Wow.

A lot of us here know how you feel.

If it's not too late, ask the vet if it's really time. If she's not in pain...

Otherwise, I know how torn up you are. You'll be crying a lot more for a long time before you'll be able to smile at Casey's life. Stay with her to the end, (even though it will break your heart) for Casey's sake, and make sure the vet assures you that Casey's death will be painless.

And, remember, you gave Casey a very long and love-filled life. You have nothing to feel guilty about. It's life and death and you can't avoid the inevitable.

Handdust it is so hard, when I had to let one of my animals go the vet said to me"This is the kindest gift you could give her" I knew he was right and his saying it was a comfort to me.((((((Casey)))) (((((Handdust)))))

handust, so sorry for what you are going through. Bless your DH for helping you through this. Over the years I've been in the same position as you and it hasn't gotten any easier, my heart breaks wide-open every time.

fwiw, I agree with acorn's vet -- loving enough to let go is the greatest gift you can give such a dear friend.

I also agree. You are doing what is best. Don't look back. Your decision is the best one.

Bless you, and I wish you the best.
Sammy

My prayers are with you. Writing may help you in your grief - write in a journal, write to us here, anything. My wonderful vet told me that each person's grief takes its own time... that was helpful then and still is.
Love IS forever.

We went through the same thing a year ago Feb. with our Brittany. It was terribly hard but when you said you knew it was time, then feel assured that you are doing what it the most humane thing to do for her. The next few weeks will be hard, take time to go through your grief - cherish the memories you have. Visit the Rainbow Bridge website - it is very comforting.

I'm so sorry :( I went through the same thing on March 23rd. It is one of the hardest yet most loving things you can do for your sweet girl. She will not be looking up at you in distress, she will be looking up at you with thanks in her eyes. Thanks for a perfectly wonderful life, and thanks for helping me to the next place.

I had my sweet girl cremated, and found a lovely pendant that holds just a bit of her ashes. I was planning on putting the information on a new post, so look for it if you are interested.

A big ((((HUG)))) to you. All of us here are crying with you, and we know how you are feeling.

I'm typing through tears. Your tale breaks my heart because I've walked in your shoes.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and Casey.

God bless,
Mona

There is a site that I recommend called Chances Spot, I used it and still do when I had to have my young pug put to sleep, I thought I~d never make it through, that was just a year ago.Oh the hurt is so unbearable, and like losing a child must be. my best to you

Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your comforting words. I did indeed say goodbye to my sweet Casey at around 1:00 this afternoon. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. It was perhaps made a bit harder because the vet mentioned the possibility of attempting to ward things off a bit by getting her rehydrated and perhaps getting her to feel well enough to eat. I was so distraught this morning when I wrote my first note that I neglected to mention that when I last had Casey at the vet, in late November, they said she appeared to be in the early stages of renal failure. It apparently had progressed to the point that she was severely, severely dehydrated and there were (I think she said) a build-up of enzymes in her system that had taken away her appetite. I wasn't sure whether she was really recommending we try treatment or if she saw how upset I was and was trying to offer a way out, even if it wasn't the best course of action.

DH and I were left alone to decide what to do. It was agonizing. I'm a true "animal lover" and would do almost anything to keep up hope; DH is a bit more of a realist. Such a horrible predicament to be in. The vet could give us no guarantees or recommendations -- she only stated that they could attempt to rehydrate her and treat her to see what happened; that it could give her another couple of months, or maybe only a couple of weeks. To do so, we would have had to leave her with them in the hospital for about a week and continue treatments from home.

A couple of years ago we went through a similar situation with my kitty, Sammy. Sammy had a type of intestinal cancer, and they tried to prolong her life by rehydrating her. While it did give her another couple of weeks during which we babied her night and day to show her how much we loved her, in the end her body began to shut down and we had to put her to sleep. She was 11 -- young enough that we all thought it might be worth a try. I don't regret it, but I do know what it means to postpone the inevitable.

It was heartwrenching for me to get to the point where I was willing to let Casey go. I didn't know if I could go through having to do it again in a week or a month or 3 months. And I certainly didn't want to risk having a traumatic medical situation that might frighten her or cause her pain. So against every fiber of my being, I decided to say goodbye.

I'll be honest, I'm having a very, very difficult time. Harder than I did with my cat two years ago. Casey's been with me longer, and she didn't seem in obvious pain (although she must have been dreadfully uncomfortable -- the doctor confirmed that she was very, very sick). I know I have to just allow myself to feel it all and grieve, but I'm devastated beyond words. You'd think for an old girl who basically just laid in the corner and slept most of the time, her presence wouldn't be so sorely missed, but it's like a huge hole in my heart. I dread tomorrow. I work from home, and she's a constant fixture in the corner of my home office. When the kids are at school and DH is back at work, the house will be as silent as a stone.

I know I'll get through this, and I thank you so much for your kind thoughts. I'm grateful that I was able to hold her to the end, and she went as peacefully as you could ever hope. Still, my heart will be aching for a while.

Thank you again.

Handust

I'm so sorry.

You did the right thing.

