TheSpiritualPilgrim Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 My dog of 13 years is going to be put down today. I've watched her suffer the last 3 weeks. It's terribly sad. I can't help but reflect on death, pain and suffering in life and the ridiculous idea that there is a "god of love and goodness" behind this entire existence. What a bunch of bullshit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 Losing a pet is tough. My condolences and sympathies to you. Its amazing that facing death brings this type of thinking to mind. Life is full of difficulties and, unfortunately, death is a big one. Makes it understandable why people want there to be an afterlife. But to me, its just a cop out to not live life to the fullest. Grieve for your friend and remember the good times. You are a better person because of it all. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raoul Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 My dog of 13 years is going to be put down today. I've watched her suffer the last 3 weeks. It's terribly sad. I can't help but reflect on death, pain and suffering in life and the ridiculous idea that there is a "god of love and goodness" behind this entire existence. What a bunch of bullshit! Been through that same ordeal 3 different times. Just remember the great times you've had with her okay? One of ours, the BEST dog anyone could ever have (I know every dog lover says that right?) ironically was the same age as your when he passed. It was over 15 years ago next month. When this time of year comes along my wife and I talk about him and the funny things he did with us. He'll always be part of us. Hope this helps you a little. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Moderator florduh Posted September 18, 2013 Super Moderator Share Posted September 18, 2013 I just went through that a few weeks ago. He was my best friend for 16 years. God's wonderful plan sucks. Very sorry for your loss and I hope you feel better soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new2me Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 I had to watch two beloved dogs die terrible deaths (one was a euthanasia), so I know that this is extremely painful. All I can offer is that time does dull the pain. At this point I can remember all of the good times with them without getting too sad, but it has been 26 and 17 years now. So sorry for your loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwc Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 mwc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Margee Posted September 18, 2013 Moderator Share Posted September 18, 2013 I'm so sorry SP. It sucks big time. I had to let go of my 17 year old cat weeks ago. Remember everything good. Animals are the best friends in the world, that's what makes this so hard. It's good that you are not going to let your friend suffer. Huge hug for you today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flockoff Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 I'm very sorry for your loss. I know what it's like to lose a dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deva Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 I had to put my 13 year old cat down in 2007. It sucks. There was really nothing about it that was good. I hated it. But there was not a sure cure for her condition and I just couldn't see it continuing. Very hard.. not looking forward to a repeat performance with my 7 year old cat. My condolences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kolaida Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 I am so sorry for your loss. I hate it when I lose one of my little furry buddies. I still cry over some of the cats and dogs we had to give away or put down when I was a teenager. I know others have said it but be sure to think of all the good times you have had, how much joy she bought into your life and how much she loved you and what a great life you had together. What is that saying again? Cry because it's over, but smile because it happened by Dr. Seuss. Well, I think it says DON'T cry, but I think it's good to feel the emotion when it first happens, otherwise you'll just bottle it up and never get it out and move on. So, I say cry and then smile. Here's a few hugs from me today. *hugs* *hugs* *hugs* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midniterider Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 My dog of 13 years is going to be put down today. I've watched her suffer the last 3 weeks. It's terribly sad. I can't help but reflect on death, pain and suffering in life and the ridiculous idea that there is a "god of love and goodness" behind this entire existence. What a bunch of bullshit! I am sorry, sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaLeah Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 Please also remember you gave your dog a really happy life. Animals outside in the wild live a stressful existence and don't get to know loyalty, love, human companionship in the same way. You got to share a peaceful existence with your dog, free of stress or worry about where his / her next meal was coming from or fretting over his / her very survival. This is such a lovely and loving thing to share with a pet, and even a humane passing is a kindness. In the wild, animals that are sick or old or frail are killed and eaten or waste away in pain. You spared your wonderful pet from this fate. Your dog is spared the suffering he/she would have had if it weren't for you. Remember that too. And I want to add that I'm sorry for your loss as