[LottiFurmann]

This might be incoherent or jumbled. Sorry if it is.

Finally got Hoss in for new x-rays. Its bad. The vet's don't know how he is still using his left leg, its so deteriorated at the shoulder and elbow. The other elbow is on its way there, too.

Its been eight months since they told me six months, so I guess I shouldn't feel as shocked and surprised as I do. I guess I was in denial?

I mean, I knew he was hurting more, recently...but I really didn't expect it to be so bad.

They told me I had better say my goodbyes and make a decision soon.


I don't know how.

[erroxiainsona]

I am sorry, Libby

It is a road many of us traveled, but it is a lonely, sad passage. And it is filled with denial, anger, hurt, guilt.

And it is never the right time, because there is no such thing with a good dog that you love.

Hug him, and tell him how much he means to you and know that whenever he passes, he will have left an indeilible paw print on your heart.

If you'd like to talk, feel free to pm me - I was in a similar situation not too long ago with Madeleine, and it was hepful to talk to people.

[ballingham]

I'm sorry Libby

[POMAH_K]

Oh Libby...
I am so sorry.

[10traistintarry]

I'm so sorry to hear that. I dread the day I'm faced with the same hard decision (my boy has been having hip issues since he was 8 months old, fortunatly I still have time as he's young still but it reminds me that I'm sure ill be making a hard choice one day all to soon with my pup) If you need to talk, Im also available.

It's not easy, the only way it would be is if we didn't love our animals the way we do. I've had to put 2 dogs down in the last couple years and I regret things about both but I've also learned what to do next time. With one, after he was put down I kept wondering if that was the best choice. It really was the only option but I kept on the what ifs till I was sick. As time passed i realized it was the right choice for his sake and I learned that if i ever have time to consider a date i will pick a day and the day(s) before I'm going to spoil the heck out ic my boy make those last days the best ever.

I'm so sorry to hear about hoss, spend extra time with him, let him get away with a little more than normal and know you gave him a great life and he will ALWAYS have his place in your heart.

[Chooriwrocaxz]

So sorry Libby. When Marz had bone cancer, and I knew it was time, I STILL couldn't make the call. I had to have Sam from Bully Buddies do it... call the vet and send him to my house. It was brutal. She was my first girl I had to make the decision for. I swear I was in a fog through the whole thing.

[ggiifdfalls]

I am so sorry, you are both in my thoughts and prayers.

[ultimda horaf]

I'm so sorry Libby. It's never easy to say good bye to anything you love. But your other dogs will be a great comfort to you.

I wish I'd been able to say good bye to my last dog. My mom's boyfriend didn't feel like walking him out to his tie out one day while I was at school 9 years ago, so he opened the door and just let my big dumb boxer run out the door. I came home, and the first thing I saw when I got off the bus was the dog I'd grown up with who was only 5 laying dead in the neighbor's driveway, and he was still somewhat warm, so he'd been hit right before I got home.

[allvideO]

I've been in your situation and I don't believe I can answer your question.

Saying good-bye is tough. I've owned a lot of dogs and have lost a lot of dogs, and to be honest with most of them I feel as if a tiny little piece of my heart went with each of them. I feel that piece reattach when I reminisce about the times spent with that specific dog.

Just understand that you hold the power to allow your dog to go before the pain gets unbearable and with dignity and some happiness left. That is mercy. And it's more than many dogs ever get from humans.

My thoughts are with you and take some comfort in knowing that we are all with you and here to support you during this time. And if you need to take time away to grieve, we understand that and will support you through that as well.

[avaicavum]

Oh Libby, I am so, so sorry. Saying goodbye is the worst part of being a pet owner.

Just treasure every minute you have left with him. I know how much you love that big boy. You and Hoss will be in my thoughts.

[Hedkffiz]

I had the same decision june the 3rd Diva who was 14 had bone cancer I did not know until I took her to the vet the question was what do I do I had her on tramadol so for the 2 weeks she got by.She looked at me as to ask why and help me she was in pain and no matter what I could not put her through it so she was put to sleep.I had lost friends that did not hurt that much but you have to think of her not you hope this helps

[Vemnagelignc]

I am so sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[kubekniekubek]

I'm sorry

For whatever reason, I'm always the designated "decision maker" when it comes to this in my family. I have a way of just.. pushing everything aside and looking at the facts and doing what's right by the animal. I always try to be happy when one of ours is being PTS.. which some people don't understand, but I want my animals to not wonder why everyone is so upset and worry. Then I completely break down later.

