how do i deal with having to put my beloved pet to sleep?

Answer 1

It's a hard and sad choice, but it's good that you love your pet enough to end their pain and suffering. If possible stay with the animal until the end, petting and stroking it to keep it calm and reassured. Think in terms of how you would like the end of your life to be and be grateful that your animal has a loving and caring master. You will grieve, but grief is a natural part of life and is in proportion to the love and happiness that you shared with your pet. Time will ease the pain and at some point in the future, you should get another pet--preferably one from the pound that you can save from a much too early death.

Answer 2

Grieving for a pet is the same as grieving for a person. You love them and now you have to say goodbye. It's heartbreaking.

Don't underestimate the strength of your emotions during this time. Let yourself cry, let yourself feel sad. If you have to take a day or two off work, call in sick.

Putting my dog down after 17 years was the hardest choice I ever had to make. I still feel myself well up whenever I talk about her, and she's been gone almost a year.

Grieving is a process. Allow yourself to go through the process the same as if you lost any other loved one. Time will eventually help you get over any loss. Good luck to you.

Answer 3

Goodness...I can't help you but I'm sitting here at work, at my desk crying because of everyone's responses!

Putting an animal to sleep is a terribly sad event in one's life. Our first dog was put to sleep when I was 10 and I will NEVER get over it. It truely is like losing a person! I get upset all the time thinking about what will happen when my Oaks (my current dog) has to have it done. He is old and has some health issues now.

Be strong and think of all the great times you had with your pet. Your pet was (or is) loved and knows that it had a good home with you while you loved him/her.

Below is a poem that my friend felt really helped her when her dog just recently died...

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Answer 4

We all grieve in our own way. To me loosing a pet is like loosing a human I love. Very hard. The last few dogs we had to put down, I was with them when they passed. As hard as it was, it's good to know how painless and peaceful it is.for them.
Some peole wait a long time before getting anew pet, if ever. Me, I am one of those that has been known to go the next day. Not to replace the one I lost, but to have another to love.

Answer 5

I am sorry for what you are going through. But find a little comfort knowing that your dog had a great life filled with love. Also you owe it to your dog to alllow him to leave this earth with dignity and not to be in pain. If his quality of life is no longer happy, then it is the humane thing to do. You may want to take lots of pictures, take a cast of his paw, or have the vet cremate your dog so that you can grieve in your own way. He will live on in your heart.

Answer 6

not sure- I had to put my beagle Bacall down three weeks ago. She had been fighting cancer for 2 years. I am still pretty much of a mess. However it is slowly, slowly getting better. Just remember that you are doing the right thing. It is a tough decision to make, but it is a loving thing to do.

I am sorry that you are going through this. Take care

Answer 7

My people are so precious, Lord I know you think so too.
And I believe you put me here
To love them just for you!
They take such gentle care of me
and have such tender hearts.
Please use me Lord to comfort them
Whenever teardrops start.
They face a lot of battles
As they live and work each day
They need me Lord to make them smile
And show them how to play!
The world is full of people
But some times real friends are few
Please let my love and loyalty
Remind them, Lord, of you.
And when my final moments comes,
Lord tell them as we part
I was a made to order gift
From your great and loving Heart.
by Hope Herrington Kolb

This has helped me this last summer for I have lost 3 good friends Cassie (horse) Black Velvet (S&R german shep) and just last week My sons best friend Sam (german Shep)

Answer 8

(((HUGS)))) we've had do that a couple of times and my mother was always the one elected to do it. She says it's really hard. You cry a lot. She says she watched the first one, because she wanted to say goodbye, but it was too traumatic for her, she said she won't do it again. So she says her goodbyes and walks out to her car and allows herself to cry and grieve out there.

Just know that if you have to do it, that you're doing the best thing for your pet. You're saving him from having to suffer. When we found out that our cat had a stomach tumor, both our kids were young and really attached, so we opted to let him die at home. I won't ever do that again. I let him suffer and I know I did, and I live with that look every day. I'll never do it again, and I regret it every single day. By putting your pet to sleep, you're saving him from having to suffer.

Answer 9

I had to do this last year for our 15 year old Shih-Tzu.

I can tell you that lots of crying will be involved - sometimes out of the blue... you just start bauling. There will also be times that you remember the good times that you had with your dog, and that'll get you through it.

If you believe that they go to Heaven, we (separately) talked to him and let him know how our day went, etc... just as if he were still with us.

My thoughts and prayers are with you. It's not an easy thing to do.

Answer 10

My mother in law had to put her doxie to sleep about 3 months ago.

She had everyone close to Bagwell (doxie's name) go to the vet and say our last goodbyes. We gave Bagwell his favorite snacks - bacon srips and brought his favorite toys. We didn't act sad because dogs can sense that and he'll think you are mad at him. So when you are there be very happy (i know this is harder to say than act, trust me!) We kept trying to pass Bagwell around to everyone in the room one last time and give him hugs. I thought of the funny stuff he did and repeated this to him (more for myself so I could feel happy instead of sad) but we did it. My mother in law could not be in the room when the vet put him to sleep but I stayed with him and said in soothing voice that "I love you, Bagwell."

It is very sad and I will be thinking of your beloved pet when you say your final goodbyes.