have to put my dog to sleep and don't know when?

[rollermatic]

i found out today my dog funkie has severe cancer and i have to put her to sleep very soon. but i don't know ehen to do it. i don't want her to suffer but i don't want to do it until i have to. have cried all day over tyhis ever since i left the vet. have been with her and my other dog in the yard most of the day.

this will be my 3rd dog i have had to put to sleep in the last 6 years, it seems to get a bit easier each time but then again it's not. funkie is 10 years old and a chow/beagle. she has never had health problems but now has a massive tumor in her abdomen and is severely anemic to the point of needing a transfusion.

my last dog to have cancer i had in chemo for a year but with funkie it would not do any good. i just have to spend as much time with her as i can and watch closely to see when it's getting time to do it.

i am hoping to have a vet come to the house and put her to sleep by the pond in the back yard. i got the hydrosweep pond pump in the water today as i wanted funkie to see it this year before she goes. but i don't know if i can do that. i may have to take her to the vets office to have her put to sleep and if she gets bad when they are closed i will take her to the emergency clinic.

this is one of those situations that really hurts when you are a pet owner. i won't let her suffer but i cannot make the decision to end her life yet. she is still eating, drinking, walking around and following me everywhere. this is very hard for me to do. i think it will be in the next few days from what my vet told me today.

here she is by the pond this afternoon while i put the hydrosweep pump in the water.

 

[rollermatic]

here is funkie with

duke this afternoon.

 

[rollermatic]

i'm glad funkie gets to enjoy

the yard and the pond with the hydrosweep in it one more time before she goes to dog heaven. the little pond i had dug was always her favorite place to lay beside in the backyard.

i'm also glad she made it to spring time and can have a few days enjoying the pond and yard.

thanks for your support. thi is extremely difficult for me! i do not handle saying goodbye to pets well! thankk God i am off today! i will call off work if i have to depending on when funkie tells me it is time for her to go. i would quit my job if i had to! hopefully i don't think i will have to do that.

 

[turquoisedude]

Sorry to hear about Funkie, Pete... I am sure this is an agonizing decision to make. I like your idea of having the vet come to the house to put her to sleep by the pond - she would leave this world with a very fond memory, I am sure.

 

[pulltostart]

Pete,
If Funkie is still "eating, drinking, walking around and following me everywhere" then I don't think it's time yet. I think when you notice a difference in that behavior, then the time has come. Funkie will let you know when she's ready.

Enjoy your time with her and know she's doing the same with you!

Lawrence (and Charlotte and Bethann)

 

[perc-o-prince]

Hi Peter,

I'm very sorry that you're in this position, and I'm sure it's safe for me to say that Rich says the same.

I'm sure this is something you already know, as you've alluded to it, but making sure she's comfortable and not in pain is probably the most important thing. I'm sure you'll be able to tell.

Maybe your vet could prescribe a bit of medication that may ease any discomfort if you notice it when the vet isn't available? It could give you a little buffer zone of time.

Again, I'm so sorry, but you sound like a good dad. I hope for both your sakes it happens at a good time, if there can be such a thing, whenever that may be.

Hugs,
Chuck

 

[lordkenmore]

I'm so sorry...this is easily the hardest part of having animals in your life.

"Funkie will let you know when she's ready."

I think this true. It was what a former roommate--who was heavily into animals--always said.

 

[frigilux]

Pete, I'm so sorry to hear about Funkie's cancer. Since there seems to be no reversing her plight, my advice echoes that of several others who have posted here: Put her down when her quality of life is diminished. Many of us have been in your unenviable position, so we're all here to support you! Take care.

 

[petek]

I'm very very sorry it's an awful spot to be put in but I think you'll know the answer in a day or two like others above had said, you'll know.. Today and maybe tomorrow just aren't the day yet. You could ask the vet for some sort of sedative to give him a few hours beforehand though..That's what I did with my Parker. I wanted him asleep or near asleep before I took him in

 

[whirlcool]

When we had to put out Dalmatian Kelley down about a year ago our vet offered to come to the house to do it. It seems to be more comforting for the dog and owner. But we took her into the office as we didn't want the other dogs to see this.

I totally agree with the others here. If Funkie is moving around and eating and eliminating properly it's not time yet. As others have said you may want to ask for some pain meds for her.
Just in case.
But it has been my experience that some vets encourage their patients to euthanize their animals before their time just so that the animal doesn't have to go through the final ravages of disease. This is best discussed with your vet.

