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08-18-2009, 01:20 AM | #1 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lenexa, KS, USA
Posts: 107
| How to muster the strength to let go??? Hi. Some of you might have read my posts over the last year regarding my beloved Chewy and how he circles all his waking hours. He is 15 yo (be 16 in November) and he still circles and has been for a year now. The vet has determined his problems are neuro-related. I won't bore you with all the details, but my poor baby is just falling apart (no strength to stand to eat and poop, frequent accidents in the house and even while he's circling, unusual sleep patterns (up all night and sleeps all day), etc. However, he still eats and drinks and isn't in any pain; which is why I've let this go on (even though the Vet says "he wouldn't have let it go one this long). The reason for my post is: How do you muster the strength to do the right thing and let him go? I feel like I'm giving up on him and even murdering him by euthanizing him. How do I know Chewy is okay with this and ready to let go too? I'm a Christian and I've been struggling with the commandment of "Thou Shall Not Kill"...do you think God is including euthanizing a pet due to him not living a happy-dog's life anymore?? I certainly appreciate your advice, comments, stories... |
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08-18-2009, 01:38 AM | #2 | |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,421
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Good Luck with your decision. Just follow your heart. You will know when it's time.
__________________ Shaunna with Missy (my princess) & Dora (my tomboy) | |
08-18-2009, 01:50 AM | #3 | |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lenexa, KS, USA
Posts: 107
| Quote:
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08-18-2009, 01:55 AM | #4 |
Banning Thread Dictator Donating Member | No one knows when it's time but you, the one who has loved him through good times and bad for his entire life. You'll know by looking in his eyes when the pain of living has become too much. In the wild, nature makes that decision. But we took them out of nature, so we inherit the responsibility of stopping the suffering when there's nothing else we can do for them. It is not an easy decision, but you'll know when it's time. My heart aches for you. Just know that he will never really leave you. You'll have memories to last a lifetime.
__________________ Mike ~ Doting Dad to Jillie, Harper, Molly, Cooper, Eddie (RIP), Lucy (RIP), Rusty (RIP) and Jack (RIP). Check us out on YouTube |
08-18-2009, 02:04 AM | #5 | |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lenexa, KS, USA
Posts: 107
| Quote:
Beautifully put. Thanks for helping make some sense out of such a difficult situation. | |
08-18-2009, 03:32 AM | #6 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: TX
Posts: 3,358
| Two good pieces of advice already given. There's nothing I can add except to listen to him, he'll tell you when it's time. But you've got to be open to hearing him say it. You don't want him to suffer and keep him around just so that you don't have to loose him. It's one of the hardest decisions you'll make, but as a pet owner one we must be willing to make. They've given us their heart and trust us to watch over them, we can't let them down when they need us the most. It's never easy, but often doing the right thing isn't. Just remember all the love & fun you've had together. Come here and share as many stories as you want, it helped me to heal when I had to make that decision for Annie a year and a half ago.
__________________ If you think dogs can't count, put 3 biscuits in your pocket, then give him only 2. Gracie Ruth & Boo & Yogi & RIP Annie B. & Bonnie Lane |
08-18-2009, 04:25 AM | #7 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mesa, Arizona
Posts: 313
| You Will Make the Right Decision Any decision made in love is the right decision. It is always so very difficult and many of us have made it more than once. In the end, the pain goes away and warm, cherished memories, flood your heart. You'll have some tough days ahead even though you've made a good choice for your boy. It's all part of the journey with our pets. He knows he's been loved and well cared for, I truly see this as the final act of love we share with our beloved pets. We allow them to go peacefully and with dignity. You are not alone. Come here for care and support. We'll get you through this difficult time. |
08-18-2009, 04:33 AM | #8 | |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cairo, Egypt
Posts: 192
| Quote:
Vivian | |
08-18-2009, 05:11 AM | #9 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Connecticut
Posts: 1,306
| You'll know when to make the right decision I put down our beloved cat Ginger in December 2000. She was 16 years old. She got so sick so quickly . . .she stopped eating, she slept all the time . . .I sat with her one day and I talked with her and told her that it was ok to let go . . .that I loved her . . .You'll just know when it is time . . they have this look . . .like they've lost their spirit . . .its hard to describe . . .but I knew it was time when she just looked empty . . .It was the hardest thing to do . . .but I knew she'd be in a better place and not be sick . . . Many hugs to you!
__________________ Deb, Mommy to: Brody & Rhianna Belle |
08-18-2009, 05:25 AM | #10 |
Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,317
| My Lady is almost 14 and I know how you feel. I am terrified of having to make that decision when the time comes. This is a wonderful poem: The Last Battle If it should be that I grow frail and weak And pain should keep me from my sleep, Then will you do what must be done, For this -- the last battle -- can't be won. You will be sad I understand, But don't let grief then stay your hand, For on this day, more than the rest, Your love and friendship must stand the test. We have had so many happy years, You wouldn't want me to suffer so. When the time comes, please, let me go. Take me to where to my needs they'll tend, Only, stay with me till the end And hold me firm and speak to me Until my eyes no longer see. I know in time you will agree It is a kindness you do to me. Although my tail its last has waved, From pain and suffering I have been saved. Don't grieve that it must be you Who has to decide this thing to do; We've been so close -- we two -- these years, Don't let your heart hold any tears. -- Unknown |
08-18-2009, 05:57 AM | #12 |
No Longer A Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NEW YORK
Posts: 16,218
| I truly understand how hard it is to make such a decision. However, think of the quality of life your pet has and if you would want to live this way. Think of how he used to be as to how he is now. We make decisions in their best interest all their lives to keep them well and happy. When the time comes that they no longer have a quality to their lives, even tho they are not in pain, it is up to us, as their caretaker's, to make it better for them. When you feel this in your heart you will know it is the right time. You will remember the wonderful memories the two of you made, these memories will bring you comfort. Remember your beloved pet will once again be whole and healthy when he get's to Rainbow bridge. May that image get you through this most difficult time. Hugs, |
08-18-2009, 05:58 AM | #13 | |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Connecticut
Posts: 759
| Quote:
__________________ Mom to Piper & Chipper | |
08-18-2009, 08:57 AM | #14 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan USA
Posts: 3,317
| I am so sorry for what yu are going through. We have felt your pain. We had to put down our yorkie "Baby" who was 15 years old. She had always been so active and enjoyed sailing with us every week-end. Her sight was going, her potty habits could no longer be controlled and at night when she sept with us we could hear a low moan when she changed positions. It was time. It hurt beyond words but for Baby's sake we had to let go. I held her all the way to the vets and my husband, bless his big heart, held her, told her what a god dog she was and stroked her for several minutes after the shot and after her heart had stopped. If we had not done the right thing for Baby we would have only been thinking of ourselves. Baby lives on in our hearts forever but is now sleeping in peace with no pain. God Bless you and Chewy and take solace in the fact that Chewy loves you and will be at peace with no pain. |
08-18-2009, 09:46 AM | #15 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maui, Hawaii
Posts: 7,740
| What a lucky little guy Chewy is, to have enjoyed almost 16 years of life! You must have so many wonderful memories of him thru the years. Hold on to those now, as you try to know the right time to let him rest in peace. That will be your final gift to him, and I DO believe ending suffering when quality of life is so diminished is a gift. I've only had to make that decision once before, and may face it again as my 14 year old Schnauzer reaches his end. It is a tough one, but I agree that you will know when, and it's ok. May God be with you. And, LadyMom, your poem is so priceless, I'm printing it for future reference, just in case I need strength too someday.
__________________ SANDY, MOM TO TIKI , KAYLA , KARLEE , R.I.P. MEIKA |
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