Had to Put my Dog to Sleep

We feel for you. We have been through this with a dog that successfully protected my young family on two different occasions. Now, his successor is getting up in years. I am not sure how we bear grief, but somehow it becomes bearable. Of course I want to see my grandparents, father, brother, and sister on the other side, but I also look forward to the long line of special dogs that shared my life. So that is the way I choose to look at transition. Someday, you will get to be with your dog again and you will both be young, happy, and healthy.

Except for Wimpy. Baked my first cake as a kid and it was terrible - no one would eat it. Fine, Wimpy ate everything and I had rescued him from drowning as a puppy. I knew he would save my dignity. I gave him the cake and he buried it. Sixty years, and I still get ribbed about my baking skills. Boy Wimpy you are in trouble. You are going to get cake every day for eternity when I catch up with you.

had to do it twice in the last two years
and one naturally passed previously
really sucks
wish they could live longer
unconditional love
sorry about your loss

I definitely know what you're feeling and I found that writing about it helped me too.

When I had to put my first dog down I thought they were going to have to close down the vet's office because I was making so much noise. I mean, that dog went on my honeymoon with me! I was amazed how as he died in my arms that it seemed so quiet, inappropriately so. I felt that the loss of such an incredible, unselfish, loving, soul would create some sort of disturbance somehow but it was just...quiet.

I've always thought that its terribly unfair that dogs only live as long as they do. It seems that as our faithful companions they deserve to live longer. As I reach middle age now I"m starting to look at the periods of my life in terms of my canine companions.

My father's German Shep had to be put down a few years ago and I have never seen him so emotional as the day we took him down to the vet to put him down.
He developed lymphoma and it got to the point were you could see he was in pain even with all the medication he was. Pet's have a special part in our lives and hearts.

My condolences. I had to do that to my cat a few months ago. No way around it, its a hard thing to to.

I only read a couple of lines of your post because I know I would have lost it. That dogs don't live longer is maybe life's worst disappointment. I really am so sorry for your loss, but good on ya for loving the pooch enough to do what's right.

Unfortunately over the years we've had several we had to put down. That last time was the hardest. So hard that I have not got another dog to replace and not sure I can.

Sorry for your loss. It is never easy.

Backwoods Savage said:

Unfortunately over the years we've had several we had to put down. That last time was the hardest. So hard that I have not got another dog to replace and not sure I can.

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My parents are the same way. They would love to have another but just could not go through it again and we understand that. We have had many dogs over the years and it's never easy and always painful...I miss them all! Time helps somewhat but I still wish our dogs from 30 years ago were with us today. Our dogs have been some of our best friends we'll ever know. Hope time helps you to deal with it.

As a teen I carried our black lab into the vet for its last trip & like others said it isn't easy. They should be like a parrot that buries its owner. Hope you heal up fast & smile instead of hurt when you remember, Randy

mayhem, sorry to hear about McBain.
We had to put down our D.D. (Dave's dog, wife's idea) about 1.5 years ago. We've lost others as well, and it's never easy. DD was over 14, Golden-Yellow Lab mix and we got her about 4 years before we got married. Due to health issues when she was still young, we only expected her to live about 8 years. Fooled us! Best dog I've ever had, and I've had a lot of dogs.
I did the same, held her head while the Vet administered the shot. It was VERY quick. You'll not likely get over the loss, but remembering the fun times you had should help dull it some. It gets better.

So sorry for your loss. They are great friends. I am not sure how we will deal with not having our Jessie James when the time comes.
I read this book last summer.

http://www.adogspurpose.com/
It made me cry my eyes out a few times, but it does such an incredible job of explaining DOG to us. The author used the most current research. When you are ready, pick it up, and maybe you will feel better about where McBain is now.

Mayhem, our deepest condolences on the passing of McBain. Special thoughts for your daughter, it's hard to loose someone you've known all your life at such a young age. Sounds like you did right by both of them, including her in the conversation. I am sure McBaim appreciated it, as well.

