Preparing for loss

[AnnieHooo]

My darling pet dog is 12 now. Still plenty life, bright and characterful and healthy all round . I just know I need to prepare for his death beacuse I don't want to be a mess. Any tips? So far I've thought about:

Where to bury him in his happy part of the garden (we will never move)
Conversation with vet
A poem about his life
The toys to bury with him
A special walk to go on in his name

This probably sounds daft to some but it will all make the loss easier and allow us to let him go.. He really is a joy in our lives.

I’m not sure you can prepare really OP. I’ve lost two dogs. One that was 14 and one that was 5. Both equally devastating. I’ve got an 11 year old rescue now (had him nearly 2 years) who has cancer so it’s only a matter of time I think. Best advice is try to have no regrets, cuddle them often and let them go when it’s time x

We spent 2 weeks making the days really count. Ddog had fish and chips!! Maltesers! And on the day - 2 pancakes! Took photos on her favourite walks. Videos.. And pics of the dc with her which are framed now. We collected 5 big pebbles from the beach and spelled out her name on them for in the garden.

Thank you
Silly lots of cuddles in the moment yes.
Easter love that idea about pebbles from the beach

I often think of this myself after losing our dog 3 years ago and now with our second dog well into old age. I’m not sure I can fully prepare myself for the awfulness of losing our second dog. But I do try to really savour every moment with him and take pleasure in the small moments we have together.
With our other dog who died, we took photos together in the final few weeks and spoilt him rotten with lots of amazing trips out to different places (his mobility was very limited but we were still able to do lots of stuff, just at his pace and with plenty of rest). The beach I was his favourite place. He also had some lovely treats (was on a strict diet normally due to health issues). We had lots of cuddles and things too and tried to leave as much of our grieving as possible for after he died, so we could give him the best time when he was still with us (much easier said than done)
I remember wanting to keep his collar so took it off after his last walk, as I was scared that we would forget once the vet had been. I also cut a lock of his hair a few days beforehand: haven’t done anything with it yet but it was important for me to have that

Oh, and not for everyone, but we got our dog cremated. I had a beautiful ring made from some of his ashes. It brings me great comfort and feels like a part of him is with me always. Nobody would ever know unless I told him. It just looks like a nice ring. I plan on doing similar with my other dog when he dies. He is my absolute shadow and follows me everywhere so I think I would still feel partially connected this way

We got her ashes back and I am tryin to choose a ring for some to go in.. We took some on holiday and scattered some. She was never well behaved enough to have gone when alive!! Now she can share our annual trip to Mull.

We're going through exactly this. Our old dog is 16 and has been doing ok although slowing down. Last week he lost all the strength in his back legs, he can walk and even get up stairs (just) but if he stands still his bottom slowly sinks to the ground and he can hardly get back up again. We saw the vet who gave him gabapentin on top of all his other painkillers and that's helped a little. But really the end is very near and I have made the appointment at the vet for Tuesday. In the meantime I am feeding him steak and lots of goodies. I am giving him special belly rubs and stroking those wonderful ears which are as soft as silk as he dozes in his bed. I am heartbroken but I know I am doing the right thing. We have been so lucky to have him for so long - he was such a naughty dog that were also remembering funny things he used to do.

Special belly rubs and ear rubbing will make a difference xxx

As our ddog was quite aggressive with strangers, we had to have her sedated prior to pts meds.. After I signed the forms - felt like a murderer I warn you.. the vet slyly jabbed her thigh and left the room. They have a peep hole so we had lots of privacy.. Ddog knew nothing after about half an hour. She very very peaceful drifted off into unconsciousness... Via the peephole they deemed her safe to enter.. Then they used an IV to give her the meds. She fell asleep with just me and dh. Was unaware anyone else was there... Def recommend it. Cost an extra £50..worth every penny.. Afterwards we stayed another half an hour. We weren't rushed in any way. Didn't even pay then...slipped out the back door so didn't have to pass other owners all red faced... Paid when her ashes came back.
Got some paw prints and some fur
. And a lovely card off the vet.

@Easterbunnygettingready I got my ring from Etsy. There’s lots of choice. I went for one with the ashes fused into glass

I've just come back to say that old dog went over the Rainbow bridge yesterday. It was lovely, calm and peaceful. He had a great day and even managed a walk to pee on his favourite postbox but after we got home he went downhill fast again. So I was in no doubt it needed doing. 2 of us were allowed in with him - my 19 year old son came. The worst part of the day really was having to hold the man-boy as he sobbed in the street outside .....

Ah sorry for your loss. Your poor ds. A massive hole for you both.. We are over a year in and still can't look at the last photos I took.

So sorry for your loss LocalHero

We said goodbye to my boy today, absolutely heartbroken but it was time. Watching him struggle on in the last few weeks was so painful.

Read up on the signs of what to look out for before dogs die, to help guide you in when to let go. There’s quality of life questionnaires online which can help, for us when he stopped wanting to play was a huge flag. And create a bucket list for how you want to spend his last weeks if you can. Favourite walks, meals and treats, people he likes to see, and lots of cuddles.

It’s so hard, hugs to anyone at this stage. x