HOW WILL I EVER LET GO?

I have been having trouble submitting this, sorry. I believe I need support from you guys at this time in my life. I am having much stress on making the decision on putting my dearest 16 yr old min-pin, named “Spoogie” down. She has never been sick a day in her life. She has been having physical problems from old age, and I can see daily her body losing strength. Her fragile body is being taken over by arthritis and as in all older dogs, she is losing bladder control and is becoming blind and deaf. Her teeth are rotting and gingivitis has taken over her entire gum line. The odor from her mouth is horrible. On the bright side, she is still eating well and going potty (even though she falls in the middle of it). When I came home for lunch today, she was even at the table begging. I am feeling guilty as I have set up an appointment at the end of this week to put her down and have also ordered a headstone for her. I am beginning to think that I need therapy! I know that her quality of life is not good – she no longer wags her tail, but she apppears to be in no pain! I know that is is my decision, but it is a hard one. I have two other min-pins, but I keep thinking and hoping that maybe Spoogie will live many more years. Please help quick with any support and advise. Thank you so much.

There is nothing I can say to ease your pain, but I do know exactly what you are going through. To me it is the hardest decision in the world to euthanize a beloved pet. Spoogie has been a family member and best friend for the last 16 years of your life. But, please don’t feel guilty. One thing I learned from working in my vets office, is there are many selfish people that keep their pets alive, no matter how much pain the animal is in, because they don’t want to let go. I was guilty of that with my Mandy girl. Even on the way to the vets office, I wanted to turn aroung and go home. She was my 14 yrs old Dalmatian, and like your Spoogie, she had arthritis ,had trouble walking, and panted heavily all the time. The only health problem she had ever had was eating things she shouldn’t have. I was very shelfish, and just kept increasing the arthritis meds from my vet. She had a poor quality of life, and could no longer do what she loved doing, but I didn’t want to give her up. Like you, I made the vet appointment and the arrangements to have her cremated, cried constantly, and felt guilty. Also, like you, I had Shane Dog, my male Dal, but it didn’t ease my pain or guilt. When my Shane got pancreatic cancer I was working at my vet’s. When the treatment for this cancer was explained to me, I made the decision to keep comfortable until his quality of life started to suffer. I got to keep him for about 6 months, but unlike Mandy, I had him euthanized before he started to suffer. Dogs will sometimes hide their pain, but I know if she is falling and her teeth are rotting she has to be in pain. I think you have made the right decision. You do not need therapy. You are making a very, very difficult decision. Like is said earlier, you are losing a family member and devoted friend. There is a beautiful poem called the Rainbow Bridge. Get a copy of it, it will help with the pain. If Spoogie were to live many more years severe infection would take over her body from her dental disease. If she were my dog I would have her euthanized, but only you can make that difficult decision. I hope that I have helped.

I just put my comic “Snert” down. Made even more difficult because his beloved lady friend TAco is a partially wild dog and is grieving for him. It hurts so much not to be able to explain. Snert was a blue tick hound chow mix and looked like a wild african dog. He was loving to everyone he met. Even though I have 8 dogs left, Snert is much missed. My pain came from watching him suffer. The relief to know that he was not suffering any more was immediate. He is very much missed – there will never be another like him. But I know I did the right thing. We have lots of pictures and fond memories. I know I gave him a good life. I do not for a minute regret rescuing him and am at peace with his memory. Peace will come to you. Spoogie will always be with you. in your heart.

I have had many many dogs and cats in my life…there is nothing like a pet to fill your days with joy, I remember silly things they have done to make me laugh, they are the ones who understand when I cry watching a movie, I love to watch them run and play, and the love they give you is so unconditional, they don’t ask for much, a pat on the head, some food and water, and a run in the park on ocassion…they trust you to take care of them, and that means knowing when they are in pain and the quality of their life is drastically minimized by that pain…If it were my dog I would have him euthanized, the pain is kinda like the bill that you pay in the end…and I gladly will pay it for all the joyous memories, the fun times, the laughter and all those memories are there waiting for your grief to subside so you can recall all the wonderful times you had with your “Spoogie”…My thoughts are with you and I hope this has helped you in some small way…..

Hi Sheila,

I agree with all the suggestions listed above. I know how it feels

to have a broken heart over the loss of your pet. Back in July

I lost my deaf dalmatian who would have been 3 years old in aug.

She died suddently from an undx birth defect. I have so cried, &

missed her. The only comfort that has helped is advise from my

pastor— who had said the grief does not last forever— & God is

nearby even if you don’t see Him. And I know in time my heart will

heal. Keep loving the animals you have now & enjoy each minute.

Will keep you in my thoughts & prayers.