PUTTING MY GIRL DOWN

I have made a very difficult decision, to have my friend ABBY put down she is a 12 year old choc. lab. We have made so many memories together. and this is killing me. You see she has K9 cushings disease and has trouble breathing, cant bark. probably ahs some arthritus too. Sometimes I swear she is asking me to help by putting her down. My question is does anybody know is there a vet in the Twin Cities that would come to my home? so I can be there and hold her. Not on some stainless table.
Its killing me to even write this. You have to be a dog lover to understand my pain. I know many of you have done this any advice is certainly needed.

one last question do dogs go to heaven? because she sure deservs it.

paul

Sorry to hear this Paul Of course there is a dog heaven, endless Milkbones and fire hydrants everywhere Keep your chin up, your doing right by Abby.

Man a position I do not envy one single bit.

Only you know what is right for your Dog and you know as well as I do your Dog can communicate with you. I can not help on your question as to a vet, but can offer my condolences and to reaffirm that Abby will be in a better place soon where she can retrieve birds & ducks all day long with no pain!

Me and my families thoughts and prayers including my 10 year old lab Rufus go out to you and Abby during this time!

Man, that sucks!

To Abby!

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

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Sorry to hear this Paul Of course there is a dog heaven, endless Milkbones and fire hydrants everywhere Keep your chin up, your doing right by Abby.

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Sorry to hear this Paul Of course there is a dog heaven, endless Milkbones and fire hydrants everywhere Keep your chin up, your doing right by Abby.

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I couldn’t have said it any better; we wish you the best in these tough times

Jeff

i would just try calling a few vets in your area someone will do it

sorry to hear. Been in your shoes twice in the last two years. She’ll be with you forever…

You are doing the right thing.

My thoughts and prayers go out to you, Abby and your family. I hope you find the strength to do what is best for her.

The most important thing is that you are with her to the end. I know its tough but it is tougher on the people who don’t follow through and leave their dog alone with a stranger. You are doing the right thing.

So sorry. Done it once and will be there again some day. Its the worst part about being a dog owner. All you can do is bear down, breath in and out and take it one day at a time. Good luck.

I’m there with you Paul. I just had to put down my girlfriend of 15 yrs this past week. While it was one of the roughest days I’ve had I’m sure that it was the right thing to do. We had our family vet come to the house and Sandy went to sleep in her yard, with her bed and toys around her looking into my eyes. Keep calling vets till you find one that will come to the house . It’s the best way. When I see these posts I wonder what the anti-hunters would think of us vile killers crying over our lost dogs. My best wishes for you and your family.

Tough deal Paul….

Had to put my boy down 4 years ago and I still think about him every day. I have had dogs before but Brooks was truly my first dog. Picked him out when he was a pup, paid for him on my own and raised and trained all on my own. He really was my boy.

Tough, tough thing to go thru.

Sorry to hear this. They are really Man’s best friend.

Man I am feeling your pain!!! 10 years ago friday I lost my second one. Put my first one down at 16.10. Luckily I was able to start a tradition that maybe some can’t, but I have buried my first two and will continue, soon with a third that is ten under my permanent deer stand on our land. That way I get to hunt with them a day and half every year.

In fact the first year, before I had buried the second one, they pushed my only big buck (140 class 10 point) past me that I was able to harvest. Later that opening morning, I harvested a very large doe and while my youngest brother watched for other deer from my stand, I buried my 10.5 year old Blue.

God Speed to help your pain!!! Its always tough, and soon enough we will cross that Rainbow Bridge…

Mark

been there done that its been almost a year now for me and I still cant bring myself to get another one because we all know that day will come again

Sorry to hear Paul. I had to put my 13yr old yellow down about a year ago. Very tough thing to do. I held her until her last breath. Toughest thing I have ever had to do. Very pieceful though. Thoughts and prayers with you.

Just remember. She will be able to run free of pain. Chase all the birds she wants and she will be waiting for you when it is your time.

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been there done that its been almost a year now for me and I still cant bring myself to get another one because we all know that day will come again

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Took me 2 years before I got another dog.Now I’m considering having 2 dogs. I think it might be a lot easier to handle with another dog to support you.

