Tland Posted May 17, 2006 Posted May 17, 2006 I know this topic isn't necessarily a "coping" issue in a romantic sense, but I post here on LoveShack a little, so I figured I might get some sympathy out there. My wife and I are having to put our Yorkshire Terrier to sleep this week. Gizmo is close to 10-11 years-old (we aren't exactly sure) and his health has progressively gotten worse over the last four years that we've had him. We got him shortly after we married in 2002. He was already 5-6 years old at the time. He had been born the "runt" of the litter for a breeder who had hundreds of dogs. He was abused by other animals and by people (passed around from one family to another to another - constantly rejected). He also had arthritis in his legs since he had been overbred as a stud. We rescued him from that environment and he has lived with us in the midwest for four years. As I said, he has gotten worse and worse, and now he is at the point where it hurts him to walk for long periods of time, to go down the stairs (we often have to carry him down), and he is becoming aggressive toward our one-year-old daughter - because he is always in pain. His skin is also continually itching. Finally, after a long and exhausted discussion, we decided that the best thing to do for him (and our daughter) was to put him to sleep. It is killing me, but we know he needs to or he will suffer much worse. His life expectancy - considering his abuse early on - isn't much longer. But he has lived a good life these last four years. He's been dearly loved. But I am so very sad. We've had some great memories with Gizmo. My wife says it probably has more to do with the fact that I am 26 and have never lost anyone close to me (family) - and she's right. I've been very fortunate. But this is still very hard for me. Any encouragement and prayers and support would be greatly appreciated. Anyone else ever lose a pet? I'd love to hear your stories.
Whitt Posted May 17, 2006 Posted May 17, 2006 Loosing your pet is one of the hardest things that one ever has to go through. And I have lost several people close to me. Just remember that he will no longer be in pain and that he knows you loved him. Think about how much better his life was after coming to live with you and your family.
erika2610 Posted May 17, 2006 Posted May 17, 2006 I lost my cat a few years ago. She was 17 years old. Got her when I was 8 years old. She was my baby. The loss of a pet is so hard.. because they love you unconditionally. I've lost people close to me, but it took me months to get over the loss of my kitty cat. Take comfort in knowing that you made Gizmo's last 4 years of his life the best years of his life..
erika2610 Posted May 17, 2006 Posted May 17, 2006 This also comforts me .. Rainbow Bridge Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author unknown...
Star Gazer Posted May 17, 2006 Posted May 17, 2006 I am so very, very sorry that you're having to go through this. There have been very few moments in my life where I cried so hard that I couldn't breathe, and the loss of our family dog was one of them. It is very, very hard. My heart goes out to you. Try to keep in mind that he will no longer be in pain, that he'll be in a "doggie heaven" playing and happy. Remember that he loves you, and knows that you loved him. Both of your lives were bettered by each other's presence. I am very sorry for your loss.
konfuzd Posted May 17, 2006 Posted May 17, 2006 I'm so sorry to hear of this struggle. I had a toy poodle for 10 years while I was growing up. He also became progressively ill, had some sort of skin condition too where he could not stop licking himself. He couldn't walk further than the corner and back. My family went on vacation, and when we got home the neighbor said that when she had come over to feed him one day, he never moved. I think my mom asked her to take him to the vet to have him put down because she had wanted to do it months prior, but I wouldn't let her. I never found out the real story. Looking back, I hope that she did go the vet route because it is a more peaceful way for them to go. I think it's far better than thinking of him suffering at the end. My thoughts will be with you.
shelters Posted May 17, 2006 Posted May 17, 2006 I lost two cats that I had for 20 years. They both went within a year of the other. The first cat I let pass on her own because I didn't want to play God and decide when she should go. She went on her 3rd day of not eating. It was awful. The second cat I had put down. I had a vet that came to my home. My cat was in my arms the whole time. He gave her a sleepy drug first and then asked if I was ready and then he administered the goods. It was incredibly quick and painless- *much* less suffering than the way my first cat went. It was through these two experiences that I realized just how humane it is to put an animal down. Honestly, humans should have this option... but that is for another thread.
silentcharon Posted May 17, 2006 Posted May 17, 2006 I lost my dog, Taz- a huge golden retriever with boundless energy. Someone poisoned him with antifreeze and I found him seizing one morning, rushed him to the vet. He went into cardiac arrest twice until I told them to let him go, because I didn't want my poor baby to suffer any longer. It was awful.
blind_otter Posted May 17, 2006 Posted May 17, 2006 When I was 19 I was moving into my first solo apartment, from a house I shared with others. There was a week between when my lease ended at the house and when my new lease started, so I slept on the couch at my parents' house. When I was about 12 we rescued a cocker spaniel. My Dad found him starving to death and dehydrated, tied to a tree with a bloody neck. He jumped the fence and stole the dog from his evil owners It took months to nurse him back to health. We named him Kung Fu. Anyways, when I was 19 he was sleeping in the hallway, right near the kitchen (like he always did). I woke up early in the morning because I am a morning person, and he had passed away during the night. I just knew it, looking at him, but I touched him and said his name and he didn't move. I cried a little but he was old and had had a good life. We buried him in the back yard. He is there, to this day, and there are lots of ferns and plants growing over his grave. I have three dogs now, my oldest one is about 12 and her face is gray. She has started having problems walking. I will be sad when she passes away.
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