One last piece of advice...If you cant get your normal vet to come out to the house you might want to check into a farm vet. They have to go to farms to check on animals so they would be more prone to come out to your place when the time comes.
has anyone ever been present when they had their pet euthanized?
- Thread starter gardenweasel
- Start date
Garden,
Good Luck with what ever you decide to do. Had to put my best friend Max down a few years back when we found that his heart was enlarged. The vet who had him at the time said he may only last a week, if that. Max was with us when my wife and I got our first house together and also when we had our first child together. Remember bringing the baby home and was concerned with the way Max may take to our new addition since he had all the attention prior to. Needless to say since that day, as if he knew, Max became his personal gaurdian. When we look at old photos of my son, it seems like Max is in every one of them with him. We were lucky to have him for 13 years.
When the vet called and told us of his condition we felt that it be best to have him put down that night. I told the vet to do nothing until my wife and I got there. My son who was only 7 at the time did not want to go, and looking back at it now was probably best. I really believe that they know when it is there time. I held him in my arms when he took his last breath.
I also agree with the guys who say to handle all the paper work prior to. I was a mess when it was over.
Looking back I would not have changed a thing and was glad I was there for such a loyal friend.
Good Luck in whatever you decide.
Blaster
Good Luck with what ever you decide to do. Had to put my best friend Max down a few years back when we found that his heart was enlarged. The vet who had him at the time said he may only last a week, if that. Max was with us when my wife and I got our first house together and also when we had our first child together. Remember bringing the baby home and was concerned with the way Max may take to our new addition since he had all the attention prior to. Needless to say since that day, as if he knew, Max became his personal gaurdian. When we look at old photos of my son, it seems like Max is in every one of them with him. We were lucky to have him for 13 years.
When the vet called and told us of his condition we felt that it be best to have him put down that night. I told the vet to do nothing until my wife and I got there. My son who was only 7 at the time did not want to go, and looking back at it now was probably best. I really believe that they know when it is there time. I held him in my arms when he took his last breath.
I also agree with the guys who say to handle all the paper work prior to. I was a mess when it was over.
Looking back I would not have changed a thing and was glad I was there for such a loyal friend.
Good Luck in whatever you decide.
Blaster
Weasy,
I had to put my Rotty, named Oprah, down some years back and it wasn't until then that I knew what a true friend she had been to me. Agree with all the good advice above and want to warn you about waiting too long for your personal reasons. My neighbors are also very close to my dog as I now have another rotty named Snoop Dog and we have a little princess fence between our yards so that they can bring him over to their yard when out back. I will say that putting Oprah down was the hardest thing I have ever done as a grown man. Was absolutely heartbroken and the look in her eyes is forever ingrained in my memory because she was comforting me not the other way around and I cried that day and cried as I wrote this thinking about her now. I miss her friendship and always will but I don't miss her suffering as she got old quickly. I wish you nothing but the best on this and would say that you should not have the kids there under any circumstance and if the vet is willing then have them come out there as most will. Makes a huge difference IMO. Hope you are okay with your little buddy and I hope your personal sadness in only brief and replaced by all the good memories of your pet. They can never be replaced so remember them at their best not their last.
Hope this helps,
FDC
I had to put my Rotty, named Oprah, down some years back and it wasn't until then that I knew what a true friend she had been to me. Agree with all the good advice above and want to warn you about waiting too long for your personal reasons. My neighbors are also very close to my dog as I now have another rotty named Snoop Dog and we have a little princess fence between our yards so that they can bring him over to their yard when out back. I will say that putting Oprah down was the hardest thing I have ever done as a grown man. Was absolutely heartbroken and the look in her eyes is forever ingrained in my memory because she was comforting me not the other way around and I cried that day and cried as I wrote this thinking about her now. I miss her friendship and always will but I don't miss her suffering as she got old quickly. I wish you nothing but the best on this and would say that you should not have the kids there under any circumstance and if the vet is willing then have them come out there as most will. Makes a huge difference IMO. Hope you are okay with your little buddy and I hope your personal sadness in only brief and replaced by all the good memories of your pet. They can never be replaced so remember them at their best not their last.
