Putting Down A Pet

[CopInNY]

I know this was recently discussed, but I felt like posting. Tonight I had to put down my cocker spaniel. He was 15 years old. I had him since I was 13 years old. The vet told me I was doing the right thing because he (Mardi) was in quite a bit of pain. He had terrible athritis in both back legs, he was blind in his right eye, and he was completely deaf. He had a great life. He had his own room during the day, and during the night, he'd lie next to me until morning. I'm incredibly saddened by this, and not feeling like much of a big tough policeman at all. But I dont care. As far as I am concerned, I had to put down a family member tonight. I buried him in my backyard wrapped in his favorite big, fluffy mat, and with his favorite ball.

I tend to brag a lot about being single, making money, etc,m but the fact is I'm alone. I'm not married, no kids, etc. So I come here to get my dose of "people". So, friends, in your opinion, did I do the right thing? I just need some sort of closure. Thanks..


Jay

[dkiefner]

My condolences on your loss, CiNY. :(

You absolutely did the right thing. This is a decision I've made several times, but it is really the kindest thing, and I've never regretted it.

[Piper]

Jay,

I'm really sorry for your loss, yes they are just like family members.

I had to do the same thing when I was 16, my dad was in Somaila and my mom just couldn't do it. Her name was Lady and she was the most beautiful black German Shep you would have ever seen. Somehow I found the strength to be with her until she died.

Fourteen years later I still cry over it.

Take care and check your pm.

[Bill R]

Jay, dogs are family. I'm sorry to hear of your loss. You did the right thing though, the unselfish thing. It is difficult to let go of a loved one even when it is the best thing for them. Your friend had a long life and you need to try and remember the good things.

[CopInNY]

This is Jay's brother, David. I thank all of you for you're support. I had no idea my brother was writing this. I was the one that took the lose the most, but now I see we did the right thing. I thank all of you.

[InSane1]

CopinNY, I feel your pain. ~~hugs~~

[Fastie]

Jay and David,

You did the right thing...I love my pets like they were my own children. I'm sitting here taking care of my brother's cocker spaniel right now. He's pretty old, maybe 13, I don't remember, he's losing his sight and hearing too. I don't know what my brother will do when/if he needs to make that decision. I know he's going to completely fall apart.

Mardi is in a better place and will be waiting for you guys...there is nothing like the love of a dog and you showed your love in return by helping your buddy out of his pain as I'm sure he would've done for you if he was in your place. I think it's really nice that you were able to bury him at home with his favorite toy and blankie.

You never have to feel like you're alone, you have friends here and we understand your pain. Hang in there....Mardi will always be with you in your heart and memories..

[jellybean40]

yep and i told my story in that other thread...been there, and mine was a cocker spaniel too. 16 years old...my BABY... since i dont have kids either...and i had gotten her at 5 weeks of age.

may sound weird, but i can truly say that the actual pain, like in the chest and throat, and actual sobbing, made it the most painful thing i've had to go thru in my life, so far. i'm sure the death of any pet is so hard, but when you have to make the choice to do it, it really takes on a WHOLE different meaning.

My baby (Amber) is buried right outside my office window here, with a wooden post holding a stone angel that faces her grave. the daisies that i planted there are blooming right now, too. it's been 5 years and it still makes me sad.

take the time to grieve, Jay, that's real important.

[klar]

I know it is one of the hardest things to do but putting them out of their missery is one of the most humane things we as pet owners can do. I think you should go to the ARL and look into getting a new buddy who is looking for a nice new home to call his/her own. and anice new friend who will take care of him/her so that the two of you can become good buddies and enjoy a lifetime together.

Granted the new member of your family will never take the place for the one who is now gone but having a new member of the family will give you someone to care for and to help you get through the hardships of losing a valued member of the family

Klar

[kateykakes]

((((Jay and David))). I am so sorry for your loss. I too had to put down my baby when I was 17. My dad took me to the SPCA when I was in 2nd grade and told me to get the doggie I wanted. I pick out a mutt. I named her Fluffy (have to remember I was in 2nd grade!) and she was MY baby. It killed me when I had to have her put down, but she was suffering so bad, and I couldn't let her stay in pain.

I am now faced with the same situation yet again. I've had my black cocker spaniel, Pokey (this time my kids chose the name) since she was 7 weeks old. She's been through a lot. She's survived being hit by a car (she snuck out the back door - she now has a steel plate inside her), and survived cancer.

She's 11 years old, is deaf and can barely see. She mopes when she walks and trips when she tries to climb the stairs. :( I know her time is limited, and the day we take her to be put down, will be the hardest day of my life.

Jay and David, just know you're not alone. We're here for you.

[SGT Dave]

My chief, who "likes" dogs, and has had one all his life, and has a Lab he uses when hunting, laughed at me when I told him that I would need to use "Bereavement Leave" or Comp or Vacation if my dog ever died.

