Sad day for my dog on Friday
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Sad day for my dog on Friday
About a month or so ago, we had our dog to the vet because she wasn't eating. He did lab work and her liver function tests were very high and some of her blood levels were very low (her gums and tongue are very pale). He gave her antibiotics and she seemed to perk up as we went through the course of meds.
However, she still isn't eating very well and has throw up the last two days and from the looks of things, she isn't digesting food very well. I called the vet today and from the sounds of things, the situation really isn't going to improve, so we made the appointment to have her put down on Friday at 4pm.
She has also been a lot more hostile at times than she had ever been before. Maybe something hurts. I don't know.
So, it will be a sad day for us. It is the second dog I have gone through losing and the first for everyone else in my family. We are all going to go to the vet's office on Friday. The kids already told me they want to come. I have heard too many stories from people about how the dog disappeared during the day while they were at school and they never got to say goodbye. I don't want that to happen to my kids.
(((Dawn))) I am so sorry. Yes, I've always explained to my children and didn't let them think a pet disappeared.
However, we have had cats disappear, not kidding. We live in a pretty rural/wooded area. And we used to have cats that were inside/outside. But we had two disappear and dh suspects that were either shot or died from poisoning (especially rat/mouse poison). So now we have a cat who is specifically inside and not allowed outside. Can't handle that any more.
I am so sorry. You know, it might be very hard for them to go along to the vets office. Were you planning on being there when they actually do it or more of a dropping off type of thing? In either case, I think it would be very hard on the kids. They might be a little better off saying their good byes before they leave for school or the night before. I went with a friend to take her dog to the vets to be put down and she was a mess. I can't imagion taking kids along for that. I am not saying that your kids shouldn't go, but maybe just think about it. I know my dd would stand there and cry and not want to leave the dog there.
Awww, i'm sorry. I remember when we had my dog put down when i was a senior in high school. My mom told me that she was putting him down the night before the appointment. I was heart broken, he was in fact my dog. But i understood why we had to put him down. I was at work during the appt., i cried the whole day. My mom always seemed like she couldn't stand that dog. But when i got home she just looked and me and burst into tears, and told me it was the hardest things shes ever had to do. She stood there with him till he was gone. I'm glad i didn't go with her, i wouldn't want that image in my mind forever. The next day we went to the vet to pick up his collar. I still have it 10 years later. He was my first pet...other than several goldfish.
Oh {{{Dawn}}}, I'm so sorry. It's very hard, I know. We had to put our cat, Stripey, down Feb. 13th (a Friday!  ). I feel terribly guilty because I couldn't be with her, but DD (5) was with me and I knew she was too young to handle it. You know your girls best, and especially if they have requested to be there, I think it's the right thing to do. More {{{HUGS}}}
Marg, we live in a rural area, too. One of the reasons our cats will always stay indoors is because house cats fall prey to wild animals. I suspect that's exactly how several cats in our neighborhood have "disappeared".
Oh Dawn
Im so sorry. I love dogs, and its such a hard decision. We had to put one of my dogs down about 6 yrs ago. She had diabetes, was almost blind because of it,(even though she was on insulin)but kept getting skinner by the day from throwing up constantly. I couldnt stay with her, my heart couldnt take it. I brought her in crying, and the receptionist was so kind to me even after I told her I couldnt stay, she said she understood.
Dogs are wonderful, its such a shame their lifes are not longer.
I went with my parents when we took our cocker spaniel to the vet back in 1978. We all decided not to stay while the vet put him down, but now I feel bad that we abandoned him at that point. It seemed easier at the time. She always ate her food off an old Barbie quilt. I'm bringing the Barbie quilt along so we can lay her on that. It was kind of "her" blanket.
Well, we'll bring the kids along. If they end up deciding not to stay in there, it will be their choice to go back out to the waiting room.
(((Dawn)))
I am so sorry that you have to go through this.
We had to make that decision to put our dog midge to sleep a few years ago because she had kidney problems.
