When to Let Go???? Please Help!!!! ANYONE???
 

Not really a yorkie type situation here but I have yorkies and I love everyone here so I thought I would try for some advice. I have an 18 year old poodle/lhaso apso (sp?) mix female. Her name is Flossie. She was my mothers dog and after my mother passed (when I was young) almost 12 years ago, I brought Flossie home with me. She only weighs around five pounds. Of course her age is getting the best of her. She can't see that great, can't hear and is getting on the senile side. I have made appts. on different occasions to get her put to sleep but I just can't do it. I told the vet. Dr. that I keep praying she will just go to sleep one night and that will be easier. Now, I just don't know that will happen. Since we have recently gotten Jake, our 3 month old Yorkie) she is really starting to go downhill even more. I can't let him near her. He attacks her and she doesn't have a chance. I just don't know how to do this!!! Her quality of life is gone but it is like I want her to stay around as long as possible...I rescued her after I got married. When I left my Dad's house, she couldn't deal with me leaving. She completely lost the hair on her head due to nerves. I gave her a sense of life when I brought her to live with us. I know I need to make a decision but I can't bear with the memories. I feel like I have my Mother's angel here and I don't want to let her go. PLEASE HELP ME HERE!!!!

I am so sorry to hear that you are faced with this heartbreaking decision.Try to think of it as letting her go to be reunited with your Mom and then you will have two angels watching over you. I am not trying to simplify your situation but I have also been faced with this type of dicision and in the end I had to let go because I realized that it was not fair to my dog. I send you my heartfelt wishes that you will do what is right for your sweet dog. Your heart knows what to do..you just have to trust it.

Thanks for quickly responding! I am so in tears right now and looking for advice. It is so hard to say but I think I will honestly be relieved and still very sad at the same time when the time comes. Flossie has no life right now. I keep hanging on to her like my Mom is actually still here somewhat. I just think I am really selfish right now. Jasmine (my 7 year old female yorkie) just loves Flossie and they are two peas in a pod. I know it will have a devastating effect on her as well. Poor Flossie even has the awful smell to her like everything is shutting down or something. : ( : (

Oh sweetie, what a painfull decision for you!!!!! I am so sorry that you are in this situtation. Have you talked with your vet to get their opinion? I know they usually say that it is your decision but about her quality of life. I had to make the same decision two weeks ago but it was an urgent decision. I still second guess myself. Eventhough you really know thing will never get better for them, you still unrealistically hope so. At least that is what I did. Hugs to you!!!

Letting her go will be the hardest thing for you to do . I know , I have had a 14 years old Yorkie named Zsa Zsa . I was very proud of her but one day , she started to be sick and I wanted her to stay alive and well . I went several times to the vet with her , I was crying every times that I came home . The last time she was hospitalized , the vet called me to see her . I took her in my arms but Zsa Zsa had no reactions . I ask the vet to put her to sleep . Zsa Zsa looked at me and I can swear that in her look , she said thank you to me and she had the most beautiful smile in her face .

I never forget the look of happiness she had when she went to Rainbow Bridge .

Thanks a bunch! Flossie has been such a wonderful dog! I know it is time and I keep putting it off. I have never been through such a tough decision in my whole entire life. The vet. wanted to put her on medication a few years ago saying she had little time left. I denied that and said that when it was time, she would go...I would not prolong something that wasn't necessary. Well, she has made it another four years approximately.

Very touching!!!!! Brought tears to my eyes.

Kerrie, My mom died when I was 18 and you would not believe some of the things that I have held onto to keep a part of her alive.Then when my husband died (I was 37) 5 years ago I did the same thing. I have come to realize that they live on in my heart and no matter where I go they will always be with me.This was never so apparent as when we all watched the horror of the hurricanes slamming into the gulf coast. I learned a lot about letting go in the heroic stories of the survivors who lost everything.Your Mom lives on in you and so will your dog. She will give you a sign when to do this...just keep looking for it. Big Hug to you :aimeeyork

Kerri, I am so sorry to hear about your aging friend. Sounds like Flossie is a grreat one. When I asked that same question to my vet concerning my first yorkie (she had a terminal brain condition) his answer was always -- Laciebug will tell you when it's time. Just listen with your heart and you will know.

I am in tears..... for you and for my long ago lost Lacie.

Hugs and good luck...

Kerri, I am so sorry for you because I know it is breaking your heart. Because of rescue I have had to help many little Yorkies cross over to the Rainbow bridge and each time I cried even though I knew it was the kindest thing I could do for them. It helps me to know the poem of the Rainbow Bridge because I can see them on the other side being puppies again and running and playing. My vet first gives them a shot to relax them and then gave them the other shot and they gently go to sleep. Maybe you could find a vet that would come to your home to do this as some will. At least you would all be with her at the end.

