May have to put my dog down...

[YAorNEIGH]

Can someone please tell me what this is like? How does the process at the animal hospital/vet's office work? I've never had to put a dog down before. She was my first dog and I'm terrified. She's been around most of my life. My dad will probably go in the room with her. I can't do that. I'm not sure if I even want to be at the vet's or if I just want to say goodbye to her when she gets in the car to go and then stay at home and cry.

I don't know if I'll regret not going to the vet's. But I think if I go, I'll just cry the whole time and it'll be worse on me (and everyone else) than needs to be. My dad will be there for her. I don't have enough strength for that.

She's going to the vet this afternoon just to see what's going on, but the truth is..she may not come home after. She's in a lot of pain. Do I say goodbye to her now as if the worst case scenario is sure to play out? I don't know what to do...

Thanks for listening, guys..any thoughts are appreciated.

[JackieB]

I'm very sorry that your dog's time to pass over is here. However, it's very dignified and peaceful. The vet will first give a tranquilizer shot that will heavily sedate your dog. Then the vet will administer the euthanasia solution intravenously. Your dog will pass instantly with no pain or awareness whatsoever. With older dogs, it can be difficult to determine that it even happened. With younger dogs, there could be some muscle movements and occasionally a little bit of vocalization, but the dog is unaware.

I just try to keep a stiff upper lip and be cheerful so that the dog doesn't think that this is anything more than a regular visit to the vet. Then when all is done, I allow my emotions to come out.

We'll be thinking of you.

[YAorNEIGH]

See, I don't think I can go to the vet's...Do you think that's okay? :( I just started crying just reading that, lol. I can't handle it.

Our vet is not in today, so she is going tomorrow instead..It gives me a bit more time to decide what I want to do...

Thanks, JackieB.

[WashingtonBay]

Well, I have been there with a few dogs and a cat, and I would say it can be good to be there, I would not miss it, but the important thing, to me, is that someone who cares about him should be there, but it doesn't have to be you.

When I had my Labrador, Logan, put down, he had broken his back and could not stand. He was very at peace, he was put down with one shot and slowly went still.

My little Zulu was not so easy, she struggled and fought, and in hindsight, I wish I would have given her a sedative first, like we did the kitty. There was a lot done wrong in that case, that I have regrets about, but learned a lot from. I did learn that if they are strong enough to struggle, it may be too soon. And also that if they do struggle, be the first to say 'stop'. There's never any need for that. Wait. Give them some sedatives so they are in la la land. If the first one isn't enough, give more till it is enough. For the dog's sake, for your sake.

Kitty was failing from congestive heart failure. He may have died within hours anyway, but we took him in, because he was trying to find places to hide and die and I was afraid of having him crawl under something, or under the house and either dwindle there, out of reach, or die there, out of reach. He was given a strong sedative, and we waited and pet him while that took effect, and when the vet came in to give the final shot, he was very easy about it.

So with that in mind... I'd go. You will learn from it, you're young and just at the start of your animal husbandry in life, and I would think you'd be better for having been there, for this part of what pet ownership is.

[natisha]

Whatever you decide is the best thing to do. I'm sorry for your heartbreak.

[JackieB]

See, I don't think I can go to the vet's...Do you think that's okay? :( I just started crying just reading that, lol. I can't handle it.


Yes, of course it's OK. Your dog knows that you love her.

To the extent that it's possible, I think that there is a benefit to having the human companions keep their emotions in check during the procedure. I know that this is tough, and some crying is probably inevitable, but I really try to convey to the animal that this is just routine care and nothing to be worried about.

[YAorNEIGH]

There's a part of me that wants to go and be there and see it and experience it, but there's another part that I know just can't handle the entire situation up close and personal. I've seen animals die before and even had a pet snake that died in my hands, but this is different. This is my first dog that's been with me since I was seven years old. I think I would just make that last visit to the vet more stressful for her and I don't want that. Because I've been crying on and off since last night and I'm still not even sure what's going to happen yet.

