SLATE: When Should You Put Your Dog Down?

[sherri]

When the bad days out number the good, it's time.

[Omega]

I too recently had to put down my best friend, Onyx; and as others have said, it was the hardest thing I've had to do so far in my life.

However, those of us who have said it was the hardest thing we’ve had to do shows we have been lucky so far in our lives.

I can't imagine what it would be like to lose a child

[panda]

As owners its difficult to come to terms with but when "the light goes out of their eyes" that is the time. Sometimes a friend will tell you, or a good Vet will say the time has come. All the same its such a painful decision, but a great release for your dearest friend.

Anne and JoJo

[trackermom]

Reading through all of these posts this poem kept flowing through my mind, thanks for posting it here...

Originally Posted by mmgy

If y'all don't mind, I'd like to post this here as well as the Rainbow Bridge. I'd like to see the two together: an essay for the mind, and a poem for the heart.
******************************
May I Go?

May I go now?
Do you think the time is right?
May I say goodbye to pain filled days
and endless lonely nights?

I've lived my life and done my best,
an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond
and set my spirit free?

I didn't want to go at first,
I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now
to a warm and living light.

I want to go, I really do.
It's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can
to live just one more day.

To give you time to care for me
and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid,
because I see your tears.

I'll not be far, I promise that,
and hope you'll always know
that my spirit will be close to you
wherever you may go.

Thank you so for loving me.
You know I love you too,
that's why it's hard to say goodbye
and end this life with you.

So hold me now just one more time
and let me hear you say,
because you care so much for me,
you'll let me go today.

Author: Susan A. Jackson

[fifi]

Our first Rott 'Ella' contracted bone cancer in 1993 and her prognosis was grim. As this was our first experience we listened to our vets guidance and she came home was made comfortable and was given strong painkillers. Each time she went for a check-up we asked the vet if he thought it was time etc... and he always replied no. We were going on holiday to Kenya in the April 1994 and again I asked the vet if he felt she was strong enough to go into Kennels, he said she would be fine and had a long way to go yet. Well, she never made it through Kennels and died there. The guy who owned the place was so very kind to her and stayed with her while she 'passed away'. I have lived with the guilt that she wasn't with us at this awful time forever. After that I've always no matter how hard - gone with my own gut instinct on when to PTS. I've taken into account the seriousness of the illness, the happiness, quality of life and age of the dog and then made my decision. Its never easy and one feels like your playing god but if its the last kind thing I can do for my furry friends - then thats what I have to do.

[Judi W]

You are not playing god, but being a good and kind master. It is cruel to see how long you can keep a dog "alive" and the dogs deserve better than that. They have been loyal and brave all their lives and deserve a brave, not a selfish master at the end.

[rottgirl]

Thank you for both post, this really brought tears to my eyes, I lost my rottie (Snickers) 2 months ago, however, I did not have to make the decision to put her down - she went into shock in recovery after surgery, I don't think I was ready to let her go but I knew in my heart going in might be her time. - she had lost that look in her eyes and spring in her step. However,Snicks went out with dignity --NO REGRETS!!!