Thinking about euthanasia? Lost your friend? Maybe you should read this. It may help. Dear yorkie lovers, I decided to write this to those, who are dealing with one of the hardest decisions in life - putting your yorkie to sleep forever. Before I get to the point, let me describe myself and my little buddy, so you will understand the point fully. I raised my yorkie from 8 weeks old puppy. Being a single man, my dog was practically everything to me. It was kind of man to man relationship and for seventeen long years the dog was my friend, my companion and we never left each other behind. I work in different countries and wherever I went, my dog went with me. We have seen many hotels, many airports, many apartments. We have sat down at many lakes and enjoyed many sunsets while camping. I made sure he had the highest quality of food and a cookie hidden some place every day, so he had his fun looking for it. I think that should give you an idea that we really loved each other. After 16 years of good times, he was physically still fine, lost his hearing and almost all eye sight, but still enjoyed his meal like crazy, running around while being on a leash, basically the quality of life was still there. Then dementia hit and things started to get worse. He was having paranoia attacks, when he would forget where he was and he would start crying like crazy. These were sudden attacks while walking in circles, or just after he woke up after sleeping like baby for hours. These attacks of terror were first very seldom and as the time progressed, they became more and more frequent. I am going to mention that I tried to help, went to the vet, tried to comfort my little friend as much as possible, but the situation was getting very stressful for both of us. After few months I started to think about the last moments and I was put in front of decision: end it or not? And here is my point: I was searching for an answer everywhere and find only answers like "Your dog will let you know it is the time" That is not the answer from my experience and I would like to help all of you who are looking for the answer with specifically answering this tough moment. The dog will not show you anything, it will cope with its situation the best it can, in many cases hide its pain, that is natural as animals in the nature need to look healthy for self defense. The answer will come from respect and your love for your buddy, which you have inside you. You will try to procrastinate the final day like crazy, not willing to let go. You will do your very best to keep your pooch for as long as possible. That is what I did also. Then one day you will realize that it is breaking your heart to see the dog you love so much in such a condition more than letting it go. It will be the time when you will put the pooch's need before your and clearly feel that you don't want to continue because of your friends best interest. That love and respect inside you will CLEARLY tell you that. That is the clear signal you will get, from within you. My advice is when you get that signal, listen to it and act. Another advice: go with the dog and hold the dog until the end. I did and I am so glad I did support my buddy until his heart has stopped. I was there and even tough those moments were very hard, the fact I paid that price for him by being there was rewarding afterwards. It was paying back for all the time he was there for me, it was the ultimate sacrifice I did for him - support him until the very end and not let him behind. I hope very much that it made the last moments easier for him, that he was not scared, he felt I was there, right with him and helped him thru the last moments. After it is all done, you will be grieving like crazy. You will suddenly hear your computer or fridge running, because one sound will be missing and there will be a huge hole some place where the dog was usually sleeping. You will have a tendency to drown in dark thoughts like if you paid enough of attention, if the dog was happy, if you should have not waited a bit longer and so on. This may help you: if the spirit of the dog was alive and sitting somewhere near you, would it be happy to see you like this, lost, crying and full of thoughts like that? No, it would be very sad. Your little hairy buddy loved when you were happy, so imagine he/she is right there, beside you and act like that. Keep the good memories flowing, make a nice picture, put it where you can see it and remember the great times you had together. You have done the best for your friend when he/she was alive and you can keep the good relationship even after he/she is gone - in your soul and in your heart. I typed this experience of mine hoping that it will help you through the tough times in a case you are in similar situation. Hopefully it will do the purpose. Have a good day and enjoy the company of your little buddies. I enjoyed my and it was a pleasure every day. Sincerely, Peter |
losing pets Thank you for putting so beautifully into words your experiences and I am sure those of us who have sadly lost pets or are about to make that fateful decision. So touching but so true. Thanks again. So sorry for your loss. Dot |
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Well written Peter, been there, done that.... This is the best gift to give your dog when you know his creator wants him to come home....It is not the easiest decision to make, but we do it for our loved babies, end their suffering. Be with them, hold them, let them know you are with them to the end. |
