No, you are not a bad person. You are a good person who had to do something very difficult to spare the suffering of a dear friend.

Many of us here know how much you are hurting. I hope you have someone close to you who understands what you are going through.

jc

That's so sad. I am sorry. You are not a bad person. It sounds like your dog had a wonderful life with someone who loved her very much.
I went through the same thing about 2 months ago- the guilt in the decision is so hard. I cried everyday for about a week.
Here is a link to an internet article that helped me get over some of the guilt I was feeling. Hope it is helpful to you too.

Here is a link that might be useful: When Should You Put Your Dog DOwn

(((HUGS))) You are not a bad person honey33. You did what you had to to do to alleviate her suffering. It s**ks and it hurts when it gets to that point but sometimes that is all we can do for them. My heart goes out to you.

So sorry for your loss. It is something all of us who have pets have to face. I have done it a couple of times myself. I know how you feel.
Clare

I am so sorry to hear this... I had to put down my 16 year old chihuahua a few years ago. It was THE hardest thing I ever had to do, but he was suffering in pain really bad. I know it doesn't make you feel any better, but what you are doing is an act of mercy. Your baby will be at peace. The passage of time helps.

You have my deepest sympathy.

It was your job to provide the best possible care for your dog. You did what was best. Aren't you glad that you were there to do what needed to be done?

Your heart must be breaking because of your loss, but not because you did your best.

Sammy

I'm so sorry. We all go through the phases of grief, especially guilt, when we have to put our babies to sleep. You didn't kill your dog, whatever was causing the seizures and strokes did. You just stopped her from suffering the only way you could. And that is a good thing, that's why it's called euthanasia or "good death." Remember that her whole life, you were there for her, and you never stopped being there when she needed you to make the hardest decision for her.

My sincere condolences.

I am so sorry for you. We lost of our babies two months ago and I still cry for her every day. You ask how you can come to terms with it - I think that time is the only answer. You are not a bad person, not at all, you made the very hard decision to stop her pain.

It is very hard, many of us have been through it and understand how much it hurts. There are support groups for people dealing with the loss of a pet, there are online resources as well. Perhaps some of the sites linked below will be helpful to you. The last one is very emotional - if you read some of these poems be prepared to cry your heart out. But I find that somewhat helpful, maybe you will too.

http://www.pet-loss.net/
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/coping_with_the_death_of_your_pet/

Here is a link that might be useful: Inspirational poetry

Honey33 - you did right by your sweetie. I just put my Henry down 3 weeks ago and I literally cry every single day for him still. I too find myself second-guessing myself and I have to keep telling myself he was only going to get worse and really suffer trying to get a breath. But my heart still aches and I know yours is too. Please, please know you did the right thing for her. I will keep you in my thoughts.

I'm so sorry for you, Honey. I've lost many pets over my lifetime, and know it's always hard. Of course you feel terrible right now, missing her, but don't add any feelings of guilt to that.

Long ago, when I was grieving over the death of a beloved cat, the vet said to try to think of it as: better that we should outlive them than that they should outlive us, because this way we are able to do our best to make them happy so long as they live. That includes helping them to avoid pain at the end of their lives. You absolutely did the right thing and are a good person.

Try to think about what a wonderful life you gave your baby, how happy she was, and that you did the best thing for her right down to the end. We all have to deal with these losses in our own way. Something I did when feeling my worst over the death of my longest-lived cat (almost 18) was to write down everything I could recall about her, including all the pet names I called her. I cried while writing, but it helped to write it, and now I am glad I have that record.

So sorry to hear about your baby... We just lost our dog over Memorial weekend. She died unexpectedly at 8 years of age. There will be a huge hole in your heart for awhile , trust me. I feel better now, I have had great support. Visit www.rainbowsbridge.com. They are awesome. They have helped me tremendously as has this forum. Focus on the wonderful life you gave your dog and what she gave in return. It is not about the "quantity of live" it's about the "quality".

hi there iam sorry for ur pain i know what u going though i had the sme 2 years ago when i lost my dog a beautfuil maltise boy he satarting to fits to and where told the only way was to have him put to sleep as he was suffering and had gone into a coma.

iU sldnt feel bad because what u had to do was out of love for your baby dog .

often for along while i often thought that if i could of helped him some how but the answer is no u did the best u could for him.

and yes its gonna hurt like hell for a long time but u got to remember u loved him and cared for him and he would of known that.

I belive there is a doggy heaven where he has gone to with out pain where one day he will be joined with again

it takes time to get over hell i still hurt like hell over it but i relised that as long as u loved them they know that.

my cat had to be recently put to sleep due to atumour and that pain comes back but know that he loved u and knew he knew u did to

please dont beat urself up over it time is a good healer

god bless him and u in ur time of pain

caroline xx

honey33 you did the right thing. We had to have our 11 year old lab put to sleep at the end of May. She had had arthritis for a time and was on pain killers. One day she just couldn't put her leg on the ground. I took her to the vets and they did Xrays. She had torn all of the ligaments in her knee. The arthritis was very bad in both knees. The vet explained the options - surgery that possibly would not be successful because of the arthritis, and while she was recovering the possibility of tearing the ligaments in the other knee was great because of the stress on it. They could not guarantee that she would ever be pain free again. I talked to the vet for what may have been hours. I had told them many years ago that when the time came, if I did not see that my beloved pet was in pain then they should tell me. We decided to give her heavy pain medication and bring her home for the day and night. It broke my heart to take her to the vets the next day. I knew I was doing the right thing. This was not about me, it was about my dog. Bess slipped away peacefully. That weekend I was wracked with guilt about killing her. I spoke to the vet several times over the next few days, and each time she gently told me that I had done the most wonderful thing for my dog, she was now pain free. She had had a wonderful life, but it was her time now. I miss her like crazy, no one to wake me in the morning, to be there when I get home, to snuggle at my feet, but deep in my heart I know I did the right thing. So, I know the pain that you feel, but knowing that she had a good life and she was deeply loved by you, you did the kindest thing for her. You were not selfish like some people who keep their pet alive because they cannot face what you and I have been through. The pain will lessen over time people tell me, but I still cannot come home without feeling sad.

I can only echo what everyone else here said. It's an ominous thing for us to be able to "play god" over our animals' life and death. There is only one compassionate choice and that is not to let them suffer.

I am so sorry for your loss. It's very tough, and I hope by now you are feeling somewhat better.

Here is a poem that may make it easier for you. God Bless.

IF IT SHOULD BE

If it should be that I grow weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand.
Don't let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day, more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years.
What is to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want me to suffer so;
The time has come -- please let me go.

Take me where my need they'll tend,
And please stay with me till the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Please do not grieve -- it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years;
Don't let your heart hold back its tears.

--- Anonymous ---

honey33, I had to post again to see how you are doing. On Saturday I finally plucked up the courage to go to the vets to pick up my dogs cremains. It was tough. But strangely enough now she is home with me again I feel so much better. Tomorrow we are going to scatter her ashes in the garden so that she can play out there forever. For some reason I feel so much more at peace. Maybe this may help you too, I sincerely hope so.