I did not have the courage to see him die

@ronaldinu (12422)
Malta
October 26, 2008 1:10am CST
When my 13 year old collie became ill last summer I knew it was time to part. I was at work on that day and I could not do otherwise, I could not get a permission to take special leave from work. My wife took my took to the vet and the vet advised us to put our dog to sleep since there was nothing we could do. Sometimes I wish I was there to hold his head while the vet gave him an injection. But at the same time I cannot stand this. I don't had the courage to see him die. What would you do if you have to put your pet to sleep? Would you be there for him?
4 people like this
14 responses
@walijo2008 (4644)
• United States
27 Oct 08
aww..thats sad when we have to put one of our pets to sleep. I don't think I could do it, and if we ever had to, I wouldn't want to be there, because I wouldn't want to see him take his last breath, I'm sorry, but its not something I want to do. Hopefully my husband would be willing to be there and stay with him.
@SeishiroX (1093)
• Philippines
27 Oct 08
I couldn't bear to see my dog die as well.... Two of my dogs and I wasn't there to wish them well... I talked to them during their last hours though...
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
26 Oct 08
Hi ronaldinu, I had to have my cat Rusty, put down last April as I could not watch him suffer anymore. He had asthma and would hide away, but we could hear him trying to breath, it was terrible. I had him for thirteen years and for three of these he was my only companion, except when family or friends would visit. It was very difficult, but I knew it was what had to be done. I said my good byes and left him with the vet. I have a large framed picture of him hanging in my hallway and I know I'll never forget him. Blessings.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
27 Oct 08
hi ronaldinu I think I would have felt the same way. when my pet dog Pat got old she had so m anythings wrong with her the vet told my mom she should be put to sleep. My mom went with her but I couldnt bear to watch my bestfriend and buddy beingkilled before my eyes.So I did not watch. Okay my husband had a heart attack and seemed to be getting better, then overnight he failed. they called me a work, and wanted to know when was I going to pull the plug. I said He could get better but they declared otherwise. hewas on a respirator. I told them i would call his sister and ask her what she tought. she told me to waittil the next morning.God took him home that afternoon so I thanked him a I hadnt wanted to be the one to kill my own husband. thats to much to ask of anyone.
26 Oct 08
Hi ronaldinu, That is the most sadest thing ever as your pet is part of our family member, and when you lose them, its just break your heart, when my pet cat Roly had cancer, I had to to take him to the vet after monts of medications and injections to ease heis pain but he got got so bad that I had to take him back for the last time, I would have wanted my husband to take him but he was working, so I had to do the hardest thing in my life, I cuddled and kissed him goodbye while he clung to me as if he knew what was to happen to him, but I couldn't watch him being put to sleep so the vet took him from me, I came out of the office in tears and walked down the crying like a child while everyone watched me stoped to ask what has happened, I told them and carried on home. i was greving for weeks after that and I will never do that again. I rather my husband would that next time. I have two wonderful cats now but I hate to think of when thir time comes, please God it won't for a long long time. Tamara
• India
27 Oct 08
That's really sad,I've seen most of the people see their pets more like their kids,it would have been really hard for u. I don't own a pet though,I have always wanted to have one but did not go for it because I am not so strong at heart to face such practical difficulties. If I had been in ur situation I would definitely not be there beside to see the doctor injecting to make it go for an eternal sleep. I can't even imagine such a state. Would rather stay away and assume that he's still living happily somewhere...
@moondancer (7433)
• United States
26 Oct 08
yes, I would and I know this for sure. I have had to be there for 2 of my babies as the vet did this. It broke my heart and I think of them all of the time. They may be gone in body but not in spirit.
@carlaabt (3504)
• United States
26 Oct 08
I would want to be there when we put any of our pets down. I don't want them to have to die by themselves, and I want them to know that I loved them right up until the very end of their short lives, and will continue to love them for the rest of my life. My pets are very important to me.
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
26 Oct 08
I am facing that situation with a dog I have had for 14 years. It is tearing my heart out. Yes, I believe I will need to be there when she breathes her final breath.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
26 Oct 08
i probably would because i wouldnot have anyone else to take her. i wouldn't ask my sons to do that.
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
26 Oct 08
No, I could not be there. I've had to have two dogs put down in my lifetime. One had tumors all over her body and the other had a throat that was becoming paralized, making him choke on everything. They were both 14 years old. The vet gives them an injection and they simply fall asleep... very fast. I know it's best for them but I simply could not watch it happening. I cried enough as it was! My mother took my little Midge to the vet to have it done. I was fine until she came back with her collar and leash. I cried so bad then! I took my Jake myself. I handed him over to the vet and he looked back at me right before they went through the door. He gave me a questioning look. I started crying immediately. No, there's no way I could watch them do it. I wanted to be a vet once but decided against it because I couldn't handle them dying or being really sick. I just get too attached, even to animals that aren't mine!
• United States
26 Oct 08
ugh i have had to do it and it was horrible.. its been years and i dont think i will ever be over it i had to be there though.. i didnt want her to die alone
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
26 Oct 08
Boy, what timing this topic has. You see I have to have my German Shepherd put to sleep this next week. Several years ago I had to have my black lab put down and I couldn't do it myself. So I sent my guy to do the deed. Now its time for my Shepherd to be put down (he has severe health problems) and I hate to make my guy do this again. But yet I don't know that I can do it myself. I've done it before with two old cats, but I've never done it with my dogs. The sad part is I'm going to be losing not only my dog but two of my cats all on the same day. Whichever day I choose to do this, I'm going to be a very upset person that day. I hope I can find the courage to be there for them, but I'm afraid I might not be.
@kittenclaus (1393)
• United States
26 Oct 08
I am soooo sorry about your friend. They become members of the family and the hardest thing to do is lose a family member. I've gone through this once and had to be there. I just wanted her to know I loved her right to the end. Please don't feel bad for not being there as I'm sure your pet knew that you loved them, it's very obvious that you did!