How do you know for sure

[smts]

when it's time to let them go? I mentioned in an earlier thread (someone else's) that my Lab has cancer. Everyone says you will know when it's time. I have said to myself and the kids that I don't want to put her down too early but I don't want her to suffer. Her cancer is inoperable so we knew the time would come one day. This morning, she is having a very hard time walking, we have been having to let her in the sliding glass door since she can't seem to get herself through the doggie door. As well as having a hard time walking, she did not eat her breakfast. She has never refused to eat, I brought her bowl to her as she worked her way into the kitchen but she turned away and went about 3 feet and laid down. Hubby and kids are home with her (I have to work a few hrs today - I am just sick about it. I don't know what to do....

(btw, I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday)

 

[kom526]

It's time now. I am so very sorry for you and your family. Your dog is showing the very same behaviors our GSD was showing the night we had to put him down. He also had inoperable cancer.

 

[Baja28]

It's time now. I am so very sorry for you and your family.

 

[Dupontster]

So sorry but now is probably the time...

IF IT SHOULD BE

If it should be that I grow weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand.
Don't let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day, more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years.
What is to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want me to suffer so;
The time has come -- please let me go.

Take me where my need they'll tend,
And please stay with me till the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Please do not grieve -- it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years;
Don't let your heart hold back its tears.

 

[Roman]

when it's time to let them go? I mentioned in an earlier thread (someone else's) that my Lab has cancer. Everyone says you will know when it's time. I have said to myself and the kids that I don't want to put her down too early but I don't want her to suffer. Her cancer is inoperable so we knew the time would come one day. This morning, she is having a very hard time walking, we have been having to let her in the sliding glass door since she can't seem to get herself through the doggie door. As well as having a hard time walking, she did not eat her breakfast. She has never refused to eat, I brought her bowl to her as she worked her way into the kitchen but she turned away and went about 3 feet and laid down. Hubby and kids are home with her (I have to work a few hrs today - I am just sick about it. I don't know what to do....

(btw, I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday)

By the sounds of your post, you already know the answer. It is so hard, and I am sorry for you, and your Family. Try to enjoy the day, and think about it tomorrow.

 

[ginwoman]

I am so sorry you have to deal with this. Prayers to you and family.

 

[Dupontster]

One of the hardest things I ever had to do was to put our 15 YO lab Molly down...My wife could not stay in the room with her but I was determined to stay with her until she closed her eyes...They sedated her first before they gave her the big shot...She was very calm and just went to sleep....She knew...Still get tears today when I think about it...

 

[smts]

Thank you all very much for the kind words. I'll be calling the vet when I get off work (working in health care sucks on holidays!). I've had her since she was 6 wks old. She is only 8 but as I think about it, I know it's coming and I don't want the pain in my heart to overshadow the pain she is in...

 

[mitzi]

Thank you all very much for the kind words. I'll be calling the vet when I get off work (working in health care sucks on holidays!). I've had her since she was 6 wks old. She is only 8 but as I think about it, I know it's coming and I don't want the pain in my heart to overshadow the pain she is in...

It's a hard and horrible decision to have to make. I had to with my little Pom 2years ago. He was 1 month shy of 17. He wasn't sick with cancer or anything, it was simply just old age. He started having mini strokes and seizures but they were spaced apart once every couple months at first & he was fine inbetween. Then as time went on they became more frequent to the point I would come home and find him totally disoriented and hiding from a seizure. The last 2 weeks were the worst and I knew I had to go thru with it. I'm sorry you and your family have to go thru this heartbreak (the doggie too).

 

[Lilypad]

Thank you all very much for the kind words. I'll be calling the vet when I get off work (working in health care sucks on holidays!). I've had her since she was 6 wks old. She is only 8 but as I think about it, I know it's coming and I don't want the pain in my heart to overshadow the pain she is in...

My heart goes out to you and your family.....

 

[Lilypad]

So sorry but now is probably the time...

IF IT SHOULD BE

If it should be that I grow weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand.
Don't let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day, more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years.
What is to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want me to suffer so;
The time has come -- please let me go.

Take me where my need they'll tend,
And please stay with me till the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Please do not grieve -- it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years;
Don't let your heart hold back its tears.

Thank you.

 

[ladyhawk]

when it's time to let them go? I mentioned in an earlier thread (someone else's) that my Lab has cancer. Everyone says you will know when it's time. I have said to myself and the kids that I don't want to put her down too early but I don't want her to suffer. Her cancer is inoperable so we knew the time would come one day. This morning, she is having a very hard time walking, we have been having to let her in the sliding glass door since she can't seem to get herself through the doggie door. As well as having a hard time walking, she did not eat her breakfast. She has never refused to eat, I brought her bowl to her as she worked her way into the kitchen but she turned away and went about 3 feet and laid down. Hubby and kids are home with her (I have to work a few hrs today - I am just sick about it. I don't know what to do....

