how would i cope?

Question

My dog is very old (14). shes a golden labrador and is riddled with lumps and bumps which are cancer. they cant operate because there is big chance she wont make it through the operation. She is happy and is always wagging her tail at you when you go near her. she is a bit over weight because her legs are nearly gone with arthiritus, so she cant shift the weight. All she does is sleep all day. My dad said last night that he doesnt think she'll last much longer, probably until christmas. I have grown up with this dog most of my life, and i will be crushed when she dies. How am i going to cope when she goes? People must think its sad, but its just like a friend dying. If you knew a friend for 14 years and they died, i think you'd be sad too. I really want her to be happy and not in pain when her time comes. has this happened to anyone in similar circumstances and how did you cope? thankyou-only genuine answers please, its really making me sad. x

Answer 1

Sounds like a dumb answer but "time is a great healer"
The fact that you know her death is imminent will help you become accustomed, when she finally dies it will be a lot easier than you thought

Answer 2

Hi there,
I know exactly how you feel, I had a dog with a heart problem and she was one of the family. I was recommended to put her down and honestly I just couldn't. I took her to another vet and paid for some very costly tablets to keep her there longer. She was slow like your dog so we went on really small walks, then I just popped her in the car and she came around with me, she still wanted in on everything and adored getting praise from grannies.
We knew she was going to go and my kids were going to be devasted so I kept some of her hair the next time I was clipping her as a little souvenir to keep of her and mounted it with a picture for them. The vet had said he'd keep her going until it would not be fair and thankfully I didnt have to put her down but honestly it was like a person died, the emptiness, the house didnt feel the same and her empty bed was making me cry. I put the stuff up in the attic and went away for a weekend in the end. I swore I'd never have another animal again, everyone was miserable.
It took time and we did get another dog, (grandad promised the kids as they would not stop talking about her) in fact I got another one after cause I always felt when I went out she was lonely.
I dont think people understand sometimes how close you get to an animal but I like my animals more than some people. Death is always hard but its part of life, spoil her all you can now, take it day by day when she goes, there is nothing more you can do but once you have done your best that is all you can do. Big hugz

Answer 3

I am so sorry about your lovely friend; it must be an awful time for you. The trouble is, hon, we all have to go sometime, and its better for your dog to go while she can still enjoy life than to be suffering. 14 is a pretty good age for a Lab, and if she sleeps all day, it might be her way of telling you that she is ready to go and doesnt mind. I coped when my dog was given a few months to live by buying a puppy of the same breed, and I'm convinced my dog was happy knowing I had a friend to take her place- they got on so well, and although it didnt hurt any the less when she passed away, I had the greatest memories, and masses of photos, for the days when it hurt a lot. Everybody says "time heals" and it does, eventually, but you will always have your memories, and nothing can take those from you. God Bless.

Answer 4

Sorry to say this but you will feel the loss, dogs are great friends and do become part of the family, and no this isnt sad. I'm 36 years old and yes I cryed when I lost them. I'm not ashamed of this and you shouldnt be either, it just goes to show that you care.
There is no easy way out of this, you know it is going to happen so that will help in the end
Having had dogs as pets before and lost them all it does hurt for a while all you need to do is remember the fun times.
My last two. One of them died on the way to the vets and the other died at home 2 years later. And still have one of their toy looking at me now on my comp desk while I type this answer for you.
Hope you cope with this and hope that my answer has helped you.....

Answer 5

I had my dog pts just before Xmas last year he was almost 14 years
old, he wasn't the first dog I have lost and he wasn't the last (I have 2 pups now) It was a very traumatic time and it doesn't get easier but you know that you have given this wonderful friend a happy life and an easy end, I still miss Benson desperately but know I made the right decision and you seem to know when the right time comes, if you are able to, get your vet to come to your home so that your dog has all her toys/family and familiar smells around her, I always have a radio on in my home so nothing changed on that day the radio was playing as always, I only wish that the law would change regarding euthanasia for humans
Be strong, all of us animal lovers know what faces you.
Take care. xx

Answer 6

I know exactly how you feel. I had the same problem until just a few hours ago, she got really bad and we had to put her down. I'm still crying.