I've come to a conclusion that every pet that comes into your life, serves a purpose. They have a job. They teach you how to be a better person (if you have your antenna up, and listen to them). Each one teaches you more, be it the dog, cat, horse, llama, what ever, in turn preparing you with more knowledge for the next one. A horse drove that one home for me, big time. He taught us after he was gone, his job was that important.

Anyways, doggie kisses & tail wags from Murphy & Wilbur, and snuffles all around from Dixie & Matisse. The cats even said a few purrs.

*off for a few tissues*

Sorry about your loss. One of the best chain emails I ever received below is so true.
Ever wonder what a dog's purpose might be?
The following is the text of an email that I just received. I can't verify that it is really a true story but it does carry a nice message and says a lot about the value of pets in our lives. It came along with a bunch of cute dog photos at the beginning with the message to "Be sure to scroll all the way down and read the story and thoughts at the end. The purpose of a dog!" Here's the text of the email:

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane  might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''

Startled, we all turned to  him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live. He said,''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'' The six-year-old continued, ''Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
Enjoy every moment of every day! When you are grateful -- when you can see what you have -- you unlock blessings to flow in your life.

Heart felt condolences.
Still hurting from losing my lil buddy kitten last year. The ol lady moved out and took the dog and two cats.
I just can't bring myself to get any pet(s). I hate the feeling of loss in the end. Plus still feeling pain from the loss already suffered.
Who would have thought a lil thing could brake a heart and still feel that pain.
You brought tears to my eyes.

I feel your pain- I just learned that our 12 1/2 year-old family dog died today after getting caught in a muskrat trap.

Thanks for sharing this with us--it's an honor.

Kudos for your decision to bring your daughter in on this process while she still had time to say goodbye. Not everyone has the wit to do that.

Thanks for the reminder that eking every day out of our pets' lives may not be the kindest thing for them.

It's going to hurt like crazy for awhile, maybe a long while--but it wouldn't be saying much about what they mean to us if it didn't.

Had a dog that was given permission to be outside on her own when we were away for short periods of time, but she was *not* to leave the front porch. Sometimes we'd drive down the access road to our driveway and see a flash of fur through the trees, then turn into our driveway to see her sitting with composure and innocence on the front porch--would even stretch and yawn sometimes when she got up to greet us, as if to really nail down the performance. After 12 great years with her, coming home would be the hardest time, because of the flash of habit and hope, and then the empty porch. But I swear sometimes I'd turn my head and see that flash of fur making her way to the porch. Asked a friend what her theology of the afterlife of dogs was, and she smiled and said, "She'll be waiting for you on the front porch." (I'm thinking now that I'll probably see a flash of fur on the way, and then she'll be sitting there innocently, and stretch and yawn . . . )

So if we see gnaw-marks on the pearly gates, and notice all the dishes of food are out of reach . . .

Mt Ski Bum said:

I feel your pain- I just learned that our 12 1/2 year-old family dog died today after getting caught in a muskrat trap.

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I'm sorry for your loss. I'm guessing that the two of you grew up together. I jokingly refer to our dog as my kids' sibling, and claim that she helped me raise them. Gary Paulsen wrote a book called "My Life in Dog Years", and I think that's a pretty wise way to count. Good memories to you . . .

Lovely pics of your best friend, thank you for sharing. I"ll raise a glass to him in honor of his love and devotion to your family. Making the choice to ease him into the quiet is difficult and not one some have the courage to do. It was right that you were there for him when he needed you the most, just like he was always there for you... when it counted. And taking the time to make his last days full of love, well, that was extra special. You and your family couldn't have done more for him.

Carolyn

Sorry to hear about the loss of a family member and friend.

I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I used to help out weekends at a vet clinic and I've seen it all.. I won't go into details. It sounds like it was time and you made the right decision. This part of the job is frequently tough for vets too. Even though they get used to it, it is still a soul-draining experience. The suicide rate amongst the profession is quite high (for other reasons too, but that is one of them).

I hope you'll consider adopting again (or maybe even fostering for a rescue) if and when you feel the time is right. Once again, very sorry.. hope it gets better.