I have to have my dog put to sleep :(

[I love Tiggy]

Hi

I have made an appointment to have my 15 year old collie but to sleep next week which i am absolutely dreading. I can't get the idea out of my head that i'm killing her.

She is on both Rimadyl and Tramadol for pain relief and has the maximum dose available. She seems to have built up a tolerance to the pills now and spends a fair amount of her time whining. She can't walk that well and has lost a fair amount of weight.

This sounds so silly but would she understand that we were doing whats best for her?

How do you cope with this kind of thing?

Will she feel pain?

If i can't be in the room when the vet administers the injection does that make me bad?

I can imagine that my question smay sound immature and childish but this is the first time that i have ever had to do this, i feel so sick inside and wretched at the thought. I do have another dog a Staffie and i'm wondering how she will adjust.

Any thoughts, feedback would be appreciated

[Bathsheba]

Hi. With the greatest respect- if she's clearly in pain now, why are you waiting till next week? x

[888sally888]

My heart absolutely goes out to you and I completely understand how you are feeling.

I had to have my border collie x springer spaniel put to sleep 2 years ago and she was 17. She had similar problems to your poor old girl.

I took her into the surgery with my husband but couldnt stay when they injected her. He stayed for which i am eternally grateful.

The vet was so lovely to her and put a blanket over her. She was given a relaxant type injection first to sedate her and then the other injection was given. My husband said that she didnt suffer at all and just fell asleep peacefully. I loved her so much but would not have been able to stay with her which was sad. I was a complete wreck and hated the feeling that her life was in my hands and it was my decision. I had to sit at the back of the surgery as I was in such a state.

I do know that I made the right decision and now have a 2 yr old Bedlington called Pickles who brightens every day for me.

Sending you lots of love x

[888sally888]

I also think that you may be better to think about this sooner as she really does sound uncomfortable. Try and go with your partner or friend too x

[Therema]

Im really sorry to hear your news hun, and i know what you are going through in a way, 4 yrs ago i had to have my minature yorkie put to sleep, she was only 3 yrs old and i was devastated, i never thought id get over it, i have a little minpin now who takes up a lot of my time but i never stop thinking about Emma i still wake up in the night crying.
I hope you can get through this sad time and my thoughts will be with you on the day hunni, be strong for her.
Anna ((((((hugs))))))

[cruella]

I have to agree with Bathsheba.
Waiting is just going to cause you more pain and suffering, not to mention the suffering your dog is going through just now.
Best thing would be to contact your Vet and have it done as soon as possible.
It is heartbreaking when we have to part with any of our animals. They are part of the family.
This is the kindest thing you will ever do for your dog.
She won't feel a thing. Let her go peacefully. xx

[paddywak]

you are in the unfortunate position tha tmost pet owners have found themself in at some timeand they will all tell you the same. No matter how hard it is you must let your friend go and not let her suffer, it doesn't make you a bad owner not been with her at the end many owners can't bear it, I personally like to be their to comfort them.,but what ever you decide after 15yrs she will know you love her , so let her fre from her pain. It's always hard to do but please don't let her suffer and rember the good times and not the bad

[baileybird]

You really owe it to your dog to take her sooner to put her out of her misery. It is quality of life which is important and your vet should do the right thing straight away. Putting it off will make matters worse for you and your dog. Imagine how you would feel if she died before then.

By going to have her put to sleep immediately you are gaining control of a dreadful situation and making sure that she does not suffer for any longer than necessary.

We are thinking of you. xxxxxxxxxxxx

[Jugglering]

I am so sorry to hear of your sad news but I have to agree with Bathsheba - if she's in such pain, please let her go sooner rather than later. She won't feel a thing, honest, the vet will treat her with dignity and respect and you can hold your head up high, knowing she had a good life and a peaceful passing. I could not bring myself to attend to my two previous pets passing on either, in fact I am sure that few loving owners can do this - no shame there either.