I could not be with her though when he did it ,I was crying so hard when I brought her in and when I picked her up.
they become such a part of your family.
You will be in my thought`s and prayers Friday.
I can feel your pain. We had to have one of our cats put to sleep over kidney failure.. I stayed here with the kids and Rob took him in. He called me from the vets office crying. He wanted to run it by me that he was bring him home so we could give him a burial instead of letting the vet dispose of him. It was a very sad day in our house... One of my dogs is 13 years old this June. He is going deaf and he has sore joints during the winters. I just know we are living on borrowed time before we have to make this decission about him... Big hugs to you all.. And many prayers for Friday...
13 is how old our cocker spaniel was when we put him to sleep. He had a growth in his throat that was making it hard for him to breathe. We put him to sleep on Easter Sunday 1978. (yeah, just what the vet wanted to do on Easter Sunday evening, huh?)
I guess I'll have to see how I even am on Friday. I hope that I can be there for her. I was always her favorite person.
Hard choice to make... Just do what you feel you can..
I'm so sorry. ((((hugs))))
My DH had to put one of our cats down once. (I couldn't do it) He drove her to the vet and held her while she had "the shot". She died in his arms. He said he got teary eyed as he left the vet. There is just something about animals that is very special. They just love unconditionally.
(((hugs)))
I'm so sorry. Our pets really do become cherished members of our family and it's so hard to make a decision like this. I had to have my mom's cat put down and, even though it wasn't my cat, I still had a hard time with it.
I'm so sorry, losing a pet is never easy. Big hugs to you and your family!!!!
{{{Dawn and Family}}} So sorry to hear about your family pet. I went thru putting 2 dogs to sleep when I was young and it was something I will never forget.
My dad always brought them to the vet, I could never bare to go.
This is a subject I think most of us could relate to.
You will all be in my thoughts and prayers on Friday.
Thanks everyone! Your prayers are appreciated.
Dawn, thinking of you tomorrow. Hope you will do okay.
I'm facing the same thing with my 15 year old baby. She's blind and deaf, her back is fused, and she's going to the bathroom everywhere. I keep putting it off, but I know it has to be done. We're leaving for Florida at the end of next week, and I'm afraid to leave her. She's fallen down the stairs many times, and I'm afraid of it happening when I have someone looking after her.
I will probably have to just send hubby, because I don't think I can handle it. My sis keeps trying to guilt me into it, because she's my baby. I think she'll be comfy in his arms, too.
My kids will not be there, and I don't even want them to know that we chose to have it done. We've been telling them that she's too old and sick, and probably won't live much longer.
My biggest heartbreak is that my almost 11 year old asked me how we could lose a sister and a dog within such a short period of time. Talk about yanking my heart out! :o(
Dawn, I'll be thinking of you all tomorrow.
Dawn, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. I am so sorry.
{{{{Dawn}}}} Thinking of you today.
Dawn, I just want you to know that I'm thinking of you today and will say a prayer.
Thanks, everyone. Your prayers are appreciated.
(((DAWN)))
((((Dawn)))) I will be thinking of you and your family today. I am so sorry for your loss.
I am thinking of you and your family this morning too Dawn! My thoughts and prayers are with you!!
{{{Dawn}}} Thinking of you this morning and praying.
Dawn , i am thinking about you this morning. I know you will miss your dog dearly. It is like losing a family member, isn't it? ((HUGS))
{{{{{Dawn}}}}}}
Yes, Bellajoe, it is. The minutes are ticking away very slowly until 4pm. It has seemed like a very long day today. We can tell that she has gone downhill even since Wednesday, though, so even if we didn't put her down today, the end would be near regardless.
(((HUGS))) I am so sorry.
Dawn how is everything?.Thinking of you
Ditto............
It happened fast once the vet found a vein to inject it. She was fighting getting poked. Who could blame her? All four of us were there for the whole process. We all got to pet her after she was gone. Even the vet tech was crying. It's probably not her favorite thing to do.
