The “Water Cooler” is a feature on Claycord.com where we ask you a question or provide a topic, and you talk about it.
The “Water Cooler” will be up Monday-Friday at noon.
Today’s question:
Have you ever euthanized a pet? How difficult was the decision, and do you still think about that pet?
Talk about it….
43 comments
Two dogs and a cat and I think about them all the time. The first was at least 15 years ago and was the hardest (my first pet as an adult) but he was 10 years old with bad hips and in pain which made my decision easier. It was so hard to live alone after taking him everywhere for 10 years, but I didn’t want to go through that again. Took a few years to get another pet.
I’m going through it right now. Our dog has deteriorating nervous system in his lower area that recently cause his colon to stop working. We’ve (the vet included) tried everything to stimulate a bowel movement. He’s unable to defecate. The vet doesn’t think he will survive a surgery or if he does that it would even help. He is struggling and is in pain. My entire family is heart broken and we know the right thing to do.
I am sorry to hear about your dog.
Unfortunately yes and it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Best dog in the world I still cry every time I think about her or see a dog that looks like her. We both knew it was time still letting go was hard. I held her long after her last breath………..I will never forget her.
🙁
Had a similar experience. Put dog down in Clayton park where it was peaceful. Still think of my dog after a dozen years.
Yes twice. One cat was 14 years old with kidney failure, the other cat was 13 with cancer. The worse part was watching them suffer before I could take them to the vet. It wasn’t a difficult decision because they were suffering so much, but at the same time it was heartbreaking.
Even though I now have another cat, I still think about them from time to time and I miss their antics. Realizing that the day will come as the cat I have now gets older and she will have to be put down too is disheartening.
It must be tough on a vet to have this as part of their job.
I wish there was a better way it is the worst thing to go through. To put down a loyal, loving dog that has no idea what is being done.
One of the worst experiences of my life. I had my cat euthanized. I had always been told they inject a sedative prior 1: to calm them and 2: because the final shot into the heart is painful. My cat was fine until the doctor walked in. I didn’t know which doctor was going to do it and it turned out to be a doctor she absolutely HATED. He was clearly not a cat person and she knew it. Very rough with her in past visits. She got very tense as he held her then did what I thought was the first injection. She let out a small scream and started to sink to the table. I said “that’s the sedative, right?” And he said very flippantly “Nope, that’s it”. I just stood there shocked. I think I asked him why but I can’t really remember after that. It breaks my heart that I made her go this way. She was purring all the way up until he walked in the room. Think about her all the time. She was my buddy.
That’s horrible, I’m so sorry that happened to you. They always give a sedative first.
I say let them go easily, but the interesting thing about this train of thought is that my sister held these same ideas until she entered the Veterinarian profession. She got her vet tech license and is now a hospital administrator and she no longer euthanizes her pets and allows them to die naturally if not in pain. It’s a miserably long experience, but with her education, I trust her. However, everybody should do what is right for the animal and the family.
Did your sister say why she feels this way? Is there something about the process she learned about to turn her against euthanasia?
Our late dog Titus deteriorated rapidly following a recurrence of cancer. He had stopped eating – one of his favorite things to do. The look in his eyes told us it was time to go. He peacefully and painlessly passed in Concord SAGE’s comfort room on a very early Sunday morning. We were at peace with the event, as it was the right decision for Titus. He was a large dog and nearly 14.5 years of age. We lived a glorious life with him.
I terribly mourned for Titus for the next 5 months. This in spite of adopting dogs Sid (on the Tues following Titus’ passing) and Lexi (one month later). I feel Titus’ presence around me every day.
It was both an easy decision and a difficult thing to do. Everybody wants to think their pet might pass away peacefully in their sleep or something – that almost never happens – dying is painful and scary for the pet, and disturbing for the humans to witness.
Yes, in 1997 our Akita (Keiko 9yrs.) stomach turn upside down,and rusher her to SAGE. Surgery was going to be $3000 and her heart was bad, plus her quality of life would be poor.,…meds would have been $400 a month for life.
