special things we can do before ddog pts?

[BellasOrgasmicWalkingFoot]

Our beloved dog is being put to sleep in a few weeks. He has a number of serious health conditions and has been ill since a puppy. He's not even three yet. I spent a long time tonight sobbing into his lovely fur and telling him that I'm sorry

What lovely things can we do to make his last few weeks special? I'm already planning all of the (usually off limit) things I'm going to feed him (steak, sausages, cat food! etc). We're going to bury him in his favourite part of the garden and plant a tree on top.

Sorry the post is a bit jumbled, quite upset at the moment x

[Hoplikeabunny]

Oh I'm so sorry What is wrong with him? Is he able to go on nice walks? If so then lots of lovely off lead walks would be really nice for him, maybe to the beach and other places that may be exciting, forests, fields etc.

[RandomMess]

Sleep wherever he wants?

Our ddog would love to sleep in our bed under the covers!

[BellasOrgasmicWalkingFoot]

The main problem is epilepsy. We can't control his seizures. We have seen numerous specialists, tried lots of medications (and different amounts and combinations of each) but we're fighting a losing battle. He's already so sedated on his medication that his quality of life is suffering and he's having more seizures than ever. He also had irritable bowel disease which gives him diarrhoea and appears to make him very uncomfortable. He just looks sad - not happy and full of life like a young dog should be. It's the right time.

We can definitely go to the beach and forest! We'll have to keep the walks short as he can't go far - he gets tired due to the medication and if he's exhausted then he's very likely to have seizures. Thanks hop x

[BellasOrgasmicWalkingFoot]

I've always wanted him to sleep in our bed! Great idea x

[JoffreyBaratheonFirstofHisName]

Oh, so painful and difficult for you.

I'd definitely do the forbidden foods thing. Favourite ever walks, too. And toys/playing. And visit the favourite people. I'd take photos too, bittersweet as that would be. Our old girl loved the seaside but when she died last year, she was too old and ill to walk much any more so she never really got to say goodbye to the beaches she'd loved, and we didn't consciously do anything 'for the last time'. Which can be a nice and good thing; although painful, too.

We planted an apple tree above our old staffy - he died in 2008. Our bunnies eat the apples from that tree, every year. I always look at it and think of him (blossoming at the moment). A friend gave the kids sunflowers to plant after he went as he was always such a sunny, bright character.

Poor sweetheart, only three. I bet he has had the best life possible though, with you.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Oh bella how heart breaking. your poor poor dog. I was going to suggest you let him eat whatever he likes and let him have the bed but you have already thought of that.

Also, would your vet come out to you so he can be PTS at home with his favourite toy after his favourite foods. you can properly cuddle him then the whole time.

so sorry your having to do this

[Hoplikeabunny]

Oh you poor thing, what a tough decision to have to make You're very brave, and lovely that you want to make his last few weeks as nice as possible.

Ooooh sleeping under the covers on your bed is a good one, he'll love that!

[measles64]

You could make a bucket list for him, go on some adventures together google dying dog bucket list then on the last day and I saw this on Facebook have a party. www.buzzfeed.com/alanwhite/this-story-of-a-dogs-last-day-on-earth-is-beautiful-and-hear#.skVpddaPB

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

Just make sure you take lots of pictures and videos of him doing all these lovely things. I wish I'd taken more videos of my old dog. I'd love some of him doing all his daft little things round the house. The expressions he used to pull. You can never have enough.

[BellasOrgasmicWalkingFoot]

Thanks all of you. I can't sleep. That buzzfeed post was beautiful measles. I know it's the right thing to do but it's going to break my heart.

[BellasOrgasmicWalkingFoot]

Do you all mind watching the thread for me please? I'll let you know when the date is set. Think I'll need a lot of hand holding at the time.

[BellasOrgasmicWalkingFoot]

My beautiful boy

[Jenda]

He's lovely Bella. I'm so so sorry, I saw that buzzfeed article yesterday and was saying to DP that I just can't imagine looking at your dog and knowing.

