Got any tips for a person who has to put their dog down soon?

Question

dobiegang posted a question yesterday about euthanasia because she will have to put her beloved pet to sleep soon and, naturally, it hurts. I was moved to tears by the wonderful responses she got and by remembering my own wonderful pets waiting at the Rainbow Bridge for me. How did YOU cope with losing a beloved pet?

Answer 1

I just had to put my baby Coda down on Monday. I've had her since 1993. Red nose pit, Boxer & Lab mix female.

This wonderful dog has survived parvo and a car accident that caused her to loose a front leg. She would talk to anyone who cared to listen and we would have a 5 minute conversation every night when I came home from work (yes, she really did talk, I couldn't understand a thing she said, but she had a lot to say).

My daughter was 5 when we got Coda so has grown up with her, and Coda was 4 when my son was born.

Unfortunately, her body wore our before her mind. Her back legs have compensated for the missing leg for so long, that they just couldn't hold her up anymore. I put off the decision for euthanasia for long enough, it had to happen. My baby was in a lot of pain and I had to put her health above my selfishness. I stayed with her, scratcher her cheeks and looked in her eyes as she went down. I cried but spoke softly to her knowing that if she knew i was upset, it would worry her. Coda went quietly and that's what made it easier, tho my heart was breaking.

This decision is never easy, and that is as it should be. The decision to euthanize should be a difficult one as lives are affected.

Your friend must come up with this herself.

You did not mention if your friend has children, but when my son was so upset, I told him that I wanted him to write me a story about him and his dog. I wanted to hear the funny stories and the little things. I took his story and put it in an album with pictures of Coda and our family and gave it back to Jacob so he won't forget her.

I'm getting her ashes back today and we will be buring her in the back yard under her tree.

Answer 2

I have had to do that with several pets, and I have to disagree with a previous poster who said to leave the pet with the vet and not be there with it during the procedure. That's this animal's last moment on this Earth, and if it's been a good pet, then it deserves to be held and loved by it's human while it's life is being taken. To just leave the pet because you can't handle the feelings or are uncomfortable about watching it is selfish. Your face and your love are the last things that your pet should perceive. I stayed with my pets when it was their time, and yes it was very painful, but I wouldn't have been able to live with myself otherwise. It's a decision I feel very good about.
So, with that in mind, encourage this person to stay there and hold their pet during it's final moments. Not only does it give you closure, it's just simply the right thing to do in return for the love that animal gave you.

As Bev, below, says; "... it was better than always wondering if he had been frightened or alone."

Bless you.

Answer 3

Hey Girl, Nice seeing you here!!! I have lost Desire's (my sick female) mate(Snoop) almost four years ago. When I lost him to cancer my heart ached & still does.I didn't have to put him down, I was on my way to the vet,in tears, he was in the back of my SUV & a friend was in the back seat to comfort him, but I didn't have to euthanize him, he passed before I got there. About six months later my daughter had a male Dobie that had to be euthanized & she couldn't bare to do it. Well, I couldn't bare to see him suffer so I took him to the vet. Oh the pain I felt!!! For those that says get another dog to heal your heart, that does not work!! I had & still have three Dobies when Snoop passed but they did not take his place. It is like having two legged children if you lose one to God the others that you have can not take the place of the one you may have lost!! I do all for my pets when they are alive as well as after their deaths. They are buried in my back yard & yes they even have a headstone, their names are on it, date of death & even a picture of a Doberman engraved on it., so I see it every time I go into my yard. To the ones that says take the pet to the vet and leave, I would NEVER turn my back on my beloved pet!! I will & did stay at their side till they took their last breath, even if it killed me!!!!

Answer 4

I remember quite clearlly when I had to make the tough decision to put down my 16 year old toy poodle, Honey. Her health had been failing for the last year and she was miserable. She had liver disease, Cushings was suspected, and could hardly walk. It was time.

I made the appointment and had 4 days with her before that day. I took off from work and spent all my time with her. I believe we can communicate with our pets on some level and I remember holding her on my lap and asking her if she was ready to go. We spent some time communing with each other and, as I asked her that question, tears were falling from my eyes. She leaned over and gently licked them away and then leaned against my heart. I felt I had my answer. She was ready.

I held her while the vet gave her the shot and she was gone in seconds. Yes, it was hard, but after 16 years of love and devotion, I owed her. I will ALWAYS be with my animals at the end. So it hurts -- so what? THEY hurt. She "went to sleep" in my arms and even my vet commented "She was SO ready to go." (I found out later, that my vet went in the back room after she left me and cried. That touched me so deeply).

Because I'm the kind of person who wants to always have a dog (or two) in my life and I don't need a "time out" in between, I told my vet to be on the lookout for a dog who needed me. Four days later, my first Cocker Spaniel came into my life. He was a stray - about 8 years old -- and I adore him. Together, he and I adopted another Cocker Spaniel to keep him company.

When it's time for them to die, I will be with them, holding them and doing what I did with Honey. The last thing she heard and felt was my kiss on her nose and my whispered "I love you."

Answer 5

People keep saying "don't be there when it is done". I have had to do this more than once, but the easiest was when I did go in and hold my Pekingese. Not that it was easy by any means, but at least I knew that he had not suffered. It was very peaceful and he just went to sleep in my arms. That was nearly 2 years ago, I still get weepy over losing him. But it was better than always wondering if he had been frightened or alone.

Answer 6

I didn't cope very well at all. My girl died of a broken neck from an accident in the back yard when she collided with my male and I was devastated for weeks. Very depressed. I did make her a memory garden and planted a tree in her memory at her grave site which helped a lot but time was the only true healer for me. That was 3 years ago and I still cry when I think about her to much and I miss her still.

Answer 7

It has been about two weeks now since we had to put our saint bernard down.
It was the hardest thing to do! The Mr. and I were there with him. I cried like a baby. I tried not to, tried to be strong and all that. Just did not happen.
Everyone misses him so bad!

Know one is ready for such a thing. It is hard for the vet and his staff! I do not think our SB felt any pain from the shot. He closed his eyes and went. I would not let the people take him in without us there with him. His real owner died last year from cancer and his last year was the best we could provide for him.

Anyhoo I do not think there is a way to get ready for such a thing!!

Answer 8

This may sound strange but in order for me to move on after putting down a beloved pet I have a burial for them and I go and visit them every chance I get to.

Answer 9

I grew up around animals and I have had way too many go, and it never gets easier. I would always take pictures and still do, my favorites I owuld have blown up to 8x10s and keep them on my wall. I cried a GREAT deal and spent alot of time alone. I never got a new one right away I always waited until I healed a little. I would also volunteer at the local SPCA. Time helping animals always made me feel better.

Answer 10

I'm sorry to read that you have to do that.

I never really got over my pets, but what helped was to get a new pet right away. Maybe not before, because pets get jealous, and can feel neglected.