NationStates Jolt Archive


Saying goodbye to an old friend.

Wilgrove
09-07-2008, 21:23
So, who here has ever euthanized a beloved pet? Did you do it at the vet office or at home? What were those last moments like as you watch your pet drift off into sleep?

I ask because tomorrow at 8:40am the family dog, a 11 year old Golden Retriever will be euthanized. His health has been declining these past few months and these past few days have been really tough. He hasn't moved from his bed (except for one good day), used the restroom, drink or eat. We were able to sustain him on bread with butter, but he won't even eat that now. So tomorrow is going to be a tough day for my family.

R.I.P
Serria
2007~2008
Anti-Social Darwinism
09-07-2008, 21:32
Last September I had to euthanize my cat Bonnie. She was fourteen and suffering from chronic renal failure. The vet had a room in his office, done up in soothing, muted colors, mostly greens and blues, with comfortable chairs so I could hold her and say goodbye. After which, the tech had an impression made of her paw for me to have as a memento. They arranged the cremation and had her ashes scattered up in the mountains. They had a packet done up, including the following:

http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

which made me cry.
Nanatsu no Tsuki
09-07-2008, 23:18
So, who here has ever euthanized a beloved pet? Did you do it at the vet office or at home? What were those last moments like as you watch your pet drift off into sleep?

I ask because tomorrow at 8:40am the family dog, a 11 year old Golden Retriever will be euthanized. His health has been declining these past few months and these past few days have been really tough. He hasn't moved from his bed (except for one good day), used the restroom, drink or eat. We were able to sustain him on bread with butter, but he won't even eat that now. So tomorrow is going to be a tough day for my family.

R.I.P
Serria
2007~2008

:(
I´m deeply sorry for the loss of your pet, Wil. I have never been through that but I can understand what it feels like to say farewell to a beloved pet. They do become part of the family and are always sorely missed when they´re gone. You have my solidarity in this moment.:)
Conserative Morality
09-07-2008, 23:31
I hope not. But death is natural, and will come sooner or later for my beloved dog Riley.:(
The Plutonian Empire
10-07-2008, 01:07
My condolences to you and your family. :(

This thread just reminds me of my own cat's mortality--he's 14 now.
Neu Leonstein
10-07-2008, 02:36
A few weeks ago, Siska, a 5 year old Ridgeback. Lympho-Sarcoma...we held out as long as was reasonable, and then that was that.
Peepelonia
10-07-2008, 10:24
Yep, when my first rat got ill after having her for four years, I had to put her in a plastic bag and knock her over the head with a hammer, crying all the while.
Hachihyaku
10-07-2008, 10:32
A while ago I had to have my dog put down (she had a terrible heart problem)... and one of my pet rats down (she had a a large tumour)

:(
Hachihyaku
10-07-2008, 10:33
Yep, when my first rat got ill after having her for four years, I had to put her in a plastic bag and knock her over the head with a hammer, crying all the while.

:eek: That sounds rather ... Crude and painful :( and that shocked emote is to cheerful for the topic...
Peepelonia
10-07-2008, 10:40
:eek: That sounds rather ... Crude and painful :( and that shocked emote is to cheerful for the topic...

You say crude and painfull, I say quick and painless.
Hachihyaku
10-07-2008, 11:20
You say crude and painfull, I say quick and painless.

True but it just sounds quiet painful ... Having your head smashed by a hammer until you die? Though if the death of instantaneous...
Peepelonia
10-07-2008, 11:21
True but it just sounds quiet painful ... Having your head smashed by a hammer until you die? Though if the death of instantaneous...

Yeah but we are talking about one tiny little rat here. One good smash and it was all over.
Hachihyaku
10-07-2008, 11:29
Yeah but we are talking about one tiny little rat here. One good smash and it was all over.

Yeah ... :(
Peepelonia
10-07-2008, 11:30
Yeah ... :(

Heh don't be sad, she had a good life and was well loved.
Maineiacs
10-07-2008, 12:44
Alex, our Golden Retriever 1984-1997


http://youtube.com/watch?v=Jxz2wQX3EvA
Hachihyaku
10-07-2008, 12:45
Heh don't be sad, she had a good life and was well loved.

