putting a pet to sleep….

[Stephanie]

I am sorry for your loss Arlla… loseing a dear friend isn’t easy. 🙁 Some people don’t see pets like that but I sure do.

[laphon1]

Arlla, I am sitting here at work crying with you and for you.

I have gone through this five times. Losing a beloved pet is never easy. You bring them home, raise them, grow up with them and before you know it they are part of your family.

Remember the good times,Arlla. I know that there were many. Scotchie lives in your heart and memory and always will.

Sending thoughts, prayers, hugs and chocolate.

[PhoenixTears]

Arlla~
I completely understand those over whelming feelings of actually holding the power of life in your hands… the power (through decision though it was the right and most loving one) to choose when to close out an animals life. I have always grown up with animals and in the past, it had never been *my* decision. While I grieved and mourned and was in the room for all our animals that went before us, it was most trying for me with *my* calico last year.

She had been going down hill for some time and was hopped up on so much Cosequin (pain killer) each day, I was surprised she could walk straight. My boys (cats I have now) sensed her weakness and though they loved her, they did what nature does and started picking on the weak link. So, she was always with me everywhere and when I wasnt around, she went through terrible separation anxiety. My boys never drew blood on her, but they cornered her and dominated her making her feel scared (which was odd for her since she was such a tomboy kind of female cat).

I was and am overly observant of my animals (long story as to why which I’ll save you from reading) so I notice things instantly when behavior changes. In most cases, though it causes me lots of stress, it catches things that could cause my boys problems like catching their urinary blockages which, if gone untreateed in a short time for cats, is fatal.

I had Suki treated for as long as I could but her life overall, was becoming of such low quality. She was simply old and riddled with arthritis- she didnt have a disease. To be honest, since she didnt have a disease, MY vet wouldnt put her down which surprised me since she knew my cat was suffering and knew me as a loving owner. I had to take her to my moms house and had her vet (who is now my vet since I moved) come to moms house for a home euthanasia.

My earlier point which got lost in the tangent is, that it is over whelming to literally hold control of whether the aniaml continues to live or control over the moment it dies. I knew I was doing the right thing AND I have such strong spiritual beliefs that she would be just fine, however, it was still panic invoking for me to sit there with her during her last moments and know that inevitably it was me who was ending her life. I never want to play God like that again- though with animals, it will be necessary. But I do know the feelings of guilt and I do know the feelings of over whelming out of control power that you have when you make such a decision.

However, I never doubted that I was doing the right thing. If I were her and I could tell my owner, Id ask for the release. And that is how I look at it– it was a release. A release from pain and diminished quality of life. He lived a full and loving life and now it was time for him to move onto a better place and next life (as I believe). He will always be with you- I believe that too.

I hope my rambling has more comforted you than annoyed or made you feel worse. Im not one for brief writing (duh). But if I didnt care, Id not put time into my posts. Since my best communication tool is writing and not speaking, my writing tends to be longer. That is NOT to say that those that have written less know or feel any less for you. They are just good at saying what they want directly. Im a stream of consciousness person … that will shut it now! 😳

[lamortefille]

I’m so sorry for your loss, Arlla. I’m sitting here crying, too. 😥 When I put my baby JouJou down, I just couldn’t stay in the room, but my sister did for me. It gets easier, but the hurt is never gone. You did the right thing though….it’s quality of life vs. quantity, ya know? *big hugs*

[Purplecat]

*hugs*

[pipsxlch]

I used to be vet tech for an animal shelter. I’ve had to do it too often for work, and I’ve had to do it too often for my own. When all they have left in life is suffering that will know no relief, though… When the time comes for my current partners, I’ll see that they suffer no more than necessary, and that someone who loved them is there holding them. I like the idea of giving a sedative first, to alleviate any fear from the being restrained and poked. And if being ‘the one’ is more than you can take right now, they would be less aware of who is. There is no sin in that, and nothing to be forgiven for.

For what it’s worth, I cared for my grandmother during the last few years of her life. She spent much of them begging me to find something to kill her. Maybe if our critters could speak English, they would ask for release also.

