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Having my pooch put to sleep

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lil75 | 15:57 Sat 12th Jun 2010 | Pets
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My dog started limping so I took him to the vets after discovering a lump on his groin, they told me after x raying him they found disovered he had an infection and thought the lump could have been an abcess, they put a drain in his leg and I had to bring him home....he cried for 24 hours non stop, no amount of attention or fuss would stop him, a few days later he had the tubes removed from his leg and they did a biopsy on the lump, he was fine after that and didnt cry at all, however as the next week progressed I noticed the lump was getting bigger and bigger, I took him back to the vets and they said it was just swelling....1 day later his leg had tripled in size and he wouldnt get up, so I picked him up and had a look at him...it was shocking just how much this lump had grown overnight, so I went straight bak to the vets, by this point his skin was starting to split open and bleed. They phoned the lab to see if his reults of the biopsy were back and they found it was an agressive tumour and said that his quality of life at the moment wasnt good, i agreed. There was no other option but to put him to sleep, I was actually quite distraught about this as it happened so quickly, I felt awful signing the papers for them to do it, he was looking at me and wagging his tail :o( and when they put him on the table to do it, he was sitting there all innocent just looking around, at that point I decided that I couldnt watch the dog I love be put to sleep, I kissed him on the head and told him I loved him and stepped out of the room whilst they did it, I saw him after, kissed him again and told him how much I loved him....I walked out and howled with tears when I got home.....I feel so guilty, and I miss him so much, I feel bad that I signed his life away....I posted on here as my partner doesnt understand and I suppose I just want to talk to anyone who has been through the same.
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Everything you did was spectactularly right. The little one loved you and trusted you totally, and could not possibly continue a life of pain, suffering and indignity. He was made to run and fossick about, not lie in a basket festering. He had no fear or anticipation of death and the end he received was less painful then the existence he had. You are an outstanding dog-mummy and when the acute pain has passed you can think about another little fella who will be recipient of your complete loving care. In the meantime have a buddy good weep but cease to beat yourself up about your decisions.
Lil - I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your dear dog. I know how you feel, when I had to sign for my cat of 18 years to be put to sleep, I just couldn't hold onto the tears, and my poor cat just looked at me, as I walked out of the room.

Its never an easy task to make that decision, but in our hearts we know its the right one.

Den xx
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I cry everytime I read the answers, but I think its a mixture of grief and relief and I dont feel so alone anymore...thankyou, your all such lovely people xxx
Just wanted to say I know how you are feeling. I had to do the same thing about 3 weeks ago. My lovely German Shepherd had to be put to sleep and it was awful but the best thing to do for him. I am missing him very much and so is his brother.
Best wishes to you.
Blokes aren't meant to cry.....are we? Not true! If I had a tenner for every time I've bawled by eyes out over a pet put to sleep I'd be a millionaire. Doesn't matter if it's a dog or a mog, I'm there, blubbing away with the best of 'em! And I do not give a whatsit who knows it, either!

The worst I felt was when our collie at the time, who was quite elderly, about 14, had developed a massive lump on his leg. We had him down to the vet and although the lump appeared to be benign, the vet advised having it removed. We were concerned at the prospect of him having to be operated on because of his age but we eventually agreed. I took him back down the following day, kissed him cheerio, went home, and in under an hour got a call to say he had passed away under anaesthetic and it seemed like his heart had given out.

I was devastated, had to phone my missus to tell her, she was the same, we went down to the vet's later that day to say our goodbyes to our doggie, and I've never felt so guilty in all my life. One day we had him, the next he was gone. I still haven't gotten over that even though it's 8 years ago.

Apart from that, the wrench of losing any pet's hard to bear, and my missus and I wonder just why we keep putting ourselves through it? We have other dogs now, and cats, but as soon as any of them "go", that's it, cue waterworks, wailing, and mourning for ever and a day. But we still wouldn't be without them. They give so much pleasure and ask so little in return.

Just wish it wasn't so difficult letting go???
Oh lil I have the tissues out too from reading your initial post as well as all the lovely replies, and rembering how it was when I was in your position. It is just terrible isn't it.

Some people say not to feel guilty. But I know that you will feel guilty. I did and I think lots of people in the same position feel it to some degree or another. I think it is just part of the grieving process so if you feel it, just feel it and don't fight it. I promise it will pass and the heartbreak does ease too. It changes from pain into very very happy memories.
Looking back to when I had to let my big girl go, I realised that I needed to remember that the time of her death was just a moment or two in our time together. The rest of our time was filled with love and laughter, licks, bonios, long walks as well as a pinch of exasperation - eaten shoes, stolen food, suprise poos waiting to catch you out (house training a rescue dog can be a real nightmare!!).

