We're sending our female German Shepherd to the bridge tomorrow. She's 10 and was diagnosed with DM and a torn ACL this past spring. She's basically immobile in the house — we have yoga mats and carpets covering the hardwoods. My wife and I are starting to feel like maybe it's a little early, but her bad days are now outnumbering her ok days, and she's getting incontinent and having a hard time lifting her tail and holding the poop position.She`s also constantly falling. I'm of the belief a little early is better than one day too long.
She's a high-drive, working-line Shepherd. Our male is 6 and incredibly bonded to her. Have any of you taken the step to let your surviving dog see his deceased partner, to help him understand that she's gone? I know him well and he`s not going to handle not knowing where she went well at all. Thank you

I wrote this for her, best dog I`ve ever had.

One of the hardest things we ever have to do as pet owners is decide when it's time to take away their pain and take that pain on ourselves. Today, we had to make that decision for Noel.
There is no greater love than a dog and no worse feeling than doing the right thing.
Noel gave us a lifetime of love, comfort, protection, and happiness. She was so much more than a pet. She was part of our family, and in many ways, she was our guardian. She always seemed to be watching over the house and all of us. She was loyal, protective, and deeply loved.
Noel lived to hike. She loved being outside, exploring, running, and just being a dog. West Hill Dam was her favorite place. She could never get enough of it, and DM took this from her. Those hikes and walks were when she seemed happiest, and they are memories we will always hold onto.
Noel had a special bond with Cami. Cami was her person. It didn't matter if Cami was home or away at college—Noel always seemed to know where she belonged. When Cami was away, Noel would sleep in her room, almost like she was waiting for her to come home.
She also had a way of making friends everywhere she went. Noel loved her frisbee, and she especially loved getting the neighborhood delivery drivers to play with her. Somehow, she had them all trained ( The UPS in the picture was her favorite). No matter how busy they were, most of them would stop and give her a few minutes of frisbee. She brought a smile to just about everyone who knew her. Noel was a true adventurer at heart, conquering trails and exploring the world with boundless energy. Over her lifetime, she hiked over 8,000 miles with Denise and me, always leading the way with a happy spirit. She absolutely loved the winter months and the snow, bounding through it with pure delight.
At home, Noel was the boss. And it took a pretty special dog to keep two big male German Shepherds in line. She did it without much effort. She and Dap were best friends, and the two of them shared a bond that was hard to put into words. Losing Dap left a huge hole in our family.
The neighborhood dog walkers quickly learned that Noel's yard was not to be trespassed on. She took her job as guardian very seriously and had no problem making sure everyone respected her boundaries.
When Gizmo came along as a puppy, Noel took him in just like she had always been waiting for him. She taught him, corrected him, protected him, and showed him how things were done. Both boys adored her. She was the heart of family, and she brought a sense of order and calm to all of us.
Today, Noel went to the Rainbow Bridge.
The house already feels different without her. It's quieter. There's no one watching the windows, waiting for someone to come home, looking for someone to throw the frisbee, or ready to head out for a hike and barking to let us know someone was walking by.
But as hard as today is, we know she isn't hurting anymore. And we like to think Dap was waiting for her, ready to run and play frisbee with his best friend again. Maybe they're already back at West Hill Dam, running the trails together.
Gizmo will carry on with everything Noel taught him, and we'll carry her with us for the rest of our lives.
Thank you, Noel, for protecting us, loving us, making us laugh, and being such a wonderful part of our family.
Your watch is over. You can rest now, girl.
You will always be loved, and you will never be forgotten.
You gave us thousands of great days and one really bad one. We'll meet again. ❤️‍

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

quote:

Originally posted by liner:
We're sending our female German Shepherd to the bridge tomorrow. She's 10 and was diagnosed with DM and a torn ACL this past spring. She's basically immobile in the house — we have yoga mats and carpets covering the hardwoods. My wife and I are starting to feel like maybe it's a little early, but her bad days are now outnumbering her ok days, and she's getting incontinent and having a hard time lifting her tail and holding the poop position.She`s also constantly falling. I'm of the belief a little early is better than one day too long.
She's a high-drive, working-line Shepherd. Our male is 6 and incredibly bonded to her. Have any of you taken the step to let your surviving dog see his deceased partner, to help him understand that she's gone? I know him well and he`s not going to handle not knowing where she went well at all. Thank you

Yes I have. The past few were done at home with the other animals involved. They knew well before that something wasn’t right and they clearly understood what was happening. I feel it gives them some closure as well. From this point on it will be at home with their family.

