You gave your dog a wonderful life and are now giving her a happy peaceful end. When we have had to put our pets down in the past they peacefully drift off with âÂÂusâ their loving family at their side. You will be very sad but you are doing the right thing.

My four yr old Rottie had a tplo operation on the first of two hind legs last Friday. We have nine more weeks of recovery to go just on this side. Our rescue dog will be bionic by the time we are done and at a cost of seven grandâ¦whew, hard nut to swallow! However, he is young, with old dogs and cancer the kindest most loving unselfish thing you can do is to stop the suffering.

My husband and I deal with pet death grief differently, he likes to sit and go through old pictures of the pet and reminisce. Me, I canâÂÂt bear to look at the beloved pet pictures till months and months after. It gives me physical pain.

Everyone grieves differently and I hope your time leaves you coping as well as can be expected.

P.S Gsciencechick, Im so very sorry for your loss as well.

This post was edited by jterrilynn on Wed, Mar 27, 13 at 20:57

I am so very sorry Joanie. We had to put our boy Howard down last year, and while we knew it was time, it was still very hard. Every time we've had to put a pet (or even badly injured strays) down, the veterinarians and staff have been incredibly compassionate. They know it's hard on the family.

Do you have plans for your pet afterward? We usually have our pets cremated, and leave them with our vet (they use a local service). One of our cats DH took home and that was harder for me. He's buried in the rose garden. I think the final disposition is harder than putting them down.

I'm so sorry for you and your family. It's so very difficult, but I promise you, your beloved pet will not suffer. Hugs to you.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f360/Juvinall/013.jpghttp://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f360/Juvinall/353.jpghttp://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f360/Juvinall/351.jpg

Thank you so much everyone for your kindness and words of wisdom. Thank you for understanding. Bestyears, your poem was very moving for me. Thank you for posting it. I tried to post some pictures of my sweet girl, but I'm an idiot. They've changed photobucket since I last posted and I can't figure it out. Her name is Jessie. I don't know how I will look at her sweet face and go through with this but I will have too. She has hardly moved all day. I know she is hurting. I will have to keep telling myself that this is loving her. It still just seems wrong.

Here ya go Joanie...

I'm so sorry. I've been through this several times and it never gets easier. It's so difficult but it is also comforting to be there to know that the end was peaceful and pain free. Remember she's been one of the fortunate ones; you've given her a wonderful life.

My thoughts will be with you tomorrow.

Oh, Joanie, I'm so sorry. What a sad time for your family. I hope you find the comfort and peace you'll need in the morning. A beautiful photo of you two.

:(

It's never easy. *sigh*

Wishing you peace in the days and weeks ahead....

I'm very sorry, Joanie. It's so incredibly hard to do even though we do it because we love them and know it's the right thing to do.

I am so sorry, Joanie. We too have been through this and understand how you feel. Try to keep in mind that this is the final and kindest gift you can give to your beloved Jessie. Remember that she will only know that she is with you, her sweet companion.

Your grief will lessen in its power as time goes by, and finally you will have mainly memories that keep you smiling.

If you are up to it, come back and talk to us at some point afterwards.

((((( Joanie )))))

Thinking of you and your pup this morning. I've been through it with my old cat that I had for 18 years. I patted her through the entire process and it was simple. She just closed her eyes and drifted away. I was glad I did not leave her alone. You made the right decision, but it's just so darn hard on the humans.

My thoughts are with you. Incredibly difficult time. I know what you mean about it not feeling right. It's so hard but the best thing to do. Our last and greatest gift of love, to end any suffering.

Lucky, lucky girl to have been so loved!!

I'm so very sorry, Joanie. My heart goes out to you.

Yes -- another one here who knows very well how hard it is to put a beloved darling pet down -- but it is indeed a gift of deep kindness and of true love ....

We grieve with you -- and send along hugs ....

