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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dogs and the rainbow bridge

129 replies

Eliza9917 · 26/02/2018 12:46

How did you know it was the right time? Did you just know?

Were you at peace with the decision once you thought it was time?

My dog has osteosarcoma (bone cancer) that has spread to her lungs. About 3 week ago the vet said weeks now rather than months. She stopped eating after breakfast yesterday and won't have anything despite us offering all sorts.

Up until now I didn't think it was time yet and didn't know how I'd make the call but now she's started the process herself I feel irs right to do it now. Obviously I'm devastated to lose her but I don't feel as bad as I thought I would about calling it. I don't want her to starve herself to death and I don't want her to suffer. I want her to have some dignity.

OP posts:
Original poster
Eliza9917 · 26/02/2018 12:47

*its

OP posts:
Lovelilies · 26/02/2018 12:50

It sounds like it's the right time for her. Thinking of you Flowers

yorkshireyummymummy · 26/02/2018 12:51

It’s time.
Take her knowing that you are doing the hardest thing but the most loving too.
I’m now crying for you and for my girl who we PTS nearly three years ago.
Not a day goes by that i don’t think of her and miss her but I never ever regret the decision we made.

Take her. I’m sending a message to my dog To look out for yours. ❤️🐕

kaitlinktm · 26/02/2018 12:51

Every time I have made this decision for my animals I have "known" it was time - and after the event, looking back, I have nearly always felt that I ought to have done it sooner.

It's heartbreaking but she is telling you that she is ready to go now. Can you get the vet to come to your home? I always think that is better for dogs.
Flowers for you OP. Sad

UrsulaPandress · 26/02/2018 12:51

Hardest decision in the world and my heart goes out to you.

All I can say is the relief I felt that they were no longer in pain.

retirednow · 26/02/2018 12:52

It's such a sad time when we have to say goodbye to our beloved pets, let her go and live in peace with yourself knowing how much love she had. She will be with all the other precious pets over the rainbow bridgeFlowers

Catinthebath · 26/02/2018 12:53

She’s told you it’s time. Mine did the same. It’s heartbreaking, miss mine every day. I’m so sorry x

mogmum · 26/02/2018 12:55

I had this with my 19 year old cat two weeks ago, I know it sounds strange but I knew it was his time although it was still heartbreaking.
Thinking of you

DearMrDilkington · 26/02/2018 12:55

I think it's the right time. I'm so sorry. Flowers

yolofish · 26/02/2018 12:56

so heartbreaking - but you know it's the right thing for her and that's what really matters. Flowers and yes to rainbow bridge, I wholeheartedly believe that is a thing.

Irelandfilly · 26/02/2018 12:56

So sorry, it's a month since our old boy was pts😓😓 hardest decision I had to make but it was the right one for him as he had stopped eating too and was in pain. I still wake up thinking I hear him barking💔💔 Big hugs for you❤xxxx

Purplejay · 26/02/2018 12:58

I do think you know when it is time. I am so sorry.

Original poster
Eliza9917 · 26/02/2018 12:58

Thank you all.

I think we'll take her today or tomorrow.

OP posts:
TheHodgeoftheHedge · 26/02/2018 12:59

You know it's time. It just doesn't make it any easier or less painful.

Sending you lots of love and hugs because I know how much this hurts. xx

longtallwalker · 26/02/2018 13:00

Poor you.
It sounds like you do know what's best for your dear dog though. Good luck xx

retirednow · 26/02/2018 13:02

You can ask your vet to come to your house if that's better for you and poochyFlowers

apostropheuse · 26/02/2018 13:02

It's the right time. You know that too.

You will be sad, but you will also know that you absolutely did the humane thing. After a time you will be left with fond memories, knowing you put your much loved pet before yourself.

teaiseverything · 26/02/2018 13:03

As someone who has lung issues, I can promise you now is the time. It's a kindness. I'm so so very sorry. Mine is my best friend. Please know you're doing the right thing. Flowers

scrivette · 26/02/2018 13:07

Sounds like it's time, at least you can spend the last day giving cuddles and she will know how very much she is loved.

confusedandemployed · 26/02/2018 13:10

I just knew when my beautiful girl was ready. Nearly 2 years and I think of her every day.
I can promise you though, you will feel proud in time. I am both proud and relieved that I didn't falter when I had to step up and do what was right for her and not what I wanted.
Flowers

Quiddichcup · 26/02/2018 13:10

I never believed any of that ' they will tell you when they are ready ' stuff. But my wonderful boy did.

He was almost 15 and in hindsight had been poorly for a few days. He couldn't make it upstairs and used to call for me by dragging his paw along the radiator in the hallway. One night he kept doing this, then when I got down he would just walk off. I came down at 5am a bit pissed off and he stood in front of me and I could see puss running out the end of his nose. Had he had been younger a trip to the vets would have sorted it but we were on borrowed time. He just looked at me and I knew immediately.

I tried to temp him with his favourite foods out of my hand but he just kept turning away and walking off.
He let me know.

It's the worst thing and I still miss him terribly 18 months later, but you do it because you love them.

I'm sorry.

Squeezed · 26/02/2018 13:14

So sorry it’s such a hard decision but I think you do know when it is time. Our girl was pts 3 weeks ago after defying the odds for a year. There was some relief that I knew she would not suffer and I could do one more kind thing for her. Take care x

Ljlsmum · 26/02/2018 13:15

Now’s the time. When we had our cat put to sleep I held him and had dh in front looking at him and stroking him as he was the favourite. Thought he should see his favourite person as he left us. Sorry for your heartbreak.

Blobby10 · 26/02/2018 13:16

For my old girl it was she stopped eating even scrambled egg, roast chicken and deli ham! x

Topseyt · 26/02/2018 13:16

I am so sorry.

I had to do this recently with my elderly cat. It happened very quickly overnight on Christmas Eve, and by the early hours of Christmas morning I knew beyond much doubt that it "was time". So I got an appointment with the out of hours vet and it was confirmed. He was put to sleep.

It is very hard and very sad, but I think you do eventually get to a point where you just know that things simply cannot go on any further.

It sounds like you are approaching that point now. Flowers for you.

It is the final kindness, but I do know just how you feel.