 

[joelippard]

Pete,

I'm so sorry. My heart goes out to you -- I have no idea how this feels because I've never had to deal with this as an adult. I imagine it feels similar to having to bury your children.
I pray your special girl will let you know when the time has arrived.

 

[pturo]

Pete,

You will know when to call the vet to come to the pond. I had Girlie my border collie put down at home and it is really so much less stressful for the pet and for you....she died looking at the water. Make sure they give the pet a big shot of Valium before hand, then the euthenaisa drug.

I am still not over the fact that she is gone, but her passing was graceful, stressless and at home where she wanted to be.

 

[a440]

Hi Peter,

So sorry that you are going through this with Funkie.
I do agree with Lawrence, let Funkie tell you when is time...not the vet. If you can afford it, get a second opinion.
My oldest cat Toby will be 24 on May 15. If I would have listed to several vets in the past 7 years he would not be with me today. And he is doing very well.
If Funkie is enjoying following you around and is eating well and is not in any discomfort I say he is doing very well for an older dog.
Sit down and talk with him and tell him what is going on. Tell him that you want him to tell you when he is ready.
Enjoy your weekend.
Brent

 

[a440]

Hi Peter,

So sorry that you are going through this with Funkie.
I do agree with Lawrence, let Funkie tell you when is time...not the vet. If you can afford it, get a second opinion.
My oldest cat Toby will be 24 on May 15. If I would have listed to several vets in the past 7 years he would not be with me today. And he is doing very well.
If Funkie is enjoying following you around and is eating well and is not in any discomfort I say he is doing very well for an older dog.
Sit down and talk with him and tell him what is going on. Tell him that you want him to tell you when he is ready.
Enjoy your weekend.
Brent

 

[maytagbear]

I've had to face this, too.

Peter-

I am so sorry about Funkie. It is not easy. However, I fully agree with those who say let her tell you. You might have days, you might have months.

When I wasn't sure about my dear LJ, I followed the vet's advice, and she said "When LJ isn't LJ anymore, it's time." Got a few extra good weeks that way.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[circlew]

Hey Pete,

I'm very sorry to hear that Funkie is so ill. I agree with the others that she will let you know when she's ready to go. Hope she won't be in much pain.

 

[qsd-dan]

let Funkie tell you when is time...not the vet.

Exactly. It'll be like the flick of a light switch. Once day she'll be doing great, then the next, not good at all. When it gets to that point, push your emotions to the side and immediately put her down. I know it sounds a little callous, but it's the best decision for the dog. You don't want her to suffer.

10 years is a pretty good run. I had put my basset hound to sleep almost 3 years ago at the young age of 4. That was not easy

 

[appnut]

peter, so sorry you're having to go through this with Funkie. I had to do similar after my dog had a stroke about 7 years ago. And pulltostart gave excellent wisdom. My sister did the very same thing with her lab about 4 years ago, the dog had cancer too. She was fortunate enough to have the vet come to her house and my sister also had very close friends with her.

 

[spankomatic]

I have had to do this and it really sucks! I'm glad I had the choice to give my dog the "gift" of a painless end instead of suffering. I'm glad you have that choice also. I wish we had that choice for our human loved ones.

Jim

 

[sudsmaster]

I agree with the others - the pet's condition will indicate when it's time to go. Also, work with your vet. Describe Funkie's symptoms if they show a marked change for the worse - the vet should be able to let you know if he thinks it's time.

I had to put down my favorite cat of all time about 10 years ago. This is not to disparage my current cats, who are great, but this one was special and I felt I had a closer bond with him than with any other pet. Unfortunately he was a fighter and an indoor/outdoor cat, and he got feline AIDS and wasted away. Feline AIDS is spread by cat bites - and for that reason mainly male outdoor cats get it. We treated him a much as possible (mainly removing skin cancers as they appeared) but when the end came he had a tumor on his kidney about the size of a golf ball. He would also get mild seizures and pass out cold dead when I held him, then come to and start up his famous loud purr. The vet said the cancer had spread to his brain and it would be best to let him go while he was still in a gentle state. It would have been nice to have him euthanized at home but instead his last walk was down the hall of the vet's clinic - skin and bones he was, at only 13. What a change from the robust and strong cat he once was. Anyway, I buried in my back garden and planted a rose bush above him. RIP Larry.

 

[alr2903]

Rollermatic, i would also wait, changes in behaviour and signs of discomfort will let you know its time. Vets like MD's are sometimes mistaken when it comes to estimating time. I wish the very best, during this difficult time. alr2903

 

[autowasherfreak]

I'm Sorry to hear this.

