Our darling Greyhound is being pts this afternoon. So upset and anxious.

[Whatonearthdidicomeinherefor]

Our ex racing Grey is almost 14. She has been an absolute darling dog in the 11 years we’ve had her. She is affectionate, calm and has put up with our cats. We just have one cat now and they are best buddies.

Over the past 6 months she has gone downhill and this came to a head on Friday when we agreed with the vet that it would be kindest to let her go. We have a vet coming this afternoon to do it at home as she will be in a familiar environment with all of us with her.

We are all really struggling with this and to make matters worse she has stopped eating and drinking and can’t stand at all. On Friday she was very doddery and would fall but her appetite was still huge, still trying to pinch a chip or six from my DH. I have slept downstairs with her and it’s awful to see her struggling.

She is our first dog and although we’ve had cats, they have all checked out on their own accord and never been suffering like this.

My question for those who have been through this is how do you cope with the loss and the feeling that we have failed her somehow?
Im especially worried about my DS as she was his dog since he was 11. He adores her.

I didn't want to read and run.

I'm very sorry you're having to go through this today.

There is no easy answer for not feeling like you've failed because you can't ask your dog if they're ready, how you can make things okay etc. You have to take it on yourself to make the choice for them and you will have doubts about your choice. All of that is hard.

If you feel like she's suffering, or you know that she is, then you are doing the best you can with your decision to ease that for her.

All I can recommend is that you make sure that you make the time/effort, no matter how hard, to tell her how much she meant to you, that she was your best good girl and you love her.

I did that with my cat before I had to let him go and it helped me get some closure that I didn't get with my precious boy dog.

Again, sorry you're having to go through this today. ❤

I’m sorry that sounds devastating

having her PTS is however the final act of kindness you can give her.

I had to PTS my 5yo JRT 2 years ago due to a brain tumour and it devastated me. For around 2 weeks I felt like I could barely function however time is a healer and you’re absolutely doing the right thing for her. If she’s not eating, drinking or able to support herself, it sounds like it’s time and nearly 14 is a great age for a greyhound.

I adopted my 10yo greyhound just over a year ago and they are just the most perfect pets. She sounds very loved. Go easy on yourselves.

We also have a GH, and have had GHs before as well. Hugs. You are doing the kindest, bravest & most selfless thing you can do by letting them go when they are ready - and it sounds like you have got the time absolutely right ❤️

You can try taking the tastiest, smelliest foods to them, maybe on your finger for them to lick.

The vet will explain everything, and will make it so they are comfortable & without pain. You will grieve just as you would for a human, be kind to yourself as you will go through all the normal stages of grieving.

Take care x

You know you’ve not failed her, quite the opposite.

How do you cope? You do because you have to. I’ve never known sadness like it, although there is comfort to be had when your dog has had a long and happy life.

We’ve been through it twice and it’s wretched. It’s not for everyone, but we very quickly brought new puppies into our lives. It’s the best salve, in our experience.

You’ve not failed her, dogs can quickly go downhill and can’t tell you how they’re feeling. It’s an act of love to let them go when it’s time but utterly heartbreaking. Give yourself time and space to grieve as you would anyone that you loved. I think it’s harder to loose animals in some ways because their love is unconditional and whole hearted and you can’t know that they understand you love them wholeheartedly too.

Over many years, I've had five old dogs put to sleep. The heartache doesn't get any easier. But I've come to understand that there comes a point when they are tired and carrying on is hard for them and is/will become physically painful for them. Stopping eating and drinking is one of the signs.

You haven't failed your dog, please don't think that. Veterinary science is so advanced in the UK that if your vet is advising you to have her PTS, she has advanced old age and nothing can be done for her that would be in her best interests.

In regards to dealing with grief, that's a very individual thing. I've found some relief knowing that whilst the last thing I wanted was to have to say goodbye, it was the kindest thing for them and they are now pain/discomfort free. It took a long time with each of my dogs but eventually I was able to look at photos of them and smile, rather than cry. It's incredibly painful but you are doing the right thing.

You absolutely have not let your dog down @Whatonearthdidicomeinherefor In fact, I feel you are doing the kindest thing for her.

We had to make the same decision April last year. Our dog went downhill quite quickly but it was something we realised with hindsight had been brewing for a while. In near last 10 days I cried so much, trying so hard to keep her going but knowing her end was coming. We had a lovely vet nurse come to our house, and knowing how our dog usually behaved with strangers and she did none of that with this lady here made me realise it was the right time. She went very peacefully with her head in my hands.