My last one was my Doomer-dog (the red [brown] one in my avatar) last year. He was 16, and had been deaf and mostly blind as well as getting more and more arthritic for a couple years. He wasn’t done yet, though. But when he had a stroke, he looked at me and said that’s it. It happened on a weekend, and he’d improved some by Monday, so I had terrible doubts. He still didn’t, though. And I was there with him, as I had been since he was 9 weeks old. Now he gets to be with his beloved Pip (the other dog in the pic). She dropped dead of a ruptured splenic tumour when she was 10, I still have terrible guilt over her, she was my heart dog. We were walking out to the car, I knew I haad to get to the vet. I couldn’t eat for 2 weeks. I have been told, though that it was as sudden and surprising for her as for me. Neither she nor Doomer really ‘told’ me anything; I had a bad feeling and had had her to the vet a few days before, but they told me I was a neurotic owner and she was fat but otherwise fine (turns out they didn’t do the thoracic and abdominal cavity X-rays I’d asked for, next time I’ll ask to see them).

PT, years ago I had an experience with a vet- a cat I’d rescued as a very young 3-legged kitten and nursed through (also) 16 years worth of GI problems and breast cancer at 12, started having mini-strokes, and her leg became ulcerated and wouldn’t heal. She had already left her body behind, so I took her to be euthanized. The vet refused, started talking about removing the stub… Survivor was already GONE, and had almost died during breast surgery. Why would I put her through more hell?! She implied I just wanted to dump the cat now she was a problem. Then why did I deal with all her problems for 16 years?! (it was a visiting vet filling in at the practice I used, needless to say I gave them an earful)

[keschete]

First of all, I am so sorry for your loss, but you did the right thing.

I have lost many animals over the years, because I take in animals who are ill or old. The two animals that impacted me the most were my first two miniature pinschers. I got BJ when I was 15 years old and had to put him to sleep during graduate school. That dog was like my child. But he was in kidney failure and he was suffering. It took several years to be able to come to grips with my decision. I was with him. He has been gone for 11 years now and I am crying just thinking about it.

This year, I had to put down BJ’s mate Taz. She was 15. They had one litter, of which their 14 year old daughter is still in good health and their grandaughters are 13 and still hanging in.

I will never forget my dogs that have passed and they are family members and no matter how long it has been, it will always bring me to tears…but we have a duty to make sure that our pets do not suffer.

[PhoenixTears]

pipsxlch wrote:

PT, years ago I had an experience with a vet- a cat I’d rescued as a very young 3-legged kitten and nursed through (also) 16 years worth of GI problems and breast cancer at 12, started having mini-strokes, and her leg became ulcerated and wouldn’t heal. She had already left her body behind, so I took her to be euthanized. The vet refused, started talking about removing the stub… Survivor was already GONE, and had almost died during breast surgery. Why would I put her through more hell?! She implied I just wanted to dump the cat now she was a problem. Then why did I deal with all her problems for 16 years?! (it was a visiting vet filling in at the practice I used, needless to say I gave them an earful)

Im sorry you had to go through that emotionak roller coaster. I understand some vets have certain beliefs but they must take into account, the history of any given owner. I was/am one who was always rescuing strays and bringing them in, usually footing the initial bill or, if they were terminal, paying for their euthanasia. I was always very thorough and observant loving owner which was highly evident. My animals never wanted for anything- from healthcare to attention. So, why would I up and decide one day to put down my eldest who was with me through so much? Uh, duh– she was in pain and was vocal about it. You could hardly pet her towards the end because she was aching so. Yet she couldnt make it up onto the counters or bed unless I picked her up- but OH the earful I would get when I picked her up. She wanted it (so she could get her food and sleep with me) but it hurt her regardless of how gently and quickly I did it.

Sad thing is, my old vet had known me for 5+ years. And she saw Suki’s decline as well. Why would I let her suffer? I lived with her and knew her daily ouches. It was even evident to my mom’s vet who did the procedure, that my cat was old and deserved peace and this send off. And it was obvious to everyone how much it was breaking my heart to do even the right thing. It’s not like, “hey, Im moving and besides, shes not a cute kitten anymore so lets put her down.” I had to deal with those idiots a lot as a vet tech too, and in the end, I refused to assist the vets (by restraining for procedures) that would let ppl get away with it. It is part of the reason I left the field as well. I love animals but my heart couldnt continue to break each and every day. It’s got to be a very hard profession for those in it for the animals as opposed to money.