Hope this helps,
FDC
it defiinitely helps,fdc...thanks for taking the time to respond...
as well as everyone else..many guys i`ve had no interaction with on the forum...not surprisingly,looks like this is something that has affected an awful lot of us...
look at all the humanity on display from ex-jocks,hardcore gamblers and guys that generally have quite a bit of hard bark on `em:yup ....
a little friendly shin-kicking..lotta`gambling...some laughs...and some good advice and a little compassion from a friendly keyboard when it`s needed...
that`s why this place is what it is..
/thanks again,guys...
Good luck brother and remember that he/she is your friend for life and life always ends too quickly for those that are left behind. I hope you and your family are ok soon and remember that strength in character is not measured by our words but our actions and your little friend has relied on you for their entire life with you and vice versa.............so don't let him/her down and you will always be at peace with your decision. I cannot stress that enough. Be at peace with your decision........YOU ARE NOT KILLING YOUR BEST FRIEND!!!!! Its just their time my friend and you have the chance to do it peacefully and at the right time. I am truly sorry for you sadness and what you are in store for but I know you will come out of it ok. It is sad. No doubt. Seeing your best friend suffer is worse. Take care bro.
FDC
Well GW, this thread has made my decision easy. I'm married for going on 7 years next month, a little girl(6) and little boy(5). We've been thinking it was time to add a friend to the family but after reading this thread I'm not doing it. Sersiously, I'm feeling pretty bad for everyone that has had to do this and I don't want to be part of the club.
I worry enough about my wife and kids, that's enough for me.
I worry enough about my wife and kids, that's enough for me.
.............................................................
that would be the worst decision you ever made.
Its the joy and love that the family has that makes it so sad when they go.
Its daily devotion from a pet especially a dog that is hard to explain.
do your kids a favor. Get a golden retriever.
agree with scott, the pet became a big part of my family. that's just the way it is. wouldn't have it any other way...
nice response fdc, how you doing pal ? haven't talked to you in a while... hope all is well...
I would have to agree this is a big mistake. My parents let me get a dog when I was 4 years old and man did we grow up together... I cried when I saw Molly and Me cause it reminded me of my yellow lab, but only cause I missed that guy so much. We had such great times and I can remember tons of memorable moments that I had with him.
layin`....we`re all gonna fail the ultimate test..nobody gets out alive....
so, i would guess that those kids are gonna inevitably ask about a pet..imo,it`ll enrich your life....
what`s the old saw?..."it`s better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all"(or some schmarmy shit..lol)...
i guess the best way to think of it is that death is a part of life... we all go to sleep at some point..the rich,the poor...the famous...
i think how a person,or a pet goes is the real unknown...the scary part...
we have to accept it...and at least for a beloved pet,we sometimes have some say as to when and how it happens...to mitigate suffering if necessary... i guess as hard as it is,it`s our way of returning all the love and companionship they provide us...
i would say,don`t deny yourself and those kids years of joy,buddy...
but,i understand how you feel...especially right now...
so, i would guess that those kids are gonna inevitably ask about a pet..imo,it`ll enrich your life....
what`s the old saw?..."it`s better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all"(or some schmarmy shit..lol)...
i guess the best way to think of it is that death is a part of life... we all go to sleep at some point..the rich,the poor...the famous...
i think how a person,or a pet goes is the real unknown...the scary part...
we have to accept it...and at least for a beloved pet,we sometimes have some say as to when and how it happens...to mitigate suffering if necessary... i guess as hard as it is,it`s our way of returning all the love and companionship they provide us...
i would say,don`t deny yourself and those kids years of joy,buddy...
but,i understand how you feel...especially right now...
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I Thank my parents for letting me have my 1st dog after they paid for the first family pet, purebreed Collie.
Dad...'You want a dog?'
Me..'Yes,sir.'
Dad...'You'll spend the money I'm going to pay you working for me on that dog....do you understand that young man?'
Me...'Yes, sir.'
I don't miss a dime I spent on that dog, he was the best!