well. It's very hard, mourning a pet who was a great companion and a beautiful creature. My heart goes out to you. My husband and I have just taken in his grandmother's 10-year-old cat. (Which is hard, because we already have an 8-year-old male cat, but they're doing okay together so far as we carefully integrate them. Aside from the new cat peeing in weird places to try to mark and establish his territory. This will pass, and we can clean it up and be understanding meanwhile.) His grandmother moved into an assisted living space after her husband's death, and lately her bad knees and hips are getting worse, and she knew she couldn't properly care for him and couldn't bear to put the cat down, and begged us to take him in (all her other kids and grandkids have dogs, and he doesn't do well with dogs.) So we did. We'll make sure the rest of his life is comfortable and happy and we'll enjoy his company. I hope you too can enjoy more pets in your lifetime and give them a comfortable and happy life. I know--each one is different and special with their own unique personality and character, that's what makes them so great and irreplaceable. (And perhaps you already have another dog or pet right now.) I'm just remembering after a very special super-smart cat of mine died, I didn't want any other pets for a while. That's perfectly okay. I'm glad to have cats again though. They do have a way of healing your heart and reminding you of a more innocent and trusting way to live, and remind you of other past pets you've loved. Grieving is normal though, and I hope you give yourself the time it takes to mourn without any inner voice (or other person) telling you to shake it off or ignore it. It's okay to hurt for a loved one who's gone, to miss your companion and to talk about it with friends who care about you, or even take some time off from work if you need to. It's okay. Hugs to you. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSpiritualPilgrim Posted September 19, 2013 Author Share Posted September 19, 2013 It was such a sad and painful experience but I know it was the humane thing to do. I got to hold her as she went away. I will never forget her. Thanks for the comments and support. You guys are awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kolaida Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 It was such a sad and painful experience but I know it was the humane thing to do. I got to hold her as she went away. I will never forget her. Thanks for the comments and support. You guys are awesome. You're welcome and I really am sorry. I seriously am a little teary eyed right now. I wish I could do more. It was the humane thing to do. I've been there, it is painful when the vet tells you it is kinder to not let the pet go on living that way. It is so hard, but it is for the best even if it doesn't feel like it now. And I'm sure your dog was so grateful for the life she was able to lead because of you. Don't ever doubt that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rach Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 I want to tell you how SORRY I am to hear this horrible news. I have been through it with several pet dogs, just rips your heart out. I'm glad you are loving enough and strong enough to end your dog's suffering through euthanasia. I was so grateful to have that option with my pets when they got old and started suffering with cancers. I wanted to keep them here for me but I knew for their sakes I had to let go. You gave your dog the best thing you could give, a wonderful life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leopardus Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 Truly sorry for that. I've had to put down a couple dogs in my life and a few cats. It never gets any easier. Each one has a special place in our hearts and minds. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaLeah Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 It was such a sad and painful experience but I know it was the humane thing to do. I got to hold her as she went away. I will never forget her. Thanks for the comments and support. You guys are awesome. Oh! I'm crying for you right now. I'm so sorry. You won't ever forget her. This is so hard, but I'm really glad for her that you gave her a good life and were there to hold her in her last moments and ease her through those last moments. It takes a lot of strength and courage... and so much emotion... to go through that. You did the right thing. You were a great caretaker of her, and you saw her through all the way. (Wiping tears away.) I feel a lot of admiration for you, giving her a nice life and a safe ending in your arms. You have a lot of compassion, love, and courage. I salute you. I grieve with you. I'm so very, very sorry for your loss and difficult time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramen666 Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 On Christmas Eve morning at 1:10am, this decision was made for my 14 year old dog. Believe me I know exactly what you are going through. I am so sorry and never ever wish this kind of pain on anyone. This thread is making my eyes water just thinking about this, I am sorry man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Margee Posted September 19, 2013 Moderator Share Posted September 19, 2013 It was such a sad and painful experience but I know it was the humane thing to do. I got to hold her as she went away. I will never forget her. Thank you for sharing your real feelings with us Pilgrim. Reading this today rips my heart out. The first few days are the weirdest and most painful. Then bit by bit...it starts to get a little easier. I made my cat the background picture for my computer screen. I get to talk to him several times a day. I know....it might be weird, but this is one of the things I have done to keep him in my site and close to me. We are right here for you if you need to talk. Write out all your feelings. It always seems to help me. *hug* for today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noob Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 I'm so sorry. I know this is one of the most difficult things we ever have to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
