Putting pet down

[koolcraftlady]

   I just had to put my mini schnauzer down.  He was 15 yrs old and part of the family.  I got him when he was 9 months old.  It was a decision I didn't want to make, but doctor said he only had another 2-3 months that would be painful for him.  Did not want him to suffer, so I made the decision.  He was the best dog I ever had.  Anyone else ever have to do this? 

[Tresbn00]

I am so sorry for your loss.  I had to put a fourteen year old golden retriever down two years ago.  We could have paid five thousand dollars to keep her alive but that would have only given her another six months and the quality of life wasn't there.  We had been pumping her full of steroids prior to the final diagnosis but she just kept deteriorating.  She is in our prayers every night, sadness revisits when ever we think of her, but we will see her in heaven.  We have, since then, gotten two golden retrievers which serves as a seemingly endless exposure to laughs and love.  One of our friends had to put his golden down two days ago and he is in our prayers as well.

[masked_brown_guy]

I once had to put a gold fish down a toilet.

[Shandara09]

Sorry that you had to go through that.    I've had to make this decision twice, so I know how you feel.  My Chihuahua was 16 and then when her daughter was 15, had to make the same choice for her.  It's so hard and I miss them both, but I know it was the right thing to do, rather than let them suffer.  I just had to remind myself that it was the right choice and remembering all of the good times I had with them made it a little easier.  

[duroz]

First I want to say how sorry I am for your loss, koolcraftlady.   My heart goes out to you.
But you know that you made the right decision....if we keep them alive when they may suffer, it would be because we don't want them to go, and don't want to have to say goodbye.
And as my vet explained to me once - those are basically "selfish" reasons for keeping them with us. And so, for them, that is the wrong decision.
Over the years we've had a few dogs and cats that we had to say goodbye to.
And even though you have to do this for them if you love them, it's always very hard, it never gets any easier.

I feel like my heart is breaking each time. I always cry, sob, bawl, etc. that day , and then for many after that. And even years later when I think of how special they were and how much I miss them.

Just cherish all the special memories and know that you did the right thing, even if it doesn't feel that way.

[koolcraftlady]

Thank you all for your kindness and thoughts. 

[loriecampbell]

I know it's a very sad thing you're going through. We have 3 dogs with the oldest being almost 13. He's slowing down so much and it breaks my heart knowing I'll have to put down 3 of them. We never had children and these are my babies.

And, I told my husband if we get anymore after all three are gone...it will be by adoption only.

[beatsdrop]

I'm so sorry. We had to put our cat of 19 years down in 2009 and it's still very painful to this day. I hope you're doing okay. <3 Keep remembering the good times.

[ablueblood100]

Oh that is so hard.  I have had to put down two dogs.   It will never (I don't believe that it should) get easy.  However I do beleive that animals have it better than people that are terminally ill.

[mawhite63]

Oh koolcraftlady I'm so sorry for the lost of your pet. It hurts so bad. You did the right thing by him I'm sure. We love our animals so much and want to keep them with us. Sometimes we subject them to a lot of extended medical treatments that do nothing to improve the quality of their life, and only prolong their suffering and fear. It is a testament to your care that you deliberated and made this choice for him. I'm very very sorry.

[bbmama1988]

  I just had to put my mini schnauzer down.  He was 15 yrs old and part of the family.  I got him when he was 9 months old.  It was a decision I didn't want to make, but doctor said he only had another 2-3 months that would be painful for him.  Did not want him to suffer, so I made the decision.  He was the best dog I ever had.  Anyone else ever have to do this? 

hello there,
I know what you are going thru is tough. I have been there myself. But as responsible pet owners sometimes it's the best thing to do. That's why the love us so much.
I just lost my dog, Yeller, the week before Christmas day. He got ran over looking for me when I left him here. I blame myself for a lot of things but I know that he passed away a happy day.
Keep your chin up. Things will get easier. Always remember that there are places with people who actually still care in this day in age.
I hope you are able to feel better soon.

[tigerlilly01]

I'm very sorry.  I know how you feel.  I have had to do that too many times with my pet cats.  It has been almost 3 years since I had to put down 2 of my babies .... I had a younger one and I found her a good home.  I am married to a man that has a severe allergy to cats and I can no longer have one and maybe it is just as well because it hurts so bad when you loose one.
God Bless You

[SherylsShado]

koolcraftylady:  I am so sorry for your loss.  I've had to deal with that a few times, it's the hardest thing I've ever had to do.  I miss my fur-kids so much.   They are always in my thoughts and even though I know it was the best thing for them, it hurts so much that they are gone.  (I don't know which is worse, having the time to say goodbye before they are put down...or having them die unexpectedly in your arms without getting a chance to say goodbye.)   I lost a cat and a dog that were thought to be perfectly healthy-- within three weeks of each other last year.  My yellow lab (Gypsy) had her annual bloodwork done last month and her liver count was a little "off".  The vet is concerned because liver failure is a common problem for labradors.  Gypsy has to go back and be tested again in a few months.  I do not want to deal with losing Gypsy anytime soon. There's NEVER a good time to say goodbye to what we love.