Yesterday I had to put my 17 y/o dog to sleep.I've had him since he was 2 and never thought it would be so hard losing him.He was suffering from very bad arthritis and yesterday he woke up and couldn't walk or lift his head. We decided it might be his time to go so we called our vet and he agreed to see us.We got to his office and asked him to look him over,to ensure we were doing the right thing.The vet took a few xrays and confirmed that there was no way he would ever be able to walk,or even move,pain free again.So we told him to go with the euthanasia.My wife kissed him on the head and said goodbye and left,but I couldn't let him go to sleep alone. I held him while the vet gave him the shot and it was so peaceful. Right before he passed he looked at me and kissed my face,as if saying goodbye,then he was gone.I'm a 35 year old man and I was crying like a baby,even today I am at work and teary eyed.Anyone else ever feel this way after losing their pet? I am having a hard time coping.
2007-09-13 05:19:37 · 33 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Jake, I am so sorry to hear about your buddy. It was very kind of you to stay right with him to the very end. You gave him a very loving goodbye and he went to sleep in peace, knowing how much his daddy loves him.
To answer your question: Everyone who loves their pets have a hard time with this. Honestly, it feels no different than when you lose a human loved one, and the grieving process is the same. Just like with human loss, it gets easier over time, but you wll always love him and never forget him.
2007-09-13 05:30:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
I gave everybody a thumbs up because of the love and the compassion they oozed in their responses. My response will just be a repeat of the same, but you loss did remind me of when I was five years old, a neighbor provoked our German Shepherd, Lassie, to anger to the point that she broke her chain and bit him. Though that fool deserved it, we were forced to put Lassie down. I cried over her for several days. She was a very good watchdog and protector.
Although I did not lose my dog the way you did,(my neighbor down the street had her dog put down because of the EXACT same conditions that your dog suffered) it is okay to grieve. Dogs are kinda like children on four legs. They are very loving and sweet and naturally you have 17 years of love and emotion invested in him. If you feel that you grief is to the point that it is hampering your day to day routines, then you may want to see a counselor. Otherwise, your grief is normal. You really did him a favor and I think he knew that because he looked at you and kissed your face. When there has been enough time from your grief, then if you like, you can go and adopt a new dog and make some new memories with a new best friend.
2007-09-13 07:08:53 · answer #2 · answered by rrichards2k3 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I feel your pain and have shed a few tears of my own for you. I had a dog for 16 years and had to do the same thing. I had a cat that I had to put down after 11 years and it was just as painful. Our pets become a part of our family and unfortunately most of the time we outlive our pets and have to say goodbye. It took me a while to have pets again because of that but....after a while the pain heals and you have wonderful memories to reflect on....I know I sure do.
We now have a spoiled rotten 1 year old cat who thinks she is a dog and a 3 1/2 old puppy who is super funny, and full of love. It's a joy to have them both....I still get scared at the thought of getting too attached and losing them but life it too short to deprive yourself of the unconditional love that pets offer. I hope that you and your wife support eachother during this very difficult time. I'm truly sorry for your loss.
2007-09-13 05:33:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
My heart goes out to you. Yes, I've had to do the same for one of my babies that was 18 yrs old. No matter what, its very difficult. I'm glad you stayed with him at the end. The only advise I can give you is that it does get better with time. You will never forget him but one day you will be able to think of him and talk about him without quite so much pain and with more happiness and fondness of the wonderful years you shared. Give yourself time to grieve. And then honor your dog's memory by adopting another. No other dog will ever take the place of the one you lost and I am not suggesting that. But having another to love and be loved by, will help you heal and will be a way of saying to your dog "You added so much to my life that I want to always have a dog at my side". I'm so sorry for your loss. Remember, he is waiting for you at Rainbow Bridge and you will be together again some day. God Bless.
2007-09-13 05:28:22 · answer #4 · answered by Barb 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to hear about your beloved pet and yes lots of people have gone through what you are going through now. We've all been there and it is a horrible thing that only time will heal. Just know that you did the right thing for your trusted friend and companion. Here is a little poem that you might find comforting.
