Sad day for my family

DA682 · October 2012

We had to put our beloved family dog to sleep this morning. He was almost 15 and we suspect he had a brain tumor because he's been acting very confused recently and had a seizure last night. This morning he took a turn for the worst and my siblings decided it was time to let him be in peace. I wasn't there I live 2 hrs away but I went to be with my family afterwards. To make matters worse they have no electricity or heat bc of Sandy. So we were sitting and crying in the dark and cold house. I'm just really depressed. Have any of you dealt with pet loss and if so what was your experience? How/when did you start to feel better? I know he's in a better place but thinking about him suffering and my poor siblings having to be there for the euthanasia is heart wrenching.

Thanks in advance, hope you are all well

CMSullivan326 · October 2012

I'm so sorry =[

Almost 5 years years ago my mom had to put down our family dog. He was 15 as well and we'd had him since I was 5. They thought he had cancer, we never did testing, and he got really bad really fast. It was the first pet I ever had to put down and it was horrible. Most gut retching thing I'd been through in a long time. I was at the vet when he was put down and I held him and cried until he took his last breath. I remember crying so hard I fell to the floor at one point. It wasn't easy.

I think it was a little easier to "move on" because I no longer lived with my mom so I didn't have to go back to "his home" without him. I don't handle death or loss well at all. Anytime I lost a pet I had to get another one to "replace it". And while nothing will "replace" them, it's a distraction....

Again I'm so sorry. I know it's hard. HUGS to you and your family.

okballet16 · October 2012

I'm sorry

doodiebug18 · October 2012

I'm sorry about your pet. We put our dog down a few years ago and although it was the best decision it still broke our hearts. My parents said they would never get another dog but after a few months went by my sisters and I bought my parents another dog. We still have great memories of our pervious dog, and now we have new memories with our new dog.

Sending thoughts and prayers your way for you and your family

angelaclev · October 2012

I am so sorry.

darjeeling · November 2012

I'm so sorry! It is so sad to lose a beloved pet. ((((((hugs)))))

kristykay123 · November 2012

I'm so sorry. That is never easy. *hugs*

MommaDall · November 2012

I'm sorry Loosing a pet is harder than people realize. We had to put our dog down a few years ago. I'll be honest, it's really hard for a while. One thing I did to help grieve was put together a binder with a bunch of pictures of her in it. I even had a video of her that our dog walker had made. After I was done, I taped a copy of the Rainbow Bridge to the front and put it away in my dresser. It's still a nice thing to have to this very day.

Stay busy and keep getting out of the house. It helps!

peanutmuse · November 2012

MommaDall:
I'm sorry Loosing a pet is harder than people realize. We had to put our dog down a few years ago. I'll be honest, it's really hard for a while. One thing I did to help grieve was put together a binder with a bunch of pictures of her in it. I even had a video of her that our dog walker had made. After I was done, I taped a copy of the Rainbow Bridge to the front and put it away in my dresser. It's still a nice thing to have to this very day.
Stay busy and keep getting out of the house. It helps!

I am so sorry for your family's loss.

I agree with doing something like the photo binder. It will be a way to relive all of the great memories you had, and something to look at occasionally when you are missing your dog. We did this when my cat needed to be put down (kidney failure) at 21 years old, and it really did help. Talking to people who have lost pets and understood helped me too.

Mrs JillB · November 2012

I'm so sorry for your loss. Ten years ago I put our family pet to sleep while my parents were on vacation because of her rapidly deteriorating due to cancer. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done. All I can say is that the pain does get better, but you never forget. TPs.

JuneBug86 · November 2012

I'm so sorry.

FoxiePM · November 2012

Sad

spacepotatoes · November 2012

We've never had pets so I have no advice to offer, but I am very sorry for your loss

ChuggingWater · November 2012

I'm so sorry for your loss. We had to put our dog down in March, and it was very difficult for my husband (and me).

PrimRoseMama · November 2012

I'm so very sorry for the loss of your dog. It is so tough. [[[hugs]]]

Enchanted616 · November 2012

I'm so sorry, it is never easy. I thought I was going to have to put my cat down this weekend and I was the biggest wreck ever.

Take time to grieve, and be gentle with yourself. Loosing a pet, specially a family pet you have had since you were a kid, is extrememly hard. ::hugs::

rrdiva1 · November 2012

I am so sorry for you and your family!!!!! May peace come soon to your hearts!

