We've put one dog down and had another die of liver failure at our home. The natural death was much less humane than having the other one put down. If our vet had been able to assess Sadie's illness properly, we would have saved her the suffering.

Regardless of my feelings on the subject, I can understand your pain and am extremely sorry for your loss. If I could have given Sadie a few years off the end of my life to extend hers, I'd have done it in a heartbeat.

I have been through that too many times. The last time the dog was in my lap and it is a good thing I was sitting on the floor. It is the worst day in a dog owners life, but YOU DID THE RIGHT THING. The next day wasn't easy either, taking her for burial at the camp with the others who passed before her. YOU DID THE RIGHT THING. End of life for a dog has to be made easier by the owner. I know what you have been through. Dogs aren't our whole life, but they make our lives better. Hang in there!

Never easy. have had to put five down over the years. Hang in there Bud!

I’m sorry to hear. I’ve had to let dogs go way to many times and will have to do it again several more times as I plan to have dogs until I can’t care for them any longer. It always sucks and I always wondered if it was too soon. However, I take heart knowing that a day early is better than 5 extra minutes of suffering.

I also believe it’s the most important thing an owner can do for their pet.

I hope that my wife and I have the courage to help our two Scotties across the Rainbow Bridge when it's time. It'll be really tough, and my heart goes out to you for what you're going through. But you did the right thing.

Condolences. I've had to do that too many times. I know how heartbreaking it can be.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Sorry for your loss, you made the correct decision for your 4-legged friend. We have had to do it several times, it's never easy.

quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:
Sorry for your loss, you made the correct decision for your 4-legged friend. We have had to do it several times, it's never easy.

+1. It is horrible to lose them, but there comes a time when it is a kindness to let them go. It is never easy, but it is the right thing. You didn’t kill your dog, you freed him from the suffering.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: slosig,

You didn't 'kill' your dog. The disease did. You simply showed compassion and eased what would have been a painful, miserable, existence right up until he passed away on his own.

Although it likely won't help you, consider this alternative. You had 13 wonderful years with your friend. That's a terrific lifetime for most dogs. I had to have a 'six' year old dog put down a little over a year ago, that was the picture of health 60 days before she came down with K9 auto-immmune disease that destroyed her. Six is way too soon, and her passing still haunts me. Be thankful for your 13 years, and as others have already noted, he'll be waiting for your just the other side of the bridge when its your time. I have four good friends I can't wait to see again when its my turn to throw off this mortal coil.

I was a vet tech for a spell, and one of the reasons I didn't follow through with vet school was having to euthanize dogs. I hated it. But I can honesty tell you dogs know when their time is up. You can see it in their eyes.

One of my biggest complaints about my job, although I couldn't voice my opinion, was owners who refused to put down a pet that was terminal. A dog's number one job is to make his master happy, so when they are unable to do that anymore, they are not happy. It's selfish on the owner's part to increase the lifespan of a pet in pain.

It sucks, but you did the right thing. Your dog crossed the rainbow bridge.

Sad to hear. We are hoping to not have to do that to our aging golden retriever who will hopefully make it to her 13th birthday on Valentine's Day.

Also, I was in VMA-223 back in '83 to '86 as an ordnanceman for A-4M Skyhawks. I left to VMA-311 for a WESTPAC in '86 to '87. My buddies transitioned to AV-8Bs, but I got out before that.

Sorry for your loss. You did the right thing. Years ago I had to do the same, I was at work when my exwife called and said they were at the hospital. I drove over as fast as I could and they had to induce a coma because of his seizures. I did not let them wake up him so I could say goodbye. I didn’t want him to suffer anymore.

Sorry you are feeling this way. You did the right thing. I have had similar feelings, beating myself up on that long drive home after making that decision. It took a while to recognize all those years of love are the memories I needed to focus on, not the day I had to make that inevitable choice.

You did the right thing. A very hard a painful thing, but the right and compassionate thing.

Take care and know your companion sis in a better place.

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:
You didn't 'kill' your dog. The disease did. You simply showed compassion and eased what would have been a painful, miserable, existence right up until he passed away on his own.

Being unskilled on many matters, especially delicate ones, I'm just going to requote you.

Like everyone is saying it's the right thing to do.
It's still just so damn hard.
I waited too long on my Aussie mix neena a couple years ago.
I'm still kicking myself for making her suffer.
Hang in there and just try to think of all the good your pup did for you.

I feel for you. I have done it a few times.

I made my wife take care of the last dog. I have had enough for a few years.

Sorry for your loss.

I know exactly how that hurts. Had to do that for one of my dogs some years ago.

Still hurts when I think about the little guy.

I know exactly what you're going through. We had to do the same thing last year. In the span of 2 weeks Toby went from a happy, healthy, 90lb lab to unable to stand on his own. We still miss him today, but as time has gone on, we know we made the right decision for him.

Sorry for your loss, and soon the good memories will outweigh the pain of losing your friend.