When do you know it's time?
By Hollie65
@Hollie65 (13)
United States
November 6, 2008 1:46pm CST
When do you know it's time to lay your pet to rest when God hasn't? My dog Bailey is 16 and is almost completely blind and has terrible arthritis. He has good and bad days but lately, the bad are much more often. My other dog, Bentley who was 17,simply went in the back yard, laid down in the sun to nap and never woke. I knew days before his end was near so we made the best of our last days together. Bailey still shows his sweet spirit and love for his family. That is why it is so hard to know. I don't want him to suffer but, I don't want to let him go.
4 responses
@newcommer89 (42)
• United States
7 Nov 08
I have never had to put my dog down but ive seen so many die when i was small. The dogs i have now feel like family to me and i cant think of the day when they will have to go. It hurts losing a pet but unfortunately everything has to go through that.
@livingforlife (15)
• United States
8 Nov 08
You will know.When they have lost the will to live and their loving spirit is gone you will know.But you know time is coming so make everyday count.No regrets.I had to make the hardest desicions of my life when my best friend (ok she wasnt a dog) she couldnt breath i took her to vet and we had to remove the flood built up around her heart of all places i had to help it was in middle of night so i had to watch him do this.well couple days later she got worst so i loved her all day told her how i felt and how sorry i was that i was going to do to her.sorry it still makes me cry.any way i had to put her to sleep.i fell guilty like i killed my best friend.IM a murder.but now i still feel like that but i know in my heart i did the right thing for her not for me.i know this probably isnt what you wanted to hear but i needed to let this feeling go.as i sit here crying its hard to see the screen.be at peace when the time comes you did everything possiable and you had time to have no regrets.hers was sudden.i held her when he put her down i dont know if i recommend that it tore me up inside. still does.guess i need to let go huh.sorry.this brought out pain i was hiding.
@sidyboy (284)
• United States
7 Nov 08
This is hard to explain... but you just know. It's not something I can tell you or something anyone else here can tell you- YOU will know. My dog Homer had hip problems- he did very well on the medication for years- even on a low dosage. On his bad days I'd give him the full dosage and he did well. One morning I woke up and Homer had ripped out the hair on his hip due to the pain- and he'd been on the highest dosage of meds he could get- and I knew there was no more I could do for him and it was time. I took him to the vet that morning and put him to sleep- that was the hardest thing I ever had to do, and I know that I'll never be over losing him... but I had to do what was best for HIM, not for me.
@jakekap (10)
• United States
6 Nov 08
i know it may be hard, but at that age, a dog is really sufering....i love dogs, and when i had to put my dog down, i felt terrible, but i knew that it would have been much better for him than if he was going to suffer.
@jeoestreich (95)
• United States
7 Nov 08
I believe that it is time when you have done everything that you are capable of making them comfortable. If they are suffering and not living a comfortable life, then I believe that is when you should let them go.