Yes, you made the right decision. I recently let my dog go and she also was in renal failure. Since your dog was diagnosed in November, she did well to last this long.

I've lost two dogs to the disease and neither lasted more than 2 weeks after diagnosis. A vet talked me into treating one of them after I took her in to be euthanized and as you described, they kept her a week and she and I were miserable. She died during the night the day I brought her home and I've always regretted doing that to her.

I know t doesn't make you feel any better, and you will grieve for a long while, but it was the best time to say goodbye to Casey.

It was time. You made the decision and if not today it would have been very soon. There will be a hole in your heart forever but maybe down the line you may fall in love with another dog. We've all gone thru this so you came to the right place. I had a dear cat also named Casey. He's no longer here as eight other cats, two dogs and one parrot so I have many graves in my yard.. But my remaining animals give me comfort. I hope you find comfort as well.

(((handust))) I have been there and it just HURTS, darn it! Bless your heart, you and your DH will be in my thoughts today. We just love these babies so much! I love to come here because most of my friends don't understand my obsession with my pets...here I don't feel alone! Take care!
kathy

Thank you again so much. I cried long and hard this morning after everyone else left for school and work. The house is dreadfully quiet. Last night I woke up at 4:30 a.m. because I'm so used to having to get Casey up to go to the bathroom at around that time. It will be a while before I can sleep through the night again, I'm sure.

Annz, what you said has helped me immeasurably to know I did the right thing. I was really thrown for a loop when the vet began discussing treating her and I've been plagued with guilt that I didn't think harder about giving it a try. I must have known in my heart that she was too far gone and that it was inevitable that the end was near either way. But hearing your words comforted me so much. My sister (the only other person I know personally who is as much a bonafide animal-crazy person as I am) told me essentially the same thing. She owns a pet-sitting business and they have had anywhere from 4-7 pets of their own (they, too, have had to put a couple of their pets to sleep during the past couple of years). She told me that renal failure is extremely serious and that Casey was so fortunate to have lasted as long as she did. It helps assure me that I did what was best for my girl.

You're all right, though -- it really does just hurt like crazy. It almost takes my breath away at times. I'm grateful that I've been able to spill my heart out here, as I really have no one else who quite understands my grief, other than my sweet sister. In an odd way, I feel like the experience is giving me something, though. I hope this doesn't sound strange, but I've been grappling with feelings of guilt for all the things I didn't do for Casey (should have cleaned her ears and teeth more often, should have gotten her groomed more often, should have taken better care of her, should have walked her more, etc.) I suppose it's all a part of the grief, but it's pointed out to me not to take others for granted. There are a lot of things in my family life and even with friends, etc. that I realize I've been taking for granted, being "too busy" is really the excuse. I'm oddly comforted by the notion that I have the opportunity to stop taking these relationships for granted and really show them how much I care. I don't want to have "regrets" where anyone else is concerned.

I don't mean any of this to sound strange. I know Casey had a good life and she absolutely knew she was loved. I just feel like maybe her legacy is to remind me how much I love not only her, but so many others in my life. I'll get through this one day at a time.

Sending you a big hug right now!

Everyone has their own way of grieving. I, like you, am home all day and it is very hard when you expect to see your beloved and she's not there. My husband, who is very much a realist and very stoic, had a much harder time than I ever thought he would when we lost our Chelsea. It made me realize that there is a tender spot there afterall, and it was really one of the few situations that he has allowed me to share his grief.

So as you said, it makes one take a look at their relationships with others.

Keep in touch.

Mary

As others have said, you did the right thing. If it was not now, it would have been soon.

My husband insisted on keeping our dear kitty alive as long as possible. It was very stressful, so much discomfort and medication. I look back with sadness, knowing we should have let her go sooner.

Best wishes. It's such a heartache to lose a beloved pet. I'm sorry. How about making a little photo album of Casey with all the photos you must have?

I'm so sorry.

Yes, even when they just sleep, they are a presence. I know exactly what you mean and nothing you're saying or feeling is strange.

As for the guilt, I'm sure you have nothing to feel guilty about. I bet Casey had the best life anyone could have given her. And, she went quietly in your arms. Everyone should go that way.

One day, you'll stop crying and start smiling when you think about Casey.

Sorry to hear of your loss.

I know all to well what you are experiencing. I lost my old girl Tara last January. She was 14 and had so many issues. She cheated death twice.

Making this decision is a personal one. And one that you must be comfortable with. I have a perspective that some agree with, some don't. But, it's one that I take great comfort in. I don't agree with "heroic" action of any kind. There simply has to be a good quality of life for the pet.

Good luck!!

SG

I'm sorry for your loss.Debbie

You did the right thing. Ii am so sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry, handust. I know the feeling of her not being there, it's just so terribly sad and empty. But you absolutely did the right thing for your sweet girl.

(((((BIG HUG TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY))))

Oh Handust, I'm so so sorry. I know pretty much exactly how you feel at the moment because my sweet baby of almost 14 years passed away early yesterday morning. The pain is so big I can't even find an edge to it at the moment.

(((HUGS)))

Q