I'm having my little dog euthanized today.

If you click on the blue link at the bottom of my post you can see a picture of her. It was taken several years ago and scanned in but it is my favorite picture of her.

I've been fighting this for a long time now. Well, I guess she's been fighting and I've been trying to help her. She has heart disease, (severe pulmonary edema according to the notes from Friday's vet visit) and horrible wheezing. She is drowning in her own fluid now.

I am so mad at the vet from Friday for not fixing her better. She got just as sick several hours later when I brought her home as she was when I first brought her to the vet. I've pretty much kept her very tranquilized over the weekend so she is comfortable.

I can hear her breathing next to me on the couch now. It sound just like really bad snoring. I feel bad now when the thought that I have let her suffer too much runs through my head. She's been to 3 vets and not one of them has told me to put her down but I guess it is really this weekend that she is taken a turn for the worse.

Her name is Tara. She is a Chihuahua and I got her a her brother Dewy about 6 years ago when the woman who had them could not take care of them anymore. Dewy always watched over her. He has been gone for about 3 years now. Tell me if you can't see this photo from Webshots. They have not always been the greatest for showing pictures.




It is only 7:18am. I don't know what to do with myself from now until the vet opens. I guess I'll read about the wars. Sometimes that is comforting in a a macabre kind of diversion. I certainly don't want to look at pictures of puppies.

And something else has been bothering me all weekend. Why are birth and death are so hard and painful and sometimes such a LONG process? I thought Friday night when she was gulping for air and I was trying to get the tranquilizers into her that when she finally fell asleep she might just keep sleeping but she has been waking up all weekend. I have been giving her bigger and bigger doses and she keeps waking up. She hates going to the vet so I just kept giving her bigger and bigger doses of the tranquilizer but she just keeps waking up. She even stumbles into the kitchen and drinks water and I think she ate some. I can hear her from my bedroom because she makes so much noise getting water or food down her now. A friend told me that I have to let her know it is OK to leave now. I've said this to her but apparently I am supposed to be very sincere. I'm trying to be sincere. After this weekend I really am sincere because I don't ever want her to suffer like she did those few times when she was very awake. Has this whole thing been for me to be ready? I don't know but I feel like after this nightmare is over a whole new one is going to start. Life without Tara.

Life without Tara will be difficult, without a doubt, but at this point, you truly have made the right decision. Tara trusts you implicitly to do what is best for her.

My most sincere good wishes for you at this hard time.
Peace
:hug: :cry:

and she really let us know that it was her time. It was still sad, but it helped that we could tell she was ready. We called the vet to make the appointment (something I had told myself I would NEVER do; how wrong I was) and she actually died peacefully in my arms while we were on the phone. I do still miss her (and her brother) but we have two dogs now who were homeless and who we also love dearly; it's just the turn of the seasons, I guess. Take care.

:hug:

these things are so hard. Take solace in knowing you have given her a comfortable and happy life.

:hug:

:hug: I know your pain all too well. :( I'm keeping you and your sweet little dog in my thoughts. :hug: :pals:

:hug:

:hug: :cry:

I lost my pug in April. I still am sad.

:hug:

I'm sorry for all that you are going through.

:hug:

I'm so sorry you are going through this pain.

... that's a very difficult decision to have to make and a very sad day when you have to say goodbye to a beloved companion. It's very clear to me that you're making this decision out of love and because you know what's best for Tara. I'm sure she knows that and she loves you very much in return. I know that the coming days and weeks will be difficult as you come to terms with your loss... but as time continues to pass, I hope that the sadness you're feeling now will gradually be replaced with memories of happier times and that you'll always find yourself smiling and feeling warm whenever you think if your sweet Tara. :hug:

:hug: for you and for Tara. I've been down this road several times, the last in 2003. I have never had a vet say, "It's time to let him/her go." Only you can make that decision for yourself and Tara. I know how frustrated and scared you must be. I wish there was something I could say or do to make it better.

Hug and hold Tara while you still have her and know that when you make the decision to let her go, she will be free of pain and running across the Rainbow Bridge to join all of our loving pets.

Tara looks like a sweet little pup. You gave her many years of companionship and love

But yoiu are doing the right thing.

My heart goes out to you, and to little Tara. Surely she is aware of her own situation, and also of your distress over her failing health. But remember that she has trusted you to make all of the decisions in her life so far, with her best interests at heart. I believe she trusts you now as well. Clearly this decision is breaking your heart, but that very fact proves that your decision is based purely in love. And any decision motivated purely by love is the right decision.



Big hugs for you and Tara at this difficult time. :hugs:

We had to do that with our boy a year and a half ago. He had a blood disease. I still miss him so. Its hard to let go but its also the right thing to not let them suffer anymore. You are in my thoughts. :hug:

There's nothing I can say to help.

Hang in there. And know that you were a faithful and loyal friend to that dog.

I hope it was comfortable and painless for Tara.

:hug:

suffering. I couldn't bear to see it anymore. She is resting now.

Goodbye Tara.

...:hug:

I will keep you in my thoughts and offer a cyber :hug:


aA
:cry:

I feel that in my bones.

It is a long story but I ended up at a different vet with my friend. She had a little clay plaque that she put Tara's paw prints on and I can finish it when I want because it is being kept in a plastic bag. She also cut some of Tara's hair off and saved it in another bag for me. She was just wonderful.


Thank you again good friends.
:grouphug:

:hug: I know how difficult it is to put a fur baby down, so you have my heartfelt sympathies. :hug:

I know how hard this must be for you. But, yes, you did the right thing. Tara will live on in your heart always. Take care of yourself.

:hug:

:cry::hug:

My girlfriend and I just went through this a couple weeks ago with our little one, Delilah. It is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, but we knew she was suffering and we knew that it was the right thing. It doesn't make it any easier, I know, but it is the last kind act you can do for them when they have no quality of life anymore. Anyway, I'm sorry.