How can I give my old dog a peaceful and dignified end?

[stanleyman]

My Springer Spaniel Lucy is fifteen and a half now and in the last few weeks has deteriorated quickly. She doesn't eat now, lost a lot of weight and can barely walk. I hate to see her like this and clearly she needs to be put down.

My selfish problem rather than perhaps hers is that I don't want to cause her any unnecessary stress and therefore upset myself more. When my last dog became old the vet came out to give her an injection but she knew something was up and I'll never forget the look she gave me when she was injected.

I'd much prefer Lucy die peacefuly in her sleep, does anyone know of a way this can be done?

[indieanna86]

I know how you feel. My old dog passed away last year. Unfortunately I couldn't be with him when he died because he had stayed overnight at the vets. The last time I saw him was when they were shutting him in a cage, he was looking at me and I could tell he was terrified. I have never been able to forgive myself since.

I can give 2 suggestions, neither are going to be easy. The first is just to keep her at home until the time comes. The second is to take her to the vets to be put to sleep, you don't have to be in the room when they do it. Its a horrible thing to decide, I'm sorry I can't be more help. But I do understand how you feel.

Chin up,

Anna x

[burnhal]

I had to have my old dog put to sleep a couple of weeks ago. I know you dont have to be there but I felt I had to be there with him at the end. They did it as he lay on the floor at my request as he was always scared of being lifted on the table. In the end you realise that you have to do it as the only reason you are keeping them going is for your benefit rather than theirs. Its hard, its heartbreaking- its the third time I have had to do it- and they leave a massive hole in your life but its for the best. Good luck.

[woofgang]

talk to your vet. he may be prepared to give you a dose of oral sedative that you can give her before he comes with the injection. A peaceful end is the last gift you can give her ((hugs))

[maggie01]

My heart goes out to you. Reading all the replies has bought tears to my eyes. Like you say, I think we keep them hanging on for selfish reasons in that we just can't bear to be without them. Woofgangs reply would apeal to me. Ask your vet for his/her advice about a sedative. Just try and think of the good times you have shared. She is a lucky girl to have someone who cares. Best Wishes.

[shivvy]

We are also waiting for the time to come to put our lovely lady to sleep (she has a very aggressive form of cancer) so I understand exactly how you feel.

Making the right decision (for you and Lucy) about how to go about this horrible task will really help in dealing with your loss after she goes.

This is only my opinion but I really do think it is better to have it done in the vets rather than at home. All of our poor old mutts are used to being injected etc when they are at the vet but to them it is strange for it to be happening in their house. I have been told that for some dogs their will to defend their home/property/owners etc makes euthanasia quite difficult at home.

There is some interesting reading on this link:

http://www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/euthanasia.htm

I hope the next while isn't too hard for you and Lucy. Take lots of photos, hug and kiss her loads.

[Lily_b]

All the suggestions above sound good. What you may not have considered is whether you would like to have her laid to rest in a pet cemetary, have her cremated or ask the vet to take her away afterwards.

When our retriever Sherry was put to sleep my parents had her cremated. She was a member of our family as my parents got her before any of us were born, we learnt to walk leaning on her, I hid under the table with her whenever it thundered, and the famous time when we lost her when out on a walk and after looking for her for over 2 hours, we went home sad and worried to find her sitting on the doorstep without a care in the world.

We sprinkled her ashes on Mum's favourite plant in the garden that Sherry liked to lie on and her lead still hangs behind the kitchen door. Having a pet in your family for so long and having to say goodbye is hard, however at least there is a way to avoid her suffering needlessly.

[shaneystar]

I cannot add any thing to all the good advice above but know just how you feel.As long as you are with her at the end she will know you love her.I am so sorry and wish you all the best.

[eupraxia]

My hubby was not with his german sheperd when he went and has never forgiven himself.

Reading all these great pieces of advice is wonderful. and all of it is great. My boy is only 5 right now but I'm dreading the day his time comes. I hope I can be as brave as those on here who have lost their beloved friends.

