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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

Saying goodbye

132 replies

0hMy · 06/09/2019 19:47

This afternoon my parents put our family dog to sleep. We got him when my brother and I were teenagers and we’ve since moved out. I’m absolutely devastated but he was very, very old and it’s been a long time coming. I’m so glad he’s out of pain but he’ll leave a huge hole in our hearts. He was around for almost half of my life.
I feel a bit silly talking to my friends without pets about it; hopefully some of you will understand.

OP posts:
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Original poster
0hMy · 09/09/2019 20:09

Oh Ursula I’m sorry you’re going through this too. You’re very brave; I don’t think I’d have coped if I had actually been there. Hearing about it from my parents was bad enough.
Flowers to you.
It’s just heartbreaking, isn’t it?

OP posts:
LifeOfBox · 09/09/2019 20:16

0hMy it is indeed, so sorry we have all hijacked your thread.

I will be phoning my own vet tomorrow. Sad Boxdog seems to perk up overnight, went for a short walk this morning and positively skipped down the garden path tonight when I got home from work but her back end is weaker than it was last night right now and I know I cant leave it until it gives out.

UrsulaPandress · 09/09/2019 20:16

I’ve done it with a cat, which was peaceful, and a horse, which was horrific. And held the hands of both my parents as they passed.

In fact. I’m almost an expert.

I just have a massive Spaniel shaped hole in my soul. It’s the first time I can remember not having an animal.

UrsulaPandress · 09/09/2019 20:28

They will keep perking up Box. Just to make things harder.

But looking back through photos from the last year he had really deteriorated. His mojo had left the building.

LifeOfBox · 10/09/2019 07:32

It is definitely today here, we are not going for a walk for the first time ever.

I have done it with large and small animals too Ursula, it never gets easier. I definitely found it easier the one time XH did it but I don't have anyone else these days so it has to be me.

It will be the first time I haven't had a pet for more than two decades too, I have just put mascara on for work - bloody pointless, I am already in tears looking up the vets phone number.

UrsulaPandress · 10/09/2019 08:35

Waking up without him is so hard.

Sending love and strength for you today.

Honeyroar · 10/09/2019 08:58

Sending hugs from me too. Vets for us tomorrow for the scan. I don’t think we’re far behind you.x

LifeOfBox · 10/09/2019 09:41

It’s 11:30-12. I feel physically sick. Trying to it a brave face on at work but sat here in tears - am in on my own right now but expecting someone for a meeting. Then I can go home.

I keep telling myself better a day too soon and all that but they are just hollow words right now.

spiderlight · 10/09/2019 09:59

So very sorry that you're facing this as well, @LifeOfBox :(

LifeOfBox · 10/09/2019 11:14

I am sat here waiting for the vet.

It feels worse than when H left us. BoxDog has gone into the garden and is laying on the cold slabs.

The vet is bringing a nurse with her. I think I am going to leave the room once they have sedated her. It just feels like a bit too much to take after a pretty crap 2019.

I am going to go back to work this afternoon to avoid sitting here crying all day.

UrsulaPandress · 10/09/2019 11:17

I am sitting at my desk in our home office. He is normally lying on my feet gently snoring. I do feel as if he is still with me. A little shadow in the corner of my eye.

God I miss him.

FisherQueen · 10/09/2019 11:41

So sorry Ursula and Box. We lost our boy just over 3 weeks ago and had the vet come to our place and do it at home. It was quick and peaceful but it's never easy.

But now we have just found out our girl has lymphoma - which seems very unfair so soon. Just trying to decide how we treat her.

heidihigh · 10/09/2019 11:56

Thinking of all of you on this thread who are missing pooches today. We had our spaniel put to sleep in March, he was just 5 and a half. Never an easy thing to do but sometimes it's the kindest Thanks

LifeOfBox · 10/09/2019 12:31

It’s done 💔. She was incredibly special.

Grinchly · 10/09/2019 12:40

Massive sympathies to you all. I had to put both of my beloveds to sleep within 24 months.

