Putting Your Dog to Sleep

B

B

100+ Posts
This is one of those painful milestones where you realize you really are a grownup. My wife and I had to make the decision today to put our 10 year old rat terrier to sleep. He had cancer, and while we had one tumor removed last fall another one came back even bigger and the cancer was spreading. We know we made the best decision for him.

He was an escape artist and only needed a tiny crack under the fence to get out and roam the neighborhood. He became a bit of a legend in our neighborhood, and the kids and other families all knew him.

We're going to miss him. The toughest part might be when our daughter asked where he was and said she wants to see him.

It's a terrible way to spend your lunch hour.
 
What you went through today is something I am dreading. I hope when the time comes I can follow your example and make the right decision.

Best wishes for you and your family.
 
I had to put down my nearly 13 year old dog in January and it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. She is always on my mind and it breaks my heart everytime I come home and she's not there. Prayers for your family.
 
My wife is deaf and when her hearing assist dog (german shepherd named Greta) was 12, we had to put her down (dog, not the wife). My oldest daughter was about 10 at the time. When we took the dog to the vet, we left my daughter home. I still remember her standing in her bedroom window, waving and crying.

That was about 10 years ago. Last week, I was going through some boxes in the basement and found a picture she had drawn, saying goodbye to Greta. She drew it while we were at the vets office. It was a picture of her standing in her bedroom window, waving and crying and showed the dog in heaven. I don't remember ever having seen that picture before last week.
 
Dogs, man. They break your heart.

You're doing/did the right thing; I can't abide people who will let their pets suffer for their own selfishness.
 
What Baboso said. There's only one huge, huge downside to having dogs, and that is their lifespan. But you did a beautifully unselfish thing.

I think a link to the Rainbow Bridge story is in order here. The Link

Doesn't matter how many times I've read it before, it always makes me cry when I read it again. Always. But it also makes me smile.

I was just posting on the latest religion thread, and this thread got me to thinking. I don't know if there is a God or a heaven, but all I know is that all my pets had better end up where I do, if there is a hereafter. Otherwise God is going to have some serious 'splaining to do.
 
I've had many dogs and all except one (and the current 2) I've put to sleep and it doesn't matter how many times you do it, it is tough. I'm dreading the next one the most though because I now I have a kid and it isn't just me that will have to go through it but my family. My dog is 8 and starting to show some age and my boy and wife are starting to notice it more and more everyday and it is stressing to them. I don't look forward to that day.

BTW, the Rainbow Bridge story is the best thing I've found and shared with many of friends and colleagues for themselves and their kids.
 
FWIW, go down to your local shelter and take a look. You never know where you'll find your next new best friend.

I also just got this email today. Excellent story.

A 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."

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY
 
My mom just put to sleep the minature schnauzer I grew up with. She was 14 (human years) and was the greatest dog we have ever had.
frown.gif


I don't even want to think about it with my current, Jasper.

My condolences.
frown.gif
 
We are going to bury him this weekend on a hilltop at our ranch. I may take the Rainbow Bridge printout with me. Thanks.
 
When the time is right, try and catch George Carlin's 1982 performance at Carnegie Hall. He does a whole bit on dogs that is great comedy, he nails it.
 
It could be worse. My sister had to put down her family dog a year or two ago. He was very old. It was time for him to go.

Shortly there after, they got a Weimaraner puppy. At about six months old, his stomach got tangled up with his intestines and he died.

They replaced him with a little fluffy snowball of a dog. A few months later he was killed by a coyote. They live in a semi-rural area in southern California.

The replaced him with another little dog. A few months later while the family was fishing in the neighbor's pond, the dog swallowed some bait with a three pronged hook attached. He didn't make it either.

They have a new dog now. I'm sure his days are numbered.

Bernard
 
Losing a dog is tough, but it gets easier over time.. I had to put my dog to sleep 6 yrs ago that I had since I was 8 yrs old, but still think about her almost every day.. It should be mandatory for kids to have a dog growing up
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Weekly Prediction Contest

* Predict HORNS-AGGIES *
Sat, Nov 30 • 6:30 PM on ABC

Recent Threads

Prediction Results Threads

2024 Schedules

Back
Top