Hand hold please...Ddog is leaving us

[WhatsTheEffingPoint]

We have made the heartbreaking decision to let our boy go over the rainbow bridge.

Its not for another 48hrs but I can't stop crying. My heart hurts so much, my DP is in bed and I can hear him crying his heart out. I've lost a few human relatives but this feels so much worse.

We know it's the right thing to do, he's not going to get better and hes starting to go downhill. I know it's better to let him go earlier rather then too late. He has had 14 and half years of being spoilt rotten and loved unconditionally. He has certainly returned the love and loyalty to us many times over.

I just feel so guilty, guilty that I can't make things better for him, guilty that I can't take the hurt away for my DP, guilty that we have had to make this absolute shitty decision.

I am crying just reading your post.
This always hurts, eventhough it's the right thing to do.

Oh gosh OP, your post brought me to tears - sending you a big virtual hug.

Me and my DP both burst into tears when hearing one of our daughter's gerbils had died at the vets - it must be so hard for you.

Im so sorry my heart hurts for you! We have a 10 year old Bichon and I absolutely dread this coming!

Sending all my love to you 💔

Thinking of you,as one dog mum to another ♥️❤️♥️

I am so sorry for you and your DP. We have had 2 dogs pts, one was only 5 but had cancer 😢 our other boy was 13 (both labs).

I work in social work and have a special interest in pets & pet bereavement. Please do not compare to the loss of human relatives because dogs often offer us more than many other human relationship because they are 100% unconditional in their love and devotion. They do not have any of the complexities of the relationship we have with humans, even our partners and children. They are just there in their own quite way for us every time, every day for all of their lives. They spent their whole lives loving us and waiting for us, we are their whole world, actual Demi gods to them 🥲.

Please take comfort in the fact that this is the final huge act of love you can give them and they will be grateful. Please try to be there with him at the end, it’s so painful for us but it’s honestly so much better for them. Squeeze him, tell him you love him that you will be taking him for a walk in a minute, getting his dinner any of the buzz words he will have learned to positively respond to.

In my view they wait for us to join them, goodbyes like this are only temporary 💕💕💕

Thinking of you, It’s one of the hardest things to have to do. But one day you’ll look back and treasure these last few days of cuddles. Three years on I do with my last dog. He will know he’s loved and adored right to the end.

The biggest hand hold and hug from me. OP, I'm so sorry, this is one of the hardest things you'll ever do, but also the most loving and compassionate. We give our friends peace and freedom from pain but the pain for us in doing so is indescribable. Love really does hurt. Keep reminding yourself that, as well as a good life, you've given the greatest gift of all.

This is heartbreaking. Thinking of you OP.

Bringing back memories of last year when we had to do the same with our beloved spaniel. She was half blind, deaf, could barely walk, and was truly done. If it hadn't been for COVID we would have taken the step earlier. But she always hated going to the vets, and would shake and pee on the floor. We didn't want her last day to be this, so we waited till the vet could do a house visit. Stay strong, remember you are doing this out of love. And if it helps it really was an easy way to go. You'll be with her at the end. Sending hugs and best wishes.

This tearing apart with grief is the other side of all that unconditional love. Grieving a dog is such an intense and pure grief because we aren't worried about wills, registering death, sorting out things, all we are concerned with us losing our constant companion. It's the hardest thing. I have done it for two previous dogs, nearly fourteen and fifteen a half, but still come back for more. The next fourteen years are worth the absolute agony that will undoubtedly end it all.

So my amazing boy has gone 💔
He fell asleep so quickly and easy with both of us cuddling him and telling him how loved he is.
I surprised myself by being very calm, I'm waiting for the shoe to drop! DP is an absolute mess.
Our hearts are broken but our Boy is at peace.

Thank you all for your comments, thoughts etc it's helped being able to get things out of my head. X

There are no words, op 😔
Just wanted you to know I read your post.

I’m so sorry.
He knew he was loved. 🌺

Seending you and your DH hugs.

It didn't really hit me until the following day when I can home from work and there was no doggy greeting.

It crippled me .