WOW!!!
I never dreamed of so much support, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.
I have yet to make it thru the Rainbow Bridge. When I think of her and doing this I sob. Mybe Im just a bit sensitive but we had some great days in the field and duck blind. I would bring my guns out just to clean and oil them, she would jump around and bark and run around the house she wanted to hunt. She was a machine in her day. And thru my divorce she was always at my side, she knew when I needed a hug. Damn this sucks. its like losing one of my parents.
Your thoughts and kind words are helping I knew I would find help here.
ABBY and I thank you again.
Im sure I will post after she has gone. Im glad I took lots of pics as she was growing. I have a whole book of memories. Has anyone done the cremation thing please let me know.

paul

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Mybe Im just a bit sensitive but we had some great days in the field and duck blind.

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Nope I don’t think so, I tear up just thinking about that day. I hope it never comes but I / we all know better. It is funny how those little four pawed buddies of ours can make all of these strong men cry. No need to tell you Paul as it sounds like you know already, but just don’t take the short time these best buddies are with us for granted. Cherish the time spent in the house and afield that these pals are here with us. As my pup Rufus gets older and closer to that day, I cherish every single day, every single flush and every single retrieve like it may be the last we share together.

Feel free to shoot me a PM if you wanna talk!

Heres to you Abby!

Ford – Just to put your thoughts and pain in perspective, I dont like to read your post at work but wait until I get home from work as it is tough to read and think about at work especially while being a tough guy. I have never been through the experience yet but have a 1 1/2yr old that drives 600 miles with me every week and I cant stand to think about it already. These types of posts have really made me critical of how I watch over my dog (for safety and longevity) because I dont want that day to come any too soon! I want to make sure I get 20 yrs with him if his body wants to live that long.

Hang in there, and a piece of advise that has worked for a few of my friends is to get back into another best friend as soon as possible as he/she will help mend a broken heart. Obviously never fill a hole but at least fill in some cracks.

Stay strong.

So sorry Paul, I’ve been there 5 times and know exactly what you are going through. I have a 2 year old black lab female that fills my heart today but we will never forget our friends from the past.

I have only been through this once so far (thankfully) with my yellow Payton. We used the U of M as it was the day after Thankgiving in 2003 and were able to comfort him, hold his paws and say our goodbye on the floor with him. He was only 9 but suffering from terminal cancer. We did pay extra for an individual cremation and the ashes are with us to this day. Because of the holiday timeframe when we woke up that morning it was time and we went with the only open facitility…

Not the same as being at home but a bit more personal in my experience.

My thoughts are with you during this tough time and know there folks here if you need to talk or just have us listen.

I like the Rainbow Bridge as it was comforting and there is an excerpt that I received when I went through this with Payton:

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A man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground where the winter winds blow and the snow drives fierce, if only to be by his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the sores and wounds that come from encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains.When riches take wing and reputation falls to pieces, he is constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.

If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privelege than that of his company to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace and the body is laid in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their ways,there by the graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true, even in death. (This is an excerpt from a court case)

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We are here for you!

-ted

I am sorry, no doubt one of the hardest things you will ever have to do.

May time heal and memories last forever.

Paul – I had to do the same thing you are going through a few months ago! It was one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever had to make. We also had our dog Tabby put down at our house and I think that made it much easier. Granted it cost a little bit to do it but it was so worth it…and she deserved it. I get all emotional thinking about her even now while I write this. The pain will eventually go away in time, but the memories you two have made together will last forever! God bless you and Abby! Just remember, you ARE doing Abby right by releiving her pain and suffering! It’s just a shame they can’t tell us when they are in pain!

I would like to share an update about my gal ABBY. I only do this because the response was something I could have never dreamed of. Some of you sent PM’s and thank you all for those. ABBY is now staying at my parents. I have sports with my boys now and between basketball and hockey the wife and I are pretty busy. ABBY’s breathing is getting harder the cushings is making it difficult when she gets excited to breath. Staying at my parents she has people around all the time and she gets let outside more. I visit her as often as I can but it is getting harder for me to leave when I go there. She wants to come with me when I go. I always cry all the way home. I ask GOD to take care of her. I have received a referal for a vet in Maple Grove that does house calls. I was hoping to keep her till Christmas but its not looking good. I just cant watch her gasp for air anymore.

Thank You all again for your support, nice to know there are guys out there who understand what I am going thru.

paul

Thanks for the update Paul and I will say a prayer for both Abby and you.

You are both in my prayers as well.