distressed - beloved dog to put sleep

We have a lab that is 14+ years old ( over 100 in people years). He is nearly totally blind and deaf.  He walks into walls and falls down. He is incontinent badly.  We have chosen to put him to sleep... we think he has developed doggie alzheimers and it has gotten worse.  He  falls of the couch and  our other dog herds Buttons to the food dish and outside.   The final choice was when my husband found that he had fallen asleep in his own urine.

I am so distraught -- but we have been hoping for over a year to come downstairs and find that he has left in his sleep. It is killing us to watch and wait. 

I want to go and eat the entire snack machine and a 20" pizza. I want some serious comfort food because I seriously need to be comforted.  My husband bless his heart when he is distressed shuts down his emotions.  I drown in them. I tell him about my distress and he is logical. I don't want logic ---I want  a magic wand to make it all better. 

HA ! Where is Madame Pomphrey when you need her?

My husband had me call and set the appt with the vets this morning. We are letting him go tomorrow morning.

Part of me knows it is the logical thing to do, part of me loves him enough to hate to see him continue to struggle and cry out, but part of me hates to do this all the same.  I WANT A BIG BAG OF M n Ms.

********************************************* ******

Put him to sleep. Actually hurts less now.

Oh.... I'm so sad for you!!!! I can totally understand wanting to be comforted. Are you against getting a new puppy? That would maybe distract you from the food, and you'd have a new friend to love on. So many dogs need rescuing, and you sound like a great dog lover.

I am so sorry for your loss.  It is one of the hardest things in the world to lose a beloved pet.  It sounds like your dog was suffering and that will be over.  That is the thought that gave me comfort when I lost my pets.

Awwww

(((((hugs))))))

That's one of the hardest things to do as a pet owner... to make that decision so the doggie doesn't suffer.

My comfort food is mashed potatoes. But in a case like this, I might lose my appetite altogether.

My thoughts are with you, hon...

My son wanted a dog he could play with. We got Stitch ( aptly named)  last summer - a doberman/hound mix from the pound.  She is a handful - much more active than tha Labs we have had.

That is a wonderful idea - to focus on her. Heck - we might beable to actually get her trained a little better now.

We love our pets - heck once I even had surgery on an egyptian spiny mouse to get a pin put in its leg when one of the other mice bit it.

(((HUGS)))) As hard as I know this is for you, you are truly making the most loving choice that you can make.  Be there for him, hold him, comfort him and know that he will be in a better place.

Responsibility is hard, but it's yours, as is the joy the darling creature has given you..stay strong honey, I know it hurts...

If you love something -- set it free right .... STING

I am crying so hard here at work that people that don't really know me are coming over and asking what is wrong. 

It is surprising how people have gone through the same thing.  : )

And everyone has a story to share.  : )

This is very sad but it is the humane thing to do, you've cared for him for 14 long beautiful years and should be thankful for all the good happy memories. Stash away any pictures of him for a while, looking at them would only make things worse.

I agree with sjshalott, maybe you should adopt another pooch from the local shelter, there's so many of them.

Poor thing.  Take comfort in the fact that you're making the right choice.  We put my dog Buddy to sleep when I was 17, and he had gotten to the same point as your lab.  It was really hard because we'd had him since I was 2 and he was a big part of my life.  I completely understand the emotional roller coaster you're feeling right now.

I think that sometimes, good dogs just refuse to let go.  They've taken care of us for years and aren't prepared to leave us.  It's our job to help them along and let them know that it's ok, they don't have to suffer.

{{{{hugs}}}}

Good luck getting through this difficult time.

{{{hugs}}} 

How sad for you and your family. I have been through the same thing twice and I know it was the right decision both times.   However, it took me a couple of years to see that.

please remember to give yourself time to grieve before you adopt another baby.  It will be better for the new dog to come into a home that isnt so sad. 

Its always so hard and sad to let a beloved pet go.  My thoughts are with you and your family..when I had to let my old cat go, I never thought I would be able to do it - I was there when he was born, and 18 years later, was there when he died.  It was hard, but I looked at it as the best gift I could give my friend when he needed it most.  He got to pass away peacefully in my arms, while I told him how much he was loved..I can't think of a better way to go, and that's the gift you will be giving your doggy.

Thinking of it that way made it easier for me...hope that maybe it helps some.  Also, be kind to yourself and don't beat yourself up if you slip up a little on the diet front for a couple of days..you take time to take care of yourself, and don't be embarassed because you are feeling sad about your pet.

*hugs* I am so sad for you. Give yourself a day or two off diet to grieve, and then go back to CC when you feel better. A day or two of comfort food will not damage your  weightloss as bad as you may think it might. I did the same thing when my cat was near death. Enjoy your last night with your dog. Then tomorrow, Eat m&ms and cry. *hugs*

I can't even imagine what you're going through.  This was printed in Ann Landers many years ago, and I've saved it because I know, one day, when mine passes (hopefully many years from now), it will be a comfort to me:

Dog's Don't Have Souls, Do They?