I second what others have said, lovely short walks, maybe a splash in the sea, lie on the blanket so you can watch but not tire him out, let him sleep anywhere, feed him all sorts of rubbish and get lots of tummy rubs in. It must be heartbreaking, I'm having a little weep just writing this! just know you are doing the best thing and he will know how very loved he is

[basildonbond]

Bella - he's gorgeous. The next few weeks will be very hard but it sounds like it's absolutely the right decision.

I agree with all the other posters suggesting you let him do all the things he likes best - dogs live in the moment so he won't have any sense of what's going to happen but will be delighted with the extra treats, cuddles etc

for both of you

[spiderlight]

Oh, so sorry. He's beautiful and it must be breaking your hearts. Our lovely old girl got lots of giant Milky Bar buttons on her last few days with us and absolutely loved them.

[BellasOrgasmicWalkingFoot]

How can I be strong enough to watch him die? We've had him since he was a little puppy.

The vet agrees it's the best thing to do and is coming here on the 6th June.

I have added more things to the bucket list.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Because it's the right thing and your the best owner he could have had. that's how you can be strong enough. because you love him.

saying good bye is sooooo hard. But watching them suffer is harder. I'd love to see the list of your up to sharing x

[BellasOrgasmicWalkingFoot]

Thanks Giles

So far we have:

-Go to the beach
-Destroy a big cardboard box
-Have an ice cream in the park
-Eat a whole chicken and a steak
-Go for a walk in the woods
-Play in a paddling pool, and burst it if he wants!
-Sleep in mummy and daddy's bed
-See all of the people he loves most for lots of cuddles

Dh and I have decided to bury him in his favourite part of the garden where we used to have a pond (we filled it in as he kept jumping in it). We're going to plant a tree on top and cover the ground in bark chips, which are one of his favourite things to eat!

[Gileswithachainsaw]

That's going to be sooooo much fun!!!!

he couldn't possibly feel more loved.

[RandomMess]

Does he like rivers/streams - you could all go in for a splodge with him?

[Stinkersmum]

I can't suggest anything more than what has been suggested already. Eat what he wants, sleep where he wants, walk where he wants, play what he wants. That's dog's dream bucket list right there I think. I'm so sorry for you :(

[JoffreyBaratheonFirstofHisName]

Bella you will find that strength to be with him - because you love him and he loves you and needs you. We knew for a couple of days before our staffy was PTS that it was going to happen - not long enough to rouse us out of the shock, so that we could actively do those last things. You will be glad you did, trust me.

On his last morning I walked him - his usual, old walk he did most days. And at one point, where we always used to stop about halfway for a rest, I sat down and hugged him (middle of nowhere, here) and said my goodbyes there, and told him to stand and wait there when I walked by - and that I'd always know he was there. Daft, I know, but to this day when I pass the spot I think of him and that last time and painful memories like that, given time, become comforting as well.

When we got home the neighbour's dog - who he loved - came out and they played ball. He had a brain tumour and when he died was still physically fit, active and strong. So it was weird watching them play and knowing it would be his last time, and seeing him so full of life, only an hour before.

Neighbour's dog is now elderly and she had a scare, last week. She was on a drip all weekend - has now pulled through. But she isn't long for this world, either - and sometimes I think my staff was the lucky one, to die in his prime, full of life - he never got old, and we didn't have to watch a slow deterioration.

[RandomMess]

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand;
Don't let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years -
What is to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want me to suffer so;
The time has come, so let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend
And please stay with me until the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Please do not grieve - it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years -
Don't let your heart hold back its tears.
.
.
Poem is by an unknown author

[BellasOrgasmicWalkingFoot]

That's such a lovely story KingJoffrey, and that poem is so beautiful.

Thanks everyone for your kind words. Dh and I are now wavering as to whether we are doing the right thing. I think it's probably just a phase - we both admit that in our hearts we know that pts is best for him.