Very sad: Chester the dog declining health

Re: Very sad

Keit said:
Dogs are wonderful creatures, also because of their great ability to be totally devoted to their human guardians. So devoted and self-sacrificing they are, they may not leave because they can see how sad it will make us feel. And so it is our responsibility to recognize their pain and struggle, and then let them go and help them become free of suffering.

Not only that, but I can guarantee you that he knows that his current state is causing you anguish, which will cause him anguish. If you choose to ease his suffering, it sounds like you would be doing him a kindness - as well as honoring the love you share and the commitment you made to be "his human".

In the short run, it might hurt you more because your emotions are more complex than his. Yeah, I know. It's really not fun. But damn, it's a truly beautiful thing when you think about it.

Big hugs for the both of yuz!
 
Re: Very sad

Scottie said:
Not only that, but I can guarantee you that he knows that his current state is causing you anguish, which will cause him anguish. If you choose to ease his suffering, it sounds like you would be doing him a kindness - as well as honoring the love you share and the commitment you made to be "his human".

In the short run, it might hurt you more because your emotions are more complex than his. Yeah, I know. It's really not fun. But damn, it's a truly beautiful thing when you think about it.

Big hugs for the both of yuz!

So sad to hear about your dog. But if you are aware more than he is that his life is becoming more difficult and painful each day, then you also have the ability to relieve that suffering. Isn't it worth your own suffering to relieve that of a beloved companion? I'm sure he will understand. Big hugs to you. :hug2:
 
Re: Very sad

Awww. Sorry to hear about your furry friends declining health, Al. Even though making the call will end their suffering, it's never an easy one. :hug2:

My mom's cat is 19 years old now, has bad teeth and can't hear any more, but still gets around pretty well. When his time comes, that's going to be rough. Nope, it is never easy losing a family member, but it is even worse watching them suffer.

Take good care. :hug:
 
Re: Very sad

Thanks for sharing this, AL Today, it's the hardest thing. Your Chester has had a good home with someone he knows cared about him and it is a massive bond that is hard to part on both sides. My thoughts are with you both. :hug:
 
Re: Very sad

Thanks for sharing AL.

As Keit said it is our responsibility to recognize their pain and struggle, and then let them go and help them become free of suffering.

As mentioned above, despite the emotional pain we may feel, our beloved pets - our friends - are ultimately our responsibility. Accepting this and then deciding to act appropriately, in a way that is of 'service to Chester', is showing him as much (or even more) love and kindness, as when you first welcomed him into your home.

But damn, it's a truly beautiful thing when you think about it.

Totally agree. Our family dog, Colby, had been abused appallingly when we rescued him from the dog home. In the several years he was with us, he gave us incredible joy. But when his body began breaking down and his suffering became more apparent, putting him out of his misery was the obvious - though tough initially - choice. A good friend came with me to the vets who was supportive and had been through the ordeal before.

The last night together, my girls and myself slept on the floor with him, laughing as we recounted the happy times we shared and weeping at his imminent passing. It was one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever had, and helped to forge a very strong bond with my girls, as well as lessons on the 'cycle of life'. We still have Colby's ashes at home and photos of course, and such happy memories too. :)

Sending you and Chester a big hug. :hug2:
 
Re: Very sad

I agree with everybody. This decision is maybe the most difficult decision we have to take and when we have dogs or cats we know that maybe one day we will have to take it. I wish you peace. Take care my friend. :hug2:
 
Re: Very sad

I feel fullheartedly for your sadness, and understand how difficult it is, if not impossible at a given point, to deeply accept our torn feelings whenever somebody we love sends signals of declining health. Maybe it´s time to allow you feeling as selfish as you need to. After all in a sense part of us is dying too in those circumstances, then it´s all the more understandable we might resist a feeling of being let ungrounded at such a deep level.

I also had to say good bye to my dogs, cats, and ultimately my parrot, more than once caused by unexpected and nauseating external circumstances, which was only adding more pain to the losses. What I can say is their repeated departures never got smoother to handle over time, quite the contrary. It´s as if the more aware I am of my illusions, the more sensitive becomes my heart, well in fact that´s how it works, doesn´t it. The price we have to pay in exchange of learning how to let beloved one follow their own after death path must be that of a very challenging and mysterious journey, for sure.

