We have had Terry (my dog) for 18 years now..(thats human years). She is a fox terrier and she is my everything. I got married and had to leave her with my mom and brother. He phoned me now to say that she is really suffering and she is completely blind and deaf and cant hold anything down. She just lays there. He says that he is taking her to be put to sleep on Friday. I cant handle this. I know she is suffering but i cant stand the thought of not having her around anymore. We got her when i was 9 years old. She is the most pleasant dog. She has always been there for me, I dont think i can handle it if she dies...How do i come to terms with it?
2007-02-27 19:45:18 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Firstly think of her suffering jsut to make you feel better. The kindest thing to do is to let her go in peace and without any more pain or discomfort.
Secondly, our pets see us through a lot of the bad times and the good they are there for us when no one else is and they stick by us with no judgement what so ever. The massive key is to remember her, rememeber the good times you had together and think about her little quirks and funny things she used to do.
Have a picture of her close at hand and have a little memory corner, maybe with her collar or her favourite toy. You know you will always remmber her and even though she isnt with you anymore she will always be in your memory and your heart.
2007-02-27 19:50:41 · answer #1 · answered by Sass 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The death of a pet is like any other bereavement. Your dog has been a big part of your life. You must have shown her so much love over the years and in return she has received and returned this love unconditionally. As with a family member or friend, you will always have your memories and the knowledge that you and your family shared her happy and long life. It is difficult to come to terms with having to have a beloved pet put to sleep. However difficult it is to come to a decision, if the animal is suffering and there is no hope of a good quality of life, it is better to end the suffering. With comfort and understanding from your family, especially your husband, you will come to terms with it, but it will take time. Once you are ready, talk it through with your husband. Remember too that this may also affect your mom and brother. People show upset and handle bereavement in different ways. Whatever happens remember the good times with Terry and the difference you have made to her long and happy life.
2007-02-27 20:03:33 · answer #2 · answered by Beanbag 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eighteen years is a long time for a fox terrier, she has had a lovely life with people that love her and her time is up now - if her quality of life is so low, it's really the only fair thing to do for her - she'll just drift off to sleep and not wake up. The death of a pet can be very traumatic, and I understand the pain you're feeling, but you have to know that this is the best thing for her. There'll be a huge gap at your mother's house, and it's going to take a while for you to get over this, but you WILL get over it, and you'll have all the memories of your lovely pet.
2007-02-27 19:51:50 · answer #3 · answered by f0xymoron 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you love your dog have it put down, leaving it to suffer is one of the worst things you could do to anyone or anything. Whether its hard for you the dog should come first whats better you not being able to cope with it dying or it living a horrible suffering life for your own sake?
No one can tell you how to deal with it, we deal it will come naturally you will grieve and soon things will begin to ease after time (sometimes months) but soon you will remember the good things you had with your pet not the things that hurt most.
All give your goodbyes to your dog and please have it put down, I know it sounds horrible but do you really want it to keep living in pain?
2007-02-27 19:58:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
firstly you must acknowledge this is a time when it's truly not about you but about the precious angel that comforted you for 18 years of your life. Cry really hard for as long as you want and keep a journal to her recalling all the special times she gave you and how much it hurts for you to be without her . Accept your joy from the fact she is a free spirit now totally free from the bondages of pain her earthly body had. And know in your whole heart soul and being that she is where we will be one day and our reunion will be for an eternity pain free
and lastly, adopt a dog on death row in memory and honor of her knowing her absence here on earth has freed you to give your love to a lonely and afraid and unloved dog out in some cold shelter possibly awaiting euthanization My prayers are with you
2007-02-27 19:54:24 · answer #5 · answered by smillas 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there's no pleasant answer to this. she lived to be a ripe old age. feel great for that. most dogs don't live that long. remember all your happy memories. cherish her always in your thoughts. you'll probably never have a dog that lives that long again. but at this point let her go. be there with her if you can...and hold her paw. it will hurt but it will also help. there's no avoiding the crying and pain. you'll need to express it to go on. and have her cremated and keep her ashes in a special urn & place. that way when you think of her, happy or sad, you can still "hold" her. it's always helped for me. and also, remember she will be waiting for you on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. that's where all mine are and it will be a joyeous reunion of a giant pack by that time!! my thoughts & prayers are with you.
2007-02-27 21:22:37 · answer #6 · answered by Kathy H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remember terry when she was a young dog and could run and play? Well terry wants to be like that again. She is stuck in an old body she cant use anymore.
Let her go to sleep now. She has earned it.
Our dog was put to sleep 6 years ago and both my husband and I cried our eyes out but she was not having a happy life anymore.
Sometimes we have to do what is best for our pets and not ourselves.
2007-02-27 20:11:19 · answer #7 · answered by marvelous_mad_madam_mim 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just keep thinking of all of the years that you got to have with her and that right now she is suffering so much and doesn't deserve that. It's always hard to lose a pet, especially one you have had most of your life, but she has given you 18 wonderful years of memories to keep with you until you're together again on the Rainbow Bridge. She will be much happier out of pain and where she can run and play again. Hold her memory in your heart hun, and allow yourself to grieve. Hugs!
2007-02-27 19:49:57 · answer #8 · answered by MasLoozinIt76 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's really weird. I've been reading the other answers and the general concensus seems to be that it's better to put an animal down rather than let it suffer. My mother is dying of cancer and her quality of life is obviously very poor but in this country no doctor would openly admit they would terminate a human life regardless of their condition.
I know this doesn't answer your question but the subject has been bothering me as I've watched my mum deteriorate.
2007-02-27 20:30:27 · answer #9 · answered by biker_mouse 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm with everyone about letting her go. It really helps if you can be with your dog at the end. I'm 50 and I cried like a baby when I stayed with my Belgian Sheepdog until her last breath. It's hurts really bad but with time you'll feel better knowing you were with your canine sweetheart at the end. Bless you and your pup and don't try to rush into a new dog. Your heart will let you know when the time is right. G
2007-02-27 20:39:47 · answer #10 · answered by glencosalsa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