how to cope with having to euthanize your dog?

Question

My mom's (and my dog from childhood) was 15 years old, and couldn't walk, was in constant pain, and couldn't control herself (bodily functions) so we finally decided to go ahead and euthanize her. it broke both of our hearts, even though we knew it was the best thing for her, but it's still very hard. Her name is Daisy, and she was a purebred shih tzu, the silver color (very rare), and the sweetest baby you would ever meet. She was my mom's best friend and long time companion, and now, my mom is lost without her. Does anyone have any ideas of anything i can do for her (no more pets, by the way, she's already decided no more, not even a fish) to help her get by for these next few months? Also, Does anyone know where to get a good print of the Rainbow Bridge poem? I'd like to get one that's framed....

please say a prayer for my mom, and for Daisy. She's not suffering anymore.

thanks so much.

thank you, everybody, you've helped so much.

Answer 1

wow honey... I can say I have been there... 2 years ago this month I had to put my 16 year old poodle bobo to sleep. The hardest thing I have ever done in my life. My husband and I don't have kids and he was our child. He suffered from seizures most of his life and lost his eye sight and his hearing. He had a seizure one night and had a stroke...even the stroke didn't take the tough little guy. but I knew it was time. but it broke my heart. I did however get a new puppy... after a couple of months... I didn't want to at first... but my house was so empty... I can I tell you he healed my heart. I still visit BoBo's grave.... and I still have my days that I think of him and cry but not like in the beginning .... I cried for weeks. But in the end I know that I made the right decision

try this web site

http://www.petloss.com/

I will say a prayer for you and your moms loss

Answer 2

I'm so sorry to hear about your loved oned passing on. I used to work at a vet's office, therefore I know both sides of euthanizing a pet. You know, to tell you the truth - the whole process of euthanizing a pet is VERY humane today. The medicine is perfect and the pets NEVER feel a thing. It is like going for a nap. Most pets, at this time, it is the best thing for them. If want longer than needed to put a pet down, the pet suffers so you know you did the right thing. For now, I think just being with your mother will be the best thing. My family always has a pet cemetary in our backyard that we bury all of our loved ones in. It is a way to release and say goodbye. Maybe this is what your mother needs also. For now, a loving daughter and a poem is what you need. I have attached the poem. Your family is in my prayer!

Answer 3

There is no easy answer to your question.

That euthanasia was for the best is not up for debate, I know. So no point telling you and your mum that it WAS for the best. In the wild a dog (and I KNOW that pets have little memory of their ancestry but that isn't the point) your dog would not have reached fifteen- the reality is that she would have succumbed to her age as soon as she was no longer able to feed herself.

I was 14 when I watched a dog die of the protracted effects of the SAME condition. Not only was this dog old and infirm but in the hours to the vet arriving he was also paralysed from the head down. He was MORTIFIED. Bodily functions went hay-wire and while he still noticed this in the morning, he was past caring by the afternoon. As I lived in India at the time the vet took some time arriving.

I am going to face the loss of my dog one day. Not for another 11 or so years, I hope but I know that I would probably never ever want to "replace" her.

All I can think I might wish to do is to remember her. Having a painting done of a good photo of Daisy might be a nice gesture. It makes that photo all the more precious and if you can get someone who can really capture her "spirit" in the painting (having video of her to show the artist is good) then it can take a life of its own and comfort your mum, and you.

And a prayer has been said for you, your mum and Daisy. Bless.

Answer 4

I'm so sorry for your loss. This is a very difficult decision, but in the end, you know it's the best, most humane thing to do.

Since she does not want another animal, how about if she volunteers at a local animal shelter. There are many things that she could do. One thing that all shelters need are foster parents. Fosters take in animals for a short amount of time to get the animal ready for adoption. Most of the time they are either pregnant females or just born litters. Sometimes, they take them just to keep them used to socialization with people. Some shelters with limited capacities rotate their animals with fosters so they are not living in the shelter the whole time. It is usually better when fosters don't have pets of their own.

If she is not interested in that, just being at the shelter (lots of different volunteer jobs at the shelter) to be around animals.

Who knows, perhaps over time she may want another puppy.

Also, along with the poem (not sure where to get it), frame some pictures of your dog when she was active. Don't over do it, just a couple. Yes, it's a reminder, but it will bring happy reminders and the joy she brought to you and your mom.

Again, so sorry . . .

