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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Think I'll have to put dog to sleep on Monday

28 replies

Ieattoomuchcake · 26/02/2011 14:20

My doggy is 12.5. He came from a rescue centre about nine years ago. He's a staffy cross, so not the most popular breed ATM. But he is lovely and has been such a good pet to us.

Over the past few months he has seemed a bit older and slower but he was at the vet for his annual 'service' at the end of Jan and all seemed fine.

About ten days ago we noticed he was drinking loads, weeing lots and really not himself. Took him to the vet who prescribed antibiotics in the hope it was just a urine infection. He's continued to go downhill this week and today we took him back to the vet.

It was our usual vet, who knows him well. She said he really didn't look well, was clearly dehydrated and just didn't look a well dog.

He's going in for x rays on Monday but the vet thinks they'll find something they can't treat (like cancer) and says we need to give thought to whether to wake him up from the sedation. If it's something like cancer we will just let him go peacefully.

I'm so sad that my lovely companion may not be with me soon. I just want to stroke and cuddle him and make it all better...

OP posts:

Original poster

Ieattoomuchcake · 26/02/2011 14:21

Sorry that should have said ten days ago we noticed he was drinking lots etc

OP posts:

Vallhala · 26/02/2011 14:26

Oh tea, I hope so very, very much that your fears will be unfounded. This weekend must be almost unbearable for you, I don't know what to say, just wish I could magic him better.

Thinking of you and praying to whatever's up there for a good outcome.

Val x

bumpybecky · 26/02/2011 14:29

I hoping that it not as serious as you fear. I know how hard it is as we had to make the same decision a month ago. I'll be thinking of you too :(

HaveToWearHeels · 26/02/2011 14:36

so sorry to hear this. make the most of this weekend and spoil him rotten, give him loads of treats and loads of cuddles that way if you have to let him go on Monday then you can do it knowing that you made his last days special. I had to let one of my dogs go, I knew in advance, and I made the most of the two days we had and one of my most treasured possesions is a picture of her eating Ambrosia rice pudding off a spoon on her last day, she loved it but was seriously overweight :).
Thinking of you and hope it is possitive news on monday.

TheMonster · 26/02/2011 14:39

It's a hard decision We had our old staff cross put to sleep last week. I took months to make the decision. A friend at work said a very helful thing: she asked who I was keeping him alive for, me or him? The answer was me.

DooinMeCleanin · 26/02/2011 14:41

I'm very sorry. I second HTWH, give him lots fo extra treats and cuddles this weekend.

TherapeuticVino · 26/02/2011 15:42

Oh dear, I'm sorry. It's such a horrible decision but I think when the time comes it is the last act of kindness from an owner. Will be thinking of you.

Original poster

Ieattoomuchcake · 26/02/2011 22:59

Thank you everybody for your kind words. He's had lots of cuddles today.

Unfortunately he's so unhappy that he can't even be tempted to ear yoghurt, which is usually his favourite food. I guess that speaks volumes.

When we were in the vet waiting room he didn't even bother to sniff around. Just lay down with his ears down. There was another dog and also a cat in the waiting room too and he didn't even give them a second glance, which again isn't like him.

Part of me wants the weekend to last forever, but another part just wants Monday over and done with, so we know where we stand, and so that my little man will either be getting treatment and on the road to getting better, or will be in a better place.

I like the notion that there's a special doggy heaven where all the old dogs are young again and charge around having fun.

I'll stop typing now as I'm making myself cry!!

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HaveToWearHeels · 26/02/2011 23:31

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...

Quodlibet · 26/02/2011 23:39

Oh OP, I'm really sorry. I know too it's so terribly hard making that decision, and terrible waiting for it to come about. I had one of my old dogs put down in November.

On the flip side (and not wanting to raise your hopes unrealistically) sometimes old dogs do pull back from things. We were preparing to have ours PTS last year after being told that her dreadful fits were either a brain tumour or, very unlikely, an ear infection. Was extremely touch and go for about 4 days, dog in intensive care etc. Turned out to be an ear infection and dog now still going strong aged 15.

Will be thinking of you on Monday. I'm sure you'll find it will be a relief, even if you have to let him go to a better place. Better a week too early than a day too late, if he's in pain.

JaxTellersOldLady · 27/02/2011 11:40

OP I am so sorry. Reading this reminded me so much of what happened to my GSD a couple of years ago, same symptoms etc. It was the hardest decision in the world to make, but the best one for our beloved dog.

Will be thinking of you tomorrow and praying that it is something treatable and your lovely boy will be back to full health soon.

DrNortherner · 27/02/2011 11:45

Oh Ieattoomuchcake your post made me shiver. I love my dog so much, it's easy to imagine how I would feel at the prospect of losing him.

You rescued him. You gave him a long, happy and wonderful life. As a dog owner you can do no more.

EarDrop · 27/02/2011 18:16

Tears for you. Was in the exact same position as you only 3 weeks ago. It is hard and it hurts.
The comofrt you must take is that you rescued him, and gave him 9 wonderful happy years, and he will be waiting for you to meet again one day x

SecretNutellaFix · 27/02/2011 18:33

I'm sorry.

My old Border collie had to be PTS on Nov 5th last year because of the "C" word.

It took me a long time to make the decision, but it was selfish keeping her in pain just so she would be with us.

Miss her like crazy,

Your lovely dog was well loved and had a happy life with you- that's what matters most.

bumpybecky · 28/02/2011 10:13

Good luck for today. Will be thinking of you both xx

Quodlibet · 28/02/2011 10:28

Thinking of you and your dog today OP.

Original poster

Ieattoomuchcake · 28/02/2011 10:43

Hi everybody.
His health had deteriorated so mych over the weekend that we decided with the vet to not do the x ray and just put him to sleep.

I'm sat outside the house in the car. Don't want to go in!!

Will have to though as I have DD with me and she's getting grumpy!

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bumpybecky · 28/02/2011 10:55

Ieat I wish I was there with you to give you an enormous hug :(

I know it's so incredibly hard, but it really is the kindest thing to do :(

Ephiny · 28/02/2011 12:31

So sorry to hear this :( It's sometimes the kindest thing and the right thing to do, but that doesn't make it any easier to do, or make you miss him any less when he's gone :(

Vallhala · 28/02/2011 12:43

You poor love. I wish I was there with you too.

My heart goes out to you.

Val x

JaxTellersOldLady · 28/02/2011 18:49

so very sorry ieat thinking of you, like the others have said, hugs for you from me too. x

Original poster

Ieattoomuchcake · 28/02/2011 19:37

I appreciate all the virtual hugs and support.
We have been sitting going through all our photos of him and laughing at the funny and happy memories we have of him.

He was clearly very ill and we are both 100% convinced that we did the right thing. But of course it's still heartbreaking.

Thanks again everybody.

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HaveToWearHeels · 28/02/2011 21:04

more hugs from me too, time is a great healer and you must take time to grieve x remember he will be waiting for you at he bridge !

Ormirian · 28/02/2011 21:06

Sorry cake

kid · 28/02/2011 21:31

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. It really does sound like you made the right decision even though it was probably one of the hardest decisions you have had to make.
((hugs))

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