Today I finally got up the courage to say goodbye to my best friend. He was nearing 12, he was having trouble walking and had to be helped up a lot. I had never had to make this decision before. My pets had always gotten sick or had some other condition that took them from me. I never had to make the decision that it was time and it tore me up. This was easily the hardest decision of my life thus far and I’m having a very hard time with it. He wasn’t blind or deaf or senile. He was still very sharp and aware up until the end. The clincher was that his elbow bone has started to poke through because he was putting so much weight on his front paws. I couldn’t let him suffer anymore but I’m just a mess right now.
Really sorry to hear that Nate. Undoubtedly you made the right decision, no matter how difficult it was.
Ultimate expression of love, to choose to experience excruciating pain to spare someone else the same.
I'm so sorry you went through that. I'm happy you were strong enough to make such a tough decision for him though. Respect.
Really sorry to hear that. I know how tough it is. Hang in there and remember that it is an act of love.
Thanks for all the kind words guys. It’s gonna be rough for a while but I know it had to be done. It’s just going to feel very empty around the house when I’m working from home.
Lucia and I send our deepest condolences. No matter how sad you are, know you did the right thing. Your last act of love was to give your friend a peaceful end It's OK to grieve, or as Dame said, OK to not be OK.
Sorry to hear that. This is a very tough thing. I had to do it for the first time about 9 years ago and I have another furball getting up there in age. It sounds like you absolutely did the right thing but it is never easy.
I also want to share something. I really didn’t want to be in the room. The thought of him taking his last breath was breaking my heart and I really wanted to not go. I was afraid. But I have heard many people say that it’s our duty to be there for them at the end. So I went. My wife and I were there the whole time. And now I know why because when they gave him the first shot that makes them sleepy, he panicked a bit. He sat up and turned to me. I needed to be there for that moment. To let him know it was okay. We calmed him down and got him to lay back down and rest and that’s how he died. That’s how he took his last breath. I owed that to him. He has been here for me for 12 years and I needed to be there for him in that last moment. I get it now. I also didn’t want to leave him. It felt wrong to leave him in that room alone. We stayed with him for 15 minutes before we left and let them know we were done. The vet that we had used for the past 9 or 10 years really disappointed me. They’re still acting like it’s extreme Covid protocols and not allowing owners to come in. We ended up using the Tanasbourne emergency vet and they were fantastic.
A few years ago, my cat came running into my house, but was limping...so I picked him up and felt around his paw, etc, for a cut or bite, etc. He didn't react to it at all. And worst of all, it was ice cold. He was looking at me like a scared little child (pets can totally express emotion in their eyes/face). So I quickly called my vet, and I described the situation, and they said that he most likely threw a blood clot (he had a heart issue from the get go). They called a local place that dealt with that stuff, and made an appointment for me. I rushed over there, only to find out that the chances of the blood clot working its way out was slim, and that at best, I would have to spend like 2500 bucks to maybe get him a little more time. I had to make the choice to put him to sleep. They allowed me to go back into the room where he was, and talk to him. His reaction to seeing me was him hissing and growling at me (he was clearly scared/fight or flight). So I said my goodbyes, and went back into the room. They came in and asked me if I wanted to be there with him, and through my blubbering tears, I said no. I now wish I had said yes, but it's a little late. They eventually brought him back to me, in a box, and I took him home and the next day I had him cremated. My next cats better fucking die on their own.
Something to remember for next time, vets will come to your home and give your pet the shot. That's what I've done with my dogs. I want their last moments to be in their home.
Dutch would not have been cool with a stranger in the house. Or really the car either. This was the only way it could be done.
My sister had that done to her last 2 cats who had to be put down. She's good friends with a traveling vet (there's a Ricky Nelson joke in there somewhere), and it was much easier for my sister and her kids. It cost more (but my sister and her husband are stupid wealthy). My sister still wells up with tears when she talks about it. The first one was about 6 or so years ago.
Sorry Nate, That's sad as hell. It's not easy losing a pet. They are a part of the family, of you. I have been through it several times. Just had to put my mothers cat down not long ago because she had stomach cancer. I have lost dogs and cats alike. The most traumatic was when I was a kid. My dog dug under our fence and got into the neighbors trash and he shot him. My dog made it back to my carport and I held him as he took his last breaths and died. It was very strong of you to be in there with him for his last moments. He will live on in your memories. Cheers
@Natebishop3, we just had to this 6 months ago with our first dog and it was heart-wrenching. Better now, but it's a hole. Just today I said to my wife, "I miss Rosie." That you were there and loved him and helped him cross the "rainbow bridge" is the best. Forever and always in your heart!