My biggest regret though is not showing enough that i cared. I think if you are really worried, make sure you'll have no regrets too. Hold her close and cherish every moment and every kiss. (Well, slobber).

When the time finally does come, she will be in a better place. It's best not to get yourself too worked up now. Watch her though, if she ever gets too bad putting her down is optional, as she would rather pass on painlessly in her sleep with loved ones, rather than alone in the backyard whilst your at work though.

Good luck and e-mail if you need to.
[e-mail]

xxx

Answer 7

em it will be very sad for you when the time comes but it sounds like you gave this dog a very good life she will always be there with you in your heart and the memories of you and her will stay with you for ever. This might be a bit difficult for you but why dont you get a puppy before her passing this might help you as you have something there for you that depends on you some people i know have bought a pup in this situation and it really helped them cope every body looses a friend at some poing in there life just be happy that you had the pleasure of her company

thinking of you best wishes xXxXxXx

Answer 8

I had a Border collie dog that I grew up with. she was also 14 years old when we decided it was time for her. She had suffered 2 strokes and was not her normal self any more and looked like she had given up. I had had this dog from the age of 12 and she was my best friend. When we decided it was time we had a week with her to say our goodbyes. It was very hard and I cried for days because I missed her so much. coming home was not the same without her greeting me. It took time but it did get easier. I still have pictures of her around my flat. One of the things made it easier for me was believing that she was still there with me watching over me.
Last year I decided to have my sisters dog and it was the best decision I ever made. It's like my collie is in her. They do things that are so similar and I felt an instant bond with her.

It is going to hurt and it is like losing a member of the family but it will get better in time with the support of your friends and family. don't rush out and get another dog. Wait until you feel ready to share your love again. It took me 6 years before I felt that way and now I have a wonderful Yorkie.

Good luck x

Answer 9

I too have been through the same thing in june my dog who i had since i was 10 (im 23 now) got put down i dont think you are sad because dogs are like part of the family Sandy (my dog) had been through everything with me, all my teenage worries my mum dying, and me having my kids, although i did have friends and family for support, he didnt judge me, just let me cry into his neck!! lol.... As for letting him go it was a surreal feeling i knew it was for the best but i wanted him to be around forever, I now think of him running around my mums garden back to original health and happy it gives me comfort although i do miss him.

Try not to worry too much about it, Try and realise that although your dog is still wagging her tail she may still be in some pain, letting her go will be the best option for her, when she goes try and think of her being happy running around like she did when she was young!!

hope this helps you!

Answer 10

know how you feel, I lost my cat, she was 16 years old, had her while I was growing up.

You do deal with it, it takes time, of course you will be terribly upset, you obviously love your dog a lot, spend lots of time with her, take lots of photos to remember her by, thats all you can do.

It is difficult losing a loved pet, its difficult, but at the moment she seems happy, so all you can do is love her and look after her.

You know the time is coming when your family will have to make the heart-wrenching decision to put her to sleep, but it will be the right decision especially if she is in pain or has no quality of life at all, and that is more important than trying to keep her alive for you, if only we could do it with people sometimes, its not nice watching your pet suffer and im sure you will handle it like anyone else, cry a lot, go through your photos, talk about her etc.

Its going to be tough, but you will get through it, I promise. My cat died 15 years ago and I still miss him, but ive got a little photo album I look through occasionally, and its not upsetting anymore, its nice to look back and remember him.

xxxx

Answer 11

Oh, you've made me cry now! It will be sad, there's no doubt about it, but you are so lucky to have had the love of this dog for so long and you must be thankful for that. Love her while you still have her and treasure every minute. When her time comes (as it must for all of us, not just dogs) don't let her suffer and let her sleep with dignity. You may want to perform a little memorial service in her memory, somewhere special that you and she shared. Be strong. Where's my tissues?