Have you ever had to put a dog to sleep?

Question

I got my dog when I was less than a year old and had her for 15 years. My parents put her to sleep today because she was really sick and I'm so depressed. Has anyone else gone through this, and how long till things are normal agian?

I do have another dog, but Patches ( the one who is gone ) is the one I loved the most and had the longest.

Answer 1

Yes I have. I'm really sorry to hear about your dog. When I had to put my dog to sleep I was heartbroken for days. I filled those days with making a photo album of every picture I had taken through the years. My dog was also 15 years old so I had a lot of pictures. I also wrote all my feeling down on paper which really helped.

About six weeks later I was finally ready to open my heart to loving another dog. At first I didn't think I could love another dog as much but after about a year I started realizing that I love this new one as much but in a different way. Things will be normal for you some day to and you will be able to look in that album and reminisce about all the happy memories your dog gave you.

Answer 2

I have had cocker spaniels my whole life. We have had to do that on three different dogs and each one is incredibly hard -- even when it really is the right thing to do.

As bizarre as this is going to sound, though -- I am going to give you some great advice that I have followed for the last two dogs where that was the case.

Go out as soon as you can (tomorrow is not too soon) and get a new puppy.

You won't forget the older dog, but there will be another one to fill the "void" that the last one left. It will really ease the pain I know you are experiencing.

Some people think there just cannot be another dog like the one you had to put down -- and candidly, that is true. But there are other dogs that can fill the loss-shaped void in your heart and help you get beyond this feeling you have right now.

Dogs are not people -- so while I do think you grieve the loss of a dog -- I don't think there is this grieving period that it is expected for you to go through.

Get a new puppy and they will bring joy back into your life and fill that void. You won't forget the other dog -- but rather remember them fondly -- as it should be.

I'm telling you -- this is very true.

Answer 3

I've had two dogs in my short lifetime be put down. Both of the reasons were medical. The first dog was less than two months old and had internal bleeding. The second dog, we had for about two years, and was put down three months ago. He was about 14 years old, and had terrible arthritis and also cancer. I believe that the time it takes to get over something so devastating as putting down one that you've known so long will take a long time. It all depends on the rate you accept what happened and how you'll deal with your future. I would recommend from personal experience, that you remember all the good times you two shared, and remember that your dog is gone physically, not mentally. Getting a new pet later on might also help the healing process.

Answer 4

I had to put my horse to sleep bcz he got kicked and the leg was broken in several place. That was on a Christmas Eve. It broke my heart to no end. It just takes time for the huge heartache to go away. Maybe soon you could get another dog. Not as a replacement of course but as a new friend.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
15 is pretty old and maybe the dog will be more comfortable now. I know it's really hard but it may have been for the best.

Answer 5

i am so sorry to hear that. it brings me back the memories whenever i tried in vain to save the lives of various pets, over years. of course it is better to have other pets or get a new pet, of course you will later not feel the pain as sharp as now, but nevertheless as animals have personalities, some pets are irreplacable - you will never get the same dog/cat/lizard/parrot/whatever like the one you lost, so it will never be completely gone. but you will have others that will be equally charming - but in a different way. the great thing is that Patches led a long andhappy life - what more would one hope for? it is worse if you lose a pet in an accident or if it gets ill while still young.. get another dog as soon as you are ready for it - couple of weeks, two months at the latest.

Answer 6

Yes, I have been through this with a dog and a cat. The length of grieving varies person to person. Eventually you will remember the dog with fond memories, hold it in a special place in your heart and, sometimes feel sad it had to die. Since she was really sick, she now is not suffering anymore so that is better for her but leaves you feeling sad losing her. She enriched your life the time she was in it. Human friends are like that, some come into your life a long time, others for a short while but they all enrich your life as you go along on your journey.

Answer 7

Awww. I am so sorry for your loss. I had a Dalmatian, Domino. She and my husband bought her as our engagement/prewedding gift to each other. She was our only baby for a couple of years. Then we had kids, and she was still our baby...

Then she got older quickly, had cancer and was in terrible unfixable pain. We knew it was time. But it was such a hard thing to do.

I went and brought her to the vet for that last visit. I knew it would be difficult. BUT it was the worst thing I have ever had to go through. I was at least the last human she saw before she closed her eyes forever.

She was the best dog. We had her for 11 and a half years. I still miss her. Since then we have gotten another dog for our kids, but it'll never be the same as she was to us.

I honestly say the very hard part lasted for several weeks. But, even to this day there is a twang. We loved her. She was family. It's like losing a family member, you have to grieve. That's what makes us human.

God Bless you. It'll take time, but the pain will dissipate in time. Just remember the good. Chin up.

Answer 8

My favorite best friend dog Wolf had to be put to sleep when he was 15 yrs old because his kidneys were failing. I was an adult when it happened but I still cried for a long time because I missed him so much. He was my protector, he got me thru a bad marriage and a divorce and was always there for me. I still miss him alot, but as the years go on, it gets easier. I think I started feeling less sad after about a year, but sometimes I will think of him and cry. He was the best dog! My thoughts are with you and I am sorry for your loss.

Answer 9

We got our first Golden Retriever when I was about 3 yrs. old and we had her for 15 years as well. It was so difficult when we had to put her down. She was my sister. Things likely won't feel fully normal until you get another dog (at least, that was my experience). It helps to talk with your family and any friends who knew her. Talk about your memories of her. It really helps.
We gave ourselves about a year and a half (sort of a "mourning period") before getting a new dog, and once we got her, it seemed that the healing was complete (the house felt a bit empty without a dog in it).
I know what you're going through. It's tough, but you will get through it.

Answer 10

Yes it is really dreadful. You will mourn and cry and that is quite natural. your parents are kind to the dog to have her put to sleep instead of seeing her suffer and die a worse death. I have had my dogs put down in the past when they have become old or ill and it is very sad.
However there are animal shelters all over the country with dogs in them that have been mistreated and are desperate for a loving home. make this an opportunity to help of those dogs that have not had such a good life as your has, give another dog a chance of happiness.