PUT ME TO REST
Time to let me go my friend,
Because my life no-one can mend,
Its better to let me go this way,
Than watch me suffer night and day.
I'm happy to go, my time has come,
My quality of life is no longer fun,
Ive been so ill, so its not a bad thing,
To let me go forever resting.
Stay with me till I drift away,
Fast asleep forever I pray,
To relieve me from suffering and pain,
What more can I ask from my best friend.
Don't be sad, I'll be free from pain,
Never to be ill ever again,
I know you'll miss me being there,
But all the memories you have to share.
Thankyou for being my best friend,
And all my needs that you did tend,
Try not to be sad, try not to cry,
Now's the time to say GOODBYE.
2007-09-16 19:25:32 · answer #5 · answered by Bonzie12 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jake,
I'm so sorry. We lost our first Rottweiler at age 12 for the same reason. I've stayed with every one I've had to put down, just can't bear to let them go alone. It's a very hard thing to do, even though it's time. Just know that you did the right thing by your dog....in time, you won't cry as much, the pain will lessen. But it won't ever go away, at least it hasn't for me. It's been almost 3 years since we lost Chico, and sometimes I swear, I wake up and think he's still here...
Take your time and grieve, my friend, don't worry about what anyone else thinks. They didn't love your dog like you did.
2007-09-13 05:37:06 · answer #6 · answered by zappataz ♠ Since 1999 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
You will and it is hard. I am so sorry but you did the right thing, I am sure you know that. Time will help, it really does. Try and think of good memories and try not to think of yesterday ( as hard as that will be) Maybe the kiss when your pup left was also to say thank you for helping him out of the pain as well as good bye. I put my little one down last year and would you believe I still get teary eyed when I hear of someone else going through it and I think of her. I do think of the fun times and silly times and it helps, everyday is easier. I started to foster and the new little ones coming in and helping them get homes helps also. All I can say is give it time. I am so sorry you went through this. Take care.
2007-09-13 05:47:15 · answer #7 · answered by doxie 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry that you had to say goodbye to your dog. I lost my dog in an accident and it took me a long time to get over it. I think that what you are feeling is completely normal given the circumstances.
Dogs connect with their owners in ways that non-pet people cannot understand. Your dog was in your life for 15 years! He was a loving, loyal friend who never asked for anything unreasonable.
I think you should write yourself a letter from your dog. I know this sounds corny, but it really helped me. I wrote to myself rom Darcy's (my dog) point of view... you know, how he missed me, but how he loved the time we had together.
Give yourself a few days, even a week or two and if you still have trouble, check out pet grieving groups in your area. Believe it or not, there are actually support groups for people who have lost a pet.
Good luck. It's hard to say goodbye to any friend, canine or otherwise.
2007-09-13 05:43:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am so sorry to hear of your loss and can completely understand how you are feeling right now. Your pet was a very important part of your life and facing each day without him is probably overwhelming you right now. Two years ago my husband and I had to put our beloved boxer to sleep. She was only 9 years old but had been a very significant part of our lives and our kids growing up. We still think about her standing at the door to welcome us home to this very day. We still talk about how she made us laugh and things she used to do. Time will help you deal with your grief but you will probably think about your faithful friend every single day. We haven't replaced our boxer yet but that might be something you can think about doing to help get you through this. We have friends that just put their dog down a week ago and they now have a new puppy in their lives. What a joy that puppy is! I will pray for you and hope each day will get better.
2007-09-13 05:39:16 · answer #9 · answered by Mamaw 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Anyone who loved their pet feels the way you do. My family lost 2 out of our 3 dogs last year to freak medical complications and it was the worst summer we ever had.
The only thing I can suggest is just to let some time pass, it will get better. Maybe in a couple of months think about getting a new dog. While he/she won't replace the one you lost, they can start a new bond with you.
2007-09-13 05:25:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