Regarding Jasmine. I just read an article from Tufts Vet School about dogs (animals) do have an understanding about death and it would be very helpful for Jasmine to be able to smell her after she is gone. It appears from the article that animals that are very close together do better with this process and they do not grieve as much as when the other dog disappears.

I will be thinking of you.

A BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE HERE!!! I have cried but that is what I need to do. Flossie is laying at my feet right now. Sometimes I feel as if she is begging! I just love her so much!!!

I am sso sorry
 

The best thing would be to let her go. I also had to put poddle to sleep that my mother had given to me before she died. It was my last connectiion with my mother. But I know it was the best for Chanel to be out of having sizuers and pain. We will keep you in our prayers. :(

Taffy, Baby & Star

Bless your heart! I feel so bad for you. Wish I could give you a hug.

Here is a pic of Flossie. She looks a little on the rough side. She is not capable of being groomed. Her nerves can't handle it. I just thought you all might like to see a pic.

She is lovely . Thank you for sharing the picture .

Gosh this is so true. I had to put my Cocker Tanner, down a year ago next month. It was so hard. Like you I said I was going to do it and couldn't. I kept thinking I would find that he died in his sleep. He did smell so bad, like he was rotting from the inside out. His skin was peeling off of him. Then one night he got up out of his bed and just stood there. I thought he was going to die right there. He couldn't move and he was wobbling. I knew it was time. So I told him I loved him soo much and said it would be all better tomorrow. My husband took me and Tanner to the vet and it was time to say good bye. Of course Tanner suddenly showed more spirit and movement when he got there but the nurse said don't let it fool you. It's just because he was in a new environment. I have never had to put an animal to sleep. My mother did that when I was a kid. This was so hard. Talk about guilt!! I cried about it for days, but then soon realized it was for the best. He wasn't suffering anymore and he had given me a great 14 years!! I got Starsky a month after that which has helped tremendously get over the guilt. Starsky is so full of love and life. I know this will be very difficult for you. Just know she'll be in a better place. And she'll love you for it. Maybe since spring is around the corner you can plant something in rememberance of her. I'll keep you in my prayers when you have to make this big decision.

I dont think I can add anymore helpful advice but I also thought maybe you would find it easier if you find a Vet who will do a home visit and do the injection at home. Just a thought....

I so have puddles of tears streaming down my face right now!! Thank you alot for the feedback. We actually live out in the country and have a place to bury her which I prefer. I need to visit her ya know??? It is just going to be so hard. We have horses, chickens, goats, here etc. So, my husband has a housecall vet. that is going to put her to sleep and he is going to do the bad deed while I am not here. I said I didn't want to know when but I'm not so sure now. I talk to her everyday because I'm not sure when my husband is going to surprise me that she is gone.

I know exactly how you feel. I put a little dog to sleep last October. It broke my heart.

Maybe this will help you. When I put my dog to sleep, the vet cried also, and said to me, "You are a very brave person." Well, I felt like the least brave person in the world right then. I was crying also and couldn't even talk. But she went on to say through her own tears as she put my little dog to sleep, "You know, we are kinder to our little animals than we are to people" meaning, of course, that putting Dutchess to sleep was the kindest thing to do. But - it is such a hard thing to do.

I have the feeling that your little poodle isn't going to live much longer regardless of what you choose to do. If her days are no longer comfortable, I would put her to sleep. I know it will break your heart, but it is the kindest thing to do for her. And -- you know that she had a good and long life. I am sure that she has lived a longer and better life than 99% of the dogs in the world. Take comfort in this.

Albert Payson Terhune (an author who bred collies and wrote dog stories) said that it is ". . . the worst shame in the world that our best chums don't live as long as we do." This is so true. I still remember and love the dogs I lost when I was a little girl over 50 years ago.

Your little poodle has lived a natural and even longer length of life than most dogs. Instead of feeling guiltly about putting her to sleep or her dying - please realize that she lived as long as she did because of you and the love and care you have given her over the years.

Whichever choice you make - it's because you love her. I think your choice should be based on her comfort and quality of life at this time. She has had such a good long life. I know how sad it is to reach the point you are at now. So many of us have shared your heartbreak and the difficulty you're having making a decision right now.

Sometimes it's helpful to try and be a little more objective. Think of another person and your little dog being theirs -- what would you advise them to do?
Maybe this will help you make make your decision.

None of us can tell you what to do. But, I am sure we all know how much you love your little dog and the wonderful long life you have given her. And, we would all certainly understand your putting her to sleep and would feel that you are doing a kind thing for her.

We all all very sorry because so many of us have experienced what you're going through. Whichever decision you make - be resolved - and followthrough with it. It is much harder for you to be torn back and forth.

So sorry.....