♦ ficino ♦ Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 So very sorry, Pilgrim. Our friends of other species are often more understanding than our own species. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RenaissanceWoman Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Serious bummer! I'm sorry for your sad days. Two things I would like to mention: 1. Someone once told me that the more sad you are over the loss of a pet, the more you should rejoice. The more sad you are, the more you realize your loss of the love and joy you shared -- which means you really "got it" while the pet was in your life. That was a gift worth rejoicing. I hope that makes sense, and helps in some way. 2. When our beloved female dog died 2 years ago, we had her cremated. (I think it was $80.) We planted a tree in a special spot near the back patio, which we see every day. I mixed her ashes in with the compost and dirt when I planted the tree. It was a hot day -- I was sweaty, dirty, and crying my eyes out, even though it had been a few months since she had passed. The tree has grown wonderfully, and we refer to it as "Shelby's tree." (It's a birch with the peeling white bark, and she was a white dog, so it's all good.) It gives shade and looks lovely. I like to think that whatever minerals and energy were left in her ashes have helped that tree give us daily joy. We also have a "Little Gem" magnolia tree in the front yard from another white dog of ours from about 14 years ago. We still call it "Buster's tree." It gets gorgeous white flowers on it all through the summer, and they always make me smile for that little white dog. If you like this idea, I would warn you against getting the obvious dogwood tree (dog -- get it?). Even though it is our state flower here in North Carolina (I know it's a tree, not a flower, but hey...), we cannot get them to live at our house. (We've been through 6 trees in 3 different holes over 10 years, all dead.) Just my 2 cents. (But they sure do grow nicely unattended along the interstate, for petes sake!) Last month my 13-year-old dog spent 9 days in "puppy hospital" with IV feeding (and antibiotics and pain meds) for pancreatitis. On day 5 we had to decide to try for a few more days or end his suffering. There were a lot of tears that day, even from my macho hubby. They pumped him with pain meds and here he is a few weeks later, totally fine. (We're out $1200, but averaged over 13 years of perfect health, I can't complain.) But I know he only has a fews years left, and we'll be boo-hooing him again. Anyway... Sorry for your sadness. It will get better. Thank you for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ro-bear Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 I'm sorry for your loss. My wife and I had to euthanize our approx. 20 year old cat a few years back (she was in the house when we moved in 18 years earlier; the family who lived there before didn't know how old she was when they got her, but she had had two litters). Kidneys quit on her. She was suffering. It's hard to say goodbye to a friend. I don't dwell on those dark last days, though. I think about her slow acceptance of us after we moved in. Her confusion when my wife insisted on bathing her. Her total personality transformation when our children were born; she became very loving and attentive, less easily frightened. I remember the way she ran after birds in the backyard on two legs like an angry bear at a campsite (we named her Bear). I remember the rabbit's heads on my pillow in the morning (we should have named her Don Corleone). Think about the good stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSpiritualPilgrim Posted September 24, 2013 Author Share Posted September 24, 2013 Thanks again for the support. I go to pick up her ashes today. Tons of good advice here... especially to focus on the good. We did give her a good life and she was a happy dog who made us happy as well. The hardest part for me is feeling like I failed her somehow at the end. I know she did not want to be in that vets office. But that is the responsibility we have to take as pet owners. Her quality of life was diminishing without showing any sign of response from medicine. I guess it's just a crappy situation but the 13 great years of having her as a companion I will never forget. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Googledotman Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 I lost a Labrador Retriever in 2008. Now I can't even look at a black lab without thinking of him. He brought peace to my family and would lick me, let me hug him, and was a good companion. I love my dog, his memory kept me from homelessness (I am really not joking, a woman took me into her house because she remembered him fondly). I feel your agony OP and would suggest that you remember the good times. :') Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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