Ursula, my older dog was nearly 19 and kept perking up then deteriorating. She started to soil indoors towards the end, then had a terrible fit in front of my eyes. My lovely vet and nurse came out later that morning. I adored her and she died in my arms.

She was my heart dog and I will never get over it.

Ugly crying now and it's been over two years.

🌸🌸🌸🌸 to everyone. The pain is awful.

UrsulaPandress · 10/09/2019 12:46

My boy was 2 months shy of 12. I have spent a fortune on him this year and wanted at least another 3 years to get my money's worth. (I am of course joking)

I imagine I will be ugly crying for a long time.

Handhold for you Box.

LifeOfBox · 10/09/2019 13:18

Me too thank you Ursula.

She was a very happy link to my marriage which ended six months ago. We had so many happy days with her, all of us, for fourteen years.

Now it’s just me and a 13 year old who has never not had BoxDog around.

LifeOfBox · 11/09/2019 21:35

How is everyone doing, OP and Ursula especially? and how did you get on Honeyroar? Fingers crossed for you.

I woke up and couldn't remember which day of the week it was. A few seconds later I remembered what had happened yesterday and my tears started.

My lovely vets words were 'I think she is in pain and being very brave because she is such a lovely dog who has had an incredibly happy life with you, full of love. I think its time'

💔.

My home is empty, I still can't get used to her not being here, but do you know what, today I didn't feel the fear that I have felt since BoxDog had her first vestibular episode in April.

I recognise now that I was afraid of what I would find every morning when I came downstairs. I didn't feel that this morning, I just felt sheer grief, but deep down I know it was the right thing for her.

UrsulaPandress · 11/09/2019 22:02

I’m totally heartbroken. I miss him so much. Lots of people are saying what a special boy he was. Folk who didn’t like dogs loved him and I’m realising he is irreplaceable.

I cry several times a day, randomly and inappropriately.

He was my shadow and even my trips to the loo make me cry as I don’t have those ears to schmuggle as I sit there.

Sob.

UrsulaPandress · 11/09/2019 22:03

But I am sleeping better Hmm

Honeyroar · 11/09/2019 22:10

So sorry for your loss.

He had his scan today. It came back that his heart is normal, which means it's cancer. They're going to give him steroids to see whether it suppresses it. I was a bit iffy about it (feel like the baddie and as though I'm rushing PTS, but I've just seen my friend waste away from cancer and I hate seeing him suffering and not being himself). The vet says if the medicine is going to help we will see an upturn in the next four or five days. If it hasn't by next week then we give up...

Honeyroar · 11/09/2019 22:13

I had my last dog PTS 18 months ago and it was a good 8 months, perhaps longer, before I stopped randomly crying. Then I felt guilty about that! I ended up taking on a Mumsnet dog in need of help, which kept me busy (as well as the two other dogs I already had and lots of other animals).
Cyber hugs to you both.xx

UrsulaPandress · 11/09/2019 22:27

I feel guilty for not looking in to treatment but I'd already spent a king's ransom since January on physical issues and he clearly had a massive problem as he'd lost his mojo. I couldn't put him through any more treatment and age was against him.

If steroids could cure cancer we'd all be happy.

I'm eyeing up my next move animal wise. It's my first time pet less for 30 years.

Honeyroar · 11/09/2019 22:57

It's not going to cure his cancer, obviously. They've put him on something else too, but I can't remember what. They just think it may shrink the tumour and the pressure on his lungs, giving him a bit longer. Im not sure, but my husband is grasping at hope and the vets think it's worth this last try. He's still perky, wants to play and run around, just can't as he coughs. Still eating, still cuddles up to us. If he picks up a bit fine, if not we end it. I dread to think what we've spent this week (not insured). Thankfully I got a small bonus at work which will help, but we certainly can't afford much more.

UrsulaPandress · 11/09/2019 23:07

How old is he?

BastardSpaniel had stopped being perky but even so DH considered giving him another day.

It was my call in the end.

My boy 😰