My theory is that it's better to PTS too early than too late. Like we waited too long to put my parents first Lab down, and I'm pretty sure he suffered somewhat. I remember being 12 and vowing that I would never wait too long ever again.

It sucks though.. it's one of the kindest things we can do for our pets, yet one of the hardest

[Kolokireo]

I'm so sorry Libby. I've never been in your shoes, so I don't have much advice to give.
Hoss was truly lucky to have found you. Give him lots of hugs and love, and in the end, I'm sure he'll know you're doing what's best for him.

[Imalaycle]

I'm so sorry Libby you have to make this decision. When the time comes for me and my babies especially my first cat I still have when I was 21 I don't know what I'm going to do. Just know that you love him and he loves you and always will. I still dream about the first dog I lost. She was a gsd, and my best friend.

[alex_loudermilk]

I am so sorry to hear this, I can't even imagine...

[gernica]

I'm so sorry.

I'm not sure how you do it, it just has to be done. I said I would ever let a dog suffer, but I have. I couldn't let go, I wasn't ready. I still can't get over Zeus. I look at a Dobe and want to cry everytime.

The Greatest Gift
Karla M. Bertram, 11/23/96



I always knew this time would come,
From the very instant our eyes first met.
How I loved you then! How I love you now!
I made a promise then and I keep that promise now . . .
You will not suffer from a pain that will not heal;
You will not know the loss of a life remembered, now gone.

It is for me alone to make this decision,
The price for the bright joy and pure laughter
You brought me during the time we shared.
I am the only one who can decide when it is time.
When my hope dies, and my fears ride high,
Just when I need you most, I must let you go.

It is for you alone to tell me when you are ready.
For without your guidance, I will not know
When to lay my grief, my guilt, my anger,
My sorrow and my selfish heart aside
And give you this last gift, this greatest gift.
Your eyes will speak to mine, and I will know.

The pain of this moment is excruciating.
Tears stream down my face in a river of sorrow,
And my heart drowns in a pool of grief.
For you have spoken, and I have listened,
And unlike other decisions I have made.
This one brings no relief . . . no comfort . . . no peace.

For if there's one thing you've taught me,
If there's only one thing I've learned. . . .
Unconditional love has a condition after all,
I must be willing to let you go, when you speak to me
I must be willing to help you go, if you cannot go alone.
And I must accept my pain so you can be free of yours.

Go easily now, go quickly now,
Do not linger here, it is time for you to leave.
Go find your strength, go find your youth.
Go find the ones who've gone before you.
You are free to leave me know, free to let your spirit soar
Rest easy now, your pain will soon be gone.

I pray I will find comfort in my memories . . .
In the dark and lonely days ahead.
I cannot say I will not miss you, I cannot say I will not cry.
For only my tears can heal my broken heart.
But, I promise you this: as long as I live,
You will live, alive in my mind, forever in my heart.

So I give you this last gift, all I have left to give,
And this will be my greatest gift . . . sending you away.
It is the measure of my unconditional love . . .
For only the greatest love can say,
"Good-bye, go find the bridge, we'll meet again,
Loving you has been the greatest gift of all."

[Forexampleee]

I am so sorry, Libby. I was strugging with when to have my Patches (RIP) put to sleep last year. He had been with me for 16 years and had long since gone blind, deaf and senile. He still got around, though, and managed to let the pups know who was boss. I decided that when it became too painful for him to do simple dog things I would take him in and say goodbye.

He passed away naturally in my lap Dec 2009. Even though he went to the beyond naturally, I still kick myself and wonder if he suffered silently and needlessly because I didn't have him PTS before then. Even letting nature take its course you can second guess. No matter how it comes about losing a companion is one of the hardest things. All you can do is make the best decision for your beloved dog and know that what you do you do for him.

When Patches passed I made it through because I had the love of my other dogs, my family and could vent whenever I needed on forums. We dog folk all understand and will be here for you!

[LottiFurmann]

Thank you guys for the support. It really means a lot to me.

I just don't have a lot of words right now. I tried to get my thoughts in order last night, but my mind just shies away from really thinking about it.

I think I'm going to take the next week or two, and just be there with him.

The doctors told me that with the condition of his leg, it could just break at any moment. He could just be walking, and his leg will break.

I do not want him to have to go through that. I don't want to go through that.

I just have this horrible, horrible feeling that Hoss' body is going out before his mind and heart are ready to. And that I'm going to have to end it before he is ready.

[erroxiainsona]

Like you said - just be there with him. Absorb every moment together. Allow yourself to change your mind about what you want to do - and to change your mind 100 times a day ...

You have my number - any time you want to talk, commiserate, cry, laugh ..