I have to have my dog put to sleep :(

[I love Tiggy]

Hi

I have made an appointment to have my 15 year old collie but to sleep next week which i am absolutely dreading. I can't get the idea out of my head that i'm killing her.

She is on both Rimadyl and Tramadol for pain relief and has the maximum dose available. She seems to have built up a tolerance to the pills now and spends a fair amount of her time whining. She can't walk that well and has lost a fair amount of weight.

This sounds so silly but would she understand that we were doing whats best for her?

How do you cope with this kind of thing?

Will she feel pain?

If i can't be in the room when the vet administers the injection does that make me bad?

I can imagine that my question smay sound immature and childish but this is the first time that i have ever had to do this, i feel so sick inside and wretched at the thought. I do have another dog a Staffie and i'm wondering how she will adjust.

Any thoughts, feedback would be appreciated

[alfieblue]

If It Should Be

If I should grow frail and weak
And pain should wake me from my sleep
Then you must do what must be done
For this last battle can't be won

You will be sad, I understand
Don't let your grief stay your hand
For this day more than all the rest
Your love and friendship stand the test

We've had so many happy years,
What is to come will hold no fears
You'll not want me to suffer, so
When the time comes please let me go

I know in time you too will see
That it is kindness you do to me
Although my tail its last has waved
From pain and suffering I've been saved

Do not grieve that it should be you
Who has to decide this thing to do
We've been so close, we two, these years
Don't let your heart hold any tears

(Dedicated to all our wonderful companions) xxxxxxxxxxx

[smudge]

I can't add much more than the kind sentiments already posted I love Tiggy, but am so sorry to hear your sad news.

I understand how you must be feeling, as we've been in your situation a few times with our cats & it does take time getting over it.

You're doing the best thing for your beloved collie & she will soon be in peace.

Take care. -xx-

[jules77]

I do feel for you, and most of here will have been through this before. Only thing I can add is that with my first dog, although I was in the room (we had it done at home), I couldnt bring myself to hold her, and I have regretted it ever since. With my boy I held him in my arms, and talked to him, I was beside myself, and cried uncontrollably afterwards, but I had to be brave for him. I understand you wanting to spend some time with her, but you could be causing yourself more pain.

Chin up, she knows you love her, and this is the kindest thing you can do for her. She will leave a paw print on your heart forever. x

[ruthann58]

tiggy i feel for you i know what you are going through we had to have our old girl pts in april we were able to have the vet come out to us and she went to sleep on her bed in the kitchen with my son and me with her the dog we had before her my husband was with him at the end and i have always regreted not being there for him so do make sure you that you dont want to be there ,it will be very quick and they dont feel any pain they just go to sleep,your other dog will adjust in time if possible let her see her after she is gone as this will help her my vet told us this when we had to have my old pony put to sleep he told us to let my sons pony up the paddock on his own with mine we did and after giving him a good sniffing and nudging he walked away and started to graze .strange thing is for a long while he would not walk over the piece were he was buried. we are all here for you to talk to as so many of us know how you feel .ruth.xxx

[str]

Please please please find the strength to be with her in her last minutes - you eventually will be so glad you were. You will be the last person to hold her and the last person she sees - that alone will be a comfort for both of you. Take someone with you to help you - it doesn't matter a damn if you bawl your eyes out (like I am now) I have a 15 year old cat who means the world to me, and while she is enjoying good health I do think about when the time will come, which it will, for me there is no option but to be with her, I'm her mum and she's my baby.

[str]

PS Go to this website for the Rainbow Bridge poem - it's beautiful. http://rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm

[puss_boots]

I was going to give you a link to the Rainbow Bridge but someone has already done that. I feel for you as I have 2 old cats and one of them is not ill but has lost his sparkle and I know that perhaps in the near future I will have to make the same decisions. Can the vet come to your home, it will be less stressful for you and your dog. Anyway my thoughts are with you.