Ppl often are scared of death which is understandable because it is the unknown. But Ive come around (due to beliefs and circumstance) not to view death as an enemy. In the situations discussed here, it seems that death was indeed the very peaceful release that a suffering soul deserved; not something to be viewed as a horrid event. We fear the unknown so I can understand trepidation mostly- but I dettest suffering more and if I can do something about it, I will.

I know, another long one; I’ll shut it!

[Maria]

I’m sorry for your loss, Arlla, but it was probably the best way. We had to put our Welsh pony Ischa to sleep several years ago. She was very old, could eat or digest properly, and it would have been unkind to let her go on like that. The vet came with a trailer, and Mom told me to go into the house (I guess I was about 12) but I lingered long enough to see Ischa go to her knees.
I can’t remember if I cried, but I’m sure I did. Loosing a pet is awful.

[Arlla]

I just wanted to say, again – thanks SO much for your support and kind words everyone. It really means a lot, and it really helps. I cried myself to sleep last night, but I’m feeling better about everything today… I’m planning on writing a letter to the vet who helped us – she wasn’t our normal vet; I don’t live in the same city as my grandma, and grandma didn’t have a vet 🙁 so we ended up going to the emergency animal hospital. It’s a really great place, very clean and well staffed with very caring people, and our lady vet was particularly kind and gentle and supportive.

It’s difficult to think that there are people out there who would try to euthanize and animal just because they didn’t want it any more, or because they havn’t put enough effort into training, or even just because it grew up and isn’t as cute anymore…that’s horrifying, and worse is that it happens ALL THE TIME…jeez…
I’m glad this is a community full of people who love animals!
Thanks, everyone.

"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom."
-J R R Tolkien

[.]

I’m sorry for your loss. I can’t say anything, that hasn’t be already said. Sending loving thoughts your way. *hugs and cookies*

[lamortefille]

I’m glad you are feeling a bit better today, Arlla. *hugs*

This is a weird/funny ancedote to my putting JouJou down. As I said, my sister stayed in the room since I couldn’t handle it and I went out to fill out the cremation paperwork and pay. I was crying and heartbroken, to say the least. I took an instant dislike to the woman taking payment. She seemed uncaring and phony. She had a wizard tattoo on her forearm which I thought was crappy (funny the things you notice, even under stress). I have nothing against tattoos – I have plenty myself. Anyway, she gave me a really unfelt, “sorry for your loss”. I thought to myself, “Oh F* you”. I finished paying, etc.

Fast forward two years to meeting my future husband. We exchanged life stores and experiences and I told him about JouJou. It turns out that the woman with the tattoo was his ex-wife! She only worked at the vet for a short time and she really was uncaring. She put her own cats to sleep when they became “inconvenient”. She even wanted to put his two cats down. I’m glad we saved two, but I wish we could have saved hers as well:-/ He told me he thinks he remembers her coming home and telling him about me because I was rude and mumbled, “oh F* you”. I swear, I didn’t know I actually said it. lmao! I hope to run into her someday so I can tell her “sorry for your loss” (my husband). hahaha!

[darjeb]

My heart goes out to you I have had to do this twice once with a very old cat that had kidney disease and the other time with a dog that had cancer in the upper part of his mouth. It takes a long time to get over wanting to cry when you think about them.

I almost had to do this in Sept. with my 12 year old chow but fortunately the emergency clinic had a very good vet that did surgery for an inverted stomach and saved his life. They told me there was a short time frame when this happens that anything can be done and I had gotten him to the clinic fast. It cost me $6,000, fortunately I had the money and the most important thing was I got a live dog back that I love very much and he is doing great. I could have him around for a couple of more years or so I hope and I can’t think of a better use for that money.

[wolflodge100]

I’m sorry Arlla, I have had to go through this several times, it is never easy. Go ahead and grieve, it is only natural because we are often closer to our animal friends than anyone else. Hugs.

[PhoenixTears]

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