Dad...'You want a dog?'
Me..'Yes,sir.'
Dad...'You'll spend the money I'm going to pay you working for me on that dog....do you understand that young man?'
Me...'Yes, sir.'
I don't miss a dime I spent on that dog, he was the best!
What up Rip!!!! I am fantastic man...........How about yourself? I just got back from fishing in Mexico so I don't dare complain. You know that your pets names sound awfully familiar........lol. You going to the big golf shindig??? I don't even play golf but the trip is a hoot. Hope you are well and life is good.
FDC
Pets are good, okkkk
FDC
Pets are good, okkkk
fdc, I don't golf either but if you're going I gotta look into it. never met anyone on here but you are at the top of the list... we can drink, right... (lol)
my parents couldn't have a dog around almost my entire childhood (8 and up) after the second dog got killed in the road. I hardly remember those 2 dogs, and I really think I missed out not having more pets. I actually became very close to a neighborhood dog. She came over every day after school to play, and she was like my own. She also got hit in the road in front of my house, but she thankfully survived. Anyway, layin, don't let these stories keep u from getting the kids a pet.
We have had to put 2 cats down since I was married in 1995. One was very old and had kidney failure. I gave her IVs at home for almost a year. My wife took her when I was out of the country when she became much more ill. I felt very guilty not being there to support her, and I cried like a baby when she emailed me that she put the cat down.
The second had cancer. It was rare mast cell cancer, and it developed on his cheek. It was like an oozing sore, and the vet didn't realize it until after 2 surgeries. This poor cat had to wear a cone, and he was absolutely miserable. We waited too long to have him put to sleep, but it was just so effing hard to let him go. I can still vividly see him with his cone and with the little sock we made to pull over his head to hold the dressing in place. Our tempurpedic mattress still has a blood spot on it where he drained all over the bed one night. It won't come out. My wife also took him, and she went by herself. That's just the decision we came to, right or wrong? I stayed home with the kids and comforted them.
She held both cats as they were injected. That was the best way for her to cope. We had both cats cremated, and we later spread the ashes in the yard at our home. The crematorium also gave us some nice papers that we still have.
I've dealt with way more human death (both friends and family and also patients) than I have animal death. Both are sad and tough. I still think about people in my life who have died as well as these 2 cats. I actually call the cat I have now by one of the deceased cat's names by accident from time to time. Tangentially, I had a friend who killed himself at 16 years old, and I think about him every day.
Wease, sorry for your sick pet. For me, it's been better off to say my goodbye and not be there. For my wife, it was better for her to be there. If she had not been there, I would have; knowing she was made me ok with not being there because she was.
We have had to put 2 cats down since I was married in 1995. One was very old and had kidney failure. I gave her IVs at home for almost a year. My wife took her when I was out of the country when she became much more ill. I felt very guilty not being there to support her, and I cried like a baby when she emailed me that she put the cat down.
The second had cancer. It was rare mast cell cancer, and it developed on his cheek. It was like an oozing sore, and the vet didn't realize it until after 2 surgeries. This poor cat had to wear a cone, and he was absolutely miserable. We waited too long to have him put to sleep, but it was just so effing hard to let him go. I can still vividly see him with his cone and with the little sock we made to pull over his head to hold the dressing in place. Our tempurpedic mattress still has a blood spot on it where he drained all over the bed one night. It won't come out. My wife also took him, and she went by herself. That's just the decision we came to, right or wrong? I stayed home with the kids and comforted them.
She held both cats as they were injected. That was the best way for her to cope. We had both cats cremated, and we later spread the ashes in the yard at our home. The crematorium also gave us some nice papers that we still have.
I've dealt with way more human death (both friends and family and also patients) than I have animal death. Both are sad and tough. I still think about people in my life who have died as well as these 2 cats. I actually call the cat I have now by one of the deceased cat's names by accident from time to time. Tangentially, I had a friend who killed himself at 16 years old, and I think about him every day.
