Comments on: A Dog in Boiling Water

By: nilla

nilla — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:44:25 +0000

Oh how this strikes a chord. I had to euthanize my beloved setter 4 years ago…and it was hard. hard. hard. I knew, i knew he was ill. But he was…unaffected? slower, and his eye drooped and …then his “spark” went out. He just…and it happened so fast and there was a HUGE tumor on his chest inside and it was time to make the choice.

I sat on the floor and held that 85 pound dog in my lap and cried and cried. He lifted his head and looked me in the eye. and smiled at me. It was okay. I’d gotten the confirmation from him that it was okay. (sob) (crap. 4 years. I should be over this, right? sob. not)

Hand on her head. eye to eye. ask her. listen with your spirit. she;ll let you know.

hug. verry hard hug.

nilla

By: vanimp

vanimp — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:56:27 +0000

It’s never an easy decision and mine wasn’t either but watching her in pain and struggling and we could see she wasn’t happy anymore made me bite the bullet and do what was one of the hardest things I have had to do in my life. Smash had cataracts which caused problems with her sight, she wasn’t keeping weight on and her health was slowly deteriorating, she couldn’t jump up on her favourite chair and yelped at times because her hips were always sore with arthritis and she had toileting problems. They stay in your heart forever, you will know when the time is right. Listen to her, she will tell you too. I’ll be here for a shoulder if you need one. As many will. xxxx

By: Biddable

Biddable — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:12:59 +0000

Making that decision for a loved one is so very hard. There’s always that optimistic feeling that maybe the next day won’t be so bad, or that some respite or recovery is just around the corner.

I hope that when the time is right, it’s an easy decision.

Long-distance hugs from Canada.

By: swan

swan — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 15:37:38 +0000

We bring pets into our lives, often when they are very small and needing of so much of our care and attention. Over time, they grow and we do too. They become such an integral part of our lives and our days. Always, they depend on our love and our care, and in return, they love us with a devotion that is nearly unequaled. You will know when it is time. Trust your heart. You will walk that last bit of the journey with her because you love her, and it will be a time to celebrate all the good years you’ve shared.

hugs, swan

By: Sanna

Sanna — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:40:30 +0000

I think it’s time to let go, when you’re keeping the dog around for your own benefit, becuase you can’t let go, when her life no longer is worth it – to her.

I don’t know what more to say, so I’ll give you a poem I’ve read (and cried to) many times:

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…

By: subtle slavegirl

subtle slavegirl — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 06:27:28 +0000

Hey chloe, I started a reply a few hours ago and got myself all upset and went and had a cry and now I’m back for take two…maybe…

I used to think about the poodle pup all the time and what we were going to do. Some days he’d fall over a couple of times and couldn’t get up and we’d be struggling to get him up again or he’d hit his head against the wall turning around and I’d be thinking, “Is it time?” But I really don’t know what would of happened if he hadn’t gotten the infection and we had no choice to put him down. If there had been no infection and nothing but the falling over etc. I know I couldn’t have made the decision.

It is such a horrible, horrible thing to have to do and for me, it had to be an ABSOLUTELY NO OTHER CHOICE scenario. This may be a little bit too much information, but we had to hold him down while the vet did his thing and the memory of it it is truly haunting me. Putting an animal to sleep is not something I could even contemplate doing because we had to move house or change jobs. I’d have to find another solution before I ever took the life of a part of my family.

I think you will know when it is time. In your heart, you will know.