The vet is coming in the morning...

[SummersB]

To put our poor old boy to sleep. I can’t stop crying. Hardest phonecall I have ever had to make.
DH took the day off to be with him and spent most of the day crying as well.
We have spent all day doing “lasts” - last dinner, last evening walk/hobble, last denta-stick before bed, last time falling asleep in front of the fire. My heart is breaking every time.
The DCs don’t know. They know he has been really poorly and will not be with us much longer so they have been spending the last few days getting lots of cuddles with him and feeding him treats at every opportunity. We decided not to tell them because we thought it would be better for them not to be here when it happens, but there is no way I could have sent them to school knowing that he wouldn’t be here anymore when they got home. I have no idea if we made the right call despite agonising over it for the past few days.
He is finally asleep now so I will try and have a few hours in a bit before he wakes in the early hours and starts crying for some company. DH and I have been doing shifts with him but will probably both get up with him this time so we can spend his last few hours together.

Thinking of you today. x

Thinking of you. It's the hardest thing to do, but the kindest. As they say, better a day too soon than too late. And you couldn't hope for a better end than in the loving home where he spent his life with his beloved family, quietly and calmly after being spoiled for a day.

Hugs to you. We lost our wonderful girl before Xmas. We planted a xmas tree in the garden for her. Perhaps something like that might help the children.

All he'll know is that he's with the people who have loved him and given him a happy wonderful life. He'll fall asleep secure in that knowledge.

So sorry.

Take care.

Our vet came to the house this morning to put one of our old lady cats to sleep so my heart goes out to you. Their advice was "better a day early than a day late" and they were right. I'm currently kidding myself that she's just gone outside for a mooch around but I know it will be hard this evening when the family are all home and there's a space on the sofa. They only know the love you've given them.

Thank you all. It’s the end of a long and incredibly painful day. We spent all morning cuddling him and feeding him treats until the vet and nurse came and sent him on his final journey. It was very peaceful and they were very kind and said some lovely things. At one point the nurse was stroking him and said “there you go, you will be running around the fields like a little puppy again in just a moment”, which I have repeated to the kids and even though it has made all of us sob, it’s such a lovely image.
We have buried him in the garden now, wrapped in his favourite blanket and with his bone alongside him. We will probably plant a tree or pretty shrub on his grave in the next few days. We know that we did the right thing by him but we are all incredibly raw tonight and are huddled up now in front of the fire, trying to be there for each other.

Hugs all round to all of us who have had to say goodbye to their lovely boys and girls. And to all you lucky ones who have their best friend near tonight - give them a cuddle from me

TheNorthWestPawsage I’m thinking of you, I too am looking at the empty space tonight.

Oh sweetheart. Your post has made me cry. I'm so sorry you have had the worst day and I know exactly how it feels. I'm glad you are all holding each other up and none of you are on your own. Keep talking to each other about it, as although it's hard, it helps you process it. Especially the children. We made sure dd knew it was absolutely ok to talk about it, share her feelings and let her know ours without leaning on her as she is only 5. I think talking really helped us all through it.

Sending you lots of strength to get through the next few tough days. What the nurse said was beautiful. You did the right thing and he is at peace now.

Oh Bless You all .

You done Right by your darling one , remember that . and a huge un Mumsnetty ((((((hug)))))) for all of you .