Anybody ever had to put a dog down?

[paladin]

[SIZE=+1]Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]Author unknown... [/SIZE]

 

[Rack]

That sounds exactly like my situation. So it's over quickly? No pain or anything for the dog? He will just stop breathing?

I've done it a few times when I was a vet tech, it is completely painless and very fast.

You will want to be there holding your pup when it happens, you wouldn't forgive yourself if you aren't there for your buddy when he passes.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

We have the ashes from two of our cats saved in a box.

When my wife passes she wants that box buried with her.

 

[Faerluna]

We have the ashes from two of our cats saved in a box.

When my wife passes she wants that box buried with her.

I have the ashes for all my cats, too. I'll definitely want them with me in whatever way when I go.

 

[Tabascocat]

Hey, in his sleep is the best way he could have gone. His memory will never die.

I have to agree with Hos, he went in his sleep was probably the best thing for you because you did not make the final decision that had to be made. Sorry for your loss, it sucks but will get better over time. For today, just go back and relive some fond memories between the two of you and tonight drink a cold one in his honor, I'm sure he will appreciate that

 

[Yeagermeister]

I had to put down my dog about 3 yrs ago and it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I could barely call the vet to setup the appt. I cried like a baby all weekend.

 

[Muhast]

We elected to get him cremated. It's been really rough on everyone. We are going to pick out a little pet headstone from Petsmart today, and we found a nice spot that he liked to lay outside under the sun in the garden.

We will be alright, but I don't know if I can get another dog anytime soon. I loved that dog, he was a part of the family, a big part. He went on vacations with us, walks with us, played with us, watched tv with us. He will definitely be missed. It's going to take some getting used to, not having him around the house. Once again, I appreciate all of the kind words. I am relieved he passed in his sleep. It was a lot better that way. I didn't want his last thoughts to be of me crying while holding him. I feel some peace with it now.

 

[Tabascocat]

We elected to get him cremated. It's been really rough on everyone. We are going to pick out a little pet headstone from Petsmart today, and we found a nice spot that he liked to lay outside under the sun in the garden.

We will be alright, but I don't know if I can get another dog anytime soon. I loved that dog, he was a part of the family, a big part. He went on vacations with us, walks with us, played with us, watched tv with us. He will definitely be missed. It's going to take some getting used to, not having him around the house. Once again, I appreciate all of the kind words. I am relieved he passed in his sleep. It was a lot better that way. I didn't want his last thoughts to be of me crying while holding him. I feel some peace with it now.

That sounds like a perfect plan to me and a nice way to show how important he was and will always be to your family.

From personal experience, getting a new dog was the best scenario for me. My wife picked out a new one that was a spitting image of the one we lost. We taught her the same tricks, spoiled her the same, etc. Funny thing is our new dog was born on the day Dexter passed, kind of ironic because she has the same personality, ticks and traits. We wonder if that is Dexter inside her mind, just a little bit.....

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

As sad as it is to say, you can replace a pet... but not a person.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

As sad as it is to say, you can replace a pet... but not a person.

You can't replace the pet, you get a new one and love that one, but it still is not the first one.

Same with a person, if your spouse dies, you don't replace her but you can get a new one and love that one.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

You can't replace the pet, you get a new one and love that one, but it still is not the first one.

Very true.

I've lost count how many dogs & cats we've had over the years, both when I was growing up and now that I have my own house...

But they're all different.

Which is a good thing really. It keeps the memories of each sharp and unique.

 

[MapleLeaf]

That sounds like a perfect plan to me and a nice way to show how important he was and will always be to your family.

From personal experience, getting a new dog was the best scenario for me. My wife picked out a new one that was a spitting image of the one we lost. We taught her the same tricks, spoiled her the same, etc. Funny thing is our new dog was born on the day Dexter passed, kind of ironic because she has the same personality, ticks and traits. We wonder if that is Dexter inside her mind, just a little bit.....

...for us. When Patches died no one in the house wanted another dog.

Then my secretary brought a dog that was abandoned at a northern native reservation.

Our family has a problem. We can't say no to animals who need help. Who took in Eunice and four cats later she is still with us.

When you have some room in your heart for one loved animal you never lose that capacity.

Just keep an open mind and maybe circumstance will bring you another pet who needs you as much you need them.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

When you have some room in your heart for one loved animal you never lose that capacity.

