Home I am saying goodbye to a dear friend today

[lilylover]

Some of you may remember my post about my dog, Missy, that I had made several months back. I am glad that we did not decide to put her to sleep at that time, because she had several more good months.

Today though, I think it is time. She pants constantly and is whining all the time. I see her go lay down and try to get comfortable, but she just can''t get comfortable. She ends up just looking at me and whining ... asking for me to make her feel better. The past 3 nights she has woken up every 2 hours to go out to pee and her hips are starting to ache from the constant squatting from peeing.

It''s hard because she still moves around just fine. She doesn''t look like an old dog. She still wags her tail, sits for treats and barks at the UPS man when he rings the doorbell. She is peeing all over the house several times a day, though, and we just can''t keep it up. She knows she isn''t supposed to pee in the house, and while we don''t yell at her at all, she still knows.

The appointment is in 2 hours to take her in to be put down. I''ve had her for the past 13 years, since I was 10 years old.

I wish someone could tell me for sure that this is 100 percent the right time.

 

[Shoopy]

Hugs lily

 

[TooPatient]

Something our vet said helped me so I''ll pass it on.

When animals get older, it is really hard to know when the time has come to make this decision. It is true (according to the vet) that animals can usually handle pain and discomfort better than people. So we take care of them and love them as long as we can. When they have more good days than bad and still get enjoyment out of life, it is not time. But when the bad days far outnumber the good and the animal is clearly suffering, then it is time.


Big hugs to you and Missy.

 

[Mandarine]

((hugs))

I''m sorry you''re having to make this decision...I like what pp said.

 

[luvinlife]

Lily
Im sorry. There just isn''t enough time with the ones we love

.

 

[movie zombie]

i don't know what to say other than i am thinking of you.

mz

 

[Loves Vintage]

lilylover,

I''m so sorry. It is one the hardest decisions to make as a pet momma, but it is also the greatest gift you can give, freedom from the discomfort. I''m not sure if you plan to stay with her, but I have done it many times. For me, I have to be with them. For my dogs, I would always sit on the floor right next to them. It has brought me great comfort knowing that I was there with them.

I know it is so hard. Know that 13 years is a good long life for a dog. She is lucky to have you looking out for her.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I''m so sorry about your dog.

With my last two pets (my two cats who were put down this month) I decided not to be with them in the end. Instead, I held each of them for a few hours and felt their warmth (and that is what I''ll remember), and then had a family member take them in. My husband wouldn''t even let me see either of them after they passed away. Everyone is so different in how they feel about this. . .we''re lucky to have options in this regard.

My thoughts go out to you. Hugs!

 

[lilylover]

My mom just left with her to take her to the vet to be put down. I couldn''t do it. I didn''t want my last images of her to be those of her passing away.

It is going to be SO strange without her. For the past two years I have gotten up with her in the middle of the night every night. Since she has gotten older she has become more work (i.e. wash her bedding when she wets on it, take her out every 2 hours, give her her daily medicine, etc.) that I am not going to know what to do with myself.

Thank you all for your words. They provide me with some comfort during this time.


I wish our Fur Babies would live forever.

 

[packrat]

I''m sorry! Hugs to you and Missy.

 

[Puppmom]

I''m so sorry Lily.

It''s something that all of us who have pets will encounter but it''s all worth it for the time we get with them. Remind me of that when my turn comes up.

 

[mary poppins]

So sorry for your loss. Putting a pet down is such a hard decision to make. My friend told me about Rainbow Bridge years ago and I always think of it when someone's pet dies, so I'm passing this along to you with hopes that it will make you feel a little better:

http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

ETA: Ooops, I don't know how to make that into a link.

 

[Allison D.]

Lily, my heart breaks for you. I''ve been in your shoes, and it''s a terribly sad place to be.

Wishing you comfort from happy memories of the many years you''ve spent together.

 

[lulu]

Sorry for your loss, but it sounds like you made the right decision.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

I am so sorry that you are going through this. It''s very difficult to let go when you have so much love...I''m thinking of you

 

[icekid]

oh lily, your post made me cry! Our fur babies are such precious parts of our families. Losing them is so truly awful. I know there is little that can be said to make this better, but HUGS to you and Missy! You are not alone.

 

[HOUMedGal]

I am so very sorry, lilylover. Big big hugs to you. I hope you can take comfort in knowing that you ended her suffering....it takes so much courage to make that decision, and I know it was extremely difficult. Sending hopes for peace and comfort in all the happy memories you have with her.

 

[NovemberBride]

Oh Lily, there are tears in my eyes as I write this. Saying goodbye to a pet that has been a member of your family for a long time is a terribly hard thing to do. We love them so much, and it is because of that love that we make the decision to relieve them of their suffering (even though it means our suffering is just beginning). I am thinking of you and your sweet dog today.

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

Its clear you loved her more than anything and if you could feel her pain so much you couldn''t watch then it was time. You should never feel bad for doing what is best, even when it hurts.
I wish I could say something to take away the pain, but there isn''t anything. Just remember the love, that''s what she would want

 

[Dandi]

Oh lily, I''m so sorry about your girl Missy, I have tears in my eyes imagining how you must be feeling. The pain of losing a pet is like nothing on earth... that sad, empty feeling in the pit of your tummy. What a lucky girl she was to have had such a loving family and wonderful life with you. We''re all hurting for you.

Thinking of you, love xxx

 

[waterlilly]

So so so so sorry.

The terribly short lifespan of our most faithful companions is one of nature's cruelest tricks.

 

[yssie]

I'm so sorry lilylover

It's heartbreaking to say goodbye to a loved one and know that it's forever. You made this decision for her, though, because you wanted what's best for her even though you knew it would rip you apart, and she knows how much you love her.. but that doesn't make it easier, and I'm so, so sorry

I'll be thinking of you and Missy today.

 

[lyra]

I''m so sorry Lilylover. It won''t feel like the right decision today. We lost our big guy in October, and we can see *now* that it was definitely the right time, although it felt so bad then. We talk about him often and miss him a lot, but we have so many good memories and pictures to look back on. Take care, and take time to grieve.

 

[Blair138]

Lily-I have tears in my eyes reading this as well. Yesterday was 6 years since we put our first family pet down. The day we put him down he wouldn''t come inside all day (he was not an outdoor dog) and then he had a seizure. He only seemed fine when we brought him to the vet, we think he knew it was his time. My siblings and I didn''t stay in the room but we went back to see him after. It was a terrible day and the 2nd time in my life I saw my dad cry. I am very sorry that you have to go through this but know that Missy will be in a better place and one day you will see her again.

 

[PumpkinPie]

I''m sorry lilylover - take care of yourself

 

[Should Be Studying]

I am so sorry. My thoughts are with you, because I know how much your heart must be breaking (mine is still broken after four years without my childhood dog). I hope your good memories with Missy and the fact that she is not suffering will give you some comfort.

 

[Blackpaw]

im so sorry lilylover

so many {{{{{HUGS}}}}} for you...

 

[oddoneout]

I''m so sorry.

 

[Prana]

So sorry lilylover. What a hard decision to have to make. There can never be enough time to spend with the ones we love! Keeping you in my thoughts.

 

[lilylover]

A big thank you to all of you for your thoughts and kind words.

It is so strange coming home after I''ve been out running errands and not having Missy here. Today I went straight into her room that we kept her in while we were out of the house without even thinking and then realized I didn''t need to do it anymore. Last night I woke up in the middle of the night and realized that I didn''t need to take her out for her nightly bathroom break.

I know that it''ll get easier within time, but for now I just miss her so much.