Answer 5

Sorry about your dog, hon. One of mine died Friday of congestive heart failure at 14, but she was in little pain. My cure??? I have always had at least two dogs of different ages, and replace one always... But then, I love dogs, and need them. I knew Robyn was going to die that night, and of course it is always painful (Listened to her heart --- husband a doc, I have a stethoscope, and know what to listen for---- what I heard wasn't good.) I'm sorry your mom doesn't want another, I think dogs are a joy, and cannot envision my life with out at least one all the time.

Have had to euthanize several over the years --- pain was no longer manageable, and had to euthanize my favorite mare.... never pleasant. But the joy of their companionship is worth it all, even the sad end. Still have one old horse, now 26... as long as I can keep him pretty pain free, I'll continue to enjoy him. When all I am doing is keeping him alive for my own pleasure, it is time to let go, and keep the good memories.... hope someone will do me the same favor. life is only good under circumstances that have more good things than bad things...... people as well as critters....

Answer 6

I'm sorry for your loss .Sometimes we can't be selfish and let our animals suffer just because we want to keep them around. We had to put our dog to sleep in July because his kidneys had failed and then he started having seizures. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life and it's been almost 7 months and I still miss him everyday. We buried him in his favorite spot in the yard and created a memorial, we gave him a garden light and he has flowers. We also created our own memorial in the house we took a picture frame that you can put 5 pictures in and then I put a poem in it also: The poem is called My Forever Friend

I inow that it must be different,
now that I am no longer here.
I realize how much I was loved
and how all you did care.

I know it will be hard at first
when you look around for me.
Expecting to find me in my bed
or beside my favorite tree.

Someday you will begin to see,
although it'll take some time,
the happy times you shared with me,
the memories are yours and mine.

I'll remember you my family
and how much you meant to me,
So please don't grieve and don't be sad, it was just my time to leave.

I also found this website where you can create you own online memorial to your pet heres the website http://www.youns.com/memoriam/ I created one to my dog Boldie: http://www.youns.com/memoriam/memorial.asp?ID=1828 theres the link if you'd like to view it and get an idea as to what the site is about. Once again I'm sorry for your loss.

Answer 7

The best thing you can say, is be glad the dog lived to be 15yrs old. Thats amazing for a dog. Maybe get her a nice picture frame with a bunch of nice pics of the dog and her and the dog(get the frame scribed with the pets name). I've put down too many dogs in my short time. A 2, 3, 8, 9, and 12 yr old(all Dobes Blk, red, and fawn). The older they are, the easier it should be in reality. But my 9yr old was the hardest(1st from pup). You did what was right for the dog, NOT you. One should not hold onto a dog in such situations to appease themselves. Make Daisy never forgotten, NOT to be grieved, BUT celebrated. Sounds like she had a full and great life. You have a prayer from me.

Answer 8

Having any pet put to sleep is hard. I should know. I had to have my horse put down recently. She was in a friek semi accident.It was no one's fault. We think a cyote ran her through the fence. It was very hard to deal with since she was my first horse. The way I dealt with it was turning to my other pets for support and love. It made me realize how short life was. Ever since then I never leave the house without saying bye to my two dogs Rocky and Abbie. In your case, your dog lived a good long life and I'm sure she's happy now. If I was you, I would get some kind of memorial plaque with her name on it. That way every time you see it, you'll think of her.

Answer 9

May I go now
Don't you think the time is right?
May I say good-bye to pain-filled days
and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best,
an example tried to be,
So can I take that step beyond
and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first.
I fought with all my might!
But something seems to draw me now
to a warm and loving light.
I want to go! I really do!
It's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can
to live just one more day .
To give you time to care for me
and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and are afraid
because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that,
and hope you'll always know
that my spirit will be close to you
wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me.
You know I loved you too.
That's why it's hard to say good-bye
and end this life with you.
So hold me now, just one more time,
and let me hear you say,
because you care so much for me,
you'll let me go today.


Copyright © Susan A. Jackson
Written for a beloved pet and friend.

Answer 10

I'm so sorry for your loss. That must be really hard.
You and your mom gave Daisy a good life. I heard that shih tzus live up to 15 years so it was time for her to go but she had a home and was able to live long. I have a shih tzu myself and he is only 3months but everytime I think about him dying it breaks my heart. I don't even want to think about it. I know I'll have to let him go one day...hopefully more than 15 years. Maybe you can keep her busy with other things. Maybe she can take up a new hobby. Also she needs some time to heal.
When I was about 16 my parents told me that my childhood pets, 2 dogs of 15 years died. I started crying so hard. It just hurt so much. But talking about them (good memories) made me feel better.