I had to put down my two beautiful dogs and i am feeling miserable can someone help me overcome my guilt.?

Question

In all i had 4 dogs, one died of old age about 2 yrs back. We were left with a family mum, dad, and baby. Honey, sunny, and sweety. Last year my honey sufferred a stroke and since then she had become a vegetable she was at our mercy for all her needs including nature's calls. we were in fact stalling her putting down. then suddenly last june my sunny developed a lump for which he was being treated, but it galloped at a fast pace and turned out to be nasal cancer. the poor baby was emiting blood from his mouth and nose, had difficulty breathing, eating, and sleeping. The vet asked to make this dreadful decision for the animal's benefit he was 8. on jan 19 the blackest day in my life's history we put both honey and sunny down since they were truly doting on each other and since my honey too was an invalid and almost 18 now. but i just could not get over the guilt it is past one month but i m ubale to find a purpose for my survival. I feel i have cheated on my babies who trusted me. pl.hl

Answer 1

They counted on you to take care of them, and you DID, the very best for them. This is your beloved's message to you..
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 2

You have to listen to me, because I know how you feel, because I am usually against putting animals down. I know some people put down their animals at the first difficulty, even healthy animals sometimes, which is horrible. BUT what YOU did has nothing to do with these actions. What YOU did was CORRECT, even by my standards. If I were your dog, I would have wanted you to do the same for me. You didn't betray them. At some point, animals realize the end is coming and they surrender to that. When they suffer so much and there is no cure, helping them die is the best you can do, if you love them. And please, for your dogs' sake, they'd like you to remember the good moments, not the bad moments. Death of loved ones always creates guilt, even when it has nothing to do with you. But it is not good for your dogs to keep from them the bad moment of their death, their souls need to be a good memory. And they had happy long lives. You are a great dog owner and you should rescue another dog in their name, not replacing them or anything, but saving another puppy because they won't find anyone better than you. That will give you some meaning!

Answer 3

Realize we all have to die. But also Know that up until the very last second of their lives you Loved them and they knew it. You had to do what was best. They were suffering and probably grateful that you took the next step to help them. I know its hard but you sound me, I love my animals just like people, Ive had to make those decisions before and yes I still feel sometimes that there must have been something else I could have done. But in my Heart I know I did all I could do, and It was time. You'll always think about them but just try to remember the happy thoughts. It will get better with alot of time.

Answer 4

You did not cheat them. You did For them the best a human can do for something they love... YOU loved and cared for your dogs even when it might have been easier for some one in your place to put them to sleep sooner. You were there for them and that is what matters. You gave them a great gift... you let me go you made sure they were no longer in pain. They would thank you if they could. Maybe to help with the pain go help out at your local shelter or rescue. Donate in your dogs name or sponsor a shelter pet in thier name. Maybe when the time is right adopt a dog and save its live. That way you get to give yet another great gift a secound chance at a loving home!

Answer 5

You did exactly the right thing. By keeping these animals alive, you would have been causing them terrible pain and suffering. As it is, they died in a safe environment, free from fear, and very much loved.

If you feel like you need to do something to commemorate your dogs, why not adopt or rehome another dog or two from an animal sanctuary?

You sound like you have a lot of love to give, and there are lots of animals out there that need it.

Answer 6

There is a big difference between guilt and sorrow for the loss of your dogs.

By having your vet euthanize your dogs, they simply went to sleep and never woke up. They are now free of their pain and misery. You did the right thing.

I hate seeing animals in pain just because their owners "love" them and can't bear to have them put down. I don't think it's fair to the animals to have to suffer for so long.

I've had to put down three dogs. I don't feel guilty, I just simply miss them.

I hope this helps with dealing with your loss.

Answer 7

I know how horribly painful this was for you, but you did the right thing. They were suffering too much. I lost Mr Bud last august he would have been 18 he was limping horribly and we had suspicions that he had a brain tumor he would shake his head back and forth over and over again. He was in pain at night and we tried everything from the vet. Eventually we had to put him down. Three years before we had to put down Paddington his kidneys gave way he was almost 18 as well. It doesnt matter the age, I loved them with all my heart and soul. As you do yours. Since those days we have heard barking, we have heard Paddingtons nails across our bedroom floor. We have seen ghostly images of him on the floor, on our bed. Its not only us but one evening I had company and we all heard barking in the living room. So life goes on, they stay with us to comfort us and to comfort themselves. Their bodies are gone..but their souls live on and they stay where the love is the strongest so i assure you they are both with you. The only difference is they are without pain and they chose to reside in spirit form and will or can project themselves to you in the age they feel most comfortable. Its usually when they were younger and feeling good. So I have proof that live goes on after death for animals as well as people.So rest assured they are their with you. :-)

Answer 8

They know you loved them and they loved you and they may of been in a bit of pain and now they aren't. They lived a happy life and you cared for them well. They wouldn't want you to be guilty and they are looking over you now. At least they both made the journey together. I'm very sorry to here and try to cheer up best wishes Nicole.

Answer 9

Please don't beat yourself up. You did more than everything you could-including giving those babies a wonderful life. Better by far, than most dogs ever see. They were treated like the stars of Hollywood compared to other dogs. Go to the shelter and see all the pups who are starved for love and attention if you need to remind yourself of that.

I know it must've been hard for you. I'm sorry you had to go through that. But never doubt you gave them the best life! You gave them love-what more could any of us ask for?

Answer 10

As a nation of animal lovers we all put ourselves through the same torment you are feeling now when we have to make a decision as hard as this.

At the end of the day, you really do have nothing to feel guilty about. You actually did the kindest thing for them. It sounds really hard becuase they were your 'babies' but trust me..........you did the RIGHT thing.
So many people allow their pets to suffer because they can't bring themselves to let go, but what is best?? suffering or kindness and dignity for your pet.

If you had allowed your pets to continue with what they were going through then you would have had something to feel guilty about.
Allow yourself to grieve and remember them as they were. Just the same as you would morn a human. For those who have never had to go through losing a pet, it will seem hard to understand but it is just the same feeling of loss.

Take care and I hope you start to feel better soon ((hugs))