Thanks for all your thoughts, guys...I'm glad I have such great people to come and talk to at hard times. :(

Here's a picture of her that I took at the beginning of the summer.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3486888229_0287784516.jpg

[natisha]

There's a part of me that wants to go and be there and see it and experience it, but there's another part that I know just can't handle the entire situation up close and personal. I've seen animals die before and even had a pet snake that died in my hands, but this is different. This is my first dog that's been with me since I was seven years old. I think I would just make that last visit to the vet more stressful for her and I don't want that. Because I've been crying on and off since last night and I'm still not even sure what's going to happen yet.

Thanks for all your thoughts, guys...I'm glad I have such great people to come and talk to at hard times. :(

Here's a picture of her that I took at the beginning of the summer.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3486888229_0287784516.jpg She's beautiful

[JackieB]

She's really beautiful. I'll look forward to meeting her someday.

[WashingtonBay]

She is a gorgeous dog with a sweet face. I can love her already.

I would not assume you'd be expected to not cry if you went. Bury your face in her and cry. She will not be upset by that. Really. It's probably harder for the vet and the people than it is for the dog. But if you can bear not going, and you know she'll be well tended without you, then do what you think you will feel the least stressed about. What you want is to go forward without avoidable regrets, however you think that is.

[oursarge]

I'm so sorry you have to go through it, poor beautiful doggy. I went through it in May and it was awful. I went to the vet's we weren't sure that would be the decision we'd make but in the end we didn't have alot of choices. I couldn't stay with him, he knew my moods so well I was afraid I'd just make him scared plus I was basically hysterical, I ran out of the room and my husband stayed with him. It was not as easy as it was with our cat who I did stay with but my husband said he went fast. It's hard, very hard to loose someone you love. I still cry for him every day and I would sell my soul to have him back. The worst part of having animals is having to say goodbye but you can't let them suffer either. Maybe this won't be the end, there might still be hope but if it is you know you've done the best for your dog.

[SedonaThunder]

Oh no, I am crying just from reading this thread... I'm a big help.:cry:

While I completely understand what JackieB is saying, and how it makes sense, I have to hope that what WB is saying is true. My Bill the Beagle is getting up there and I know when it's his time to go I will be bawling into his fur and he will probably be comforting me. Obviously he will know it's not a normal trip to the vet but I suspect that when you reach the point of them being ready to go, they are just that - ready to go.

I wish you strength to make the right decision and feel good about it.

[gabhainn]

Ahhh geeze, I hate it for you. I just went through this last year with my Lab Jeb. He was 15 which is ancient for a lab. He and I had been thru a lot together, and while I am not one to get real emotional about animals, I felt I owed it to him to be there. I am not ashamed to say I wept, and I am getting misty eyed now just thinking about the old geezer. This decision is yours and yours alone to make, and its not easy and it sucks, but whatever you decide your dog knows you love her....Kevin
ETA it was peaceful, he was sedated and he just curled up on the table like he was taking a nap, then it was over

[Gypsy Rose]

I'm so sorry! I had to have one of my kitties put to sleep who had been with me for all of her 14 years. For me, I had to be there for her, but each person and animal is different.

If your dog is a family pet, and someone she trusts that would normally take her to the vet will be with her, then it really is perfectly okay for you to grieve at home.

She's a beautiful dog! Maybe it won''t be her time yet.

[Mountain Creek]

She looks just like my old lady Midnite.

What ever you decide is the right thing to do like others have stated. I know that if I had to make the decision for Midnite I want to be there but that's what I'm saying now. When it really comes time I might decide something different.

<hugs>

[JackieB]

What ever you decide is the right thing to do like others have stated.

That's really the most important statement here, Jess. Whether you go or not, you will be making your decision based upon your deep love for your dog. You shouldn't doubt yourself either way.

[42many]

Do I say goodbye to her now as if the worst case scenario is sure to play out? I don't know what to do...

Please please please whatever you do - whether you stay or go - please say goodbye just in case. I hope for that beautiful girl and all the family who love her that this is not her time - but be as prepared as you can be.

A couple years ago I had an older cat (Mama Cat/Badger) that started to get sick. She disappeared for a few days and when she showed back up I knew she wasn't feeling well, so I took her to the vet for an exam. I had absolutely NO idea that the end result would be having her put down - I even took my 2 young kids with me to the vet appointment (which I never ever would have done had I felt she was to be put down). It was a terrible experience - I was able to say goodbye to her, which I was thankful for - but I had to do it in front of my baby and toddler, which was very hard on me (I felt I couldn't show how very upset I was because of how worried they were).

