The painful responsibility of dog ownership...knowing when its time to let go

[hockeysc23]

Sorry to hear ljs. I definite had to pause reading it to not choke up, and was thinking of my Calli dog the whole time. I have never had to make that difficult decision for any of my pets, and cannot imagine how difficult the journey to the decision must've been.

Take some last pics of her as is and how he was. Reflect and remember him often. Thoughts and prayers with you and him during this sad time. I'm glad you at least get a chance to spend the last moments with him. It probably means the world to him.

[Birdlives]

My most sincere sympathies. I am actually approaching the same point with my shepherd as we speak. Casey is only 10 but has developed degenerative mylopathy. She can still get around okay, but my wife and I know it's now only a matter of time before her quality of life forces us to make a decision. She was always a very active dog and loved to fetch tennis balls. As it is, she's now retired from fetching though she still has the desire. It's an extremely difficult thing to go through. As someone not looking forward to the same point, I definitely feel for you. Thanks for sharing.

[GoSkins0721]

When we had to make the same decision, it took my wife months to get over the fact that "maybe he didn't want to go...maybe he was happy laying in his own poop while we held his head up to feed him." But after 18 years he had lost that twinkle in his eye. And I think it became more about us not wanting him to leave us instead of what was best for him.
It sounds like you have made the best decision you can.
Peace & prayers go out to you during the coming days.

[d0ublestr0ker0ll]

Dog person here, my job is with dogs, and have had border collies running around since I was 7 years old. The last of the border collies is now 11 years old, she has really bad arthritis in the hips. Having to put down my border collies through the years has been ridiculous, they are too smart to just vanish after such a short time. 'Til the day they passed, they were sharp as tacks.

With this 11 year old border collie, less than 5 years ago I was throwing toys as far as I could to her. Her favorite thing to do was swim. If she saw a pond or a creek she'd gravitate to it, she could swim after toys until I'd get tired. Nowadays, we're limited to throwing soft toys directly to her so she doesn't run at all. She still has that same ole spirit.

Good luck with recovering, it seems like it'll never go away, but in a few days, the pain will naturally turn in to appreciation.

[THEREALTOR1]

So sorry to hear this Lori. As a lifelong dog owner and lover I guess we all know that at some point your pals will leave you. I try not to think about it as I come home to my "monkey" and "bear" every night, that someday that day will come. Just thinking about the last dog I had to put down still makes me tear up to this day and that was over 10 years ago (RIP "Yankee-Dog"). Fortunately I had a friend who was a vet and we were fortunate enough to have him come to the house and let him live out his last moments in the home where he was loved much like you're doing. I really don't know what else I can say that hasn't been said I'm sorry for your loss and You and your Elmo are in my thoughts and prayers.

[maxiumone]

My thoughts and prayers go out to you. It is one of the hardest things you have to decide. When my first dog passed away my mom sent me this and since then I post this when ever I see someone has lost a special friend

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

http://www.petloss.com/rainbowbridge.htm

Here is to a great partner that you served your community with and made this world a little safer. And here is to a great friend that will always be a part of you. Elmo thank you.

[GhostofSparta]

I had to put down my lab that I'd had for 14 years when I was in college. I got him when I was 7, so yeah, it was hard. But he was in the same situation. He wasn't "sick" really, but he had bad arthritis, couldn't get up from they floor on his own without 15 seconds and lots of whining. Plus he's lost a lot of weight, and couldn't fully control his bowels/bladder anymore. I knew it was time. Hard decision, hard to follow through with, but it was for the best.

About a year later I got my current dog. He's a Belgian Malinois, and looks just like the one in your photo. He's only 6, but reading your story with the photo you posted...suddenly some dust got in the room and I had to clear my eyes...

[Mursilis]

Sorry for your loss. We have two dogs, so I think I understand, at least a little bit. At least you're sending him off with a beautiful tribute to your time together. Your story really moved me.

[Koolblue13]

I'm so sorry for you. I can't imagine your loss.

I hear you about the issues, when my mama bear goes, I'm going to have her ashes put in some tattoo ink.

[btfoom]

Man, just reading the title of this thread brought tears to my eyes.

I read (most) of your post, but it got too painful for me. I had an almost exact situation with my golden 6 years ago. She had lymes disease early in her life, but we got it treated and thought everything was great. A couple of years later, she started showing signs of chronic arthritis. Went through the same things you talked about. Finally, the weekend before Christmas I took my 13 year old son to a hockey tournament in Pittsburgh and Casey just stopped moving, period. My father-in-law took her in and had her put to sleep. Killed me that weekend as I kept it from my son until we returned home.

I don't think there can be any comparison about how close people become with their animals. I still cry when I think about her.

I write this because I can promise you that it does get better. Keep Elmo in your heart and remember the good times. Eventually, you will find room to have another dog, not to take Elmo's place, but to start another chapter in your life. I have Ovie now, and he's a great, great dog. I will make sure to hug him today when I go home.

[ljs]

we took his paw print last night and I'm going to get it as a tattoo. I have a good friend whose tattoo artist did a great job on hers. Very detailed.

[Roger.Staubach]

we took his paw print last night and I'm going to get it as a tattoo. I have a good friend whose tattoo artist did a great job on hers. Very detailed.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A9jUUWOCIAA743j.jpg:large

I wish I had thought of that with the ones in my life. Hope you make it through okay.

[China]

My condolences. Losing a close pet is tough enough. But your relationship with your dog was more than an ordinary pet-owner relationship.

Best wishes.