Thinking of you this morning. Please consider staying with your dog until she is gone. I think you will be greatly comforted by the peaceful way she will go. Lucky dog not to have to go any other way. ((( Hugs)))

Joanie,

My thoughts are with you. Having been through this, it actually brings tears to my eyes knowing you have to feel that sadness...I think it's because our pets are just so dear to us and give us that unconditional love which seems to be part of their being.

Take care...it will be hard, but rest in knowing you gave your dog a good life with lots of love, and this final act is the most loving of all.

Thinking of you and Jessie this morning. What a sweetheart she looks to be. I think it is the kindest thing one can do when our pets are in pain that can't be alleviated and we all dread that day. It isn't easy, but it is most definitely not wrong. As others said, it is the most loving thing you can do. ((Jessie))

Thinking of you. (((hugs))). So very hard to do the right thing for our pets. I know.

jterrilynn thanks for posting my photo. And thank you everyone for all of the love you have sent my way. It meant a lot to come back and see all of the supportive messages. You guys are awesome. It was hard this morning. We went out on the porch together and she was glad to go out, but she just shook, lots. Very unlike her. I know she was in pain. We just loved on her tons and I told her everything that I wanted to. She got so she didn't move very much, and barely ate anything over the last few days but she just kept looking to us, seeking us. If I would move away she would follow me with her eyes.
My husband took the day off work so that we could do this together. He's a softy and it was hard on him too. It really was about as peaceful as it could be. The first shot just made her sleepy. That gave us time to talk to her and love on her more. The second IV injection was it.
I came home and cleaned the laundry room really well where she had spent most of her time. She had peed blood and urine so much that it was in crevices that I'm sure I hadn't gotten to before. I washed her bedding and gathered her food, puppy pads, blankets, snacks, ect. I will donate it all to the animal shelter.
I miss her already. She became so sweet, more so as she needed me. We were up one to two times a night with her. Sometimes it was like caring for a baby, sometimes like an elderly person. I was with both my parents when they passed and being with Jessie today was similar, the watching them go part. I'm just so glad we could be with her and that it was peaceful. I'm so glad to not have to worry about her anymore. Thank you all for your words of support. And the comments about me being with her and her feeling my love, that it is all she will know, it was all so helpful. I know that in these last days, weeks, and months, I took the best care that I could have for her, and that brings me peace too, to know that she felt loved.

Dammit...
My cheeks have water on them now for some reason...

That poem up there hits pretty hard, but it's true. A last measure of love...

Faron

Joanie,
I'm so sorry for you. It is just the hardest right thing to do. I'll send a prayer for you.

Beth P.

I am so sorry for your loss. It never gets easier. Sending comforting thoughts your way.

So sorry Joanie. Hope you're doing ok.

We've been through this several times. I know your heart is breaking, but you did the right thing for your baby.

Just saw this Joanie. I am so sorry for your loss.

We had to do the same thing last yr with our sweet Molly.

I'm glad you were with her at the end.

She was absolutely beautiful.

We had to make that decision twice (Golden Retriever and Yellow Lab). I can empathize with you. Reading all
the above sentiments and wishes has me in tears.
DH & I still reference "our boys" all the time. As others have
said always remember what a good life you gave Jessie.

(((Hugs)))

So sorry for you, I can tell you just adored him.

(((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))

Oh Joanie, such a difficult decision to make but I truly believe that you know in your heart when it is the right time. We had to make that decision just over a year ago with our 16 yo lab/Shepherd. He wasn't sick, just old. Only the second time I ever saw my husband cry since we've been together (first was when his father died). It's been about 14 months and we still miss him but have so many great memories to sustain us. My thoughts and prayers are with you!

You gave him a good life I am sure. I had dogs growing up, but only got one as an adult a few years ago. They are the best.

I took ours to visit a nursing home recently, and everyone loved it. There is nothing like petting a dog.

I hope to goes as well as it can.

