How can I survive since I put my dog in sleep? Please Help me...............?

Question

Day before yesterday I had to put my 13 year old dog in sleep because he was sickfor the past 3-4 months he had an enlarge heart but he was on medication but lately he stoped eating completely and he was very week and slow in walking or doing anything ( eventhough he was able to response to us) he was dignosed with abnormally high kidney failure. (that made him loss of appetite) and his liver was not good too his vet said he can't to much about it because his kidney funtions are not good at all before he died he started throwing up a lot ( all uria,toxin came out)vetsaid the only thing they can do is keep him in the hospital for few days and they can give him fluid but he was never going to be recover(unfortunately) then we had to take that painful decision to put him down:( I feel guilty now eventhough I know I did the right thing best for my dog) and I am very heartbroken to loose him my each day is though to deal with. How can I survive? Am I gulty for killing my dog? Please help.

Answer 1

You aren't guilty. You did something good for him. YOu ended the pain. If he could, he would say thank you. He's in a better place now. Don't go out and get another animal to replace him, that will only make things worse. Just try to continue doing your daily routine. Don't forget about him, but don't let him be the only thing you have on your mind. In time, you will be able to look back and think of only the best times you guys had.

Answer 2

About 6 months ago I had to put my 15 year old dog to sleep as he got that bad that he couldn't even walk. I was lucky my daughter took the day off work to help me take him to the vet. That is the 5th dog I have had to put to sleep and they have all been traumatic experiences for me, because I really loved them all and they were all a member of my family. I now have a 12mth old rottie called Angel and I love her just as much as the others. It's a fact of life when you have pets. Like humans they don't live forever. If we can euthanize our animals to stop their suffering why cant we do the same for humans?

Answer 3

I had to put my 12 year old Rot down. She was an abused animal that I rescued and loved for the last 11 years of her life. She gave me more in love and appreciation than I could ever have given back to her. She had an inoperable tumor on her lung and acute arthritis developed within weeks. There was no hope that she would ever recover. I made her chicken and hand fed her. Scrambled eggs, whatever I could get her to eat, I made for her. She would no longer take her pain medication by me putting it in a piece of liver sausage, and for the first time in her life, she growled at me when I tried to shove it down her throat. She was in pain, and I could do nothing for her. In going outside to potty, she fell three steps into the gravel and couldn't get up. That was when I knew it was time. Was with her, holding her, at the vet's when he put her to sleep. It was the right thing to do. I still cry over her, but it was the right thing to do and it was right for you too. The jagged edges will smooth with time, but she will never be forgotten. I am sorry for your loss.

Answer 4

You may be feeling guilty, but now he is free from pain. And you won't be putting tons of money into treatments that won't really cure him anyways. Instead of grieving, shop for a new pet. Say your dog was a golden retriever: look for ads in your local newspaper to adopt a golden retriever. Or better yet, go to the animal shelter. That way, you're helping a dog while he or she helps you. Good Luck and Merry Christmas!

Answer 5

It is heartbreaking to say goodbye to a beloved companion. It does sound like you made the right decision as your friend was clearly in very painful circumstances. There are really no easy ways to survive, other than to go through your grief. Grieving is normal and it is what reminds us that we love and have loved deeply. Guilt reminds us that we have taken our responsibility to our non-human animal friend seriously and with respect. There is not right or wrong way to grieve--if, however, you feel you cannot function in your every day life then consider speaking with your religious pastor/counselor, if you have one, or speak with a psychotherapist to have a safe place to process your feelings.

I have said goodbye to many friends over the years and it is never easy, but the truth always turned out my life was better with them, than without. And I would go through the grief again and again because I can't fathom my life without having known my friends along the way.


My deepest sympathies at your loss,
Katie MacDowell, M.Ed.
Masters, Counseling Psychology
Doctoral Candidate, Clinical & Health Psychology

Answer 6

I've been through this several time and it never gets easy. Just knowing they are no longer in pain does give me some peace. Some people say wait before getting another pet, I say get one as soon as possible. When you have given so much love to a pet, you need to continue to give that love. Another one will help in the healing process and bring enjoyment into your life again. "All Creatures Great and Small, the Lord God Made Them All" God Bless.

Answer 7

you did the right thing he was very poorly and in alot of pain and its like loosing a family member you will always feel sad about this and it will take time to come to terms with the loss he lived to a good old age and he had a really good life hes at peace now and if he was still here he would be very poorly still and i don't think you could watch him suffer you will feel guilty but you shouldn't it would have been cruel and selfish of you to keep him alive you sound like a nice person and you shouldn't feel guilty at all you have to keep telling yourself what an unselfish person you are and your dog is now at peace and he will live on in your memorys

Answer 8

I can't imagine the day when my boy has to go to that great big doggy heaven in the sky. However, it sounds as if you loved your dog very much for 13 years. I can't imagine you having any other choice than to put your dog to sleep. I know you would not have wanted him to suffer for the rest of the time he had left. You made the correct decision. Sorry about your dog.

Answer 9

The bond we form with our dogs is a closer bond than any other bond we form. Yes we love our spouses, yes we love our kids, yes we love our neighbors & yes we love the world. But the bond formed between you and your dog is undefineable, it is so strong. Their unconditional love, wagging tail, pleaful eyes, trust, best friend & so loyal, oh, so loyal, they are just the best friend in the world.

I have heard it said and have seen it in written word that sometimes folks feel a greater loss when they loose their pet than when someone close dies.

It is a hard decission to make but you did it for his sake. He left this world knowing how much you loved him and he will be waiting for you when you pass.

I'm going to have so many that I will have to break them up into packs.

As time goes by you will find some relief.

Blessings

Answer 10

I know how you feel. I had to put my husbands cat down while he was serving in iraq, he had FVP, where fluid fills up in the lungs and there is absolutely nothing you can do.

The best thing to do is to get another dog. i know you feel horrible about the other dog dieing , and you did the best thing for him, he thanks you for putting him out of his misery.

YOu are not guilty, you are his saviour for seeing him sick and helping to end his pain.

i would suggest talking to a very close friend or even a councelor. a dog of that age and who has been with you that long is partof your family, not just a pet.

my prayers are with you.