of life then it's time. Having someone drive you is good advise. Or finding a vet to come to you is less stressful for the pet and that way you can be alone immediately afterword to deal with the emotion.
I had to put down my blue and gold macaw a few years ago. He was self cannibalizing (long story). His quality of life was gone and he'd gone insane. Literally. But I'd never had to make that sort of decision before and to this day I wonder if I'd made the right decision, or if I should have faught for him a bit longer.
It's hard.. good luck with the decision. | |
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| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/15/2006 4:34:22 PM | | I think I may have had visits from old pets. Or maybe they were just vivid dreams. Who knows. But in my religion all animals make it to Heaven (and they can talk too!) so the possibility of seeing them again is pretty good. | |
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| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/15/2006 5:15:34 PM | ^ Barnbabe I think you are sooo right! I thought I was the only one who experienced that.
I've had a visit or two from a great dog. Also a psychic told me that my mom was surrounded by animals. I'm sure she is taking care of all the little babies who have passed, from my family.
She used to claim the family cat was my Dad reincarnated.
Must have been those deep purrs and shady looks he gave her. | |
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| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/15/2006 7:00:42 PM | sorry, this got out of hand. I see no reason to feel animals have a soul. So no heaven. Psychics have a demon for an advisor and there is no reincarnation.
But thanks for all the support. Tomorrow. | |
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| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/15/2006 8:05:16 PM | Re. original post.
It's not easy. Regardless of all other considerations (views of other respondants obviously take many factors into consideration) the bottom line is, you don't want the dog to suffer for your own benefit. My parents had to put the family dog down a few years ago, the one we all raised as teenagers. They let me know it would have to be done, and I resisted the issue until I saw her for myself. She was in constant pain, and either lay there shaking or pacing around to keep her mind off the discomfort. Knowing it was the right decision didn't make it easier to say goodbye to her, and I certainly wasn't around when she was taken to the vet.
Point being, as hard as it is, and we all know it is, know that in the end you're doing it for your pet's benefit, and that ending her suffering is the most humane and loving thing you can do for her. I agree though... it doesn't make it any easier.
Take care though. All the best. | |
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| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/18/2006 3:33:45 PM | At my home we never put any of our pets to sleep. I won't enter in the discussion of what is humane or not. I can tell you that one day I was watching a program on PBS with my mother about stray pets and everything that goes on in a pound. You wont believe how many healthy animals are put down because no one cares to or cannot adopt them. It broke my heart seeing all those animals put to sleep. Bothe me and my mother were in tears.
Eventhough we never put our pets to sleep my father was always there with them making sure they were not alone. I know it broke his heart too but that is the kind of man he is. | |
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| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/18/2006 4:20:00 PM | | I had a chow that was forced to be put to sleep for biting someone and this dog was my everything. Nothing has ever broke my heart as much as that did. My dog was at the vet and the animal control picked him up straight from the vet so I never even got to say my last goodbyes | |
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| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/18/2006 7:01:17 PM | My baby is 14 years old, that is old for a Chow, as much as people tell me to put the poor girl down because of her age, I refuse too. Yes she does have more of a tough time taking walks and going up stairs. but I carry her up stiars on her bad days and only take her 1 block now and bring her in the yard alot. My baby is not suffering in silence like my friends and family want me to believe, she is a chow and would let me know if she was in pain and not liking life, how I know this is because, she whimpers at the bottom of the stairs to be carried up, she barks if her waterdish or food dish is running low, she likes it full, why? don't know, she hopes up on her chair with great effert to nap throughout the day, she nibbles me when she wants to play, though I have cut down on playing with her because she's thinking she's a puppy at times "mind is going" and she wants to run and when she does she hurts her legs :(.
There are times when I do think she's going to pass away on her own, when her tummy is not well and she is so depressed looking rocking back and forth with her head down, then she wats out and she eats some weeds, vomits then is fine again. HOW THE HECK CAN I BE THE JUDGE ON WHEN TO PUT HER DOWN, she is like any old person has her ups and downs. I could not imagine for a minute without hurting, that if I went to put her down, she still had alot of life in her and I stoled that from her. So if I did what everyone tells me when she is having her bad days, Holly macaroni I took her next day away. That's just our situation. I think My baby will pass in her sleep, well this is what I pray anyhow, and I'm sure my prayer will be anserwed.
I don't judge those that have made the choice on putting pets down, for certain reasons *sigh*
sorry for the typos I'm not fixing them and I'm not the greatest typist arghhhh TYPO MONSTERS *SWAT* | |
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| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/18/2006 8:54:12 PM | | shoot them. It is quick, and they dont notice a thing. then you can sit down and cry after you bury them in a beautiful place, and visit them as often as you want. Hint, dig the hole first. | |
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| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/18/2006 9:30:32 PM | Rayne, it sounds like she still has quality of life. It's when your companion no longer has quality of life - no joy left - that it's time to put them down. But she still goes on walks, still jumps up on her chair to sleap, and still moves around. I wouldn't worry too much. Just work close with your vet.
