| Author | Message | ||
     86129squids |
It's time. My 17 YO buddy, Loki, is an old, blind, incontinent hound- a Basenji- and somehow I've gotta man up and do right by him. How in the hell does one go about this? (Not to be weird, but I've got a Netflix account and they've just put out "You Don't Know Jack"- supposedly a good movie about Jack Kevorkian- I think I'll rent it.) Death and taxes... nothing else is sure in this life. I've had all kinds of pets over the years, but for whatever reason I've never had to put down any of them. Helped a GF put down a diseased cat, that's about it. Heck, even saying "put down" is weird. Euphemisms. Euthanasia. | ||
| Kenm123t |
Its hard Polly our Bassett 16 year old rescue wore out. She was a great dog we had her almost 2 years feeble but mentally with it till the last two weeks. Not sure what happened but it was like a switch went off and she started slipping away. Refused food then water just slept and went out. Our vet though it was liver failure but she was too frail to stand biopsy and treatment. We gave her ever chance in the end our vet came and put her down at home. The reasons we did it at home was her dignity and comfort she was laying in her favorite napping place on the pool deck and our other dogs were with her she didnt just disappear. The alpha dog of our pack Trixie the beagle understood she was gone very quickly the others didnt at first Belle my Coonhound pup took it the hardest she and Polly were very close. Belle looked for Polly for almost 3 months she would wake up and run around and look for her friend. Pluto another senior Bassett we adopted was put to sleep at the vets office. He knew what was going to happen I think in the end I had to carry him in he liked his vet and it was very hard to carry him in there. He was had terminal cancer couldnt keep food down poor guy was on hi doses of pain killers.Maura couldnt stay with him I stayed and held him petted him till he was gone. It is never easy to do but its easier than watching your friend suffer and die by inches. Nothing any one can say will make it easier unfortunately dogs have shorter lifespans. You just need to do what is right for your best friend at the end of his life as you did when he was a pup. Our family has been blessed with many great dogs. My dad is still not over Shorty a black and tan Doxie he was with us 16 years. its been nearly 8 years. Give Loki the dignity he deserves your not betraying him your doing the right thing by him. If you want to talk about it pm me } | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Give Loki the dignity he deserves your not betraying him your doing the right thing by him. +1 Knowing you did right by him will help you bear the loss as well. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
What they said ^ Last summer, I left my APBT, "Timmy" behind at an animal shelter, knowing full well that nobody would adopt him and that he would be put down. I hate not having him around any more, but I can live with that since getting rid of him was a requirement due to circumstances out of my control. What I truly regret is not doing the deed myself. That dog was like a child to me since he was 6 weeks old, but when it came time to part ways, I didn't have the nerve to look him in the eyes and put a bullet in his head. If you don't see your friend through to the very end, you'll regret it. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
So sorry to hear about your bud. This phase in pet ownership is the price we pay for all the enjoyment we get from having them around. We went thru a year of deteriorating health with our first cat, a siamese, a few years back. Upon discussing options of dealing with imminent kidney failure with friends and family, we replaced the carpeting in our Florida room with tile, pulled out the wood furniture, added another litter box. This became kitty's convalescent home. He lived out his final days watching the birds and squirrels in our back yard, and we got a second kitten just before he expired at the ripe old age of 17. His quality of life was NADA during his last few days, and the final visit with the vet was heart breaking, but we had no regrets for doing the right thing. You'll be in our thoughts. BeLinda. | ||
| Pwnzor |
It is never easy. Gotta take the long walk, and say goodbye. Read Isaiah 41:10 | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
Isaiah 41:10 NIV So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 NIV There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, | ||
| Kilroy |
Its the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I am tearing up just thinking about it. However, you don't want your bud to suffer for your sake. You know in your heart if it is time. Hold him while the doctor does the deed, and remember the good times. Who knows, you may see him again someday...... | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
man... I feel for you. I've been where you are at 4 times in the last couple of years and its never easy.... its down right hard... you will know when its time... both my dogs looked at me like they never had before and you just know... You will be glad you where there with him in the long run. | ||
| Ulywife |
Squids - It's never easy to make the decision to help our furkids with their final journey to the Rainbow Bridge. We've done this more times than I care to count, but we know in our hearts that it's the best thing we can do to help them. Make peace with your decision and know that Loki will love you for all the good years you've given him a wonderful life. Like with all other losses, time won't heal the hurt, but it will give you the ability to deal with your loss. Don't close your heart to the next furkid that comes your way looking for a furever home and love that you've given Loki. Below is the Poem about the Rainbow Bridge if you've never read it. Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. 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. 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. 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. 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. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author unknown... | ||
| Xl1200r |
17 years is a pretty good, long life for a dog that size - you must have done well by him to have him around this long. It's very hard to make the selfless decision to let a pet go. I think about the day that I'll have to make this decision for the first time and it tears me up - and my dog isn't even 2 years old yet. | ||
| Etennuly |
Sorry to hear that Brad. | ||
| 99savage |