SCSmith2011 · November 2012

I'm so sorry. I had to put the amazing boy in my avatar to sleep earlier this year. He was 14 and ended up with bloat. It came on suddenly so I ended up having to make a decision quickly and it sucked. He was my first dog and was such an amazing creature. I was there with him for the euthanasia and honestly it's very peaceful. I cried my eyes out but I'm glad I was there with him for his last breath. I'm sure it was hard for your siblings but focus on how he was loved up until the very end. After that it was hard for a few weeks, I was really sad. And there are times almost 9 months later that I get sad. There's still a ton of his dog hair in my car so when I see that sometimes I'll tear up. Eventually it'll get better though. I promise.

thelamberts2007 · November 2012

I'm so very sorry for your loss.

jorkz821 · November 2012

I'm sorry! Dogs are family members for sure. Hugs!

Staceyew · November 2012

I'm very sorry for the loss of your dog.

We had to have our family dog put to sleep with I was a freshman in college, it was one of the hardest things I've had to deal with.

madasm0530 · November 2012

I'm so so sorry!

JustWonderin805 · November 2012

I'm so sorry for your loss.

We had to put our family dog down 2 years ago. She had congestive heart failure and her health depleted very quickly. Within a week she wasn't able to walk, had seizures, and couldn't breathe. We knew it was time to put her down when she wasn't able to get up on her own. We had her since I was 9, and she was 14 at the time that we had to put her down.

It was hard, very hard. My sister's both came home to say goodbye to her and my mom took her alone to the vet. It was the hardest for my mom, since she was the most attached to our dog. I personally didn't go because I had worked at a vet and knew the process, and I would have completely lost it if I was there.

I think my siblings and I started to feel better a lot sooner than my mom did. She has just recently started putting pictures out with our dog in them. She just recently put her leash and collar away (it was hanging on a door hanger by our garage). It takes time, less for some, and more for others. I hope you start to feel better soon, and know that you and your family made the right choice so he could be at peace.

EmeJay · November 2012

I'm so sorry

A dog is truly a part of a family.

RayRay007 · November 2012

I'm sorry

We've lost a lot of pets over the years. It's hard. You feel like bursting out in tears randomly for the first little while. Eventually you realize that they are in a better place (if they were sick) or you just start remembering the good times more than remembering that they're gone.

direy25 · November 2012

I'm so sorry. I haven't dealt with the loss of a pet in a really long time so honestly I can't tell you how long it took. Hugs.

NicoleRich105 · November 2012

Just wanted to say that I am so sorry... I have a super soft spot in my heart for dogs in particular, but it's never easy to put down a pet. Sad

DA682 · November 2012

Thank you all SO much- I really appreciate all of the kind words, thoughts and prayers. I slept well last night and felt a little better this morning. I was just so wiped out from crying yesterday. I think the first day has to be the hardest, because we all had to deal with the shock and stress of what happened and its such fresh memory. Hopefully soon we can shift the focus from what happened yesterday to just focusing on his long happy life. He really did bring my family closer together both in his life and in his passing. Reading all of your stories made me feel so much less alone and it really helped me. Thanks again ladies, you are the best!!

AngieV84 · November 2012

I'm so sorry for the loss of your dog

Stffhappns · November 2012

Ohh, how sad. It's always hard to lose a loved pet. DH had to put his down down about 7 years ago, and he's still sensitive about the subject (he had her for 17 years!). Everyone grieves differently, so I've not got any real answers for you. Thoughts are going out to you and your family though.

stargazer77 · November 2012

I'm so sorry! It is a very hard thing, especially when you have to put your feelings to the side and make the decision to help your pet stop suffering. I've been through this twice! The first I was 12 and we put the dog my parents had from before I was even born down. She was my best friend and like a sister! It still hurts to think about that day but we have so many great memories of her!

The second was just a few weeks ago. We put our second dog down, the one we got after the first passed. She was 18 and such an amazing dog! It's still hard going to my parents house now and her not being there. And DS asks all the time where Dusty is! Now he says "Dusty is with God"... it just breaks my heart!

I hope your family finds some peace soon! Sorry for your loss!

MarriedtoMrSunshine · November 2012

I'm so sorry. I know it's hard to let go. The only experience I've had is going with a friend to put hers down. I cried more than she did.

Our puppy is only three years old and I'm already dreading the day. My friend told me it's the price of being a pet owner and you have to be prepared to do what's best for them.

Hang in there!

bewilderingstar · November 2012

I'm really sorry for you and your family. It's very hard losing a pet and it never gets easier. Allow yourself to be sad. Eventually you'll start to feel better. One day you'll even be able to think of the better times with your pooch and you won't cry. My heart goes out to you. Hope you feel better. ((Sending lots of positive energy!))