Time to say good bye to a much loved family member

DH and I have made the decision that it's time to say goodbye to our beautiful dog. Since we had the discussion, I burst into tears every time I think about it. He brought it up again this morning and suggested we do it today while DS is in day care and I started to completely freak out. I need more time, so we have decided Thursday. I want time to give her a bath, a good brush and lots of cuddles but I am a complete mess. She is 17.5 years old and we have had her since we were 19 so basically all of my adult life. She is struggling on her back legs now that getting up and down looks like such hard work for her. I have never had to make a decision like this before and it is so hard. As I type this I can barely see the screen through my tears. DH will be taking her to the vet as I just don't think I can do it. we will be having her cremated and I'll make a nice little garden for her out the back. If it's this hard now, I have no idea how I will get through Thursday.

That's so sad, many hugs to you xx.

Regards,
Dianne

It is a very sad time but you have given her an unbelievable 17.5 years. Sometimes what we think is to hard to do is the kindest thing we can do for them. Love her specially over the next 2 days and know she loves you and will no longer be in pain. Many hugs for you and your girl.

I am so sorry :hug:

Oh hun, I can barely see the screen as I'm reading your post :( I am so sorry you're having to make this heart breaking decision, big hugs. I have had to do it myself 2 years ago when I put my beautiful cat whom I had for 14 years to sleep, as she was too sick to keep going, even on drugs. I had Pooky since she was 6 months old. She was my companion when I was single, someone to come home to, to snuggle up to, she was so gorgeous and affectionate. I miss her so much even today. I wish you strength and courage as you say goodbye to your precious doggie. Massive hugs hun, just know that she will no longer suffer and will be fit and heappy and healthy on the other side.

oh wow. reading this post makes me very emotional, but i'm at work so i have to hold it in. i know exactly what you're feeling hun. my doggy was 16 years old, had her since i was 5 years old. i woke up one morning and went to fill her water bowl up outside. she had lost feeling in her right side, and she was just turning around in circles on 2 legs, walking into the brick wall, bashing her head on the floor. i just dropped to my knees screaming in tears. she has no idea where she was, what she was doing, i could see the sadness in her eyes. my heart just felt like it was ripped out and crushed.

i got her into the laundry with a big fluffy blanket, called my mum and we cuddled her for about 5 hours, while hand feeding her/bottle of water. that day was the hardest day of my life so far. knowing that it was time for my little baby to go to doggy heaven. myself, DF and mum were in the room with Missy while she was put to sleep, and i wouldn't have it ANY other way. i wanted to be there with her, and i wanted her to see me for the last time. (oh god i'm crying now) :cry:

the first 2 weeks i was a wreck, i closed all the curtains as i couldn't even LOOK outside as i would just start to bawl my eyes out. i had to sleep with a light on every night. i was scared of going to sleep because i hated the silence and i knew my mind would go crazy. to this day i have still bottled it up. i'm not over it.. and it's been 3 months. i miss her everyday... :(

sorry that i rumbled on. i just wanted you to know you're not alone. and it's going to be really hard hun.. but it does get easier. i am so so sorry you're going through this :hug:

spend as much time as you need with your baby, and say everything that you need to say. give her a kiss on the nose for me :)

:( so sorry. It is so hard saying goodbye to our wonderful pets. No advice, just hugs x

Sorry, I didn't mean to make anyone cry :( We have another dog who is only a year younger than her so unfortunately I can see myself going through this again in the near future. :(
Thank you all for your hugs and thoughts. xx

:hug: I'm so sorry you have to make this decision.