Just keep an open mind and maybe circumstance will bring you another pet who needs you as much you need them.

Exactly right.

You may like a particular animal for it's similarities to others that you've been around, but you'll love that pet for its differences.

 

[Muhast]

...for us. When Patches died no one in the house wanted another dog.

Then my secretary brought a dog that was abandoned at a northern native reservation.

Our family has a problem. We can't say no to animals who need help. Who took in Eunice and four cats later she is still with us.

When you have some room in your heart for one loved animal you never lose that capacity.

Just keep an open mind and maybe circumstance will bring you another pet who needs you as much you need them.

Since I rescued him as an abandoned puppy, if I ever feel like I can let another animal into my life, I'll have to rescue another. I feel like it's only fitting. Snoop would have liked that.

 

[Faerluna]

Since I rescued him as an abandoned puppy, if I ever feel like I can let another animal into my life, I'll have to rescue another. I feel like it's only fitting. Snoop would have liked that.

Absolutely. I've always thought that the right animal comes along at the right time and it's always kismet.

 

[kimrose]

Muhast, I just found your post this morning and I was going to tell you that I was in the same dilemma (to have put down or not). Then I read your post on how your dog's doctor called this morning and told you that he had passed. I am so very sorry for your loss. It took me several hours to read through the entire thread, which was less than a whole 3 pages at the time. It took me so long because I was taking care of my seven year cat, Vladdie (Vlad Dracula), who has been gravely ill since Sunday. [I read during the times he was sleeping]. He has been ill , but not out of the woods yet, for about two months now, slowly declining, and under his doctor's care.

Vladdie apparently had a brain tumor, just tentatively diagnosed a couple of weeks ago, and I think his doctors were right. But we were supposed to have a little wiggle room, you know, treat him with palliative meds, make him happy and functional, able to live a while and be happy, as long as he was able to and was "ok" with it. But, he took a serious nose dive on Sunday and we realized that his condition could not be "treated" any longer, and it was apparent that his death was immanent. We were hoping Vladdie would pass naturally, the way it should be. But by mid day today (Tuesday) we realized that was not going to happen. He has always been so strong and a fighter. And, as our beloved animals are, just like we humans are, it was not in his nature to "lay down without a fight". So we made the painful decision to have him euthanized, since there is no animal hospice near us. He was still declining, but with his unbreakable spirit and instinct to live, he very well could have laid there for days, or weeks. He couldn't even lift his head anymore last night, and appeared almost like a quadriplegic, actually.

We were with him when he crossed over, and we brought him home and buried him in a beautiful spot in the back yard, in a small grove of oak trees, with as good of a memorial plot as we could give him. He was a king in life, and so should he be laid to rest, as a king. We were able to make that happen with the help of some plants and a big angel statue that I aquired from my mother when she died two years ago.

He is now peacefully at rest, under my mamma's angel and a cross and star made out of sticks and Spanish moss, with elephant ears (from my mamma's garden) and a wind chime playing in the breeze. And I can look out of my window and see his grave and beautiful memorial (and new garden) any time I want.

Just wanted to share this with you, as we were going through the same thing on the same day. They are not just our pets, they are our family. I wish you well, Muhast, and may your memories get you through this incredibly tough time.

 

[silverbear]

Since I rescued him as an abandoned puppy, if I ever feel like I can let another animal into my life, I'll have to rescue another. I feel like it's only fitting. Snoop would have liked that.

That's the way to go, pal... save the life of a good dog, get a friend for life... best friend you'll ever have, in fact...

 

[SDogo]

A few here may remember just a few short months ago I posted the same kind of deal. Sounds like both situations were the same. I still to this moment don't have it in me to say too much in here with out losing it but I just wanted to offer my support. It's nice to see so many understanding the pain involved with this.

 

[Yeagermeister]

A few here may remember just a few short months ago I posted the same kind of deal. Sounds like both situations were the same. I still to this moment don't have it in me to say too much in here with out losing it but I just wanted to offer my support. It's nice to see so many understanding the pain involved with this.

I don't mean to bring up bad memories but your dog was Luna?

 

[SDogo]

I don't mean to bring up bad memories but your dog was Luna?

No, that was another poster but I remember it well. I followed that closely as well.

I love dogs, for the most part I like most dogs better then most humans. :laugh2: