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Original poster

It's time to let her go

29 replies

Iklboo · 08/03/2010 09:41

It is with an extremely heavy heart that I'm going to have to have my beautiful old girl put to sleep this week.
She's a 15 year old whippet greyhound cross I've had since she was 12 weeks old. But her back legs are going very badly now. She can't get up very well and falls down a lot, can't get up and starts to panic. She's also having lots of 'accidents'. She doesn't look happy any more even though she's still eating well (and pinching biscuits!).
I am devastated & heartbroken but know it's for the best.
DS will be distraught as he absolutely dotes on her .
My poor, poor girl

OP posts:
Bella32 · 08/03/2010 09:56

Am so, so sorry, Iklboo. Of course you are devastated - she is a much loved member of your family Sending you lots of love and strength x

Owls · 08/03/2010 09:58

Iklboo. You are absolutely doing the right thing. Just so hard isn't it.

Original poster
Iklboo · 08/03/2010 10:23

Thank you ladies - I'm in work trying not to break down. My mate is being really really supportive and I'm so grateful to her. Don't want the day to come, The house will be so empty......

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Original poster
Iklboo · 08/03/2010 10:45

Anyone know how much the RSPCA charges? Fucking hell it sounds so callous..........

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Original poster
Iklboo · 08/03/2010 11:10

Tomorrow - 1:30pm. DH says to get her a chicken or something nice to eat. The condemned dog ate a hearty meal.
Oh gods I don't want to do this.

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PrettyCandles · 08/03/2010 11:18

I had to do this to our dog many years ago. It's heart-wrenching. Like you, I knew that the time had come when he started looking unhappy, and distressed at weeing indoors.

The vet came to our house, and I sat on the floor, holding as much of TCC (our dog) as I could in my lap while the vet put him to sleep.

It really was like going to sleep. He looked puzzled, not distressed at all, then just fell asleep. It was difficult to believe that he was gone, because he didn't look or feel any different, just his chest was no longer moving.

It was expensive (I don't recall how much though), and the vet took TCC away with him, so we paid for that, too.

It's lonely afterwards.

{{hugs}}

FioFio · 08/03/2010 11:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ShinyAndNew · 08/03/2010 11:27

Iklboo, I am so sorry. But it does sound as though it's the right time.

My dads Akita is getting close to his time too. His back legs are going and he is finding it more difficult, but not impossible, to get up. He is still enjoying his walks and the vet and ourselves are happy that he still has a reasonable quality of life atm and is not in any pain.

But we have said that if it starts to become painfull or distressing for him, then we will have to take that step.

It's awfull to watch something you love so much to deteriorate.

Get her a nice meal. Spend the day on the sofa cuddling. Be kind to yourself. It is so hard.

Original poster
Iklboo · 08/03/2010 12:10

Poor cow can't even get up on the sofa anymore. She used tol ove jumping up or on our bed in the morning for a cuddle. Poor DH. He's known her 10 years so it's just as hard on him. He's in bits too. Need to get very very drunk philosophical tonight.

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diddl · 08/03/2010 16:34

You´ve just got to tell yourself that you are doing what´s best for her

Our dog started collapsing and occasionally was carried home.

Not long after went off food & then no longer wanted to go out for walks

Vallhala · 08/03/2010 18:49

I've been there and I feel for you very much.

May you and yours gain strength and support from each other and courage too as you carry out that one last act of compassion and love for your girl.

In my thoughts,

Val x

Notalone · 09/03/2010 13:24

Am thinking of you Iklboo. You are doing the kindest thing for her and she will not suffer. Doesn't make it any easier though does it

Original poster
Iklboo · 10/03/2010 08:44

Thank you ladies. It's done . The vet said it was degenerative nerve damage due mainly to her age. She kept collapsing in the vets so they took her in quickly. DH stayed with her to the end. I couldn't even go with her but I took the day off work to be with her until it was time for him to take her.
DS took it surprisingly well. He said he'd had a dream that she'd died and was happy and running fast again .
The house is so empty without her...

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Vulgar · 10/03/2010 08:49

So sorry Iklboo

I hope your DS's dream is a comfort to you.

differentID · 10/03/2010 08:50

I'm so sorry for your loss Iklboo. It's the hardest decision in th eworld with pets. Hope you are all ok.

wannaBe · 10/03/2010 09:00

am so sorry.

In a way I think we are privilaged that we can make this decision for our animals in order that they not suffer any more, even though it's the hardest decision to make.

I had to have my dog put to sleep in December and I still question whether I did the right thing even though I know I did as she was nearly fifteen, back legs were going, bu she had a lump that had become ulsorated and was on the verge of becoming ceptic so me and the vet decided it would be kinder to let her go before it got to that point.

Like you I couldn't stay although I went with her and stayed while they put the catheter in, but stepped out as they gave the injection. But dh stayed and she went eating a treat out of his hand - a true labrador till the end.

Be kind to yourself x

dilbertina · 10/03/2010 09:09

So sorry Iklboo. If ds is fairly little still quite small he might like this book - his dream reminded me of it! I think it's a lovely book to help children come to terms with death from old age. It might make you cry though - but that's allowed.

abride · 10/03/2010 09:13

It's always hard. But I somehow can't believe that all that love for a dog ends when they die. I still love my dog who died last year and think about her every day. Love lasts forever: it survives death and separation.

One nice thing to do is to make a scrapbook. We did this for our old dog: chose a new book and lots of doggy paper and stuck in photos of her and us. It was very therapeutic. I still look at it and chuckle at the wicked little dog she was.

Original poster
Iklboo · 10/03/2010 09:14

Again, thank you all for your kind words. I'm surprised how well DS has taken it to be honest - but that's kids for you!

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lilmissmummy · 10/03/2010 09:14

so sorry to hear your news. She was part of hte family so it is natural that it will hurt but you did the best thing and at least she isnt distressed or in pain anymore x

ilovesprouts · 10/03/2010 09:15

that happend to my dog too about 5 years ago its so sad i still think about her every day and i stayed whith her till the end [sad ]

Original poster
Iklboo · 10/03/2010 09:15

abride - that's a great idea. I've got hundreds of photos of her. It was the rule (when we had non-digital cameras) that the first and last shot of every roll had to be a picture of her - even if we took loads of her in between .

OP posts:
abride · 10/03/2010 10:29
Smile
PrettyCandles · 10/03/2010 10:32

{{hugs}}

Original poster
Iklboo · 12/03/2010 12:49

DH came home with two 10 week old boy kittens last night. He says the house feels empty without a furry pet walking about. I miss my old girl so, so much but these cute wee bundles are helping a bit. I feel really guilty though

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