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Original poster

We had to put our 14 year old lab to sleep today in devastated

26 replies

Fishies · 10/03/2021 22:28

This morning our 14 year old beautiful labrador suffered a stroke completely out of the blue and he was not well at all.(not wanting to go into to much detail) we put him to sleep.
Im devastated ill never see his face again hell never lick my feet again he won't be there any more. And I know its not as bad as deaths out there currently but it hurts so much inside...... I came to bed at 8 hoping to get to sleep I can't its 10.30 now and I just need to sob again. All family and friends have been told. The two young kids of ours have been told I know his not in pain now but how do I accept this

OP posts:

Mrsjayy · 10/03/2021 22:33

Oh Iam so sorry your heart must be broken,. Just cry you are allowed to be sad. Acceptance will come but you will never stop missing him but you will start to remember. The better times.

Original poster

Fishies · 10/03/2021 22:37

@Mrsjayy

Oh Iam so sorry your heart must be broken,

. Just cry you are allowed to be sad. Acceptance will come but you will never stop missing him but you will start to remember. The better times.

Thank you I just can't stop imagining his face when they put him to sleephow quickly it was how white he went and where I know he is lying now

OP posts:

dillydallydollydaydream7 · 10/03/2021 22:41

Sending you lots of love OP pets, especially dogs, are such a huge part of the family. There's a quote I remember reading; 'to you, they are a part of your life, but to them, you are their whole life' which is so true. I bet you made his life wonderful, and as hard as it is, take comfort from the knowledge that yon had him in your life for so long to share a special bond and love

feliciabirthgiver · 10/03/2021 22:45

So sorry for your loss, I'm
sure you have got some wonderful memories together to remember, feel free to share them with us when you are ready

mumofthemonsters808 · 10/03/2021 22:54

I know exactly how you feel it’s heartbreaking and so painful, I felt exactly as you describe when we had our old black lab put to sleep, but overtime I realised it was the last thing I needed to do for him to end his pain.If only they lived as long as we did.

I vowed never again would I have a dog, due to the overwhelming sadness I experienced when he was PTS and the awful sense of loss, I lasted 12 months, for me a house is not a home without a dog and as I type my one year white lab girl is at my feet.I now smile when I speak about my beloved black boy and you will do one day.

GingerFigs · 10/03/2021 23:20

So sorry for your loss. He was such a huge part of your life. Let the tears come. Our pets are with us every day and we often spend more time with them than we do with some family and friends.

Don't dwell on the pts element, I know it's hard not to as that is the last thing that happened but for him it would be very quick and he would have no comprehension of what was happening. He had you who loved him for years and years, and gave him a wonderful life. Cry and cry as you need to let the emotion out but you did the right thing and he didn't suffer.

The loss of your dog is huge and as it was unexpected you will be in shock. Look after yourself and soon you will remember the good times, those happy memories will last forever.

SomeLikeItTepid · 10/03/2021 23:30

Fishies I'm so sorry for your loss. You sound like a loving and respectful person. So many people try prolong the lives of their pets to postpone their grief. You have done something very selfless and kind. Thinking of you.

Scautish · 10/03/2021 23:32

I’m so sorry. Losing a dog is just awful. These animals are so incredible and the hole in our hearts they leave is enormous.

IpreferInchyraBlue · 10/03/2021 23:34

We had the same thing two months ago. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I am so sorry for your loss.

Tanfastic · 10/03/2021 23:35

I'm so sorry. I've a nearly 15 year old dog and I can only imagine how you are feeling right now 🥲

SheldonesqueIsUnwell · 10/03/2021 23:41

My heart breaks for you. So many here know the pain you are feeling.

Their love and presence is everything and it hurts so when it is taken away so suddenly.

But the love is always there. And he went from this world knowing he’d been loved and that he was the little hairy centre of your world.

Original poster

Fishies · 11/03/2021 06:06

Thank you everyone I managed to get a few hours sleep but I've woken up just crying again which isn't going to help me . Im laid in bed but I need to get up and get the kids bathed and ready for school god my heart 😭

OP posts:

MinnieJackson · 11/03/2021 09:10

I'm so, so sorry im welling up for you.

Mrsjayy · 11/03/2021 10:43

Oh @Fishies I can feel how sad you are

SheldonesqueIsUnwell · 11/03/2021 11:25

Time. Time will be your friend. I say that when even 6 years on, my heart breaks when I think of my girl.

It was a turning point when I could smile instead of sob when I thought of her.

When they are such an important part of your life, tears will trip you for some time yet.

I think that tears are just love pouring out for someone or something you cannot love in the physical sense any more. It has to go somewhere.

Original poster

Fishies · 12/03/2021 05:09

Thank you everyone yet again I've been awake since 3 I spoke to my sister who is a vet and started to think what she was telling me I'm just terrible again. She said its more than likely its not a stroke and something called vestibular disease so I've just Googled it to get some information and it says that you shouldn't put a dog to sleep because of it as its more than likely they would have made a full recovery 😭😭

OP posts:

Landlubber2019 · 12/03/2021 05:47

I am so sorry for you loss, 14 yrs is a good age and I am sure had your dog had a treatable condition the vet who assisted in pts your dog will have mentioned this. I would also give your sister a wide birth currently as I wonder her motivation for passing such information to you at, what is clearly a devastating time.

Be kind, cry when you need to and in time you will learn to live with the pain of missing him! I still miss my lab and he was pts over 25 yrs ago!

Suzi888 · 12/03/2021 06:48

I’m sure your vet would be familiar with vestibular disease OP, it’s a well known condition. Your sister didn’t examine your dog. 14 is a very good age for a lab.

I’m sorry for your loss, let yourself grieve and know that you gave him a great life and made the kindest, most humane choice for him.

SheldonesqueIsUnwell · 12/03/2021 06:54

Please don’t upset yourself with what ifs and maybes. (Easier said than done and not advice I took myself)

The vet who examined your dog made the call on how your dog presented.

This bit of advice I will always think on. Better a day too early than a day too late.

You made the ultimate choice out of love. And he isn’t in pain, he isn’t confused, he isn’t distressed.

It is always always harder on those left behind.

WhatElseCouldIWrite · 12/03/2021 07:06

My heart goes out to you. I had my 13 year old put down in November.
Please don't dwell on the what ifs, feeling guilty about the decision you made is part of the grief.
I found it so hard and I battled with the decision too but it was the right one.
Let yourself remember, let yourself cry and be kind to yourself.

Mrsjayy · 12/03/2021 10:40

You didn't do anything wrong your dog was elderly suffering and you and your own vet made the right decision.

SheldonesqueIsUnwell · 12/03/2021 11:19

This OP. This. X

SheldonesqueIsUnwell · 12/03/2021 11:22

This

We had to put our 14 year old lab to sleep today in devastated

WhiteBricks · 12/03/2021 11:27

be kind to yourself OP, I think it's normal to go through the 'what it's...' when it's all still so raw. My Auntie asked my parents why they hadn't tried harder for their dog who was PTS when suddenly really ill but they knew she was suffering and it was kinder to PTS and let her have a dignified death. She would have known how much she was loved, just like your boy will have

Original poster

Fishies · 15/08/2021 22:09

Wow I can't believe this was 5 months ago I still miss him so so so much but I am glad in a way I made that decision now he was so very poorly we all still talk about him I do still have moments of sadness though

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