Then 2 years ago our cat (Sage 19yrs.), going blind with kidney failure, under 5 lbs. and started walk like a drunk,…we knew it was time. We loved them both and got love in return. One of these day, another critter will come into our life and be a part of the family. 🙂
Same here Mrs Roz…just gonna take time. Very hard to live with a friend for 19 years and not even get to say bye. 🙁
I suggest home euthanasia. I took this route and will do so in the future. No putting your pet in a carrier, no trip to a strange place as their last experience, no cold steel table. It’s more expensive but after the deed was done I thought to myself I would have paid more, because of the lack of stress.
I agree. My 16-1/2 year old Shepard mix is getting to that age, and she absolutely hates going to the vet. I have friends that have used this home service and they were – as much as one can be – happy with the service.
When I put my 160# lapdog Rottweiler down due to cancer our vet
was awesome. He came to the house and we put Roque down at
his favorite spot in the yard. Vet has since retired.R.I.P. all beloved
pets………………..
I have had to euthanize four dogs since becoming an adult. Two were due to cancer and two due to arthritis and spondylosis that I could no longer control the pain. It was one of the hardest decisions and things I had to do. You question yourself on whether it is time. Looking back at the last two that I had videos of and realized that they weren’t doing well. So it was the right decision. I was there during the procedure and cried my eyes out. My last dog was my heart dog and it has been four years since he died. I miss the other three, but I miss him so much.
I had my 7 year-old cat euthanized 5 years ago. The vet discovered a tumor under her tongue and removed it, but the tongue became necrotic. My cat couldn’t eat or drink because she couldn’t move her tongue. She was in good spirits. We had the vet come to our house.
Last month, my 9 year-old dog collapsed. He had been very healthy and strong up to that point. We rushed him to SAGE and found out he had a tumor on his heart that was causing the pericardium to fill with fluid, making it difficult for him to breathe. The vet drained the fluid, but it came back right away. We sat with him in the comfort room and then had him euthanized. He was happy to be with us. It was heartbreaking and difficult because his loss was so sudden.
Ah yes …. our dogs and cats. Little 15 year time bombs of tragedy just waiting to go off…. it’s always heartbreaking.
I saw a movie called “A Dogs Purpose” about a dog’s many lives as he/she lives and passes away and comes back, reborn as a new, different puppy each time.
A real tear jerker of a movie but kind of comforting too, to think of your pet reborn and loving life again.
Watch it.
That movie made me cry my eyes out.
My Daughter won’t watch the movie, because there was a older puppy up for adoption, which she adopted,… she felt like it was our family dog reborn. Three weeks later, the people who gave up the pup, wanted it back and she had to return the pup. But while living in Porta Rico for 2 years, she and her Husband rescued a litter of pups from side of the road (yes, people there do that), and they found homes for all and one for them. Happy Ending.
I was calling my vet last summer to arrange it but my sweet dog passed on her own in her sleep. I think of it as her last gift to me, I think about her a lot, I love and miss her every day. I still have another dog who misses her very much, and when he’s gone I think I’m going to not be a pet owner for a while. I knew it would be hard, but it was a lot worse than I expected.
You were lucky, it was a gift.
Yes. Unfortunately happened to my baby girl one month ago. The hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. She was my best friend for the last eight years and went everywhere with me. It’s a totally different feeling knowing she’s not beside me or wanting to play fetch. I think about her everyday. Picking up her ashes was very tough and not hearing her bark breaks my heart. I don’t wish this upon anyone. The pain doesn’t go away, you slowly learn to live with it.
I’m so sorry for your loss Ryan 😥
I hear ya. After 12 years, I still have my dogs ashes
I can’t even get through these stories, let alone a movie. Yeah, it hurts.
Yes. Several times. The last was the worst. Still can’t think about it, let alone talk about it. Don’t want to ever have to do that again.
