Having to put a dog down..

So yesterday (Friday) I know it's technically Sunday, but until I go to bed and wake up, it's still Saturday night for me. Anyways, Friday I had to put my German Shepherd, Wellington (my photo) down. It was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do. My mom and I went together (My dad won't admit it, but he'd probably cry more than us if he had went) My dog was with our family for 14 years, and one of the most well behaved dogs, with little training, that I've ever met. I know some people will call me crazy for being this sad over a dog, but when a dog has been with you for 14 years, they are like family.

The hardest part of the whole situation is that even though he was declining physically, he was still so alert in his mind.

Anyways, the past two days have been very difficult to get through. Everything reminds me of him, and I keep wondering if we made the right choice or not. (If only dogs could talk). It's one thing to lose a dog, but it's also something to have to make the choice to end their life.

Have any of you ever had to put one of your animals down?
How did you guys cope, and finally come to terms with the situation?

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Permalink Reply by Leanne on June 10, 2008 at 1:16am

I'm really sorry that you had to do that!

We had had my dog for 16 years...we got him when i was 4 so i dont even remember him not being apart of the family. I went home for a two week holiday a couple of weeks ago and on the first day i got there my family sat me down and told me that he had cancer (plus he was going blind, deaf and apparently had dementor) so it was time to let him go. So we had planned to do it while i was home, my sister and I were going to take him but i just couldnt do it! to me he looked ok and he felt safe with us and expected us to protect him so i couldnt even think about handing him over!!! so i went back to where i live for uni and mum called me one night to tell me that her and my sister took him that day and now hes gone. Its good that they waited for me to get home because i had a chance to say goodbye but i dont really think that i have dealt with it yet because i havent been home since it happened...im going back next week and im pretty scared...it wont be the home i know without him! i know that as soon as i walk in the door i will be expecting him to be there ready to greet me.

I really know what you mean when you say that you dont know if he would have prefered to stay...i think thats one of the reasons why i couldnt take him...what if he didnt want to go and i just handed him over? But i do realise that he was in pain and its for the best but i guess im just selfish cos i always expected that he would be there!

Also last night i was driving and i seen a dog laying on the road so i pulled over and a lady got out of another car and said that she hit the dog and she was pretty sure he was dead...and he looked so much like my dog...i started to ball my eyes out! we found the owners they were hysterical...it was so so sad!!!!! the owners didnt even get to say goodbye so im very thankful that i got that chance!

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Permalink Reply by Emma on June 10, 2008 at 8:08am

we had to put down my cat sully, i've know him all my life and it was one of the hardest things i've had to do cos i knew it would be selfish to keep him here when he was in pain just because i didn't want to let him go. but knowing i did the right thing still hurt. it's always hardest for the people who are left behind. and the other night (we only put him down about a week ago) i had a good cry and i think i finally let him go. :]