I will say be kind to yourself especially the first week, and allow yourself to cry and grieve. I cried myself to sleep and then when I woke. She left such a massive hole in our lives, and even though I am crying now thinking about it, it has got easier over this past year. We welcomed a new puppy into our home just a few days before the first anniversary of her passing and she really helped make it easier to bear.

I will be thinking of you this afternoon 💐

Sorry OP it is rotten. It is best though and the opposite to failing. As a process it is comfortable for them. I have lost 7 this way. You grieve and are sad then eventually can remember happily.

If you plan on another dog do it quickly - they are a compliment to the first not a replacement. also, have a think before you go about whether you want ashes. Personally I don’t but I have ended up paying a few times as I hadn’t prepped the children who came with me and in the moment they wanted anything they could have. I have planted something for all of mine though. There are different ways to celebrate the wonderful time your dog has had with you.

Sorry to hear this. I had to put my pet to sleep but it was very unexpected as I was just expecting to be told she had a UTI not total kidney failure as there had been limited signs she was ill until very last minute (cats are excellent at masking illness). It was a shock but it all happened so quickly (matter of hours) so I didn’t have much time to think about it.

afterwards I was crushed and found it hard to understand as we had no other pets and house felt so wrong without her.

in the end I rescued another cat a few months later and whilst she doesn’t replace my previous cat, it was a massive part in helping me move on. I think about my previous cat often but just feel grateful for the happy memories. And I take solace in knowing I’m continuing her legacy by rescuing another cat in need of a home.

it just takes time. Sorry for your loss

💐❤️

I am so sorry OP.
Had to make this sad decision with my dog recently, like you the vet came to the house. It was all very straightforward and the vet was lovely, but it took longer than I imagined. I’d only had dogs pts in the surgery before, my previous dog had a line in already so it was very fast.
The vet will need to put a line into a vein, and that can be fiddly in a dehydrated dog, but thankfully with my dog it was done easily. She was given a sedative first so she didn’t flinch at the line being put in place, and then the actual drug was given. It wasn’t a traumatic process in itself but I found the whole thing incredibly hard and distressing. It wasn’t an emergency, which made it harder, although it was clearly time as she was in a lot of pain. Somehow having to choose a day etc, made it so much more difficult.
It’s really tough losing a dog, making the hard choices and then no longer having your beloved companion. I am really missing my dog, it’s not easy, but it’s sadly the price we all pay for having these lovely animals whose lives are not long. Your dog has been happy, loved and cared for, and that is a good life.

You’ve given her a loving home and that is not failure. You’re thinking about her comfort and wanting to stop her struggling - that is not failure either. It’s awful when you feel you have no other choice. The choice is a shit choice - pts or suffer and pts is the kindest out of the two. It’s not failure, it’s love.

I remember making the choice over pts with both my cat then my dog. I didn’t want to make a choice, get it wrong. I wanted them to pass peacefully in their sleep, but that wasn’t an option sadly. So I did the next best thing I could for them, and took on what felt like the burden of choosing pts. And I will no doubt face this again for my dog snoozing next to me. But it’s worth it for the love they give and the times we share.

Sending love at this tough time and be kind t yourself xx

I am so sorry that you have to go through this. It is obvious how loved your girl is.

I had to put my beloved 16yo Whippet to sleep in October last year. It was the best and kindest thing for him, but I won't lie it was painful beyond anything I could have imagined. After 8 months I am finally starting to smile when I think of him.

Take comfort from the fact that she has had a beautiful life and a peaceful, painless passing. You did a beautiful thing - adopting a dog who needed it. I hope you are ok.

You most definitely haven’t failed her OP.
Being loved so much right to the end of your life is such a lovely life.
I'd spend all of today reminding her how much you love her. I’d take some paw prints.
Cherish your memories of your lovely life together. Dogs are the best x

@MabelAnderson thats interesting they put in a line for yours. Mine had the sedative injection and she was pretty much gone from that, though still breathing but she didn't react to anything. She then injected her into her heart and again, no reaction at all and she quietly went

I'm so sorry @Whatonearthdidicomeinherefor, I've had to go through this so many times over the years with dogs, cats and rabbits - and here I am, sobbing reading about your lovely dog too.

Two things have really stuck in my mind around this. One is that someone (ignorant bastard) said to me "I'm surprised you get so upset, you should be used to it by now!" I just replied that of course I'm upset, it doesn't get easier, and nor should it. Animals are so precious and we're so lucky to share our lives with them. So yes, it's awful, but as others have said, it just takes time and you'll then be able to remember your dog with a smile.