Really sorry to hear about your girl. Our last Bernese was in pretty rough shape the day of. She deteriorated quite quickly and I didn’t have time to plan. I’m a quality of life kind of guy. To me, better a little early that a little late. Hang in there!

I'm so sorry for your loss. It is the hardest thing.

We had several of our dogs put down at home, plus one passed suddenly in the back yard. The remaining dog would sniff the deceased and immediately walk away, knowing their buddy was dead.

I think it really helps the surviving dog adjust. When we've taken one to the vet to be euthanized, the remaining dog would wander the house for days looking for their buddy.

Yes. We’ve always had multiple dachshunds and when one passed we’d let the survivor(s) sniff the deceased dogs body. Then we’d let the survivor sniff the coffin and burial spot before I covered the homemade casket with dirt.

We really think it helped because none of the survivor(s) “missed” their deceased buddy. At least as we could tell.

If they didn’t pass at home, and it was euthanasia, I always held them while they passed. While hard on me it’s the least I could do to honor their lifetime of devotion and unconditional love they gave us.

Sorry to hear you have to face this as it’s never easy.

Prayers from us to you and your buddy.

Yes. It has always been how we dealt with it among all our pets.

And I commend you on recognizing a high driven working personality, in a state of debilitating condition is struggling.

You have my condolences in this difficult time.

Definitely let your surviving dog see their deceased partner.

Putting a pet to sleep sucks.

When we lost out spaniel, i brought her home wrapped in a sheet and set her on the back porch at the top of the stairs while I dug her grave in her favorite sunny spot.

Our Jack Russel laid on the deck next to her and watched me for as long as it took me to finish. She followed me when I picked up our spaniel, placed her, and laid there ill I filled it in. I absolutely believe that this helped her understand and get some closure. Other than being a little needy, she seemed to do pretty good afterwards.

We always let the surviving animals say goodbye to the dead, even if we have to lead them to the middle of a field where a horse passed.

They need to know that their friend and companion is gone, and they do understand it.

I have seen my living animals visit the graves of my lost animals.

They know far more then we understand.

Don't deny them the chance to say farewell if you can help it.

Rough night here. My wife is having second thoughts, but my 22-year-old daughter is surprising me by holding the line. Tomorrow we let her go — I carried Noel up to my daughter's room so she could sleep with her tonight.
I'm really dreading it. I've been through this four times now, and it never gets easier.
Thank you all for the responses and the advice.

By all means, you are doing it right.
I let my male say goodbye to his “sister” in the vets office.
Her best days were gone, much like your dog.

Dogs need to play, poop, pee and get pets. If our dogs can’t do those things, it’s time to let go.

quote:

Originally posted by liner:
Have any of you taken the step to let your surviving dog see his deceased partner, to help him understand that she's gone?

Yes, when we took our last Boxer in to be put down, we took our Boston Terrier with us.

100% Take the house mate with you. One will comfort the other. Bless you (Had to do this very thing in January... It is amongst the worst things in the world, but it is you duty as an owner and the final act of love)

Prayers for you and your pets. It is indeed one of the hardest things to contend with when having pets. It's hard, but the right thing to do.

Extremely sorry you’re having to do this. I’ve been there 3 times and it’s definitely miserable. I have no experience with letting another dog “see” the one that’s passed… I just wanted to let you know it’s time. From your description it’s definitely time to let her go. Really sorry.

A pet’s ending is one of the hardest things. Prayers for you all.

Noel went peacefully, Gizmo at one point sniffed her face and mouth, hesitated and just laid down.
When we got home he didn`t go looking for her and I think he got it.

By all means let the survivor be there.
We didn't have the chance with our 2 Boxers.
DM is horrible. We had to let our handsome boy Boomer go after suffering with it for 8 months.

Many Vets will come to your home to perform the service so the pet and family can be together in a place they know.

So sorry for your loss, it is tough, and agree having your other dog there will help....

Your daughter sounds to be spot on, I'm sure the wife just doesn't want her to go at all. Just have to do it and it's no easy on anyone.

I’m sorry you lost your friend.