Thats good :)
Hachihyaku
10-07-2008, 12:46
Alex, our Golden Retriever 1984-1997


http://youtube.com/watch?v=Jxz2wQX3EvA

I would watch it but i'm no sure whether i'm allowd on youtube and i better not risk it.
Vault 10
10-07-2008, 14:09
So, who here has ever euthanized a beloved pet? Did you do it at the vet office or at home? What were those last moments like as you watch your pet drift off into sleep?
Never. And I will never do it, unless I'm absolutely confident (assured by two doctors independently) that the pet is in great pain and it has to be done.

Also, I suggest you reconsider. Just think, if you had three days to live... would you like them to be cut to one hour?

And euthanasia isn't instant, it just looks civil. The most common way involves paralyzing the breathing muscles. It's not much better than drowning the pet.

Finally... Look, I could shoot a person if it was necessary. I had training to do so.Probably I even could carry out an execution. But I can't euthanize a pet, or put it under the syringe. It's just not right. Let the dog die on its own. Even if it's in some pain, unless it's extreme, it's better than death. You don't have to kill it yourself. Let the nature take its way on its own.
Lapse
10-07-2008, 14:23
So, who here has ever euthanized a beloved pet? Did you do it at the vet office or at home? What were those last moments like as you watch your pet drift off into sleep?

I ask because tomorrow at 8:40am the family dog, a 11 year old Golden Retriever will be euthanized. His health has been declining these past few months and these past few days have been really tough. He hasn't moved from his bed (except for one good day), used the restroom, drink or eat. We were able to sustain him on bread with butter, but he won't even eat that now. So tomorrow is going to be a tough day for my family.

R.I.P
Serria
2007~2008
I am really sorry mate.

Our pet Lab, Which I grew up with since I was 6 months old was put down when I was 14. It was very sad, but she was that unwell, it was obvious that something had to be done. She had a severe tumour on her throat and couldn't eat. For a dog that enjoyed food so much, and who would have died within the next day anyway I think it was better. I would have prefered that she had died in her sleep, but I look back and am glad she didn't have to suffer any longer than necessary.
She lived a very happy life and was spoilt far more than most dogs. She had daily walks, regular swims and people around her all the time.
Smunkeeville
10-07-2008, 14:30
I had to put Buddy* down a while back. I didn't go with him, my husband took him away and came back without him. I don't handle death well, so it was better to see him go and just assume what happened.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c389/Smunkee/Buddy2.jpg

*Buddy was my 13 year old german shepard/red wolf mix, I only had him the last 5 years, he was abandoned on my porch.
Wilgrove
10-07-2008, 15:03
Welp, we did the deed. He was first put on anesthesia, and after he fell asleep, the vet gave him the lethal dose.

He was a good dog, and I'm glad we had him for as long as we did.

Serria Summer
1997 ~ 2008

(Yes I know that in my OP it says 2007 ~ 2008. That is wrong, he was born on 1997, my bad.)
Hachihyaku
10-07-2008, 15:06
Welp, we did the deed. He was first put on anesthesia, and after he fell asleep, the vet gave him the lethal dose.

He was a good dog, and I'm glad we had him for as long as we did.

Serria Summer
1997 ~ 2008

(Yes I know that in my OP it says 2007 ~ 2008. That is wrong, he was born on 1997, my bad.)

:(
Mujew
10-07-2008, 15:14
I don't know if this means anything, but I live out in a rural area in Central New York, and just a few months ago my dog was hit on a road. His end was rather quick, but I wish he was around to enjoy him more. The sad thing was he wasn't even old; he just loved to wander up and down the road and land. When I saw this thread, I wondered what would be more suffice: having your pet taken out rather quickly and abruptly, or spending the quality time until their hour. You have had your dog for 12 years, but now it suffers. I don't know which one I rather deal with, but all I can say is that I feel for your family and your feelings.