Having my cat put to sleep was the hardest decision I've made regarding a pet. My Tabitha wasn't eating, lost a large amount of weight. The vet gave her a Vitamin B12 shot, and saline. It helped for a couple weeks, then she went back to not eating. I took her back and the vet told me that the shots were only temporary, so I had her put to sleep that day. She was gone in seconds, I don't think she would have lasted another day.

Cherish the time you have left with her, she will let you know the right time.

 

[rollermatic]

i want to thank everyone by name

for your support here but i can't do it now. i am home on my dinner break checking on funkie and she passed out again when i came in. i made an appointment tomorrow morning to take her in to have her put to sleep. she is weaker today than yesterday and definately getting worse. i cannot let her suffer any more.

i have taken tomorrow off from work and am leaving work early tonite, by 9.m.p. so i will be hone with her by 9;15 or so.

this will be our last nite together and it is tearinf me up to say the least. somehow ehen i get to work i manage to pull myself together to be there at least. i work at home depot and they are all very supportive.

i will thank you all when this is over.

pete

 

[tnmike]

Pete you have my sympathies. This has to be one of the most difficult decisions to make and go through with; however, think of it as being a a final gift. You're giving your friend the gift of a peaceful passing instead of suffering through the end. You were so fortunate to get to spend the day together yesterday. Remember the good days and keep in mind you are going to give a peaceful end.

Mike

 

[yogitunes]

Pete...were with you and Funkie....Many hugs to you and him in this tragic time....Our blessings are with you both...

Martin

 

[laundromat]

When my monkey was sick---

I let him stay alive and he died peacefully in his sleep. After 23 years of fun,frollic and laughter,Buster had aquired a massive lung tumor and was not in any pain.we'd get up around 6AM, go out for a strole and have fun riding the bike in to town and shop.most people thoght it was a fake until he'd sneeze,cough or yawn and cover his face with his tiny hand.It would cause them to either do a double take or run over to see and pet him.One day,he pulled a lady's wig off while we were riding the transit bus into town!! A fly had landed on her head and he saw it as a treat. He went to grab it and eat it pulling her Jerry curl wig right off and leaving her sitting there with a silk head cover over her real hair.Screaming to the hight of his lungs as he shook the greasy wig like a rattle!!!!The entire bus was in roaring laughter and the driver pulled over until everything was simmered down. He was full of tears like everyone else and told me BBuster was welcome to ride anytime.he was like a little kid the size of a squirel and loved iced tea and Orios.I truly miss having him around but know he's in a better place.

 

[perc-o-prince]

Hi Pete,

I don't know what to say. Having gone through this too many times, I'm a little blurry-eyed knowing what you're going through. You have to remember that you're showing the ultimate form of love to Funkie by making sure she doesn't suffer.

Provided you're able to make your appointment tomorrow, don't hesitate to ask the vet to be as careful as possible. It sounds as though you have a good one, but it doesn't hurt to express a little extra concern, especially at a time like this. You might want to ask if he/she can give Funkie a little gas so she'll sleep through it.

I am SO sorry.

Chuck

 

[a440]

Peter...
So sorry.
Brent

 

[jetcone]

what a sweet dog

I can see it in her face. Thats a hard time.

I waffled with Al until he looked at me the night before and I knew we were close. The next morning he ate but couldn't walk and couldn't go to the bathroom so that was the day.

They are simpler physically so the curve down is much steeper than with people. You'll know.

I held Al in my arms and on my lap. That was the best.

 

[rollermatic]

thank you all

i came home from work early tonite so i could be with her. i bought her some ice cream for a treat. i may stay up all nite till it's time we'll see. i take her in at 9:45 tomorrow. she will be cremated like my other two dogs were. they can all be together.

i have to do this so she won't suffer. came home on dinner break to check on her and she is weaker and passed out again. tonite now she is sitting on the couch.

i cannot tell you how much it means to me to have your support and letting me share this, i tend to isolate a lot in life. i did go to AA last nite and will no doubt go tomorrow when it is over.

she will be out of her pain and it will just be duke and i after that. duke the crazy weimeraner. i cannot handle getting any more animals, funkie is my 3rd dog in 6 years i have had to do this to, it is too painful.

but i will close with 2 things i have been told.

the people who love the most have the most

God entrusts us with pain, a gift! if i didn't love here i would not be in this pain so it is good.

thank you

rollermatic pete