The other thing is something I read years ago and it really stayed with me - it said that what you're doing today is taking away your dog's pain and making it your own. Heartbreaking but true. You're doing the kindest thing.

Sending much love to you and your family 💔

My greyhound was a similar age when she was pts.
At the time, our vet said appetite isn’t an indicator of health, which was helpful.
Our greyhound seemed to spend years going downhill. It was confusing. When the day came, we just know it was right.
As the vet said ‘ better a week too early than a day too late’. I agree.

You’ve given him a lovely, loving home. They are the sweetest dogs

I'm so sorry. We lost our greyhound just over a year ago and he was a similar age. I was just saying to my DH yesterday that I missed him; he really was the sweetest dog and I feel so privileged to have known him.

Honestly, the only way I 'got over it' which seems like such an inaccurate description (but I'm sure you know what I mean) was to start looking for another special greyhound to bring into our lives. Our dog was a hard to rehome/had been in a rescue for years and I found a similar dog who had spent most of her life in a rescue. She has a lot of similar behavioural/reactivity problems to our old boy and it was like it was meant to be. She of course could never replace him, but having had the experiences we had with our previous dogs, I think means we're patient and have a greater level of understanding of how to help her become the dog she wants to be. We find comfort in the little quirks that remind us of our old dog, but also feel joy in discovering her own unique little personality.

Much sympathy for you. In case it's useful to know, our much loved first greyhound got osteosarcoma when he wasn't quite 7, just over 2 years ago. He went downhill really quickly and we knew it was time. The vet came to put him to sleep at home and we buried him in the garden. We went to the rehoming kennels a week later "just to have a look" and our quite irresistible (and rather different from our first boy) second greyhound was brought in and we were smitten. I think we would have been miserable if we hadn't got another very quickly, though i still miss our first boy.

We had to have our first greyhound put to sleep aged 9 as she got cancer in the spine. The end was horrible and I wish we did it sooner, that’s my only regret. We still miss her, she was a unique being.

We already had another greyhound and we got a second not long after our first died as our other dog was very lonely. It helped a lot with the pain. They’re all so different, it never felt like we were replacing her, and there are so many that need homes. I’m really hoping our current two get to a ripe old age like yours.

I had to take time off work as I was in bits. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s only a dog - they don’t understand the bond and how much of your heart they take up.

Thank you all for your kind words and for sharing the stories of your own special pets. 💔

Deep breath 😢

The vet who came was lovely, very calm and waited until we were ready, Angel was on her bed, looking at the garden and all four of her humans (my older DS had travelled on Saturday evening so he could have cuddles and say goodbye).

It was very calm and fuss free, when Angel took her last breath the knot in my stomach melted away. There were lots of tears but a feeling of calm that I’m not anxious about her pain anymore. The vet took a cast of Angel’s paw and a print of her nose along with a little bottle with some of her hair. She wrapped her up in soft blankets with just her head poking out and again we said goodbye. We have chosen to have her ashes returned, all our previous cats are buried in our garden but Angel was a little too big for that.

Yesterday I collected up her bed, jumpers and toys, washed and packed them away. Her unopened bag of food and her numerous treats I’ll take to the Greyhound rescue kennels that she came from and where she loved to visit her lanky friends.

We’ve been looking at lots of photos and videos of her and remembering her funny little ways and how much fun she was. The space on the living room floor where her bed was is awful and the nose bop on my hip when I open the larder door is missing. Toast crusts in the bin and not her bowl. Not hearing the ‘ding ding’ of her collar tapping on her bowl when she eats.

We have a cheeky magpie in the garden who would be caught sitting in her bowl pinching anything left behind (although there was rarely any leftovers). He has been pacing up and down outside the door.

We did discover that Angel’s dad was quite a star and had his waxwork in Madam Tussaud’s for some reason that has brought us some comfort.

Thank you again it’s really helped. ❤️

I'm so sorry 💐 I was in your shoes last week when my 16.5 year old dog had to be pts and I was in bits.

The last few days have been an emotional rollercoaster but I've found comfort in knowing she's not in pain or struggling anymore.

It sounds like your beautiful girl had a peaceful send off, surrounded by those who love her. Taking their pain away even though it brings us so much heartache is the most loving final act you can do for them 💜

Aw - I'm glad it went as well as it could, in the circumstances. Angel's dad was the same greyhound as our current boy's grandfather, by the way.

Aw that’s lovely to hear, he was quite prolific, over 4000 puppies! Have you seen the video of him meeting his waxwork? 🐾