I had tears running down my face as I read thru all of this. My heart grieves along with you . . . but know that you made the right decision. Like so many of us here, been there; felt that. Hold onto the knowledge that you gave Jessie such a wonderful life. All pets should be so blessed.
Lynn

Thank you all so much. Just really missing her this morning :(

Oh Joanie, I am so glad you were there for this beautiful dogs entire life, that she had a good life because of you.
I don't know what to say, it's so horrible going through that.

One more thing then I promise I'll try to be quiet and let this thread go... We got her when she was 6 weeks old, too young as we figured out but nevertheless she was ours. I used to carry her in a baby carrier attached to the front of me and my baby daughter (above) on my hip. It was my daughter's carrier but I put the dog in it. We have some funny pictures of that!

joanie -please don't feel that you need to be quiet and let this thread go. So many of us can relate to what you are going through and are happy to be here to hold your hand....

Joanie, you are a hero in my book.

For what it is worth, your dog had a lucky life. She had a warm place to sleep, she was part of a loving family, and she knew she was safe and loved.

The only thing that gets me through these times is knowing that it isn't my "fault" that my dog was born, and in the end, it isn't my "fault" that the dog passed on. I know fault isn't really the right word to use here - but what I'm trying to say is, the only thing we can control is what their life is like when they are with us. You gave her a good life. That is all we can do.

Falling in love with a dog or cat means we are going to experience this heartache at some point, for they live far too short of a time. But the heartache is worth it, because in the end we are both richer for it. You gave her a good life, and she gave you her unconditional love.

My heart aches for you, and I shed a tear reading your story. I am so sorry that you are going through this, and I do hope the pain eases up soon for you.

What a beautiful girl. You can see she feels the comfort of being with her family when she isn't feeling so well. I wish all animals could be so loved.

It's the hardest thing to let them go, mom, but you did good for your precious girl. She is free from her failing body now but still alive in spirit. Still by your side as she always will be.

All of you, your words are so beautiful and heartfelt. I give you my sincerest thank you.

Wow-
"Free from her failing body..."

That struck me as so beautiful.
It's the hardest thing to do, but the last tribute we can do for them...

If you're able, can we see more pics of that sweetheart?

Faron

Patriceny, I really like what you wrote. If all we can do is make the life they live with us full of love, we have done our job.

Joanie, we put our 15-year-old kitty down on Monday, so I am feeling the same pain of loss. We just miss him so much. At least we have another cat at home, which does help.

I am glad to share more pictures Faron, thanks for asking. These are one from Christmas, and the others are of my sons and my hubby shortly after her diagnosis a few months ago. We sure miss her.

Aawww, those are wonderful pictures. She certainly looks happy and much loved.

gsciencechick, hugs to you, too.

I do wish they could live forever-or at least as long as we do.

Great pictures!

(((HUGS))) to you and your family....

You can just tell she's very well loved. I still miss our Howard, but now we can talk and reminisce about him without tears. I just told DH the other day that that dog knew nothing but love his entire life, and I know your baby had the same experience.

Hugs to your entire family, Joanie.

Those cute pics say it all!
She just seems so loving!

Faron

Thanking you for sharing her last days with us. This is such a great online community to offer words of comfort when you need it most. You have a beautiful family.

I was so sorry to read this. After our Meatball, our 19 1/2 # kitties went missing this week we were in a panic. We have had to have kitties put to sleep and it is very sad. I hope the lovely memories you have of your Jessie sustain you. c

As they say, all dogs go to heaven because they get it...they get unconditional love, they get living in the moment, they get joy and enthusiasm....there's so much we can learn from our dogs.

I'm so sorry, Joanie. What a beautiful dog. I can tell from the pictures that you and your family gave her a wonderful home and life. Hugs to you.

I totally agree Annie about all dogs going to heaven. Thank you all for your kind words. This group of people are amazing and I am grateful that I can come here and share and get so much support. I'm thinking of all of you that have lost your precious pets. I hope your memories of them will bring you comfort.