When do you know the ends almost near?

[Lovemusic33]

My pooch is getting old, she had major surgery 18 months ago and since then has turned into a old lady, no longer chases her ball, sleeps a lot, no longer jumps up at visitors and can’t go far for a walk before wanting to come home. She has tremors in her back legs and today they have got worse, we have been to the vets for some pain killers and anti inflammatories to see if that helps. I know she’s possibly got stuff going on internally, she’s lost a bit of weight and she just looks old. I don’t want her picked around by the vet because it will just stress her out and cost a fortune just to be told what I already know. Other than the tremors and the struggling to get up on the sofa she seems comfortable (hopefully pain killers will help her feel even more comfortable) but I have a feeling the end is near and I know I will have to eventually make the choice to put her to sleep but how do I know when that time is?

[Lovemusic33]

Thank you, the vet agreed, surgery would have been too much for her.

[Imleavingonajetplane]

Oh, I’m with you with all this today. I’ve just had my last night with my old girl. She was unhooked from her drip yesterday afternoon and allowed to come home.
She’s still wagging her tail and still eating. She has a massive growth on her stomach and is just too old to operate on.
We’ll be off on a short walk soon and then we’re due in at 9.30

It is truly the shittiest part of pet ownership.

[confusedandemployed]

I'm so very sorry. IME your action this morning will give you comfort when the initial grief passes. You put her needs above your own wants, and it was the last act of love you could do for her.

3 years on from losing my lovely girl and it still gives me comfort that yes, I was able to help her at the end. 💐

[BiteyShark]

So sorry but you did the best for her

[Lovemusic33]

imleaving so sorry you are going through this too. It was so hard saying goodbye and making that decision, it’s the first time I have lost a pet (as an adult). I now have the added worry that my cat has vanished, the cat and dog were inseparable, he came in last night, kissed the dog on the nose and then went back out, I haven’t seen him since .

I’m unsure how to deal with the dd’s, they both have ASD (age 13 and 15), my eldest is hiding in her room and the youngest doesn’t seem upset at all. I can’t stop crying, I haven’t slept for 2 nights so am exhausted.

[MrsMozartMkII]

I am so sorry lass. Even when it's the absolutely the right thing to do it still hurts like hell. May she rest in peace.

You need to rest. Sleep when you can.

[Figure8]

So so sorry.
It sounds like you did exactly the right thing, and saved her pain and distress.

[Walkamileinmyshoesbeforeujudge]

So sorry for your loss op. .

[cheesenpickles]

Big un-mumsnetty hug. She's very lucky to have such a caring owner.

[Lovemusic33]

Today has been so hard. I tried to take the dd’s out, needed to get out but coming home was so hard knowing she wouldn’t be there to greet us 😢

imleaving thinking of you and your family x

[Crunched]

Been thinking of you all day. There is no easy way to get used to missing such a dear dog.
I hope the cat has returned.
Wishing you (and Imleaving) some comfort from knowing you did the best for your pet.

[Lovemusic33]

The cat has returned, I’m not sure if he’s noticed the dog has gone. My youngest daughter is confused, I’m not sure she really understands death as she is autistic and not very verbal, she does keep looking around as if she’s looking for her 😢. I’m finding it so hard, both dd’s are staying out my way which means I’m sat in the living room alone feeling sorry for myself. She was my shadow, used to get under my feet and follow me around the garden.

[Imleavingonajetplane]

@Lovemusic33 - How are you getting on? Glad the cat has returned for you. It was probably its feline way of dealing with the loss of its home based companion.

I went out to escape the empty house last week, then came home and sat in the drive crying because I didn't want to come home to an empty house.

I keep thinking I'll save some scraps for her from the kids plates, and all the crumbs are building up on my kitchen floor. I keep thinking I'm seeing her, or hearing her.

This time last week was our last 'normal' day; I'm still grieving, but less hysterically. With some hindsight, she was ready to go, but still so willing to please me.

I do understand why people never have a pet again...

[Imleavingonajetplane]

I'm also totally unable to go for a walk! The weather is beautiful, but Ive had a dog to walk for the last 17 years, and I cannot go out without one.

[Lovemusic33]

imleaving it’s horrible isn’t it, I go out to keep busy but coming back to a empty house is just horrible, I was unable to go out into the garden for a couple days because she loved following me around when I do gardening. Yesterday I managed to go out there, pick up her last dog poo and cut the grass. I then sent dd out to get something of the washing line and she returned with a tennis ball looking sad. It has been hard, today is my first day alone in the house (dd’s Are out) and I’m finding it hard. I have my mums dog staying tonight, I just collected her and she’s now sniffing around my house, my house obviously still smells of my dog.

The walking thing is hard, I love walking but need a dog to come with me. I have told the kids we won’t get another one but I have a feeling I will cave in by the end of the summer. I spend a lot of time on my own at home (don’t have a dh/dp) so it’s nice to have a dog to keep me company.