Anyone else have to pts two dogs in close succession?

[smokingcarriageonly]

Dh and I fostered then adopted our lovely dogs as a bonded pair just over 10yrs ago. One is a bit older than the other.

Due to age and various health stuff (some cognitive changes, problems with vision and hearing and a cancer scare which turned out to be an abscess) we've been preparing ourselves to make the decision to pts our older dog. We keep an eye on him and he still seems to derive pleasure from walking, eating and being with us.

It came as a shock that the younger one - sweet, sharp and up to now in robust health - has multiple malignant tumours in her lungs and will have to be pts shortly. Vet has been very helpful and supportive and there's a plan in place fwiw.

Worst case scenario is that the older one won't fare well after the loss of the younger one, he's flummoxed by any change.

I'm distraught tbh. Our home is basically a dog den with beds everywhere, they're the heart of our life. Due to other responsibilities (elderly parents, work etc) the plan is no dogs for a while. I keep telling myself everything will be fine and life means change and loss.

Just wondering if others have gone through this? And to you if you have.

I am sorry that this happening to you. In your position, if I thought the older dog would struggle without the younger, then I would consider having them pts at the same time.

Hugs to you. It sounds like you are putting your dogs first which is good to hear as many people hang on for their own benefit when it is in the it's best interest of the pet to be pts.

I've read your op a couple of times and can't quite decide if this is what you're planning but I would pts at the same time. Don't do one and leave the other as that would be stressful for a bonded pair and you would likely find yourself having to do the second shortly after.

When you feel the time is right, lots of cuddles and favourite treats and please be there for it to hold your dogs.

I'm so sorry you're facing losing both of your lovely pups but I would agree with the PP if possible I would make the decision to have them put to sleep at the same time.

Awful for you but given they are a bonded pair and you know it's very likely the older dog would find life without their sister hard it would be much kinder to not make him go through that on top of everything else.

Yes. I had my two old boys put to sleep together 8 weeks ago. It was hard but I didn't want one to struggle without the other and then potentially have to go through it again soon after .
I had it done at home. It was very peaceful and slightly easier than 4 weeks previously when I had my first old boy put to sleep for some reason.

I'm so sorry, what a time you've had

Older dog is the one who historically can be left on his own while the younger is bossy and frets when older one is out, I guess we hoped he might enjoy being an only for a little bit. But there's no way to know on this side of things how he will be.

We've asked vet about the implications for our older dog but will ring tomorrow and ask explicitly if she has views on pts together.

Thanks for replies.

This happened to us with our two old girlies. 16 and 14 years when we lost them and probably 5 months between each. We thought the younger dog would struggle with losing her pal but followed some simple rules to help her understand. The vet came to our home both times. Our 16 year old was sedated then pts in our lounge on her blanket with our other dog present. We encouraged her to go and sniff / inspect body afterwards and I think this helped her process. She had a day or two of looking a bit lost then seemed to enjoy being the centre of attention. We had a short break in a motor home and took her which she loved. We knew her time was limited as she had a large tumour. It wasn't as awful as we'd imagined and now 2 years on we remember them daily and laugh about the eldest one's ways in particular. She had dementia and used to howl at the bottom of the stairs every day at around 2am.

Oh thank you for that, it's encouraging to know it wasn't as bad as you'd feared and you can look back with affection.

We did say goodbye to two elderly dogs (pts about 18mos apart) a few years before getting these two but tbh they didn't love each other and coexisted independently so I never feared for the one left behind. He sniffed her body at home too and it seemed like a non event for him.

Thank you. I held off until my husband came out of hospital after having a stroke.
We have a Cocker Spaniel now and he's nuts!

We also got another dog very soon after losing the last. We are a family that always has a dog and tbh the arrival of our new fella 5 weeks later was the lift we needed. We had decided to wait until after the summer etc but it was just too hard being in a home without a dog. We always rescue and wouldn't be without our latest boy. We needed him as much as he needed us x

Hugs to you, it’s a horrible situation but it sounds like you’re being very sensible and making plans in the best interests of your ddogs.

I had my two horses put down together. They were v different ages but it was, unfortunately, the right thing to do for both of them. Whilst it was the right thing to do & I have no regrets, it took me a very long time to get over it. I’d say at least 18 months. And they were horses not dogs so in theory less of a bond. I went from having had at least 2 horses to having none. This was utterly awful. I had to keep the curtains shut so I couldn’t see their field etc. I should have got another horse straight away to make it easier even though the thought was unbearable. So, the point I’m trying to make is that I would certainly consider getting a puppy or a rescue as soon as possible, even though it doesn’t feel like the right thing. And whether you do or don’t get another dog, plan to be v kind to yourself for a few weeks as it won’t be easy.

Wow, you had a lot on your plate, I'm sorry you went through that
Glad to hear your cocker is a lively soul. They bring so much to your life ❤

Yes friends of mine who just lost a dog got a pup soon after, it's so hard to live in an empty house!

Yep, it's not replacing them. It's offering another soul a life of love.

I'm sorry to hear this. Thank you for revisiting this painful memory to reply here, it really does make a difference to hear other people's experiences.

Yes, when we put down my most beloved Lakeland - my first dog as an adult and my friend through thick and thin - it just broke me. I understand about having to close the curtains. I had to ask DH to hide various items (her bowls etc) so I wouldn't stumble on them but I couldn't throw them away, gah. I used to wake in the night and cry and I've no idea how long that went on but it was a very long time.

We're stretched thinly these days and idk if we can have another quickly. We'll see how we feel. We can foster but that's how we ended up with these two.

6 years ago my lab brothers both got Lar par within a few months of each other. We had to have one PTS then 15 weeks later the other one too. In between the 2 labs one of my cats too, then 3 months after that my other cat. In the space of 5 months every one of my 4 had to be PTS. It was very hard

I'm so sorry that you went through that, it must have been so hard, I can't imagine. Thanks for your reply, it really does help to know that others have gone down this road.

@smokingcarriageonly if you're worrying about how they will cope alone mine pretty much had sibling syndrome & needed nobody except each other, however the one left behind coped quite well. You could allow the other dog to be then when PTS so they have an understanding of what happened. It may help with grieving process. We didn't do this but wish we had as as far as Simba knew Monty just went for a walk alone & never came back