I don´t know what else I can tell you AL Today other then being patient with your pain and specially reminding yourself, little by little, that you´re not alone during these times of tribulation and that brighter days will come again against all odds when you are fully aware and grateful for all that Chester has meant to your life. Big, big hugs, AL Today :hug2:
 
Re: Very sad

Just want to add something that I didn't say in my original post; what if Chester realizes his time has come to pass on, but he can see/feel how much you don't want him to leave so he stays and endures his pain and physical problems in order to please you? I don't think that's what you would want. Do what's best for Chester.
 
Re: Very sad

I'm so sorry to hear about your beloved Chester. I do hope you can do what's best for him to ease his suffering and that you can remember all the happy times you shared together and keep this with you in your heart.
My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
:hug2:
 
Re: Very sad

AL Today said:
I'm so sad for being selfish... A choice is coming for me and I ain't gonna like it. I love him.

And he loves you, too. I went though the same experience in April. She even had the same problem - loss of use of the hind legs, losing control, etc. It was so hard, but I know I did the right thing.

It's all selfish, isn't it? Not putting him down and letting him possibly suffer because you don't want to lose him? Or putting him down because he has become too much "trouble" for you? You can make yourself feel selfish no matter what you choose.

So you might as well choose to do what is best for him, and you will know what that is.

I feel for both of you, Al.
 
Re: Very sad

I'm truly sorry to hear you're going through this phase. It must be incredibly difficult. Stay strong and keep your mind in the eternal portion of him that will live on within you forever.

Big hug to you both!
 
Re: Very sad

AL Today said:
Who am I to say what/who lives or dies? I do not want this choice. But the quality of his life, and my life is going down. I'm so sad for being selfish... A choice is coming for me and I ain't gonna like it. I love him.

Al, I feel your pain. I went through the same, and one thing that kept going through my mind, as I kept seeing my little friend's health and abilities deteriorating yet with that smile on his face as you say, and the wagging of his tail, was that through all these years that he lived with us, he has trusted us to provide for him his food, his shelter, to decide when he had to see the vet, to take him out for walks... he has learned to depend on us to take care of him in these ways, when he was taking care of us in his own unique ways. So he depended on us now too to end his suffering. When he stopped eating I knew what he was telling us. It was heartbreaking going to the vet to inquire about the process, but we did it, for him. We had arranged that the vet comes to our house, it was so much easier for him. And then we spend our last night with him, holding him, telling him all those things he meant to us. We even told him what was going to happen in the morning. We assured him that it would be painless and fast, and that we would be right there with him. And it was, and we were.

He is now buried in our yard, but he is always, always with us. Your friend has also lived a very long happy life, and he has given you so much, I think it will be a gift for him to provide him with an ending with as less pain and suffering as possible, dear Al. Hugs to you, and your wonderful friend, Chester. :hug2:
 
Re: Very sad

herondancer said:
So sad to hear about your dog. But if you are aware more than he is that his life is becoming more difficult and painful each day, then you also have the ability to relieve that suffering. Isn't it worth your own suffering to relieve that of a beloved companion? I'm sure he will understand. Big hugs to you. :hug2:

So sorry to hear about what you and your beloved pet are going through. It is a tough decision to let go. I had to make that choice when my cat became very ill years ago. It was heart wrenching to make the decision to have to put her down, but I knew she was suffering a great deal and that was the only thing that helped me make the decision. Our animals rely on us to take care of them and sometimes that also means letting go when it is time and making a decision based on their needs even when it hurts us terribly.

Big hugs to you, AI. My heart goes out to you. :hug2:
 
Re: Very sad

Thank you all. Always amazed am I to see such sweet, loving and caring people gathered into one group. This is not the first time I had to put on the big sleep to whom I consider a house member. And methinks never will it become easy.

You all are correct. Methinks he does know too. He stares at me. I have noticed him hanging around me more than usual. And I am nicer to him more than usual too. Yep, 'tis quite selfish of me to forceably keep him around. Nobody should suffer so...

I am not an executioner. If it were not for the food, shelter and care I provide, he surely would not be alive in the wild right now. It's kinda my fault he is alive right now and suffering. Damn... :cry: :cry: :cry:
But to sit back and allow him to suffer? Nope, no sir, no ma'am...

Now I gotta see if my wife thinks the same way... :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
 
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