I remember bringing you home.  You were so small and cuddly with your tiny paws and soft fur.  You bounced around the room with eyes flashing and ears flopping.  Once in awhile, you'd let out a little yelp just to let me know this was your territory.

Making a mess of the house and chewing on everything in sight became a passion and when I scolded you, you just put your head down and looked up at me with those innocent eyes as if to say: "I'm sorry, but I'll do it again as soon as you're not watching."

As you got older, you protected me by looking out the window and barking at everyone who walked by.  When I had a tough day at work, you would be waiting for me with your tail wagging just to say, "Welcome home.  I missed you."  You never had a bad day, and I could always count on you to be there for me.

When I sat down to read the paper and watch TV, you would hop up on my lap looking for attention.  You never asked for anything more than to have me pat your head so you could go to sleep with your head over my leg.

As you got older, you moved around more slowly.  The one day, old age finally took its toll, and you couldn't stand on those wobbly legs anymore.  I knelt down and patted you lying there, trying to make you young again.  You just looked up at me as if to say you were old and tired and that after all these years of not asking for anything, you had to ask me for one favor.

With tears in my eyes, I drove you one last time to the vet.  One last time you were lying next to me.  For some strange reason you were able to stand up in the animal hospital--perhaps it was your sense of pride.

As the vet let you away, you stopped for an instant, turned your head and looked at me as if to say: "Thank you for taking care of me."

I thought: "No, thank YOU for taking care of ME."

oh goodness, runner_girl, I have a dog and I'm completely in tears right now.

I'm so sorry for your loss jellikal...

That made me cry, too, runner_girl.  I love my dog very deeply.  I'm terribly sorry for your loss, jellikal.  Please be kind to yourself, okay?  Don't berate yourself if you don't watch what you eat for the next little while.  We will be thinking about you.  *hugs*

Jell - my deepest sympathy to you and yours.  It's hard to lose what you love.

I too offer my condolences. It is hard to loose someone you love. Dogs are part of our family.

We also three weeks ago lost our 14 1/2 year old dog. He was blind and deaf and toothless (from being a frisbee dog) and only had three legs (no his name was not lucky). It was so hard to watch him go down hill. It is so easy to justify keeping them alive to not have to suffer the pain of loosing them. I believe 100% that you are doing the right thing. You are being very selfless, and that is to be commended.

Please take the time to grieve. Yes, eat those m&ms, and cry.

I am one who believes that there is life after this one for all living things. I know I will see my beloved dog again, and I know you will see yours too.

(((((Hugs)))))

=>

Oh my gosh, your story is making me cry! I have had 7 dogs and only one of them still lives and I absolutely adore dogs, so I know exactly how you feel. If you want to binge, this is one time when I think it is ok. Go to the grocery store and stock up on low calorie junk and just eat until you can eat no more.... ok well not exactly, but you can binge and not feel as bad.

I'm going to pray for you and your dog. He will be happier in heaven and I'm absolutely positive there is a doggy heaven contrary to popular belief. I feel sooooo sorry for you.

*cries*

He is gone now. No more hurting. No more feeling lost.  I gave him a big chunk of ham this morning as I left for work.  He wagged his tail as I petted him ( first time he had done that in about a month). He knew and was saying it was ok.  I hope he has a nice cushion in a sunny spot watching TV now... as he continues his journey in the beyond.

Our vet did not even argue with my husband about it.  Last time we went to have a pet put to sleep.. my beloved Sherri cat  (3/91 -1/2007)  - the vet refused. They knew that they could help.  She had another year with us - died at home in Jan.  They did not argue - they agreed it was time.

So now we are comfortable we made the right choice - we just have the loss -  Buttons was in our family longer than our son. We got him from a friend who had moved into an apt that did not allow pets. ( b 1995-6? with us Fall 1997 - 2007)  But there will be a spot on the sofa that is always for him.

********************************************* ****

Thanks for your support.  But you know what ---- swiss cake rolls don't last long enough to be worth 270 cals for 2.  And it is surpising how much Trans Fat is in KKD Doughnuts.... but the mayfield low fat choc milk and combos is 100% worth it today.

********************************************* *******

My heart is with you. I lost my Buttercup to cancer back in October and I still miss her every day. You definitely did the right thing for Buttons and now you can find peace in that. Cherish the good memories and the love he brought to you and your family.

Please do this : find a great photo of him, get a 5X7 of it framed and keep it around you. One of our friends gave us a photo of our Buttercup after she died and it is amazing what the healing power of having just her picture, there with her collar hanging on the frame, has done for us.

** big hugs **