He told me he thought that was silly.

All I can say is it's DIFFERENT when ther're "inside" dogs.

We don't have kids, and don't care to, but ours is part of our family. Our last MOVE was factored around her needs as well as ours. She sleeps beside me when I work nights (rare) UNTIL I WAKE UP. She sleeps between or below (but TOUCHING) us at night. She communicates with us in uncanny ways. Although we don't carry on conversation ( :D ) she will tell us when she's hungry, when she has to go out, and can answer by her own response several basic questions. She has her own personality, that IS a part of our family. On nights we stay up late (after midnight for example) she will come stand in front of us (usually between us and the TV) and give us "the stare." She's telling US "It's time to go to bed". If we don't respond in a timely manner ( :D) she will go nudge the bedroom door open, jump on the bed, and go to sleep on her own.

You made a tough decision, THAT I HOPE I NEVER HAVE TO, but you made the right decision. My condolences are with you. :(

[Mitzi]

CopinNY, look at it this way. That wonderful animal had a best friend who saw to it he went to a better place, out of pain. An animal can't ask more then that.I lost my Missy when she was almost 17 years old. I still cry over her. Heck, I'm crying now.I SWORE I'd never get another animal. I sit here with 2 dogs that needed homes and I love them dearly.
Rest wth the knowledge that Mardi knew his Dad would help him and you did. He's free from pain.
And, when you are ready, know that there are other dogs out there that desperately need homes. My H always says my animals are the luckiest animal in the world and they are. Missy was a mutt that wandered into our yard one day. If I hadn't been outside that day, who knows what would have happened to her. She went from being this scared, dirty mutt to a dog that slept under my sons crib to protect him at night.
You did the right thing. Mant hugs to you. I know it hurts a lot.

[ 07-12-2002: Message edited by: Mitzi ]

[Blonde Heat]

I know exactly how you feel and its very rough. I still think about my "Rose" She was a Lab and the best dog ever.

[JKT]

Jay, David, you have my deepest sympathies.

I've had to put down several over the years, and it's never easy, but it's usually the right thing to do.

As someone else said, Mardi's in a better place, and no longer in pain.

Your selflessness in this shows how much you care.

[CopInNY]

Thanks everyone for your kind words. You really made me see things in a positive light. Thanks again...

Jay

[DesertRat]

A friend and I just had this conversation in the patrol car last night. For me, it was Ben, my beagle as a kid. 25 years later and I still choke a little sometimes looking at pictures. They just get under your skin some times.

As for this family, my wife would our own Noah's ark if I let her and she gets terribly attached to all of them. We just had a full dress funeral for a "Pete", a Cockatiel (sp) Monday

[Mack811]

Jay,
As you can see you are not alone in feeling the way you do. I have a soft spot for critters myself and am not ashamed to say that I have shed a tear over the loss of a dog. As I write this my 8 year old Rottie is lying next to me. I've had her since she was born and there is a special bond between us, she is our "fur child". I will be heartbroken when the time comes but I know that she has had the best life possible and I will not allow her to suffer. No shame in being human and having feelings brother, we have to maintain the crusty exterior at work most times but you are among friends here. I think God appreciates those that care for children and animals.

[Mitzi]

I still tear up over the loss of my childhood job, Frisky. When I was around 10, my Dad caught her in the house and beat her in front of me. It was horrifying and it only stopped when I jumped on his back and started screwaming and hitting him. TO him, an animal was an animal. I don't think a part of me has ever forgive him and that was 43 years ago. I sat up with her all night, her whimpering and crying, taking care of her the best I could. My Dad even apologized to me but I would hear none of it. He never touched her agan and she stayed in the house afte that. But she was always with me. I was so heartbroken when she died when I was 16.
Now it's my Mitzi....Yep, I took her name....lol.....Even my H sayss she's just so special. She's so smart and loving. I just dread the day I lose her. Life honestly will never be the same for me.....She's my baby. I ALWAYS swear I won't get antoehr animal and here I am with two yorkies and a cat. The male yorkie is more my H's dog but he's a cute, sweet, funny BIG guy.
And my Dad? He owns 2 rat terriers he wouldn't give up for the world. I like to think that maybe Frisky taught him love of animals when he saw how much I loved her.

[Snoopy1]

I have a chihuahua, age 13, that I got when he was just a few weeks old. He likes to snuggle up against me when I watch TV and sleep on my bed at night. He doesn't really have any problems yet but I can see he is beginning to slow down the way people do. Sometimes when he tries to jump up on the sofa he doesn't quite make it and lands on the floor. He sleeps more than he did a couple of years ago, and when the mail arrives he just doesn't run to the front door barking with the same old enthusiasm. I hope when his time comes I just wake up one morning and find him dead, but if he gets something painful I will have him put to sleep. It is the kindest thing a person can do for a pet sometimes.