Come back here anytime you need to chat - the people on here are absolute gems at times like this. We have all been through it and the virtual hugs are readily given.

Take care

Shivvy
I'm so sorry, lil. I can't imagine how you're feeling. XXX
sorry to hear of your loss.there's never a good time to lose a 'family'member.only time I've known my Dad cry,was when the cat died
Just to add - your dog loved you, and you loved him, and he will have trusted you. Your last picture of him looking at you and wagging his tail means he wasn't unhappy or afraid, and he will know that whatever you did for him, was all for the best. You wouldn't have wanted him to suffer and he wouldn't have wanted that either. Think of the good days - you have both been very lucky to have found each other, and you have some wonderful happy memories.
Oh lil, I feel for you so much.He's had a wonderful life with you ,not much comfort I know but it does get easier in time.x
OMG,my husband is watching the football and I am sat here with tears running down my face. I had my dear old cat put to sleep a year ago and it still makes me sad to think about him. I'm so sorry lil75 about your dear dog, there is nothing I can say that hasn't already been said. My cat will be playing now with your dog in Rainbow Bridge. xx
They tell me that your tired old heart
Will soon have done it's job,
That you and I will have to part-
My darling little dog.

You've lived a full and happy life
Since I found you that day
In German snow,soon after strife
And war had gone their way.

Full fifteen years of love I've had
From you my brown eyed friend,
My aching, heavy heart is sad -
I know it soon must end.

But happy years we've shared, we two
We've romped and had great fun.
I'm sure you feel the same , as you
Lie dreaming in the sun.

And one day when I climb the stair
And face the Great Unknown
I know that you'll be waiting there
With wagging tail and bone.


My mother wrote this in 1961 and she and Tuppy are now together. Bless you for looking after your dog so well.
So sorry.
Lil all this feeling goes to show how right you were to do as you did, we have the decision to make with our pets and its our true love that tells us the right thing to do. Imagine him in pain and you will know as you already do you have released him from suffering and he will be waiting with his wagging tail for you one day in the future.Lots of love

Mamya ♥
The Final Walk.

I found a clearly abandoned dog in the park,
So gentle and nice, she didn’t know how to bark.

Like a little white lamb dumped in the snow,
She had a tumour in her throat starting to grow.

Almost bind, she could hardly see.
And her white coat was black with fleas.

Bad teeth, blocked glands and a faulty heart,
But straightaway, I knew I couldn’t part.

Out of fear, if I opened the door, she’d flash in,
She later slowed down, that made me grin.

Soon she wouldn’t leave my side,
The savage way she’d been treated, I admit I cried.

She’d follow me around, not once making a sound,
If I said “good girl”, her tail would whirl.

After only a few months, to the lovely vets we had to go,
And it didn’t help that her beautiful gentle eyes were still aglow.

On that horrible final walk, it gave me time to think,
Lots of questions to ask before I signed her fate in ink.

Why do people treat animals in this way?
Is there a God? Will he make them pay?

A question that had me in a spin,
Where does her spirit go after the needle that frees sinks in?

Brave and courageous, precious as a pearl,
Why am I killing this little doggy girl?

Mandy, I’m glad I found you, of that I’m sure,
If it had been 13 years earlier, then I could have loved you more.

This is a true account from my local newspaper. I can't manage to read it without the tears flowing. We're a sentimental lot on here, aren't we! xxx
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I am truly overwhelmed, with the generosity of everyones feelings and thoughts.....im sorry that I have made some of you sad, it wasnt my intention, I am so glad that I posted on here, its made me feel a lot better, thankyou all from the bottom of my heart <3 xxx
I am so sorry to read your sad news, and in time the pain will fade and you will remember the good times you shared together. Better to have loved and lost than never have loved at all, you did what you did because of the love you shared and didnt want your boy to suffer.
thinking of you lil x
I am very sorry to hear of the heartache you must be going through lil. I went through the same thind around 9 months ago and wouldn't wish the pain of losing my best friend on anyone.
But you must think that there is something you could have done to prevent this happening, but unfortunately there isn't, you must keep thinking of the great times the both of you had and tell yourself that it is not your fault, and that you friend is in a better place and not in any pain anymore
ohh lil ..... ive just read your post - the tears are rolling down my face ....... how sad .. im so so sorry .... but you did the right thing, your poor doggy couldnt have coped with that ....
please dont be hard on yourself, you did your best xx

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