[catcuddler]

your dog obviously knows you love her and will know you are doing whats best for her
i had a cat put to sleep who was only 18 momths but had an ongoing problem qhich would have meant numerous operations for the rest of his life if he pulled through as he was lifeless and incontinent after an intial operation.try not to think of it as killing your dog as you are not killing her through malice you are ending her pain and giving her a dignified end which is the best you can do for her.as for being there at the end it depends if the image will haunt you of her final moments but only you can decide.if you cant she will understand i am sureyou have my deepest sympathies but you gave her a great life and you are doing the kindest thing for her
big hugsxx

[wolf63]

There is nothing much for me to say - it must be an awful time for all of your family. Your staffie will know that something is wrong too.

Saying goodbye to a loved, and loving, friend is never easy - I still remember getting my first dog put to sleep over 20 years ago. It was awful and it was also a great relief.

Susan
Frankie and Princess Merlin say meow

[I love Tiggy]

Thank you all so much for your support, i truly appreciate it. The rainbow bridge poem made me cry but i felt happy at the same time knowing that my little girl will be ok soon.

She'll be with mum, my little baby who didn't make it and her other doggie mates.

The other half and my sister will be there with me, i cuddled her and held her last night and talked to her. I will be in the room with her and will hold her little paw - i owe her that much after all the times she's cried along with me when i have been sad,

Thx again
x

[horselady]

I can add no more really, just to say I know the feeling only too well. It is much better if the vet comes to the house where everything is so familiar to the animal, mine have all just "gone to sleep" on their beds with no fear at all. Lots of hugs.

[gouldc]

I did my work experience (12 years ago or so) in a local vets. They had a Persian there with a lung infection. They told me to keep an eye on the cat after they gave it an injection, so I sat there for about 10 minutes stroking it as it had clearly been in distress.

I didn't realise that they had put the poor cat to sleep, and it had actually passed away within seconds of the injection - it's not much of a consolation, but it is so quick and quiet, I'm sure it will be a great relief to your collie if she is in that much pain.

[I love Tiggy]

We had the vets opinion on this again and they took her heart rate etc which they said was fine - she is not in any pain in their opinion.

[ruthann58]

hugs to you both xxx

[mrs.chappie]

Tiggy, you may well find that when the time comes, you will find the inner strength from somewhere, and you will stay with her.

When I had my puss put to sleep (she was never really mine, she was a stray that I fed and watered for several years) I felt sure that I couldn't be there, but in the end it felt right and I found the strength to do it.

Thinking of you at this very sad time.x

[madmaggot]

I have gone through this with my dog and also one of my cats. I stayed with them and just stroked them as they fell asleep. There is no more pain than an ordinary injection. My vet was v.good and let me stay with each of them for as long as I wanted before she came to administer the jab. All that they know is that they are falling asleep. The is the last thing you can do for your pet; you have given her a good life, now give her a good death and free her from the pain she is suffering. As for your other dog, there is a school of thought that says you should bring the surviving dog to see that its pack mate is dead. It then accepts this instead of pining for it and not knowing what has happened to it.

[petal54]

sorry to read about your dog,never gets any easier!mums' cat's recently past away,after 18 years.so we know what you're going threw.but i also feel it's best to not prolong things,hard as it is

[I love Tiggy]

madmaggot - thanks for the thought on the surviving dog thing, Lily seems to know that something is wrong as she has taken to sleeping next to Tupps.

i'll have to ask my o/h and sister how they feel about Lily being there with us, Tupps is their dog also so they may find it to upsetting i don't know.

[terambulan]

I know you luv her, she knows you luv her but you are prolonging her agony. Put her down this instant and stop her suffering for your emotions.

[jules77]

Terambulan, I really feel that it is not your position nor is this the time to suggest that a dog is put to sleep in an 'instant'. The owner and the vet is best able to assess the situation, and I am sure she would not let the dog suffer. Your post is heartless and unnecessary.