Carol Jean

Oh my Gosh!!! That was so heart-warming! I don't know what I would do without YT right now. You are all so great! I'm still on the fence here and waiting for the moment. She is definitely detiorating from the inside out. I have to let her go, I have to. The tears have only begun I guess. Flossie is like my Mother's trademark here. She has been such a joy in my life like my Mother was and now I have to let both go!!! Major tears here...Sorry! I have never had to do such a horrible thing.

I a so sorry that you are having to make this decision, but I know from personal experience, that when the time is right and you have to say good-bye, it will be the kindest act of caring that you can perform. Last year when I held my heart Jesse in my arms and watched him drift peacefully away, I was so sad. My dear vet was crying and I was crying but we both had to do the kindest thing for Jese. He was only 3 years old and I had tried so many things to help him even when the vet thought he might do better in less stressful home..That did not work either so he had to be allowed to not hurt anymore.
I have his pic taped on my puter desk and look at him every few minutes....He is at peace across Rainbow Bridge and is buried under a holly tree in my back woods.
I do have one regret and that relates to what I buried him in. I will use a small water proof container from now on..The cold weather, snow, rain makes me so sad because I don't want him to feel it. He is in a wee wooden box but he is buried with so many of our other pets that I know they are all keeping each other comfortable.
You have the power to make a very kind decision for your little loved one even though it will break your heart.
You will be in my prayers as you struggle with this..

The hardest thing we can do for them is let them go...it's also the kindest.

I've been thru this also and it's very hard to do....but it IS peaceful. Love means knowing when to let go... and I can tell you love her very much.

Though you'll be crying...I really believe we need to be there with them telling them they are loved as they cross into Rainbow Bridge...

I'm so sorry for what you're going to go thru. It sounds like it's her time and she understands....and.... she loves you. She also trusts you to do what's best for her and will be looking down on your for all your days.....

We recently had to make the same decision about our 14 yr. old Yorkie, Raven.
It is heartbreaking, but remember that you are continuing the kind care you have given Flossie for years by deciding to put her down. She will still live with you, as Raven continues to live with us.
My thoughts are with you. :aimeeyork

Our thoughts are with you as well!

i am so sorry you are going thru this. I guess in times like this, we all second guess ourselves. My hubby thinks it's time to put my mini poo down. She is 17 years old, has lost her sense of smell, she is deaf, she has severe skin allergies that makes her keep the hair eat off her hips and back and the scratching makes her legs so sore she can hardly walk. Sometimes she goes outside to potty and we have to go and get her and i don't know if she can't walk at that moment or has forgotten how to get back. She has spells that for some reason she just slowly walks and walks like for twenty four hours and won't even lay down. her ordor is so bad and the vet says it is coming from inside but he also told me that her heart is good and strong and she MIGHT live a couple more years. My husband says she is suffering and I know she is but I don't think she is suffereing to the point of putting her down. her little eyes are clear and she looks at me and wags her little tail as if I am the love of my life. I guess I am and she is mine (in the doggie world). Hard decision and i feel for you having to make it.

So reading your post and everyone elses here has tears in my eyes now! It is such a hard decision to make, but one that will be the best for Flossie. I have a lady who brings her bichon to us for grooming and I also petsit for her when she goes out of town. She found out recently her baby had skin cancer, went thourgh the surgery to remove the tumor and now it's back....along with more. She's facing the decision of putting her furbaby through painful vet visits every two months or putting her down and making her more comfortable. It's so tough...but just know she'll be happier on the other side. You'll know in your heart when it is time for her. If it's more comfortable for you to not know when your husband has it done, that's your choice. I know me personally, as much as it would hurt and as much as I would cry, I would want to be with her when it's done. My heart and prayers go out to you as I've had to put down a few of my furbabies in the past. *hugs*

Hi kerry
 

This is my first post and I have reading everyone replies and they what I would suggest. So I will pray for your little poodle and you.

Oh Kerri~ It sounds like you have made the right decision to let your H have the vet come to the house. It sounds like it is time for you to let Flossie go and have the cherished memories to sustain you. You mentioned the magic words when you said she has no quality of life and you were being selfish for the sake of your mother's memory and your 7 year old. Let her friend, the other yorkie, be with her and she will mourn less as she will know she is gone and not wait for her to come back or wonder where she went like Cindy said.

As hard as it is you are doing the right thing. :(
((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))) )))))))))

i want to be able to say so much to be you comfort, but all that comes to my heart is that (Pray to our Heavenly father for guideness) my heart goes to you!

crying with you
 

:(
We are so sorry that you are having to say goodbye to your sweet little friend. Of course this is so much more difficult because she was part of your mother\'s life. Actually she has had a very long "dog life" filled with love but it is painful to let them go. It will be a comfort to have her close to you. We have always buried our beloved pets in our yard. It helps to sit by their little stones when we miss them.

We send our love, thoughts and prayers from Oklahoma.

Max and Maggie\'s Mom