Putting my dog down tomorrow--advice requested

The loving thing to do is to have the dog put to sleep so he will no longer be in pain. In the future, you'll look back and be glad you did this instead of letting him suffer a few more days.

Take his favorite treat or toy with you. Let him have it just before the vet puts him to sleep. We did this with our old Boston Terrier and he died with a smile on his face and the taste of his favorite food in his mouth. Looking back, it brings a smile to my face.

I can't help you with how to prepare the kids for it. It will be sad. There will be tears. That's okay.

If it’s any comfort, in my experience nobody ever puts a dog down too early. If you think it’s time it almost certainly is.

Wait a while and then go get another pup. Preferably from the pound.

fisky wrote:

Take his favorite treat or toy with you.

I can't help you with how to prepare the kids for it.

We are going to bring his blanket. My dad and him are tight and he's coming too, so I know he'll feel comfortable. We are going to bring his favorite sausage too.

I explained it simply to my kids: he's going to die because of cancer: we believe in God and we believe he's going to Heaven.

ChadBrad--thanks for the support.

Man's Best Friend wrote:

Wait a while and then go get another pup. Preferably from the pound.

Considering that too. May wait until the Spring.

I'm sorry to read this. You are doing the right thing - a day sooner than needed is a thousand times better than waiting a day too long. Bring a blanket like it sounds you plan. Pet and hold him, if possible, and look into his eyes. Be as calm as possible - he can sense your feelings and for his comfort, try to keep your emotions in check until he's asleep. Sorry again.

I am so sorry to hear about your sweet dog. It is hard to see a pet go, as they really are part of the family. I don't have any advice, just support. It sounds like your dog had a wonderful life and a perfect home. Being there for him tomorrow is all he will need. He will leave this life feeling loved. I will keep you in my prayers tomorrow. God bless.

dang dude, sorry for your loss. at least he won't be in pain anymore.

I can give you some perspective as I was a child when my parents needed to put a dog down. That big doofy lab was my best friend and constant playmate during my early years. When I was 7, he got bone cancer that rapidly progressed to organ failure. Treatment was basically non- existent. While I really missed him at first, the fact that my parents explained everything to me made it a lot easier to process. I knew my family loved him but he was in pain and it was the humane thing for him to be put down. I still cried and sobbed, but I understood. Even through I was only 7, my parents made me feel like I was involved in what was going on. I have had friends who were told that their dog went to "live on a farm" and that always struck me a dishonest.

Understood that your kids will be sad. This may be the first time they are processing loss of a family member. It might even be a wise idea to tell their teachers if they are in school now so the teacher doesn't think something is going wrong at home.

The summer when I was 9, my parents got me another dog, a beautiful yellow lab. She was my running partner; we did thousands of miles together from middle schools XC until the end of high school track. The summer before I went to college, she got hit with kidney disease and basically went from a bright vibrant dog to a shell. The hardest thing was watching her suffer. My parents and I went to have her put down and my heart just broke. I haven't cried that long and hard since.

My deepest condolences and I am so sorry for your loss.

Sorry Man! I have done this twice with my 14 year old Goldens, Its never easy..we cried for days......got another one four months later......You will heal....Good luck.

Sorry about your pup. Sounds like he is a pit bull or pit bull mix if he looks like Petey. Great dogs!

My advice is to request that the vet not skimp on the medicine used to put him asleep. Tell the vet you want it to be fast. Hope that makes sense.

All-- thanks for your support and stories. I truly appreciate it. I've been a LRC guy since 2001, and this is why I keep coming back. I've read and re-read each response a few times. Thank You. I'm sitting with my pup tonight, just like the last 4 nights on the couch--his favorite spot in the house.

It's a great reminder to tell our friends how much we care about them. Please take a moment and encourage a friend with a text/ call/ email. I have, because I'm re-learning how little time we have.

Have a good run tomorrow!

Who cares, it's a dog. I don't understand the attachment to animals you can't even talk to.

ChadBrad wrote:

If it’s any comfort, in my experience nobody ever puts a dog down too early. If you think it’s time it almost certainly is.

Your vet might have a referral for a vet who will euthanize at home. Everyone should know if they don't already and everyone should be there including any other animals.

Do not wait.

Outlaw wrote:All-- thanks for your support and stories. I truly appreciate it. I've been a LRC guy since 2001, and this is why I keep coming back. I've read and re-read each response a few times. Thank You. I'm sitting with my pup tonight, just like the last 4 nights on the couch--his favorite spot in the house.

Putting a pet down is very hard, maybe harder than you can imagine. My wife and son put down a cat when I was away on business because I couldn't bear to see him go, even though he suffered every day with diabetes. Many years later, we put down his buddy, the other cat, a female who made it to 21. I didn't think I even liked that cat (by contrast the black stupid one was a best buddy) because she ignored me, favouring my wife and son. But I was holding her when her eyes fogged over, and I'd never cried so hard. Over a stupid cat that didn't like me.

It's the right thing to do. But it will hurt like hell. My sincere condolences, and wishing happy thoughts to your buddy chasing squirrels in whatever the hereafter looks like for him.

Don't put it down! Don't let it die! Pray to god so your dog will get better before it dies.

Also, how is your dog so fast??!! Doesn't it get tired? How do you run with a dog?

This might help your kids... and you.

https://www.rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm

Partner and I put down dog 2 days ago. She suddenly got sick with megaesophagus and myasthenia gravis and couldn’t keep any fluid down and didn’t eat. The best thing you can do is be there when it happens, let yourself cry as much as you need when it is over, and remember nothing you could do would save it. most importantly, tell yourself that your dog is not suffering anymore. Lastly, it isn’t cheating on your dog to get another one soon. Read “A dogs last will and testament” which you can find on google, and watch https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mwGnCIdHQH0