You will find that your other Staffie will be wandering around the house for a few weeks, wondering where on earth the Collie has got to, s/he will surely miss her too.

Unfortunately death is part of living - we all have to say goodbye to those we love, just be grateful that you gave your dog a loving home and remember all her daft antics over the years. xx J

[lankeela]

There is no easy way of dealing with this situation, and it never gets any easier no matter how many dogs you have.

I would just say, better a day too soon, than a minute too late. I am sure you would not want her to suffer for any longer than she has to.

The relief when she just drifts away will be immeasurable, and you will know you have done the only possible thing you can. Ifonly we could take this decision for people who are suffering.

Please consider bringing the appointment forward, think hard and ask yourself are you holding off for her sake or yours?

We have all been through this, and will be here for you whatever you decide.

[joggerjayne]

Awwww, no, that's so sad.

But you have to be strong and brave, and do what's best for your doggy.

Poor you.

=0(

[shaneystar2]

Aw Tiggy ..Every time I read a post like this I well up .
Been there so many times .
You are not being childish you are being kind to a good old pal who has given you many years of companionship.
Its the kindest and last good deed you can do for a much loved pet .
Vets are always sympathetic. She won't be in any pain .
Happy memories will be with you .Let her go with dignity .

[I love Tiggy]

Thanks all for your kind words.
I do have another dog which may help ease Tupps's passing but she was my first ever dog and she's like my baby.
I know what you mean by as soon as possible, but i need just a little bit more time to say my goodbyes to my baby. I'll do all i can to help her - please don't think i'm being mean i just can't do it right now.
My partner and sister will be with me, i have told them that although i will be at the vets with them, i don't know whether i can be in the same room when she passes.

I want to remember her with the fire that she had in her belly not an old dog with a crap standard of life

[pastafreak]

I am almost crying as I read your post hun......I heve had to do the same. Three+ years ago my ex and I had to make the descision to have our 15+ lab/collieX put to sleep. She also was on Rimadyl..she was deaf,blind, and had lost much of the control of her hind quarters. It was the first time for me also. We had been delaying the appointment for a while...but when we could see that the old dear had lost interest in life....the light had literally gone out of her eyes......it WAS time. Me.my husband and our daughter were all there. I cradled Bramble's head as the vet administered the injection...it was quick and absolutely painless. We were allowed to stay with her until we were ready to leave her. Damn!...I am crying as I type this....do not be afraid of what you must do......she has to be set free so she will not have ny more pain. It really is the best thing you can do for her.
please DO try to be with her......she needs to have the familiar with her.......whatever you decide-remember there are all of us here to help you get thru it....xx

[joggerjayne]

Be there to hug Tupps at the end, however much it hurts.

[888sally888]

Your dog will know you love her and you dont need to stay in the room to prove it.

If she gets much worse, please think about taking her sooner.

I feel so sad for you and am sitting here thinking about Frankie with tears in my eyes and a heavy heart.

Sally & Pickles xx

[I love Tiggy]

Aww thank you all soo much, she is still eating very well but cannot walk that well.
She had a check up two weeks ago the vet did say that she's doing ok for the moment but we must do this.
It comforts me to think that she'll be with my mum and baby boy in heaven

[gelda]

Something nobody has mentioned on here yet, wouldn't it be much kinder to have the vet come to your house and put her to sleep, most pets hate going to the vet and it seems unfair to put her through that in her final hours, the vet will be just like a visitor to her and will make a fuss of her while he injects her, alright it will cost you a bit more but she's given you 15 years of companionship, isn't she worth it, please think about it, I'm so sorry you must be really going through it, x
PS if your vet won't come out there are plenty who will.

[joggerjayne]

Christ, Tiggy, I bet we're all sobbing our eyes out on this post. I certainly am.

:-((

[888sally888]

Enjoy your time with her as much as you can and think of the pain free fun she will have in doggy heaven. xx

[Ethel]

Very sad time for you.