Dear Peter, Thank you so very much for your beautiful and well thought out words to us.I am so sorry for your loss. It brought back the time when I lost a dog so quickly and I had no time to choose but if I could have I might have just brought her home for a while. I did not stay with her because of what the vet told me might happen when she died. I did not want to remember her like that but I still wish I had said I want to be with her and stayed in spite of what the vet warned me of. She had been my friend for 16 years and we had never been separated for long periods until she had to be taken to the emergency vet clinic and left. It broke my heart to leave her overnight and I thought I would be bringing her home the next day but they said she was worse and I was faced with a decision I was not ready to make. She was so happy to see me when I walked in and her face lit up and her little tail wagged furiously and we visited for a while and she seemed to be okay to me. She did have an enlarged heart she had for a while and was told it was much worse and she was not breathing well and they put her on oxygen. I did not realize she had gotten worse and I was not ready to let her go but was under duress and made the decision it was best to put her to sleep. I still doubt my choice after years and miss her almost as much as the first. I am sorry for going on but it brought out these memories and I appreciate your kindness in writing what you did for us. I am sure it will help some others. Thank You. |
Wow what great and thoughtful words. I have had to make that decision and not easy at all. I too sat with my little guy in fact the whole family was there. The least we can do for them Sorry for your loss |
Well put. Been there, done that. I look at it as taking on the pain so that they don't have to deal with it anymore, and I also would never consider leaving their side in their final moments. |
Peter, thank you for posting this, I'm sure it will help many people! I can tell by your words that you truly loved your pup. Do you have another furry friend yet? It would be a shame not to share that love again with a pup that needs it! |
Thank you so much, Peter. This really struck a chord in me. Everything you feel, I felt and am still going through. I find some solace reading your entry though... Thank you so much again. |
This is a great post. I been there and done that so this helps to read this. I still morn over my pets and my special baby Keally. At least we can give them a gift of not to suffer anymore. Susan |
I know this is an older post and I haven't been on YT in a long time, but it came here for comfort and guidance today. I have a 10 year old Yorkie . I got him at 6 weeks and he's has had severe allergies and tracheal problems since I got him...between the Vet and. I , we have managed him as best as we could and Yogi has done fair..he has been on corticosteroids most of his life, so on his little 5 lb frame, he now weighs 8 lbs....The last year and a half, his quality of life has quickly declined...he is breathless with minimal exertion. He appears to be in pain with walking. He is now incontinent daily, because he can't make it to the potty pads in time..he had a BM in his bed this morning. He lays around most of the day now and it's breaking my heart knowing where this is going.. His heart is enlarged which is common for chronic respiratory problems...I guess I just needed to post this in a place where I know others have emotionally been before to understand...I am fighting tears today, because when I start they don't stop .I am with him daily, so I know him well...I know I will have the answer I need when the time comes..until then I constantly pray for that wisdom... |
May God Bless you and your little sick one. This I can tell is so hard and agonizing for you to be happening. To see him suffer like this day after day. It breaks my heart and I feel your pain over this. Only you can make the determination whether to end his life now or not. I know what my choice would be given what you have said he is going through but it would be a painful decision I would not want to make. Like you the tears would start and would not stop when I made that decision.I hope I have not spoken out of line but I see how much he is suffering as are you and it is my genuine concern that speaks out. Forgive me if I speak out of place. I hope things will turn out well for him and you. |
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Silverlace, no. You most certainly haven't spoke out of line. Thank you for your reply and support.. Matese, thank you for your support and prayers..I need them dearly..this is harder than I ever thought it would be. |
Dear Teffiemoore, your love to your dog will tell you very clearly the answer you are looking for. Comfort your little friend and enjoy the remaining time to fullest. I found myself after Gino was gone looking at videos with him (I have only few and I am so really mad at myself for that!) SO, maybe you can take photos, videos and have a bit of a fun with your pooch while doing that :) All I can tell you is that you will clearly feel and make the decision for both of you once the day comes. I wish you all the best and as many shiny days as possible to enjoy. Peter |
Peter....your precious post to begin with is what gave me trust to write....I will do what you said. I will enjoy every last minute with Yogi..he's sitting here by my side as I write..thank you for your response ...I have to know by your heart, your little one was very loved.. |
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