Peeps that had to put their pets down.

gosh Renee' - I'm so sorry you're facing this Most of my animals have thankfully passed away before we had to make that decision. The sad part of that is actually, I feel bad that they died alone.

 

Renee,
So sorry to hear this. Brings back memories that aren't the best. Been there several times.
My wife had her best friend when we met. I grew attached to her as well. After several years she started to get old. She was only 7 but showed signs of a really old doggy. Over a few days she went down hill. Couldn't hardly walk, couldn't hold her bladder or bowels. We took her to the vet ER and they kept her overnight, fluids, monitored her. Kidney failure and cancer. She was doing "alright" at the vet so we took her home. After about 24 hrs she was just miserable and you'll know when their miserable. Her quality of life was not there. You could tell that she was hanging in there just for my wife. She let my wife know it was time. (I know it sounds weird but it's true. She did) we took her back to the vet. I carried her (not easy with a 70 lb dog) We were there the whole time. The dr put her to sleep (just knocked her out so he wasn't in pain but still alive so we could say our goodbyes) and after we said our good byes he gave her the other drug that stopped her heart. It's a horrible feeling to go in there with your best friend and walk out broken hearted with just a collar and leash.
It was horrible. Sad. Not much else I can say. Tear.
We had to put another down but due to aggression and well she didn't have all her screws tight upstairs and there was the safety of our newborn that she showed aggression toward so that's another story.
We also now have 2 mastiffs and our 4 year old female has hip displasia pretty bad. She is doing alright with vitamins and supplements but when the time comes I know this will be tough.
What I do want to say is that honestly when the time comes your fur child will definitely let you know. You and them have the bond that you'll just know. It'll let you know. Stubborn old dogs will be stubborn and hold on for you but when they can't anymore they have a way of telling you.
I hope I helped. Made me sad but if this helps I'm glad.

 

Yup, wouldn't want her to be along either. This suuuuuucks.

 

That does help actually. After all of these years together, I'd like to think I know her inside and out. With her being so old, I don't remember being without her at my side. I never had children of my own, just her.

 

I know it sounds weird and the dogless people might think I'm crazy. But she will tell you when it's time. Sounds like your pretty close so again, you'll just know. It will be like she is telling you she just can't do it anymore. Sad but it's true. I do also understand how hard it can and will be when the time comes.
I wish you and your fur baby the best.

 

Spot on. We had to put the family Golden Retriever down a few years ago do to cancer. Poor guy was only 8, but his health declined so fast. He told us when it was time...

I am not one to shed many tears, but I definitely did that day :-/

 

Sorry to hear about it Renee, our family German Shepherd had to be put down at just 3 years because of a tumor, he couldn't use his back legs, so the last few nights we had to put him down, I would have to carry him outside and hold him up while he used the bathroom, definitely grew much closer to Aslan those last few days, but he seemed to tell me he was ready. It's crazy and extremely sad when its time, but you'll know.

 

We've never left her side (or had a dog sitter present) in the last two years as we were told she was dying and had two months left at most. Two years later and were still giving her "gonna be dead soon 5 star treatment". How can ya stop doing the extras when you expect her to go at any time....... for two entire years. Ya can't downgrade.

 

I had to put my cat down a couple years ago. She couldn't get around anymore the arthritis was so bad. one day she pooped in her cat bed and slept in it. I had the vet come to the house so it wasn't stressful, let her go outside and eat grass and stuff. Literally the hardest thing I have ever done.

 

I haven't even let myself "go there". But I did say to my husband tonight "How are we going to kill her!"Blahhhhhhhhhhh! Torture.