Wease, sorry for your sick pet. For me, it's been better off to say my goodbye and not be there. For my wife, it was better for her to be there. If she had not been there, I would have; knowing she was made me ok with not being there because she was.
my parents couldn't have a dog around almost my entire childhood (8 and up) after the second dog got killed in the road. I hardly remember those 2 dogs, and I really think I missed out not having more pets. I actually became very close to a neighborhood dog. She came over every day after school to play, and she was like my own. She also got hit in the road in front of my house, but she thankfully survived. Anyway, layin, don't let these stories keep u from getting the kids a pet.
We have had to put 2 cats down since I was married in 1995. One was very old and had kidney failure. I gave her IVs at home for almost a year. My wife took her when I was out of the country when she became much more ill. I felt very guilty not being there to support her, and I cried like a baby when she emailed me that she put the cat down.
The second had cancer. It was rare mast cell cancer, and it developed on his cheek. It was like an oozing sore, and the vet didn't realize it until after 2 surgeries. This poor cat had to wear a cone, and he was absolutely miserable. We waited too long to have him put to sleep, but it was just so effing hard to let him go. I can still vividly see him with his cone and with the little sock we made to pull over his head to hold the dressing in place. Our tempurpedic mattress still has a blood spot on it where he drained all over the bed one night. It won't come out. My wife also took him, and she went by herself. That's just the decision we came to, right or wrong? I stayed home with the kids and comforted them.
She held both cats as they were injected. That was the best way for her to cope. We had both cats cremated, and we later spread the ashes in the yard at our home. The crematorium also gave us some nice papers that we still have.
I've dealt with way more human death (both friends and family and also patients) than I have animal death. Both are sad and tough. I still think about people in my life who have died as well as these 2 cats. I actually call the cat I have now by one of the deceased cat's names by accident from time to time. Tangentially, I had a friend who killed himself at 16 years old, and I think about him every day.
Wease, sorry for your sick pet. For me, it's been better off to say my goodbye and not be there. For my wife, it was better for her to be there. If she had not been there, I would have; knowing she was made me ok with not being there because she was.
six,,,how hard on the cat was the"cone"(by that i think you mean the post-surgery collar to keep the cat from licking the sutures)....
i`m wondering if we opt for surgery ,it just might intensify and prolong the misery.....i can`t imagine this cat handling a "cone" very well at all..
/thanks
the cone was horrible. He ran into things all the time which jerked his neck to the side. He had a hard time at the food bowl too. He was so pitiful and miserable. Really sad...
GW and to all ,found this poem when my Lacey had to be put down a few yrs. back.Every time i've read it{it's on container with her ashes] it's helped me to cope. Hope it can help someone here too .
Weep not for me though I am gone
Into that gentle night.
Grieve if you will,but not for long
Upon my soul's sweet flight
I am at peace, my soul's at rest
Ther is no need for tears.
For with your love I was so blessed
For all those many years
There is no pain, I suffer not,
The fear now is all gone.
Put now these things out of your
thoughts, in your memory I live on.
Remember not my fight for breath
Remember not the strife.
Please do not dwell upon my death,
But celebrate my life.
Sorry don't have author.
Weep not for me though I am gone
Into that gentle night.
Grieve if you will,but not for long
Upon my soul's sweet flight
I am at peace, my soul's at rest
Ther is no need for tears.
For with your love I was so blessed
For all those many years
There is no pain, I suffer not,
The fear now is all gone.
Put now these things out of your
thoughts, in your memory I live on.
Remember not my fight for breath
Remember not the strife.
Please do not dwell upon my death,
But celebrate my life.
Sorry don't have author.
My buddy who has been thru this told me he was so distraught that he was actually praying the night before hoping his dog would pass. He said it was the most horrible feeling he ever had.
just bought something called a"comfy cone" so the cat doesn`t have to wear one of those horrible plastic things after the surgery thursday....
looks like it might be better than a hard,unforgiving piece of plastic around her neck...
but it`s still gonna be hell...i`m not looking forward to this...not at all....
phew!...
looks like it might be better than a hard,unforgiving piece of plastic around her neck...
but it`s still gonna be hell...i`m not looking forward to this...not at all....
phew!...