(btw, I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday)

My lab never refused food either. My vet told me the same thing when he diagnosed her with Throat cancer, that I would know. Well the morning I went to feed her, she did the same thing. She looked at me and walked away and laid down... I had my son mix a bit of warm water and an egg in her food to see if she would eat it... She wouldnt'. I didn't want to believe it was time but in my heart I knew.

I called the vet and my husband took us that evening.

One thing you might consider if you haven't, is having her cremated. This was something I had not done before. It's never an easy thing to do but by having her cremated, I knew she was coming home again and she still remains a part of the family today.

I hope this helps you.
June

 

[Dupontster]

My lab never refused food either. My vet told me the same thing when he diagnosed her with Throat cancer, that I would know. Well the morning I went to feed her, she did the same thing. She looked at me and walked away and laid down... I had my son mix a bit of warm water and an egg in her food to see if she would eat it... She wouldnt'. I didn't want to believe it was time but in my heart I knew.

I called the vet and my husband took us that evening.

One thing you might consider if you haven't, is having her cremated. This was something I had not done before. It's never an easy thing to do but by having her cremated, I knew she was coming home again and she still remains a part of the family today.

I hope this helps you.
June

We had our Molly cremated....They sent her back to us in a real nice box with a certificate stating her name and when she passed....I had a little gold plate engraved with her name and DOB & DOD...She is tilll with us in spirit....

 

[smts]

We had our Molly cremated....They sent her back to us in a real nice box with a certificate stating her name and when she passed....I had a little gold plate engraved with her name and DOB & DOD...She is tilll with us in spirit....

Well, we see the vet tomorrow morning. She has really had her ups and downs the last 2 days. She is eating a little at a time and still having a hard time standing up and laying down. Walking seems a little easier but I know she is not good. My other dog who is a nervous dog knows something is up. He has been fussing since last night and he hasn't eaten a thing today. I'm sure he senses it. Thank you all again for the kind words, it is more of a comfort than you all know.

 

[smts]

My lab never refused food either. My vet told me the same thing when he diagnosed her with Throat cancer, that I would know. Well the morning I went to feed her, she did the same thing. She looked at me and walked away and laid down... I had my son mix a bit of warm water and an egg in her food to see if she would eat it... She wouldnt'. I didn't want to believe it was time but in my heart I knew.

I called the vet and my husband took us that evening.

One thing you might consider if you haven't, is having her cremated. This was something I had not done before. It's never an easy thing to do but by having her cremated, I knew she was coming home again and she still remains a part of the family today.

I hope this helps you.
June

My Brandy's started in one foot and it is now in all four feet as well as her belly. The tumors break through the skin at first and then they seem to get a little better. It just seems to have gotten so bad so fast. She had her ACL repaired last December and did great, then had what we thought was an abcess on her foot. It's only been about 6 months since her original diagnosis. I have never had to put a dog down - I have had to for 2 of my cats before and it was hard - one cancer, one old age. Bran is the first pet we had with our kids. Got her when she was 6wks old. She is sweet as can be so I don't want her to suffer. I appreciate all the stories everyone shares. I know it's hard on you all too. I'll keep everyone posted. And I plan to speak to the vet about Cremation. I had switched to Prince Frederick Hospital when my original vet couldn't do her AcL surgery and I believe they have that option.

 

[wineo]

It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I stayed with her(hubby couldn't) to upset. She was 13 and it was time. I had to carry the water bowl to her, just so I knew she was drinking.

She knew it was time. I held her and cried like a baby, and since reading this thread, the emotions have all come back.

You will be doing the best for your family and your pet.

Thoughts are with you...

 

[acommondisaster]

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. Ours passed away May 13th and we still miss her every day. She also had cancer.

It sounds to me like the time has come. Animals mask their pain in order to not seem weakened and make them a target for other animals. When a dog will no longer eat, they're in serious pain and they no longer have their survival instinct.

You have my sympathy, dogs become a real part of the family and there's no easy way to let them go. I hope that knowing that you're doing the right thing for your dog brings you some comfort.

 

[Dupontster]

My Brandy's started in one foot and it is now in all four feet as well as her belly. The tumors break through the skin at first and then they seem to get a little better. It just seems to have gotten so bad so fast. She had her ACL repaired last December and did great, then had what we thought was an abcess on her foot. It's only been about 6 months since her original diagnosis. I have never had to put a dog down - I have had to for 2 of my cats before and it was hard - one cancer, one old age. Bran is the first pet we had with our kids. Got her when she was 6wks old. She is sweet as can be so I don't want her to suffer. I appreciate all the stories everyone shares. I know it's hard on you all too. I'll keep everyone posted. And I plan to speak to the vet about Cremation. I had switched to Prince Frederick Hospital when my original vet couldn't do her AcL surgery and I believe they have that option.

This is the one that we used: Valley Pet Cemetery and Crematory They picked her up at the vets office and returned her there for us to pick up...

 

[ginwoman]

SMTS I am sad and sorry that you are going thru this. You will be in my thoughts all day.

 

[smts]

with incredible sadness I must say R.I.P. my Brandy girl. I will miss you more than you know.