I can say this much, I’ve had cats that died at home peacefully in their sleep and I much prefer it. Alrhough it doesn’t make the loss any less painful, I think the cats preferred it that way, too.
Yes, AND I HATE MYSELF FOR IT!! It has been 8 months since and I feel that I failed her!! The most difficult decision and the one I regret the most!! In this world where people are aggressive towards others and I constantly fear for my safety, it was nice getting back to the house and seeing her waiting for me at the foot of the stairs with a big smile, always ready to lick me and wagging her tail. Most often than not I wish dogs and other animals could talk so they can tell us what their wishes are. Every one of my pets has been, to me, especial in their own way. I miss them all!
I had to have our family cat put down about ten years ago due to liver failure. Last year we we’re going to put our dear sweet cat Bella who had diabetes issues but she passed away in her sleep. Everyday I think about my departed pets. Currently I have a dog and a cat. Hopefully they will be around for a long time.
There was a place on Ygnacio Valley Road near Main Street, I think it was called Pets Eternal Rest. When the time came to let go of my 17 year old Cat, I went there. It was very peaceful and the Veterinarian was so kind. Much better than a crowded, noisy Pet Hospital. Unfortunately, it’s no longer there.
Moved to 3rd.
They make house calls.
Yes, a few times. And of course, it was heartbreaking each time, but I felt good about ending their suffering and in the last case, arranging for someone to come to our house, so it was even more peaceful and moving. And yes, I think about all the lost pets in my life.
Pee Wee. A Cairn terrier (think Toto in the Wizard of Oz).
Got her when she was a pup and had to put her down when she was 16.
Needed a shot of whisky for a bracer before going to the vet.
Even the vet cried.
Still have her picture on the bookshelf.
Several years ago I had to euthanize our 8 year old dog. It was as a horrible decision to make. I took her to Sage in Dublin for a consultation because two vets couldn’t figure out what was wrong with her. They thought it was a brain infection, with irreversible neurological damage.
Because the distance to Dublin was long, I had to endure this by myself, I wish my family could have been there to say goodbye.
The staff was nice. The comfort room was nice with low lighting. We were given time together before the procedure. I sat with her on the floor the whole time. First the sedative, then when we was ready, the final shot. It was so quick and peaceful. Her birthday just past this month, we still think of er a lot.
I don’t think I will ever own a dog again. The lose was too painful.
I’m crying now, I hope I didn’t make any mistakes, because I can barely see the screen now. RIP Roxie
It’s ironic that you are asking this question today. Three years ago today I had to put my 13 year old horse to sleep. It was the hardest decision I have ever had to make but it was also very difficult seeing him in so much pain every day. I think about him almost every day.
I lost my 3 cats within 6 months . I was very sad. I had their remains cremated and ashes spread at the pet cemetery in Napa county. It’s a beautiful peaceful place. I’ve visited a couple of times to sit a miss my little friends.
Yes, we lost out previous two within 6 months, too. It was terribly sad. Their ashes were buried in a little sitting garden we have that they loved (and our current two do, too). We have stone markers with their names, so we always feel close to them. And there is something nice seeing our two cats play there now, with the markers of their predecessors present. I remember and miss every little creature I’ve shared time with – even the goldfish! Life is precious.
Yes, twice. I had a cat with diabetes and a dog with kidney failure. Two of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, even though I knew both times I was doing the right thing.
It sucks, I held him (my cat) until his last breath, #$%k, it sucks! There was doubt if I did the right thing, but when the Vet says, “You’re not doing the wrong thing, He’s already on Deaths door”….?
We just went through this Wednesday.
Genevieve (Gigi), our 15yo lab mix wasn’t doing well.
She lost the use of her rear legs a few weeks ago, and then the fronts last weekend.
Her demeanor changed & we knew it was time.
One of the hardest things our family has ever done.
I highly recommend pets Eternal Rest in WC.
Cheryl came out, was 100% professional & explained everything. She gave us private time & we all were with her when she left for the dog park in the sky.
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