My sister in law has a cat of 20. The cat is not good but it is still eating a little dispite the fact that it throws most of it back. Her kidneys are failing and she is on pills for this. The cat looks at me when I go to visit as if its asking for the pain to be stopped but my sil won't put her to sleep. But I understand her reasons why. I would find in so hard to let my dog go but at the end of the day if he was suffering the way I think that cat is I would have to let him go.

((HUGS)) for you and your darling dog. Be assured what ever you decide Lucy will love you forever. dogs never judge they just love.

[stanleyman]

I really appreciate all the kind answers, it has made this a little easier to bare. I have been in contact with the vet and it seems they can give a sedative but as Lucy is not eating they would prefer injecting it but they do not recommend sedation unless really necessary. This would defeat the object so it looks as if a home visit and one injection is the only way. They suggest acting normally on the day so as not to stress her but I don't know how with me blubbing away!

We'll have to make an appointment in the next few days and bury her in the garden. She was indeed lucky, it was her original name given by the farmer we got her from after he destroyed the remainder of the litter because her father was also her brother. Thanks again.

[lankeela]

The cruellest thing is to keep her alive just because you cannot face doing the deed. Be fair to the old dog that has given you such pleasure, and do the decent thing by her. Get the vet to come to your house, if you must, but this will be just as difficult. It is much more 'matter of fact' to go to the vets as you would have done for injections etc. all her life. Stay with her, and she will slip away so peacefully, you will know you have done the right thing. As I said to another ABer, better a day too soon than a minute too late.

[qapmoc]

You know, after reading all the above good and kind advice about dogs at the end of their natural life, it makes me wonder why there is such a big outcry whenever someone suggests treating humans in the same way,

[Annlinda]

Thinking of you and Lucy. It is never easy to say goodbye but you can console yourself with the knowledge that she was loved and cared for. Don't feel guilty about your last dog giving you a" look". It may have been her way of saying thnk you and goodbye.

[WendyS]

Is your dog more familiar and at ease in a car which may have pleasant associations like being taken for a walk, rather than into a vet's surgery which has all kinds of strange and frightening smells which may make a dog feel anxious and uneasy.

If so, might it be possible for the vet to give her an injection while she's still in the car? My heart goes out to you. Our pets are so special to us. Making these decisions is never easy.

[judypark]

Lucy is a lucky dog indeed to have such a kind owner. I had my 17 year old labrador put down at home. He was lying in his favourite chair on his favourite blanket, the vet was fantastic, gently fussed him before giving him the injection, which he barely noticed, told me to keep talking and petting him while he peacefully died. Then the vet stayed for another half hour chatting about Fred and his life. I have no regrets about doing it that way. Judy

[gnashersowne]

I'm sorry about Lucy and I hope you've resolved this issue now. I found this thread this morning, looking for info before the vet came round to deal with Gnasher for me. Gnasher, a bearded collie, was 14 and a bit and had begun to find things a bit difficult. He had a peripheral vestibular syndrome attack in February which left him a bit wobbly and recently he's been having trouble getting up on his own,

Finally, we could put off the inevitable no longer and the vet came a couple of hours ago. He came to the house, where Gnash was lying under my desk, his favourite spot. He'd just eaten a bowl of sausages, markies, bonios and some other chewy thing he loved, but turned his nose up at a single malt scotch - though he enjoyed one last night (he'd never drink a blend). The vet sedated him with a quick injection in the bum, which caused no trouble at all, and then when he was sleepy enough administered the final injection. Gnasher just drifted off with no fuss, with his head in my hands as I scratched him behnd the ears. It was peaceful and dignified. A horrible thing to have to do, but he'd very nearly had enough and as someone wrote, "better a day too early than a minute too late".

I can't imagine a better way of having to do it - no stress for Gnasher, he just drifted off to sleep in his usual place.

I've written this in the hope that it helps someone - and someone's dog , even though he's breaking your heart.

It's also a tribute to Gnasher - my friend for over 14 years. Goodbye, old chum.

[stanleyman]

Sorry to hear about Gnasher, you can't do anymore than your best for them and it sounds as if he had the best care. I don't know about you but I find it one of the hardest things to do. I think someone needs to invent a longlife dog! Lucy has an update 1/12/05. I still keep seeing her around. We had a few beers in her honour when she went and it brought back many good and funny memories about all our old pets.