to not know when it's time to put my dog down?

[CheerfulYank]

Please help. :( He was diagnosed with a liver tumor on the 15th of last month.

The vet said she didn't know how long he had, just to watch him.

He's still eating but not so much now. Sleeping a lot. He doesn't seem to be in pain but I don't know. Just noticed he was drinking his water without getting up from his bed, just lying there lapping at it. His abdomen is pretty swollen now.

I don't know what to do. He's the first dog I ever owned myself; I've never been the adult in this situation.

I love him so much. I don't want him to suffer but I don't want to take him away from us if he still feels all right. He loves us so.

What should I look for? What should I do?

You've been extremely brave and also incredibly wise - you so clearly did right by him while he was with you, and now you've done the right thing again when the time came to say goodbye

Believe me I know how horrid it is, but now you can remember all the good times without blaming yourself for anything, knowing you've saved him from suffering too much - he couldn't have asked for more

Am so sorry, he sounded well loved xx

Someone sent me this when my dog died xx

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown

Yank I'm so sorry to read this.

(We were chatting on the TWD thread and the thread about your candle .)

I could have written your post on Sunday. Our old boy had a liver tumour and he went downhill over the weekend. We didn't know what to do for the best so we rang the vet and he said come straight in. There was nothing we could do except let him go peacefully and quietly with us sobbing into his fur.

It's hideous. The house is so empty. Dh and I are devastated. I'm really sorry if you're going through this too. I've been pm'ing a lovely lady on here who went through it herself a while ago and it's been really lovely talking to someone about it all.

Please do pm me if you want to.

Hope you feel better soon.

Thank you so much, everyone.

Kathryn the vet who put him down sent me a card with the Rainbow Bridge story on it today. I thought that was so lovely, especially as it was just an emergency vet place that had never seen us before.

Adora yes. It is so empty here. I've done okay during the day when my kids are up, and when my mindees are here. (They miss him too and brought me pictures and cookies, bless them.) But when the DC are asleep and it's just me and DH I just cry. I keep thinking he's right behind me. He was always right behind me, for nine years. I'm just so sad.

I know it's only been a few days and it will get better. We were talking of getting a puppy before he got sick and then dropped plans once we found out about the tumor. I've thought about it now and it feels disloyal, which is so silly!

The lady I'm talking to said it's not disloyal to think about having another dog, it's testament to how much you loved them that you miss them so much and need to have a dog. We will definitely have another one but we'll probably leave it till the spring.

cheerful feeling disloyal is a pretty normal response, but please please don't.
This dog has come into your homes and hearts and changed your lives in such a way that you cant envisage a home without a four legged presence. Thats not disloyal, that a huge lasting impression on you and as Adora says it's testament to how loved he was.

From a new puppy POV though, I agree spring is a good time. I lost my westie last November and we couldn't cope with the empty home. We brought home our Scottie, Murphy, the day before Christmas Eve. I really hadn't envisaged standing shivering in the garden for half my Christmas day chanting 'do a wee Murph' but that was how I spent it. With hindsight, spring and warmer weather would have been a bit more comfortable.

for you both x

Yes, we were thinking spring too, it's very cold here all winter. :) But not too late in as I'm due with DC3 in June.

Or maybe I should wait til after the baby. Argh, I never know what to do.

But, either way it's awhile off. Thank you everyone again. :)

I've thought about it now and it feels disloyal, which is so silly

It's not silly at all, but maybe look at it this way ... your much loved dog clearly had a fantastic life with you, with real happiness and absolutely the best of care right to the very end. Wouldn't it be great if another dog got to enjoy that, rather than ending up with owners who might not be quite as caring??

Wotcha Percy

Dh and I are having a reminisce about our old boy. We've got some videos of him running about in the garden barking and jumping about and also one of him asleep in the living room and whining and woofing and twitching in his sleep. So cute.

This is so sad, I'm so sorry . I'm dreading the day we have to do the same for our most beloved cat.

Well done for making the decision and going through with it quickly.

It's very sad. Re the children, the last Mog book is brilliant. When I heard the author had written it I was aghast, but having read it, it's so lovely and understands animals and children so perfectly. It's great for helping children deal with the loss of a loved family pet.

Hey adora

It's great to find home vids with them on isn't it? We found some a few weeks ago which were full of Bob but Jack is nowhere in sight which is rare.

Good to hear you and dh are smiling at the happy times.

Thanks Percy.