A much happier experience was a year or so earlier, when I took a sweet old cat by the name of Snowball in to be put down. I knew going into it that it was her time - she had cancerous ears, which we had removed, but then got sicker and not much else could be done. I was able to sit with her and love on her as she slipped away - she had the sedative first and then the vet did the euth, and it was calm and serene and I stroked her while she lay curled up and content. She was one of the best cats I've known, even though we had her for a very short time (someone had dumped her already old and sick into our yard).

[oursarge]

I forgot to say in my case the vet said it would be better for me not to be there since I was so emotional I might make it worse for Noah. I went flying out of the office crying hysterically and was about screaming out in the truck so having me in the room would not have been the best for my Noah. I kissed and hugged him then ran. I was with my horse and with my cat but with Noah I just couldn't I don't know why but he was my heart and I felt like my heart was being ripped out. I loved him so much I don't think I'll ever get over him ever. Everyone is different and you have to do what is best for you. I wish I could have stayed with him but I think I would have upset him more. We knew it was time but it didn't make it any easier. Sometimes I wish I never had animals, it's just too hard to say goodbye. I really am sorry that you and your dog are going through this.

[Horseaholic]

As long as you send your beautiful baby with someone who loves her and she loves you will not regret it. I'm sorry that you're having to deal with this. I just put my cat down a few weeks ago and me and my mom stayed back at home and dad and sister went with her. It was peace full. They put her on a nice fuzzy blanket and my sister and dad stayed with her...my sister kept her hand at her face so she could smell her. (I'm getting blurry eyed talking about this.) My sister broke down and cried on her once she passed..she just relaxed and she was gone.

My childhood dog got very sick very quick and went to the vet for test...the decision to put her to sleep was made while I was at school and I never got to say goodbye to her which bothers me still to this day and it's been about 6 years. She comes to me in my dreams often which helps but I still miss her. No one went to the vet to be with her to be put down because she would have expected to come home the second she saw us and dad decided he couldn't do that. I wish she weren' t alone but I can't change that.

My mom put her childhood cat down and was there and said she regrets it...that she can see her kitty like it were yesterday. I personally do not have the strength to be there..I'd fall to pieces.

So I think the biggest thing is to just send her with someone she loves if you can't take it. I wish you all the strength and the best. ((hugs))

[ownedby7horses]

aww, she's beautiful and I hope that it's not her time to go.
Only you can know if you should be there or not. You have to do what's best for you and I think as long as the dog has someone there that loves them, it'll be alright. I would go if it was me, it's very peaceful. The vet gives them a sedation then IV's the euthenasia and they just relax. It's like they're in a deep and restful sleep. You do what's best for you though and hugs to you for having to go through this. It's not easy.

Peace be with you and your dog and I'm hoping that it's not her end. ((((hugs))))

[Mountain Creek]

How are you doing YAorNEIGH?

[vicklynn]

BIG((HUGS))
How are you doing?


When Ruffus' time came, I went, he was with me for many many yrs and it was his time.
I went because I was so close to him that I had to be there his last moment. He went to sleep with me looking in his eyes(he was old and couldnt see, but he knew I was there)
He is buried in a pink flowered blankey, in the dog kennel, watching over us.
Not everyone feels that way, and you will know what is right for you.

[Annie&Dixie]

Oh no, I am crying just from reading this thread... I'm a big help.:cry:

Me too. YorN, I get where you're coming from. The idea that we might have my dog to sleep sooner rather than later has been going through my head for a while now. He is also my childhood dog, we got him when I was 4 years old. I'm now 19 and he's 15.

I'm really sorry you're going through this. As for being in the room. For me, there's no question, I will be in there with him. I will be by his side, probably holding his paws in one hand and having the other on his cheek. I feel as though I owe him that, he has taken care of me so many times and given me comfort. I owe it to him the one time that he needs it to be there in full form. Yes, I will be blubbering and very upset about the whole thing but I'm okay with that. I should be, I love Snooky with all my heart and at least I know I'm saying goodbye.