DH was just looking at pics we took a month ago and she looked so much better then. She had lost quite a bit of weight in the last month and was starting to look haggard. I just know she was starting to feel rather bony.
I still expected her to be there running to greet us when we got home. It is way too quiet in our house right now.
Awww {{{Dawn}}}, its going to hard. But we hate to see them suffer. What a hard thing. How are the girls taking it???
DD11 is sad. DD14 is upstairs on her computer so I'm not sure what she is thinking. She is a little more private about her feelings.
DH and I are very sad. I'm okay until I start typing about her again and then the tears come.
I'm sure it will take a while to get used to no dog at the door when we come home. Often she was right there by the time we got to the door. If not, she would come RUNNING!
We'll get through it eventually. It was getting hard to look at her, since she seemed to be deteriorating fast all of a sudden. I'm not sure she would have lasted much more than a week or two anyway.
Dawn- Have you ever heard the Rainbow Bridge poem?? It will make you feel better about your decision. You only did what was right by ending the pain. You have a good heart for that.
RAINBOW BRIDGE
There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of it's many colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush, green grass.
When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm spring weather. The old and frail pets are made young again. Those who are maimed are made whole again and they play all day.
There is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person who loved them on earth. So each day they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly looks up. The nose twitches! The ears are up! The eyes are staring! And suddenly runs from the group!
You have been seen and when you and your special friend meet, you cling together in joyous reunion never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face, you hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from you life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.
Dawn
Im so sorry for you and your family. MY heart is heavy for your loss.
Jackie
I am also so VERY sorry.
A pet is such a part of the family.
Request From Rainbow Bridge
Weep not for me though I am gone
Into that gentle night.
Grieve if you will, but not for long
Upon my soul's sweet flight.
I am at peace, my soul's at rest
There is no need for tears.
For with your love I was so blessed
For all those many years.
There is no pain, I suffer not,
The fear now all is gone.
Put now these things out of your thoughts,
In your memory I live on.
Remember not my fight for breath
Remember not the strife.
Please do not dwell upon my death,
But celebrate my life.
by Constance Jenkins
{{{Dawn and family}}}
Thanks everyone. I will be looking for Honey eventually at the rainbow bridge. We were looking at pictures tonight and she had really changed from when she was healthy. Her natural end wasn't far away.
So sorry Dawn, but glad you could be with Honey until the end. You were a faithful friend to her.
Oh Dawn, I'm SO sorry about Honey. I know how much you and your family loved her. It is SUCH a wrenching thing to watch your pet in failing health, then have to make the "decision" for them. However, I agree with everyone who said that you did the right thing. She was probably in a lot of pain, and would have passed away on her own in a lot MORE pain.
You all, also deserve a lot of credit for being there with her to the end, even the DK's. The fact that she went to the "Rainbow Bridge" surrounded by her family must have been very comforting to her. (((HUGS))) to you all.
PS Don't be surprised if you sense her presence around for a while. That has happened to me in the past, with pets who have passed on. I think that they "hang around" for a while to make sure that we are ok.
After the euthanasia was all over, we came home for a while, before we went out to eat supper. We were in no shape to be out in public for that first hour afterwards.
When we started walking up the stairs, I could swear I heard her collar jingle as if she had just stood up and then I heard clicky nails on the stairs as if she was right behind me. It comforts me in a way that means her spirit had left her body. My youngest daughter said she heard the collar jingle once, too.
It is just so quiet in my house without collar jingles and clicky nails. Also, her satisfied rolling on her back after she ate (when she was healthy yet), or the sounds of her chewing on a rawhide bone.
The kids and I had a pizza come to the house tonight for supper and it was weird to have silence as I walked to the door to get it! She certainly would announce visitors loudly, but as soon as you opened the door, she was quiet. She liked sniffing pizza delivery people, since they smelled like food!
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