Isn't it sad having a dog put to sleep?

Question

It's got to be the worst thing about being a responsible pet owner. One of our dogs was put down on Wednesday after two days at the vets for emergency treatment for growths on her liver that were bleeding into her abdomen. She was only 5, and she'd had epilepsy for most of her life too. The only consolation is that she'll not suffer anymore, but isn't it the most awful thing having to make the decision that a much-loved pet should die?

With regard to a couple of answers, I agree that maybe people should have the same choices as we have for our pets.
You've all been kind and it's just made me want to cry even more. She was such a pain in the neck sometimes but I miss her more than I thought I would. The lost dog I had put to sleep was 8 years ago and I sometimes still get upset, but mainly because one injecton wasn't enough and he needed two more directly into his heart before he died. That sometimes makes me think he didn't want to go.

Edit: it wasn't a *lost dog* I had put to sleep, it was a *last dog*.

Answer 1

yes it is very sad, i had my annie put to sleep on novemeber 8th 06, she had a massive heart attack (someone let a firework of outside my house) i still get upsett 6 months later, she was a greyhound she was 14 yrs old i had her from a year old she was found wandering alone and hungry, she had a great life with me, i still have her ashes they will be buried with me one day. (i couldnt put her in the garden) she has a nice spot on the windowsill she loved sitting in the sun.
jackie.xxx

Answer 2

I'm sorry for your loss. I lost my little brother last year. That's very very painful to lose a human person you love, it is a little less painful to lose a dog and I will tell you why: Dogs live in the moment, they don't harbor grudges (at least not for more than a few seconds) and you better believe they know how to be happy! Your dog led a great life and will move on to the next stage in peace. My advice to you is to be sad for a while and then be happy again, this is natural, dogs do it too - and your dog would not expect anything less from the leader. My other advice is to wait on getting another dog until you are done grieving. If you bring a new dog into this atmosphere it will sense that everyone has fallen apart and will think it has to claim leadership. That will be stressful ad cause problems for the dog and you when anxious and stressed behavior takes the form of disobedience chewing and neurotic behavior.

Answer 3

I am so very sorry, you'll be in my prayers.

I have three dogs, 8, 6 and 4. I am in tears even thinking about making that decision, but you absolutely did the right thing.

We animals lovers and gaurdians take on loving a pet knowing one day we will be faced with the pain and yet we do it anyway, because we are rare and wonderful people. The world needs more people like us.

I read the following in an Orvis Catalog and LOVE it:

DOGS IN OUR LOVES:
We aren't house-proud. If we were, we wouldn't abide the scratches on the door-frame, the holes in the screen, the darkened shine of worn spots on the chair. We would wince at the mottled carpet and fret at the hair clinging to our clothes.
We don't. If anything, we lovers of dogs are a tolerant lot, finding greater value in the unabashed affection of our friend than immaculate sofa's. Shoes can be replaced, but heroic retrieves are timeless.
Without dogs, out houses are cold recepticles for things. Dogs make a fire warmer with their curled presence. They wake us, greet us, protect us, and ultimately carve a place in our hearts and our history. On reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short loves of our dogs
- Paul Fersen, Orvis Associate

Take the time to grieve, don't let anyone make you feel you shouldn't, than open your heart and invite another four legged child into your home, there are so many who need people like us.

Again, I am so sorry.

Answer 4

I'm so sorry, to hear about your dog! Whether to euthanise or not, is one of the hardest decisions you'll ever have to make. Losing a pet, is one of the most heartbreaking, lonely, and hardest experiences, a person can go through. If the animal is in pain and suffering, it seems like the only humane thing to do, is to put them to sleep, so they are no longer in pain. Your other dog is probably missing her alot too! Poor Baby! I know how you feel, because I had to put down my dog years ago, and I still think about her and cry for her. She will remain deep in my heart forever.

Answer 5

Yes, it is awful and I am sorry that you had to go through that. When our dog got hit by a car I knew right away that the dog would have to be put down. It was hard to be comforted but I knew in my heart that Rusty wouldn't be the same anymore and he was in quite a bit of pain. Our vet was wonderful. He gave the dog a shot and he just went to sleep. It was very peaceful. I will always miss our dog.

Answer 6

It's the worst part of dog ownership. After 20+ years I still hate it and never get used to having to make that decision. The only thing I have come to realize and to make it even a tad easier is that I'm better able to assess quality of life issues than I was 20 years ago when I began dog ownership.

Answer 7

I put down my 16yr old dog just over an hour ago. Its the worst feeling ever. I lost relatives, friends........... but nothing was as bad as this feeling I have right now.

I've been dreading this moment for years and years. I don't know when i'll feel better bout it. Last year when one of my dogs died, I cried for hours on end. Now i just feel empty. This was the dog who knew when I wasn't myself, she would look for me in the morning. Its gonna be hard to come home and not see or hear her.

People, I always say this, but you better hope your pet dies quickly in their sleep or something close to that. Pray your beloved pet does not have to suffer.

Answer 8

it is vey sad u wonder if u are doing the right thing,and it takes u a while to get over it and u also feel guilty but reliverd they wont suffer anymore i feel its the worst thing about having a pet when they pass away or u have to put them to sleep cause they where poorly,my 2 dogs that i had to put to sleep i cremated them and brought them home they sit on a shelf in my living room, i find it a comfort that they are there some people dont like it but at least they are at home with u again

Answer 9

Yes the grief is the same has losing a member of the family.My first dog had her for 18 years I vowed never again.I got pulled into taking a dog who had been dumped have had her for 13 years & love her to bits.I am so sorry on your loss & know how you must be feeling she must have had to put up with a lot in her short life one thing she is now at peace.Hope you manage to pick your self up.Good Luck

Answer 10

I honestly have never had to put a dog down...

However, I'm an extreme dog lover and hope and pray I never have to. Thinking about putting a dog down is heartbreaking. I truly feel your pain and am happy that she's no longer suffering. Try to think about the good times you had with her and how lucky she must have felt to have someone who loved her for her time she was allowed here.

Gosh, I'm such a sucker for animal stories. I'm in tears!

Answer 11

I use to work as a vet assistant at 17 and we had to atleast put down 2 animals a day either due to old age or serious health issues. It was the worst thing in the world because you have to watch them die and watch the owners sob over losing their best friend. It took a lot to keep from crying myself because I've had quite a few of my own that I had to put down as well.