KuNiT21 Posted July 14, 2013 Share Posted July 14, 2013 I'm going through a very difficult time as I had to put my dog to sleep on Friday. It was very sudden and I just need someone to tell me I made the right decision. I was taking a shower and he came in the bathroom and threw up. No biggy, I cleaned it up and went out to the living room where he began throwing up more. I comforted him and thought maybe his tummy was upset and we went for a walk. He was very happy on his walk but when we came home he lost all his energy, became cold to the touch, and wouldn't move. I brought him to the Vet where they took xrays and pulled liquid from his stomach to see if blood was in there (it was). They said they could operate but didn't know where the mass was until they removed his spleen. They said it could be just a mass or it could have spread all over to his vital organs (they weren't sure until they went in). They said if it was cancer and they stopped the bleeding it was a very aggressive cancer and maybe he could have 4-6 months. I didn't have time to get another opinion or go to another vet due to the fact that he was bleeding into his stomach. They said his quality of life after the surgery would be very difficult. I made the decision to put him to sleep. I sat with him for an hour until I rang the doorbell that it was time. I was with him for his final breathe and I'm not sure if he knew I was holding him (he was in shock) when the injections went in. I had him for 10 1/2 years and I'm having a very difficult time coping with my decision. I don't know how to move on. Guilt is on my mind. I live by myself in a fairly large home and I just feel lost and alone. My girlfriend lives closer to work (about 45 minutes away) in her own home but I feel like just being alone. I loved going to work because I knew how excited I felt on my way home knowing he was looking out the window waiting for me. If I left to get gas (2 minutes away) I would come and he would greet me at the door, cry and waggle his behind. He was well taken care of even though I was at work 9 hours a day. My dad worked on the road so he would come here for lunch everyday and play with him for an hour. I just need help coping. I need to know I made the right decision. Thank You. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipwhich Posted July 14, 2013 Share Posted July 14, 2013 You made the right decision. Make peace with it and remember the good times. Losing a pet is difficult. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDoyler23 Posted July 14, 2013 Share Posted July 14, 2013 An important part of grief is that others shall not tell you how you should feel. People take this time differently. So do the best you can for yourself, just like you did the best you could for your pup. His pain is over now and hopefully, when you're ready, your's will lessen as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Springfield Posted July 14, 2013 Share Posted July 14, 2013 Putting a pet to sleep is one of the hardest decisions you could make. It's incredibly sad. Know that you gave your dog the best life that it could have ever had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted July 14, 2013 Share Posted July 14, 2013 Yes, you made the right decision. In fact, I think you should be proud that you made it quickly. I know how tempting it is to agonize over the decision. To spend days debating things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike42 Posted July 14, 2013 Share Posted July 14, 2013 You made a tough and right decision. I'm sorry to hear about your dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsmarydu Posted July 14, 2013 Share Posted July 14, 2013 So very sorry. Yes, you did. And mourning (even depression) is absolutely normal, believe me. Just remember how special you made each other's lives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KuNiT21 Posted July 14, 2013 Author Share Posted July 14, 2013 Thanks guys. It's just very difficult as I was so attached to him and it was so gratifying to love him and watch him return the love. I miss that and I just feel really empty and alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadySkinsFan Posted July 14, 2013 Share Posted July 14, 2013 So sorry for your loss, KuNiT21. We all grieve in different ways, and if you need some time alone, you should have it. I really feel for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggo-toni Posted July 14, 2013 Share Posted July 14, 2013 Sorry for the loss dude. You did do the right thing, what had to be done to minimize the suffering of a loved one. Still sucks I know, but you had no other humane choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEANDWARF Posted July 14, 2013 Share Posted July 14, 2013 Sorry for your lost. At times our pets can be like our kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoSkins0721 Posted July 14, 2013 Share Posted July 14, 2013 Sorry for your loss. May the pain of your loss pass quickly as the great times are forever remembered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boss_Hogg Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 I'm very sorry for your loss. You made the right decision. I'll be putting one of mine down soon too, I guarntee that my dog and your dog will be playing in doggie heaven. God bless you and your dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techboy Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 Guilt is on my mind.This is a very normal and natural stage of grief in a situation like this, along with second-guessing and doubt, and I know (from personal experience) that it won't settle the issue, but you made the right decision. I've never mentioned it here, but my wife and I lost our yellow lab Diesel in pretty much this way in November, the day before the election. We were worried about our other dog, Brier, who had eaten a part of a Brillo pad, so we were up early to take them for a walk, and he just collapsed. I had to carry him into the emergency vet because he couldn't stand, and the eventual news was that he had a very fast acting, aggressive cancer that had spread to his heart and lungs. We didn't feel like we had any time either. The odd thing was that although it was the hardest thing I've ever done, it was also easy. We knew what we had to do. One moment he was healthy and strong as an ox, and the next he was gone. It left a giant hole in our lives. One of the biggest factors in our decision is that we didn't want to put him through the trauma of treatment at his age (he was 9), and that although we could have taken him home with some therapies for a while, we didn't want him to have another episode while he was alone. We didn't want him to have to face that without us, so we held him and let him go out without being scared, and with us holding him and letting him know he was loved. It sounds like you made the same decision for the same reasons, and I'm sure it was the right one. We could never replace Diesel, but one (eventual) positive that came out of this is that we were able to rescue another great (in his own way) dog, Bean, and although it still hurts to think about Diesel, we can laugh and enjoy his memory now too, so hang in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxito Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 Sorry for your loss!!!! You made the right decision though. I also put down my dog down when he was 15 years old.. It hurt me a lot having to put him down, but I couldn't let him suffer. Again my condolences!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhead36 Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 My condolensces...I've had to put a dog to sleep as well and it sucks. It's the right thing to do, but that doesn't make it feel any better. Always remember the good times. A dog truly is a man's best friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KuNiT21 Posted July 15, 2013 Author Share Posted July 15, 2013 Thank you for the responses everyone. I am feeling more reassured that maybe I did do the right thing. I just have to figure out how to fill the empty void I have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btfoom Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 I know just how you feel. I lost Ovie (6 year old Golden) about 6 weeks ago - cancer related. You shouldn't feel guilt. You made a courageous choice to end his suffering. Sadly, dogs don't cope well with cancer and it usually is very aggressive in them. Be happy you got that last hour or so to be with him. That's more than a lot of us get. I know the pain is deep - still cry somtimes myself. Trust me, it does get better. Try to remember some of the good times you both had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leaping lizzy Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 I 100% understand as we just had to make that same decision 4 days ago. I have not even got past looking for him in his favorite spot for a second before I remember. Dogs give us unconditional love and they enrich our lives so much. I'm still in the guilt phase too. He went in old age after an extremely good life and I still feel guilty even though I knew he was ready and in pain. It is always a hard decision. Hopefully it won't be long until I change my feelings from I don't want another dog - to what kind of dog do I want. I know that will happen because that is how I've felt after each dog I have lost over the years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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