I really think you should do what's best for you, everybody handles things differently. Your the only one who knows how you deal with things. My way is being in the thick, knee deep.

Okay, now I'm sniffling and tearing up again :cry:

Again, I'm so sorry, she was beautiful and had such a sweet face.

[GrungeEquestrian]

I'm so sorry, I just had to put down my childhood dog last month, some really hard stuff. I though, wasn't given the option of coming with when my mom brought her in to put her down. And in some ways I'm angry at my mom and others kind of relieved. Unlike my mom I would have been a complete mess. My mom did cry, but I don't know if I would have been selfless enough to allow them to put the needle in. I got to help carry her into the car, and said my finally good byes with a lot of tears, I also gave her last respects when I helped bury her.

I sure hope this isn't your dog's time. She is a beautiful looking girl.

[YAorNEIGH]

Holy moly. I am so sorry to revive a thread from such a long time ago, but I wanted to update everyone! This must have been right around the time my life went crazy and I didn't get to come back and tell everyone what ended up happening!

Dakota is actually still with us, more than a year later! She recovered from the episode mentioned in this thread and has even cheated death again, very recently. Just last week, I spent two days bawling only to find out that she was going to be fine! Again! Darn dog is gonna be the death of me. :)

We thought that she had had a stroke, as diagnosed by the vet. She couldn't stand, her head was tilted off to the side, tongue lolling out, one ear quirked. We had taken her in and made the decision to put her down. The vet ran one last test and re-diagnosed her. She had developed vestibular disease, which is a problem with the inner ear, affecting balance. She walks in circles sometimes now and her head/ear is still all tilty, but she's still truckin'! I tease her about being a cat now...nine lives, I swear. She's probably down to about three left at this point! She is going to be turning 15 after the holidays this year.

At any rate...thank you all for the kind words :) I just wanted to let everyone know that she's still around!!! The miracle dog, lol!

[natisha]

That is such great news. Thanks for the update. It just made my day a little better :)

[oursarge]

That is such great news. Thanks for the update. It just made my day a little better :)



Same here, such a beautiful dog, I am so glad your dog is still with you. Hopefully it'll be for a very long time! My dog before Noah was named Dakota! Now we have Puppy who is Really Deanna but I call her "Puppy". Hugs to your baby.

[vicklynn]

I was about to jap slap someone for bringing a painful thread back up, then saw it was you.
Glad to hear such good news.
Nine lives is a good thing!!!

[YAorNEIGH]

LOL, vicklynn!!! :whiteflag: Don't slap me! :D

Glad I could brighten your day, natisha! :)

[Petra]

Lol Vicky, that was my first thought too!

I'm glad she is still doing well. Thank you for a nice update! :)

[vicklynn]

LOL, vicklynn!!! :whiteflag: Don't slap me! :D

Dang, take all my fun away!

[miatapony]

well at least with a FISH .... IM late to this but im really glad to hear she is still around.

[shewasmyshadow]

Here I am bawling and this is an old thread? AND the dog is still alive?? :rolleyes:

I just put my horse down, YorN. I kept him at Farmers_wife's house aka Faith's and he was really both our horse at the end. The vet, my husband and Faith's husband did not want us there for the final act. But, we were very firm about it. We would never leave him! :mad: (determine face) And I do not regret that. I wouldn't give up those last few moments for anything. We stood next to him and we whispered our favorite memories in his ear(Faith's idea). We petted him and loved on him. And when he passed from this world he never knew a moment of confusion or loss, because he was never alone. Sure we were bawling our eyes out, but our presence and voice were there for Rashad to reassure him. Just a thought for when the time comes...

[YAorNEIGH]

Oh no! That's what I was afraid of, with bringing this thread back, but I couldn't figure out how to edit the title...maybe it's not possible on such an old thread. I'm sorry, swms!

Thank you for sharing your experience with me :( I'm sorry for your loss. I'm sure your horse appreciated every moment with you, especially your being there for him in the end.

[Equine_Woman]

Well I must say this is such a nice update. I noticed the date immediately and was also wondering who on earth would bring this back up and saw your update! How wonderful!! So glad your dogs is still with you!