Need advice for dealing with euthanizing a sick pet?

Believe me, if I could have waited to do it I would have. Rasputen had been acting odd for a month or 2, my vet ran some tests but couldn't figure out what was wrong. Our last option was an echocardiogram, which we put off because of money issues. That's when the tumor was discovered. It was about that time that Rasputen started getting a lot worse. He had trouble breathing, he couldn't sleep because he couldn't lay down. He would try to lay down, get up, stand and pant, walk around, then try to do it again. He wasn't eating much either and if he were a person he would have been miserable. But he was the sweetest dog I've ever known and trusted me to the end.

The echo was done by a tech who came to my vet and we got the results a few days later. It was during that short time that Rasputen deteriorated and I made the appointment the day after I found out. He had a great time at the dog beach but it took a toll on him. We had to stop many times to let him rest on the way to the vet on 5th Ave.

I love my animals, they are my kids and I would do anything for them. This was the hardest decision I've ever had to make but 5 years later I know it was the right one. There was no way to take the tumor out because of its location and he was suffering. I didn't want him to suffer any longer.

oh yea, i definitely wasn't questioning your decision, caseo. ive never had to put a pet down, so i dont know know those decisions are made.

You guys! :oops:

I didn't feel like I was defending my actions so much as explaining the process which led to my decision. Believe me, I questioned myself constantly for months after but I feel it was the right thing to do. I'd never had to make that decision by myself before, he was my first pet to go as an adult.

wirenut, can you get the vet to come to your house? Some people find that to be easier. And although I'm an atheist, I've found comfort in this story that's made the rounds.

Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old).

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are Shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.' Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.'

condolences. it's an awful decision to make.
I agonized, but
found that when it was time, I knew.

wirenut wrote: but worst of all she looks at me as if to say "do something"

That's the look that did it for me. He was so uncomfortable and kept looking at me to fix it. I knew I owed it to him to be strong enough to let him go. My boyfriend at the time and I had been together for a couple of years. We were both there holding him, with his favorite squeaky ball. I'm so glad I was there with him and he wasn't alone. This is from the night before and the last morning. The first pic has me crying in it but I wouldn't trade those moments for anything.





wirenut, does she have a favorite toy or blanket? If she does, bring it with you and just be there for her. Enjoy your last moments together, hug her and tell her you love her. Mini trusts you to take care of her to the very last. Don't beat yourself up thinking you waited too long, it's an extremely hard decision to make. And one you don't want to make lightly. I wish I could say something that would make it easy for you but I know that's impossible. For now, when you're ready I would love to see pictures of Mini and hear all about her. Hugs to you both.

I'll be thinking of you both today.

I was thinking about you and Mini a lot today, Wirenut. Know that you took care of her when she needed you most. I'm glad she liked going to the vet and it was quick and painless.

I still miss my cat every day. She died very quickly and it happened overnight at the emergency vet. I knew she was very sick, and I'm sad that I didn't get a proper goodbye and wasn't there holding her at the end, but in some ways I'm glad I didn't have to make the decision myself

I know how it feels to not have the chance to say goodbye, Flexi. My 2nd cat as an adult was a maine coon runt that I got in WV. She was tiny by any standards but positively miniscule by maine coon standards. She died of kidney failure at 3 years old at the vet when I wasn't there. One thing that I struggled with after she died was this. Is having animals in my life worth the pain of them dying? I've said this before on this board but I think it's such an important question us pet lovers ask ourselves. I think you all know my answer. I can't imagine not having known all of my pets.

What a beautiful girl, she was very lucky to have you in her life, wirenut. Over the next few days think of the happiness she brought you, don't second guess yourself or beat yourself up. Look at how she looks in this picture, complete trust in you. Well-deserved trust.

I'm sorry for your loss, what a sweet puppy.
Please take care of yourself and like Caseo said, don't beat yourself up about this. Our pets will always live in our hearts and memories.

I'm glad you laughed, that's a good sign. What are the odds that would be in the movie? I love that picture of Mini, the head tilt and the fur every which way. You can upload more pictures to photobucket or flickr, then paste the img code into a post. Flickr is good because it creates several sizes for you and you can post any of them. We should create a thread dedicated to the pets we've lost. Post pictures and tell stories about them. Like I said before wirenut, whenever you're ready I'd love to see more pics of Mini. Cute stories are welcome too!

wirenut wrote:
I'm doing pretty well. Much of the agonizing with MINI was before. My first dog's death was sudden and the agonizing was afterward. Talking to you and the others here, and with other friends helped alot.

The vet just called yesterday; her ashes are ready.

I have been amazed at how many people have stopped me in the street and asked "Where's the other dog?" and offered condolences.

I've started looking for another

glad you're good and ready for another pup

I had the same set of circumstances --
first dog, sudden loss, REALLY hard to deal with
I fostered for a little while, until I was ready for a new pet

next death (years later), euthanized after months of illness
hard, but having gone through the process with the dog...it was okay
and
people asking about the animal
I have to warn you, people might ask you occasionally for months and months. I've found it easier to have that conversation with random people, but sometimes it really catches me off guard...