had to put our first and only family dog (15 y/o female) to sleep today, painful...has anyone gone through....

Question

this lately? and any suggestions of how to get over the grief?.....she was fine in every way but her back legs gave out-------please no smarty remarks

what great answers... all 28 of you... you have all restored my faith in mankind.... i wish there were 280 point to give 10 to each......i read all of them at least 3 times... thank you all

Answer 1

Im am really sorry to hear about that. I am 13 and i had a dog that died last year and she was there for me since i was born and she was 13 years old. She was a lot to me and when i heard that she had to get put down i cried. I still think about her today and i know i will never ever forget about her. She had to get put down because she couldnt get up and walk any more. She was peeing all over herself and you know, thats really hard to watch. When your favorite dog is old and dieing and cant get up. she broke my heart. but i still and will always love her.... she was a german shepard age 13 female.

Answer 2

I know it's very hard going through this. My family dogs have all died during their sleep luckily for everyone, but the grief level is the same. Recently i had to put my first pet to sleep. It's going to sound minimal compared to a dog, but it was my rat that i've had for several years and i seriously don't think i've cried that much in a long time. My mom and sister's dog recently died (i live away from home right now) and as a memoriam she was buried under the window of my mom and dad's bedroom (on the side of the bed she used to lay) and my grandmother bought a small memoriam stone. By all means keep the dog in your thoughts since some of your best memories probably involve this pet. There is no instant way to get over it, just go day by day. Losing a pet in a lot of ways is as difficult as losing a friend or family member (since they're usually both to you). And not meaning for it to be a replacement, but you and your family may consider adopting another dog. You could save another animal's life and the new memories you make could reinforce the one you had with your last dog. Plus it's hard to feel sad when you have someone to jump and play with you.

Answer 3

I'm very sorry for your loss. I had to put a dog down too and it's never easy even if you know it's the right thing to do. I think time is really the only thing that helps with the grief. Perhaps your family could have some sort of remembrance or service for your dog. That might help with the grieving process. In time, I hope you'll find another dog you can love and make part of your family too.

Answer 4

It is the most gut-wrenching, heartbreaking ever. I know. I feel so sorry for your loss. My dog had her entire hind end go out too. It was awful. The grief will take time-do not try to deny it. Let it come, and then it will lessen. Over time you'll still get really bad moments, but, thank god, you'll also start to get moments where you'll smile, remembering something funny or quirky she did. It'll never go away-but it becomes tolerable.She'll always be with you. 15 years is a very long time. Obviously 15 years proves you were soulmates. She's in a better place- You need to let her go-but keep her in your spirit.Namaste'-

Answer 5

I am so very sorry for your loss, I know exactly how you must feel. 5 months ago I lost my 16 1/2 year old dog. He was the first and only dog in our family.
It still hurts very much, but not as much as the first day it was. The one thing that seemed to help me to cope a bit was to keep telling my self, "He's in a better place now, he can run and play and he is in no more pain"
I still have some rough days and ball my eyes out, but it's good to cry about a family member you loose.
I try and think only the happy times, but it's hard, sometimes I only replay the day he got put to sleep.

The pain goes away little bit at a time, very slowly. But it never completely goes away.


God Bless and may your sweet heart rest in peace.

-Danny

Answer 6

We've had to put down a few dearly loved fur friends through the years and just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes. Give yourself some time to grieve and adjust to your dog being gone. A new dog won't be the same which is why it is best to wait a bit before bring a new dog into the house. When you do feel ready, I would greatly encourage you to do so. Animals enrich our lives and I believe they bring a family closer together. I'm very sorry, today was a bad day but they'll get better just hang in there. :)

Answer 7

After a lifetime of pets I've been through this a few times. It's never easy to lose a friend. Some are harder than others, but it's never easy.

People sometimes develop rituals for helping them deal with grief. I like to plant something in my garden for people and animal friends that die in my life. For a few weeks I may create a little altar of some sort in my house - a candle, pictures, the dog's collar, perhaps. Whatever is meaningful to you. Let yourself grieve, but be active. As soon as you can begin to get back involved in your favorite activities.

I encourage you to consider looking for a new dog in the next few weeks. It will NOT replace the one you just lost- nothing can. What it will do is help you start to make new memories with a new friend- new and unique memories that will be special to you and your family.

My thoughts are with you. Take care of yourself.

Answer 8

Yes i have been through the same thing twice. One of our dogs had allergys super super bad and she was very sick. So we had to put her down when she was like 3 or 4. And i also a while back we had to put our 19 year old dog to sleep because he legs also gave out. It is very hard and I am not going to lie to you but there isnt really anything that i can tell you to make it better. But I am very very sorry. But your dog is now in a better place. And it is running on the rainbow with all of the other dogs and it is waiting for the day it will see you again. I dont know if this will help but my friend sent me this poem when I lost one of my dogs. It is sad but to me it was yet so true.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Answer 9

Boomer was 19 when I had to put him down.He had been ill and his back legs were not strong enought to hold him up anymore.
This was in 2000,I am still not "over" the loss but I have moved on and have new dogs.I got a bunny in Dec of the same year but did not get another dog ,( a totally different breed),til Nov 05.
Boomer was and always will be the #1 dog in my life.But you will move on when you are ready.Good luck

Answer 10

I am Sooooo Sorry about your beautiful pet. I went through what you are going through about 3 years ago, I still morn, I think of her every day, Her name was Bootsie She was like the daughter I never had : ). Bootsie was a beagle/poodle mix, she didn't look like a poodle and not much like a beagle either. she was all black straight hair, and big ears, and what a personality WOW I miss her to pieces, It sounds from your letter, bootsie had the same thing as your precious dog had, Bootsie had a hard time getting up to walk. But she had a lot of accidents while she slept ".poddy ." her back legs were really bad. But like what you said, she was fine in every way, She still ate, and wanted to play, Awwwww it is horriable.. Bootsie had just turned 17. We like you wanted to do the right thing for our beloved pet . Months later my husband and I got together all of Bootsie's pictures , My husband made an audio/ video CD of Her, with Music in the background , We had a song that reminded us of her, we used that, I cherish That CD She was part of our family. Emma,.. Bootsie Canine sister also misses her. About 6 months after Bootsie was gone, We rescued another Puppy in Bootsies Honor, Because that is what Bootsie would have wanted. You hang in there, cherish her memories, I'm sure She Gave you alot of them, Beautiful, Beautiful Memories. I'm sure you gave her a Great Life, what more could your dog ask for, God Bless you And help you through your sadness,

Donna, from Michigan