Sad week....got to have the dog put to sleep

[tintinthegingertomcat]

My best friend (and ex partner) asked me yesterday to make an appointment at the vet's in order to have his dog (who I love like my own) put to sleep.

Molly who is a black lab would be 14 in August so she has had a really good life....worked hard as she loved to chase the ball and retrieve it and still looks in great shape as she has never been allowed to overeat and put on weight like some labs I see about.

However over the course of the last couple of weeks it has become apparent that she is struggling with her back legs to lie down and get up from her bed, so, even though she is not a dog to complain, it is apparent that she is in pain.

I had an awful sleepless night's sleep...however somewhere at the back of my mind I know it is for the best for her.....but it is still hard to think that it is me having to make that final appointment. In fact, there are tears welling up as I write this.

Not sure whether I should go to the appointment as well with him or whether to leave him. He has had Molly since she was 8 weeks old, and I have known Molly since she was 8 years old and walk her every day when the ex is out at work and have her (and his other dog the chocolate lab called Poppy) when he goes on holiday or goes away for the weekend. It is going to be really hard this lunchtime on our walk, as it could in theory be our last.

Thanks for reading this....off to the vets now to make the appointment.

I remember when I lost my own dog some years ago the Dogs Trust (where I adopted him from) sent me the poem RAINBOW BRIDGE - OMG that really got the tears going....it can still make me cry now when I read it.

Jane 🙂

[tintinthegingertomcat]

Just had a text from Molly's dad....he has made the appointment for 4.45 on Wednesday.....am now in tears knowing now it is final but I have been told to celebrate her life. Will still walk them on Wednesday and will take her something extra special. I have had so many animals in my life....but that last decision is always the hardest. Again I thank you one and all......you are all such lovely people

Rainbow Bridge always makes me sob....whoever put that together knew how to tug on the old heart strings!

[captainbovine]

I'm so sorry to hear that, it's an awful wrench saying goodbye to our dear friends....:-(

[carolyorkie2010]

Thinking of you and know exactly what you are going through. You may find comfort in a fantastic book called "All Pets Go To Heaven." It helped me and I also bought a copy for my neighbours when they lost their dog.

[10phizz]

Thinking of you...........had to PTS my chocolate Lab Murphy a few months ago.......when we all get to Rainbow Bridge its a good job we will be dead or we would be crushed to death in the rush of old friends !

[dr-whos-assistant]

So very sad ,Have to agree with a previous post Metacam can make a big difference if the dog is still going for walks then I would have thought it would be something worth trying at least:-(.

[vamo48]

Unless there is something else wrong too.  Years ago we had a 14 yr old greyhound who eventually had trouble getting up, and we called the vet to our house - was told that with a dog that age you have to think of the possibility of kidney failure.  Sadly that's what it was and she couldn't be saved. Been through it with another dog since.

So I know how it feels, it hurts to let them go.  Remember the happy times.

[mandymoosie]

So sorry to hear your sad news Jane. It's so heat breaking when we have to say goodbye to our fur kids 😞

Wednesday will be a tough day, but just try to hold on to all your happy memories and time spent together and be proud of the happy life that you both gave her.

I will be thinking of you hun :-x

[numptz2012]

:-(:-x:-x

[bitsnknots]

We had to have our last dog put to sleep when he was 14 and he started off with kidney failure then the rest of his organs started failing.  It was so sad seeing him suffer and it was kinder to put him to sleep.  It was an awful decision to have to make though.