When done properly, very peaceful, very gentle - If we ever have to do it for one of our own hope the vet will trust me w/ the makings so I can do it in the woods - or - if not that, will come to our home | ||
| Balloyd66 |
Had to do it, too, years ago. Hardest thing I've ever had to do. You'll always second guess yourself, but you know it's time. Dread knowing it's in the future again; hopefully they'll pass peacefully on their own, but it's usually not that easy. Like someone else said, it's the price we pay for enjoying their company. Stay strong for the critters. +1 on the tears. | ||
| Sifo |
 Be strong. You know when it's time. | ||
| 86129squids |
Thanks folks. I really appreciate the kind words, the Scripture, the advice. I'll have to plan for the day, and then certainly some time off afterward. My job involves dealing with the public, and I highly doubt that I'll be able to do that for a bit. Here's another part of the puzzle: My GF's dog Chloe (weird how both dog's names have the same vowels/consonants, only reversed) is a rescue mutt, about middle aged, and I don't want her to be alone. We all know that partner dogs will feel loss- she's one of the smartest dogs I've ever seen, very emotive- but sometime soon after Loki passes I believe we'll find another rescue dog to restore the "pack". Any idea as to how this works? Again, my deepest thanks for your advice. | ||
| Svh |
Could never shoot one of our pets to "put it down". In the last 1.5 years had to put down a cat and a dog. Hard as hell to do especially for my wife and son. When they hurt I hurt. Both had inoperable issues. My guess is you will know if it is time. We couldn't stand to see them suffer any longer. | ||
| Strokizator |
Oh man, why did I read this? | ||
| 86129squids |
Strok- there's probably a Barney the Dinosaur site somewhere, better yet, youtube the Ren & Stimpy classic "Happy Happy Joy Joy"...  In all seriousness, probably because you're human? | ||
| Slaughter |
Sometimes you gotta know when to FIGHT - and sometimes you gotta know when to let go... and I think you know in your heart and mind that this is the time to offer a kind way out. Find a quite space afterwards. | ||
| Daves |
I feel for you. My best friend Buck is going to turn 16 in June. I too, will probably be facing this in the not too distant future. | ||
| Ulywife |
We all know that partner dogs will feel loss- she's one of the smartest dogs I've ever seen, very emotive- but sometime soon after Loki passes I believe we'll find another rescue dog to restore the "pack". When we put Alex down in 2001, it left Chelsea alone. She had been with Alex since she was 4 months old. Chelsea was a rescue and was also deaf. She was very depressed without Alex being there. After Chynna was put down in January 2002, Chelsea was completely lost. We started looking at rescue missions and just as we were about to give up, a friend covering Animal Control called us. She had an Old English Sheepdog being neglected and needed to place him before taking him to the shelter. She knew we were looking and that OES was our breed of choice. The timing was right...that was in August 2002. We saw the light come back in Chelsea's eyes and a spring back in her step. Dogs are pack animals and thrive on having other dogs around. Give it time. When the right rescue dog comes along you'll know it and open your home and heart again. | ||
| Blk_uly |
It's been 10 or more years since I've had to do that most difficult and saddest part of pet ownership. I feel you 100% Brad. Today, I am very grateful to that Dog, "Toughguy" was his name. The reason I am grateful is because the pets we love so dearly give us all they have to give. We give them food ,shelter,vet care and love. But they, in return, they give us their very lives without hesitation! If life makes any sense at all,then our pets will be waiting at the pearly gates for us when we return home It's a tough love job you have before you, and Loki, I'm sure appreciates all you done and are willing to do, For him. | ||
| Slaughter |
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| Swampy |
Take your friend to the vet, they can do the job for you legally and with no discomfort to your friend and you can be there. The problem with doing the job yourself is that it is possibly illegal to do so to your own pet thanks to the animal rights doo-gooders. I know of a guy that got 5 years for putting down his own dog that bit his child, once the cops showed up he was railroaded right to prison. So just let the vet do it, and you can be there. | ||
| Teeps |
The best gift you can give an aged pet, who's time has come, is to have them put down. Had to put down 2 cats and an my Airedale. Not easy to do, but after it's over you know you did the right thing. Because their suffering is over... | ||
| Just_ziptab |
"Sputnik" passed on her own,found her in the full bloom flowerbed. Still remember burying her.........1964. | ||
| Satori |
Its one of the most difficult things to do. But focus on the good that he brought to your life, and celebrate that. | ||
| Kenney83 |
Three years ago we had to put down my wife's husky. That was her baby at the time. If anyone has ever had a husky they have a good prey drive. He got out and got our neighbors cat. We tried to adopt him out to a family or a shelter but he was so moody. We thought it was better for us to put him down than any one else. He was only 4 years old when we put him down. RIP Dakota. | ||
| Dynasport |
I've only had to do it once. We had a cat that my daughter wanted and we took in as an adult. We cared for the cat, but he was a very independent animal and never really bonded closely with anyone in the family. Basically, he tolerated us. Then I noticed he was losing weight and his fur was getting dull. I took him to the vet and was told he has some feline disease there was no cure for. We took him home and cared for him as best we could, but he went down hill steadily. After a few weeks I took him back to the vet and petted him while the vet gave him a shot. He died immediately and painlessly. Even though I didn't feel particularly close to the cat, it really got to me. I have owned several dogs in my life I have been VERY close to. I am thankful they were all able to pass naturally with no intervention needed from me. I own a boxer now that sometimes I think my wife enjoys having around more than she does me. I can't even think about the day our boxer passes. Heaven help us if we have to take him to the vet to have him put down. At least I know, from the experience with the cat, that it is quick and painless for them. I am sorry for your situation. It always hurts to lose someone you love, person or pet. |
