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The doghouse

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

Original poster

Had to put my old boy to sleep tonight :(

44 replies

Joolyjoolyjoo · 14/11/2011 21:24

I had to finally make the decison, although it hurt a lot. He was 16.5, and had been slowly going downhill for a wee while, but in the last 2 weeks he seemed to deteriorate quickly. Not the best timing, given the housefire we had a few days ago, but I knew I couldn't put it off.

Told the kids, only dd2 wanted to be there, so DH and her brought him to the surgery after we finished and I did it. I know it was the right decision, but still hard.

RIP, Murph Sad We won't forget you.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 14/11/2011 21:29

Making this decision is the last kindness you can give an obviously much loved pet. Grieving our 13 year old cat after a hit and run a couple of weeks ago. At least you were there and it was humane. Sending your whole family hugs and wandering if Murph is chasing our bubba in animal heaven!

Selks · 14/11/2011 21:30

Sorry for your loss; sleep well Murphy.

So, so hard taking a loved pet to the vets for the final time, but you did the right and responsible thing. He did not suffer and I expect he had a great life with you. (hugs)

Sorry to hear about your house fire also - what a traumatic time for all of you.

Catsmamma · 14/11/2011 21:31

So sorry, you have done the right thing of course. xx

Gasbluewithlavenderbeads · 14/11/2011 21:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

3cutedarlings · 14/11/2011 21:33

Oh bless you :( that must have been so difficult, my thought are with you and your family.

Run free to the bridge, RIP Murphy.

bamboozled · 14/11/2011 21:34

Oh - reading your post with tears in my eyes - am watching my beloved old lab every day wondering when it will be time and dreading it, how brave you are to put him out of his pain, so sorry for your sadness x

ChickensHaveNoEyebrows · 14/11/2011 21:36

So sorry that you've had to say goodbye to Murph, but your last act was one of love x

Mutt · 14/11/2011 21:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

wildfig · 14/11/2011 21:43

So sorry too - it's the hardest but kindest thing an owner can do at the end. Hope the happy memories soften some of the sadness.

LadyGoneGaga · 14/11/2011 21:44

I'm so sorry. It is like losing a much loved friend. Be kind to yourself for the next few days. Easy to underestimate how upsetting it is.

Original poster
Joolyjoolyjoo · 14/11/2011 21:47

Thanks, guys. When I saw him afterwards I felt maybe I should have done it sooner- he was so senile it was difficult to judge how happy or unhappy he was. I help other people make the decision every week (am a vet), but such a different matter to make it on your own, and carry it out Sad

I do actually feel slightly relieved, as well as sad, as it had been preying on my mind- I've known it was coming for a while. DH and I had huge rows about it, as old boy was very incontinent for the last year or so (although much worse recently) but I needed to feel I was putting him to sleep for his own relief, not for our convenience. Having said that, he has been so senile for ages- he didn't even know who we were- that I felt I'd lost "my" Murph a long time ago. Hoping we soon remember all the good bits and smile.

OP posts:
BluddyMoFo · 14/11/2011 21:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Scuttlebutter · 14/11/2011 21:50

Oh Jooly, this must have been awful for you. I didn't know about the housefire Shock - sounds like you are having a horrible time at the moment. As others have said, you have lost not only a much loved member of the family, but when they are this old you are losing a big chunk of your family history too - your DC won't be able to remember a time without them, for example.

I'd also add that as you are a vet, it must be tough in a different way, since you are so often the one who is being strong for other people. Please make sure you make room to give yourself time to grieve. Sending an un-MN hug.

SecretNutellaFix · 14/11/2011 21:51

Oh, jooly- it's horrible and it hurts so much.

Wolfiefan · 14/11/2011 22:08

We are already remembering the silly stories of our cat. The other night I went round to see my mum and we sat up and told the stories of all the animals we shared our lives with. My cat had cancer in the bowel so lots of poop and I felt just the same as you that the decision can't be made because of what you suffer but whats best for them. I think they let you know when they have had enough. Sending you a hug.

bumpybecky · 14/11/2011 22:34

I'm so sorry :(:(

Rhinestone · 14/11/2011 22:34

So sorry. Sad But you loved him right to the very end and then you loved him enough to let him go.

Happy trails Murph.

Beauregard · 14/11/2011 22:38

Sorry for your loss ,it is heart breaking Sad

Original poster
Joolyjoolyjoo · 14/11/2011 22:47

Thank you all. I take comfort in the fact that he had 16 happy years, came to work with me every day, walked every day, and loved his food right up to the end (had a couple of last biccies at the surgery)

Still have witchydog (12) and wonder how she will be without him. So far, she doesn't seem too bothered, which is amost worse Sad Brought her to see him tonight, and she didn't seem in the least bit upset, which I suppose is good, but made me feel a bit indignant! I think she has been hacked off with him for a while, because of his senility and incontinence- can't be nice when someone else pees in your bed. She has always had "issues", so I'm interested to see how she will be now he is gone. We will let her be an only-dog for a while anyway and see. I think she will be able to be more involved with us and more part of the family now he is not here.

Poor old boy. I hope my mum is up there waiting for him with open arms (and the steak mince she used to smuggle into him when she thought I wasn't looking!) I'm getting him cremated as the children want to scatter his ashes in the woods where we used to walk him.

I need to write to his breeder tomorrow- we have kept in touch over the years, and he was the last of his litter.

OP posts:
Elibean · 14/11/2011 22:49

I'm so sorry.

Sounds like a very rough time recently, altogether Sad

Sending hugs, and condolences from all here xx

bumpybecky · 14/11/2011 22:59

oh now I'm crying too!

he sounds like he was a very lucky dog living with you :)

Rhinestone · 14/11/2011 23:05

I now have a lovely mental image of Murph and you darling mum, running through Heaven and snacking on steak mince!

He was a lucky dog.

Original poster
Joolyjoolyjoo · 14/11/2011 23:49

Aww, didn't mean to get you all blubbing Blush

Maybe if I share some of the funny/happy stuff, it will cheer you up...

Like the time my mum and I fell out, and she threatened to report me to the SSPCA because I refused to let him eat the "doggy-bag" she had brought home from the expensive Chinese restaurant (not that I wanted to eat it, you understand...)

Or the time dad persuaded me to let him off the lead in the local park while out for a walk with my granny in the wheelchair. He had a great time rolling in mud, then we turned the corner and saw....a bridal party posing for photos!! Bride in yards of white chiffon, bridesmaids in pale pink silk, little flowergirls in white organza. And one VERY muddy dog, oh so happy to see people. Everything went slow motion as he ran gaily towards them. Then round them (they were screaming Blush) then away. Bellowed at dad to catch him, he set off one way, I set off the other, then noticed granny in wheelchair rolling down the hill- all very bad sit-com!

Or the first time it snowed, and he did that thing like the lizard in that old "hot hot hot" ad, where he lifted alternate feet off the ground, only balancing on 2 at a time, then sat down and howled, in the high street. I had to carry him home!

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Rhinestone · 15/11/2011 00:05

LOVING the bridal party story! Can you write a 'Marley and Me" style book about Murph? Even if it's just for your family?

Keep laughing at those happy memories, I'm sure Murph knows how much laughter he brought you all!

blonderedhead · 15/11/2011 00:11

What lovely stories, but so sad to hear your news. I am a month post-dog and it is such a horrible time. Best of luck with witchydog and with sorting things put after the fire.

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