I lost two dogs recently. One died during the night before we were ready to put her to sleep. The other, I took to the vet and held him as he quietly went to sleep. There are no easy answers. Both were terribly painful. The first, because she died alone, at the foot of the staircase probably wondering where I was. The second, because he could have lived a few more weeks or months. Don't feel any guilt, but the hurt doesn't go away, it just gets a little easier each day.

that is really a shame, but as everyone has said, you did the right thing. As the caring person for your doggie, you were responsible for making the right decision for your dog. It takes a very strong person to do what you did.

On another note... any pictures of your doggie you want to share?

Might be interesting to some:
http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/fotog...-a-842749.html

(in German)

Interesting article...

(But given the reason these picture are being taken, perhaps this should be a thread of it's own...)

I fetched my Lady's ashes yesterday.
This is one of my favourites, she was waiting for a ball to be thrown. She used to love playing in the snow!

Your Lady was very cute! thanks for sharing her picture, the best you have are those wonderful memories, that's what keep them alive in our hearts!

I am so sorry for you. But I think you did the right thing because she was most probably suffering. It is okay to feel a bit guilty but you did the right thing and belive me its better for her and for you because you don't have to see her suffering.

Hello.
I have also had to put my little girl to sleep some days ago. Just wanted to tell you I also feel guilty. The vet was great and told us we could try different things to keep her alive some more days, but she was not going to recover and it would only make her spend her last days away from home, sadly and suffering. So we decided to stop at that point, but it makes us feel really awful, although we know it was the best for her.
We are also composing a photo album for her.


Warm regards and all the best for you.

I was going to comment on my own experience but all I could come up is:

I am so sorry for your loss. I completely understand how it made you feel. On the 14th September 2000 I made the decision to have my border collie dog Paddy put down.

The big problem was on the day of the dreaded appointment, he looked more alert. The thought that I had made the decision too early and that what if he was picking up, which was ridiculous, considering he had gone blind and was falling about was enough to completely overwhelm me with guilt. So guilty in fact, I have never been brave enough to share my life with another dog.

I hope you know you have done the right thing and that your lady was very lucky to have such a compassionate companion looking after her.

Gal x

That was the worst thing about putting our boxer to sleep a few years ago. She was a walking skeleton and could barely stand most of the time, but the time we took her to the vet my girlfriend came with me for moral support and she was so excited to see her that she started waging her tail and almost jumping. Second thoughts don't even begin to describe it. I knew we were doing the right thing, but the walk to the appointment felt like such a betrayal. Ugh...

You have done the right thing for Lady, she was suffering and in pain and the kindest thing you could do was easing her pain.

The hurt you are feeling is normal, its now 4 years since we put our Jessie to sleep and i still find myself crying about her.

I am truely sorry for your loss

I'm very sorry Black2 - I hope you are finding comfort knowing that you gave your girl a wonderful life. My condolences to you and your family at this difficult time.


Frsco, Galatea, Russkov, Itzoe - and all who have lost a beloved friend - cherish the memories of the good times shared.