[knowthebattle]

This sucks, It really does. I'm having to put my dog down tomorrow and I can't sleep...it's 1 in the morning and all I can do is think about it. To me, she's been my companion, but more like a...I hate to love you type thing. She's always been standoffish, but not due to anything, just....anti-social Natalya. But she is my girl. I got her from the shelter when she was just 1 yrs old, I think. Honestly, I don't know how old she was when I got her. But I've had her for 12.5 yrs.

This just sucks. But it's the right thing to do. She's got renal issues, thyroid issues, a softball tumor on her throat, seizures (thank you Kepra), and now her skin is so bad she's just ripping it out all the time. I just got a glimpse of her belly today and it's bald and red. Like her skin is being attacked. We've done 4 courses of antibiotics and Epoqel, but it's still there. And now she is missing major patches of fur all over.

It's the right thing to do. But it doesn't make it any harder. Sometimes she acts like a puppy, running out the door into the backyard to play with the other dogs. But most of the time she hardly moves, and groans when she lays down. Hell I still remember our first day in the house, she ran around so much outside that she forgot she was 12.5 and got a full blown leg cramp. I'm talking down and out, on the floor screaming in pain, the world is ending and this is it. I massaged her legs till she felt better. Even though she hated it. This dog hates attention so much, that if you pet her for longer than 30 seconds she gets up and walks away. To put it best, she's a bitch, no pun intended.

She lost her best friend 7 years ago. Phoebe the boxer. Brain tumor took her unfortunately and she had to be put down. They used to go running and playing at the beach when we lived in South Carolina all the time. The cuddled nonstop. I'm talking they would lay in the crate together all the time or on the dog bed, just always hanging out. They'll get to meet up again.


A COMMON SIGHTING

Damnit look at that now I'm crying again. Don't think she hasn't had a good life. She saw the entire USA. Drove from MA to CA when my wife moved out to be with me. Saw the Bavarian Alps and Neuschwanstein castle while I was stationed in Vilseck Germany for 4 years. It was a training base so tanks and artillery were constantly going off. I'm talking sometimes it sounded like it was a block away. But it never bothered her. I knew something was wrong when she was losing her shit every thunderstorm here in FL. Another reason we are doing it now before the rainy season starts. It's already beginning to rain..


So long old girl. It's been a fun ride.

[Kyngofpop]

Aw man, my heart breaks for you, your family, and your companion so much .

If you'll see my posts, I too had to go thru this a few months ago with my 19 yr old blind and deaf Kenzie (RIP).

I held on a bit too long when I knew three years earlier that it was....time ;( so I totally understand the gut hurting pain that you're going thru man....oh man do I ever know it.

Natalya is in a much better place than here and know you kept her thru all that you could and she endured enough to keep you happy here on earth. Trust me, she's waiting for you...as is my Kenzie.

RIP Natalya ;(

[Dang3r]

I feel for you man, stay strong and believe into your good intention not to elongate the pain for your pet.
Take your time for grief and get some rest, time will ease the pain slowly.

[Lucky John]

You're doing the right thing. There is no cure but you can save her from all the pain she is in now. Stay with her until the end and know she will reconnect with her old friend on the other side. You gave her a great life for 11.5 years, all of that she may have never seen. When I finally put Bear down last month I was a wreck and there is nothing wrong with being upset. You've done everything you can and sometimes it is just their time. Godspeed, John

[DETRoadster]

Stay strong. You are doing the right thing for her. Keep your friends and family close and lean on them for support. It's going to be the toughest couple days but it will start getting better!

[kscarrol]

Totally understand this. Had to put down our Jake right before Christmas. It sucks balls, a terrible feeling but as others point out it is the right thing to do when the dog is suffering.

[2000cs]

Very sad day for you. I want to comfort you but all I’ve got is what you already know - it is the right thing to do. Just doesn’t make it any easier or better.

You do have great memories with her; those will stay and this will fade I hope.

[RickFLM4]

Very sorry to hear. It is a terrible thing t deal with but as others noted you are clearly doing the right thing for her.

[UncleWede]

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showp...&postcount=161

Copied from the Pet Thread. They are waiting patiently for you to come home.

[Now_Rudi]

So sorry to hear brother. Doing the right thing is not always easy.

[happyjack]

sorry for your loss. i just had to put down our old chocolate lab 2 weeks ago. she was a shelter dog too and was very stand-offish when we first got her. eventually grew to trust us and became quite the cuddler. was awful to see her go, but it was her time and we didnt want her to suffer.

this was a pic i snapped on her last night with us...

[The Libertine]

So very sorry to read this, and my thoughts go out to you.

It’s not easy saying goodbye to a faithful pet - I think it’s one of the hardest things to do, actually. But throughout its life, you always had your dogs best interests at heart, and relieving it’s pain is part of that role. Be grateful for the love shared and time spent. Nothing anyone of us write can take away your sadness; however, consider this quote by Anatole France: “Until one has loved an animal a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” I believe this with all my heart. Your dog gave you a gift that will transcend its time on earth, and that you will take with you wherever you go. Again, I extend my sympathies to you.

[eluded]

Sorry. I lost my 12.5 year old corgi in June. Still hurts like hell. Prayers.

[knowthebattle]

Yup, this is horrible. The silence and her presence being gone is so hard. I know it was the right thing, but I still miss that ol' girl. I gave her the best life I could. I love her regardless of her...Natalya-isms.

She was always around, she was a part of my every thought and decision. Every major decision I had her best wishes at heart. The reason I have a house and not a condo. I still have 2 other dogs, and I know I need to be strong for them.

This is just a part of it. I know that she's off now playing with her friend. It's kinda interesting, it's almost 7 years to the day that Phoebe was put down. Probably back down in Folly Beach chasing seagulls and seashells.

[Ross61]

I hear you.

About four weeks ago I had to put down One-Eye Madaline (a Brittany with one eye "patch"). Had her since she was 10 weeks old (got her for a discount because of her markings and not showing strong Brittany traits). Drove t=2.5 hours after picking her up and never an accident in the [new] GTO. Where I went, she went. When I went hunting for two weeks, she was at the door waiting for me whimpering. In later years she just lay at the front door as though it were her bed.

She was the Puppy Girl though would not stay next to/up against you unless you were petting her.

Her demise was a tumor in the diaphragm which eventually didn't allow her to breath (she was slowly choking to death). Her breathing was show laboured and and raspy it would wake us at night (she slept in our room). The right decision was still hard.


When she was finally gone the room was too quiet. Then we cried.

And I cried.

And cried.

[tuco44]

So sorry to hear.....it's one of the toughest things you ever have to do.....been there.