I'm so sorry. :hug::hug:

Oh, hun :comfort: Never a nice decision to have to make. Im so sorry that you have to go through it. Sending you strength and loads of big squishy :hug:

oh I so related to your story just now. We just had to do the same thing last month with one of our dogs. Same thing, she was old and couldn't walk. We thought she'd have to be put down the week that we got home from hospital with DD and I was just an emotional mess. Fortunately, the vet was able to help her and we got another 3 months to be with her. It's never easy saying goodbye to a loved family pet and so many people without pets won't know what you're going through. My MIL didn't say a word the next time she visited and a lot of people asked how our other dog was going (yeah, what about us??). I'm really sorry that you're having to say goodbye. I chickened out at the vet and left DH with our gorgeous girl and the vet as I just couldn't watch. I guess everybody is different. Will be thinking of you on Thursday and sending you lots of strength and love.

I'm so sorry you are going through this. Brings back painful memories of the ones I have lost in the past.
It is so hard to be strong when you know what is coming... but unfortunately, it's the price we pay for the unconditional love that our pets give us for the VERY short time they are with us.
I try to be there for them when they go... so that they can see how much they mean to me. it's not an easy thing to do but I feel as though I owe it to them for being there for me.
Love and hugs to you... it's never easy. Just remember you'll get to see your baby again, fit and healthy and free, when you meet again at Rainbow Bridge...

xxx

:hug:

Oh I'm so sorry :( big big hugs. Losing a pet just freaking sucks.

Gosh I am bawling now. Thinking of you x

We made the appointment this morning. I started bawling as soon as we drove into the car park so DH went in and spoke to them. He didn't make it out without crying.
Booked in tomorrow at 4pm so I am going to be a complete mess all day. Yesterday she was walking around the back yard a lot (we have nearly an acre) and that took a lot out of her. By the time we fed her last night she could barely stand, and she just looks so sad and tired.

I know we have made the right decision, but it doesn't make it any easier.

Will be thinking of you tomorrow Megan... huge hugs...

Much love to you all, including your furbaby for tomorrow, it is never, ever easy, even in the face of certainty. Love is love.

Thinking of you today. Much love to your and your beloved girl.
Hugs

Thinking of you all.

Thinking of you guys today :hug:

Thinking of you hunny.

Thoughts and kindness with you today.

Thank you everyone. I've just spent the last 2 hours with her out the front in the sunshine. Brushed her, gave her lots of cuddles. She's having a sleep now and then I'll spend the last hour with her before DH takes her. He's going to stay with her until she's gone. He doesn't want to (he's struggling as much as i am) but is doing it for me, and for her. When you think there couldn't possibly more tears, out they come.
Trying to explain it to my 3.5yr old has been hard. He has a hundred questions.

Tell your DH to try not to hold anything in when he goes with her. All vets understand and it is okay to let it out. Hugs for you all.

Big hugs. It's always awful to say goodbye. It will be peaceful and she will go with a heart full of love. When she crosses the Rainbow Bridge, there will be lots of other doggies to play with and there will be no more pain.

She's given you a lifetime of love and that will stay with you always.

Thinking of you today as you say good bye to your precious dog.

Many :hug: to you and your family. My parents just had to make the same heart breaking decision on Saturday :( The family dog was 21 years old, totally blind and deaf. There was just no quality of life any more, it was sooo sad. But we knew it was time.
:hug: You are doing the right thing xx

She's gone and I'm heart broken.

Thank you everyone for your lovely words and support the last couple of days. xx

huge hugs Megan - it's never easy saying goodbye to your furbaby

oh hun :hug:... she'll always be with you. lots of love xxx

Just read through all of this today. I am so sorry for your loss, such a heartbreaking decision to make but you will always know you have done the best thing for her. Sending a huge hug to you xo

Massive hugs. :hug: :hug::hug:

Huge :hug: Hope you all made it through the day away. Remember the happy times and know that she knew she was loved to much and loved you in return. Xx

Oh my gosh I have tears flowing for you and your family over the loss of your beautiful furbaby.

May you take comfort in knowing that she is now at rest and she will forever be in your heart.

Im so sorry for your loss. They certainly aren't just pets are they. :hug:

*massive hugs*

:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

:hug:

:hug:

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...

Thinking of you Megan I hope you are doing ok xo