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I really didn't mind taking my dog out to pee 3 or 4 times a night, and carrying her up the steps and back into the house and always having to lift her up onto the bed or chair because I loved my dog and all the joy she had given me for the past 9 plus years. It's my wife that seemed to be inconvenienced by a pet with a bad valve in an enlarged heart that was filling her with fluid. I really couldn't tell if she was suffering or not but just the fact she would not eat and seemed to have difficulty laying down, sent a message that maybe it was time. Wife thought I was mad at her because it was her idea but I just told her I had trouble letting go.
I asked myself many times, if the dog could talk, would she want to live like that? Sometimes I think not. It was often difficult to get her pills into her, then other times I think she would rather just be with us so I dunno.
I kinda wish I could be 100 percent sure that she was in heaven but I think that's where faith comes in. My faith is marginal at best but I think it's because I always want things to go my way and of course it doesn't. It doesn't for everybody as far as that goes. Ahh well, can't bring my little girl back but I still have many, many, very fond memories of her!
Seeing her big eyes look at me for the last time when I said goodbye, I can't seem to get this picture out of my head. God that hurts. Ahh well
I asked myself many times, if the dog could talk, would she want to live like that? Sometimes I think not. It was often difficult to get her pills into her, then other times I think she would rather just be with us so I dunno.
I kinda wish I could be 100 percent sure that she was in heaven but I think that's where faith comes in. My faith is marginal at best but I think it's because I always want things to go my way and of course it doesn't. It doesn't for everybody as far as that goes. Ahh well, can't bring my little girl back but I still have many, many, very fond memories of her!
Seeing her big eyes look at me for the last time when I said goodbye, I can't seem to get this picture out of my head. God that hurts. Ahh well
Replies
I don\'t believe people who think that Dog\'s don\'t go to heaven. Dog\'s are God\'s creatures as well and they are innocent. Even dogs who attack and kill other animals are not doing it to murder but an urge to protect territory or being taught by their owners (I like to think parents) to do so.
There is no blame in this situation at all. Your wife, may be feeling guilty and you may be feeling guilty too. There is no guilt.
The first time I put a dog down, I was in the room with him and he just simply went to sleep. It\'s not hurtful, it\'s not horrible...but it was hard to watch. Yet, at the same time it was nice because he put his head in my lap and I cried and I told him what a good boy he was and how much he had given me and that one day I would see him again and I couldn\'t wait for that day for him to show me around.
My second dog...I will not forgive myself for. We let her go to long...we didn\'t want to let her go because she had been with us the longest. I had her since 4th grade and I was now in college. My friend....sometimes people can\'t handle the truth and see what needs to be done. Sometimes, we don\'t want to admit...it\'s just over.
My female dog was weak, she was thin as hell, and she was clearly not ok. One night I came home and she was gone and my parents took her to the vet and she was put down. I never forgave myself for not being there and not doing it sooner. The thing was, I knew she didn\'t recognize anyone but me in the end and I just envisioned her as being taken in by complete strangers. Yet, I\'m glad it was over...she didn\'t deserve to go on living like that.
My third dog, had cancer. I did all I could do to make him stay alive, pills, cancer pills. My dad was extremely close to the dog and eventually I knew it was just time. I had to tell my father that we either took him in by the end of the week or he would go to work and come home and the dog would be gone. It was time and I wouldn\'t let what happened to dog two happen again. If humans were able to have the same dignity and not suffer...I would offer it to anyone...but we\'re not.
Your dog was probably just sad to know it was over. Not for her...for you and was worried about what would happen with you. That\'s how I always looked at it because as we discussed before, animals KNOW when death is approaching and handie it different than humans do.
This is the normal grief people go through...you lost a family member. Tell yourself that your wife made the right logical choice that hurt the most. Tell yourself you made the most logical choice with trying to help her and it fate just caught up. Again...no one is wrong in the least.
I\'m so very sorry about your furry girl. It\'s so difficult losing a pet, they are our family. I\'m going to tell you a sweet story. Almost a year ago, we came home and went to take our dogs for a walk. Our oldest dog was in her bed and was having difficulty breathing. She was almost eleven but overall seemed to be in good health. We tried to coax her out of bed and she took a few steps but then laid down and was somewhat struggling. We weren\'t quite sure what to do and it was after five so the vet was closed. We decided to walk the other dogs and check on her when we got back. When we returned, there was no change so I thought well it\'s not worse so continue to watch. Then about 45 min later, I had my son check on her and she was still struggling so I called the emergency vet and hubby and son wrapped her in a blanket and took her. I had a feeling that she may not come back so I held her with tears in my eyes and said goodbye and told her to give my angel A.J. a big lick on the face if she was going to go to heaven and be with him. About four minutes later, my husband called from the car crying and said that as they passed my sons accident sight, that our little Ellie, took two gasps and died. Now how is that for wondering if there is something out there greater than us. I know that day that my son welcomed his dog Ellie back to her heavenly home. I\'m sorry to ramble but of course dogs go to heaven. Sending you love. Robin
Pets are very important. I am sorry about your dog and I hope that your wife will come to understand the importance of your pet.
I know what you mean about the last minutes of your dog\'s life. I remember my dog struggling against the needle in his leg too often and not enough of him greeting life with 100% enthusiasm every day for 11 years. The vet finally put him to sleep first with a shot in his back before she administered the final injection. Alls well that ends well. Dear Mo!