I lucked out with Underfoot (my old dog). He was 14 when he passed. I was working graveyard shift at the time and still living with my parents (I was waiting for him to die before moving out). One morning when I got home I saw him at the top of the landing, shaking and unable to move. I rushed him to the emergency room, but never really got to say my good byes. I stayed there at the ER for about 5 hours, then went home, showered, and went to bed. When I was saying my prayers, I asked that I not be forced to make the decision to euthanize. That if it was time for Underfoot to leave us, that he be taken. I had the feeling that my prayer was to be answered. When I woke up that night about 9:30, my parents informed me that he'd died of a stroke. Peacefully and in his sleep. They'd brought his body home so I could say good bye before I went to work. He was really fortunate to have good quality of life right up to the end. | |
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| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/19/2006 1:02:28 AM | | otb-now I am seeing you in a new light-we wrote about hunting and I thought that you were almost human...you are a sick horrid person who has no compassion at all.How do you think that the guy who started this topic feels when he reads what you wrote? Go and have your 32 beer today-I hope that you puke all over yourself-sorry but you are a mean,uncaring person and if I get kicked off of pof for putting you down,I hope that you read this first...I love my old dog,my young one and our rabbits...they have more feelings than you do-and more intelligence.I can't believe what I just read-and I will NEVER respond to your idiocy again...here.hunting threads or anywhere. | |
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| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/19/2006 1:17:02 AM | azblue-
I had a Jack Russell who was 17 when he had to be let go of-he was very ill...still tried to play but fell down a lot and was embarrassed when his bladder was uncontrolled...he was gently put to sleep when he couldn'twalk anymore but I think I kept him around a wee bit longer than I should have....I was selfish but I didn't want to say goodbye....I was so wimpy about it all...but finally I knew that it was better for him to sleep and not have to worry about pleasing ME anymore.
So it was done...I have photos and a few poems my Dad wrote about him.His name was Bullseye and he was the greatest friend,and I have great memories of him.
I wish you the best azblue...you will know when the time comes....12 is a great old age for a dog,I have a Lab mix now who is 9 and I'm scared too...she's big and has white fur where it used to be black.I guess that we dog lovers know that their years are not as long as ours...but we love them so much.
I am thinking of you and your friend... | |
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| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/19/2006 4:47:03 AM | | That's a decision only you can make. Someone once told me that you really need to think about the quality of your dogs life when making that decision. I wouldn't want my dogs to be in pain every minute of the day either. It is such a difficult time for you, and I wish you the best. Look up The Rainbow Bridge...I believe in it, and it may help you through your grief. | |
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| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/19/2006 6:06:07 AM | | I feel your pain....I love my dogs as children also.....please visit this link...my personal crusade to make dog owners aware of a fatal drug being pushed by alot of vets...I just lost my best friend on the 15th due to my not being aware....I'm sorry there is nothing I can say to ease the pain...God Bless You & Your Best Friends http://p098.ezboard.com/bcaninecareandawareness | |
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| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/19/2006 6:45:22 AM | My one cat is 18, her life is winding down and I am guessing weeks. She is skinny, and slow, her backlegs will be giving out soo, can tell by the way she walks.
Had a cats 22 and 18 I had to put down 6 months apart in 2000/2001. Always remember though that they had a healthy long life, and commend yourself for taking such good care of them. I have had my 18 yr old cat since she was 6 weeks old. Has had 4 teeth out, a thiroid problem and her kidneys flushed as her kidneys have slowly been failing over the past year.
It is sad but also is good to not let them suffer. But always remember the great life you had with your pet. They are family no matter what. I have 3 more cats a 17, 5 and 4 year olds. | |
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| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/19/2006 7:02:14 AM |
otb-now I am seeing you in a new light-we wrote about hunting and I thought that you were almost human...you are a sick horrid person who has no compassion at all.How do you think that the guy who started this topic feels when he reads what you wrote? Go and have your 32 beer today-I hope that you puke all over yourself-sorry but you are a mean,uncaring person and if I get kicked off of pof for putting you down,I hope that you read this first...I love my old dog,my young one and our rabbits...they have more feelings than you do-and more intelligence.I can't believe what I just read-and I will NEVER respond to your idiocy again...here.hunting threads or anywhere.
No need to insult. He asked for options and I gave him one. No more or less humane than any other. and feelings or inteligence has nothing to do with it. If you dont like it, then dont talk to me. Insults arent necessary, in fact, they arent allowed in the forums. | |
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| Putting an old dog down...
Posted: 2/19/2006 8:31:43 AM | | Actually, OTB, that was quite harsh. That's one of the examples of what we were talking about last night. | |
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