I just had to put my companion of 13 years to sleep

[Nicholas]

Today I had to come to the difficult decision that my 13 year old dog Indiana, who I have had since the age of 7, had to be put to sleep.

Around four months ago we noticed that he began to act very strangely. He had been acting confused, wandering around aimlessly, acting as if he was lost in the house or when he was outside. He would often just end up staring into space or at a wall. It turned out that he had something called Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome, which is akin to Alzheimer's. In addition to that, he developed two large cataracts over his eyes and by today was probably blind.

Over those four months he seemed to be adapting to his problems as well as one could hope but starting around 3 weeks ago he started having major problems with diarrhea and was having problems keeping food down. We thought that it was merely a virus he would get over it but when he puked up water yesterday we knew something was wrong. After taking him to the vet we learned that he had a massive tumor in his abdomen, which they said had to be cancer due the speed at which it grew (it hadn't been there 3 weeks ago) and it was not pushing against his stomach and kidneys making him unable to eat or drink. He was also in great pain, so they gave him some morphine and we took him home for one last night (he had been at the vet for 2 hours already without us and I didn't want him to be there confused and alone in his last moments.

So today, at 11:00 we took him to the vet and had him put to sleep, I just couldn't stand him being in pain anymore.

There are tears in my eyes right now.

[Brandalf85]

:hug: I am so sorry that you had to end up doing that. But you did what was right by the dog, your friend. It would be far worse to keep it in pain knowing that it wouldn't go away. Losing a pet is a painful thing indeed. They're not human, but they're no less part of your life and family than anyone else. In time it'll heal. For now, you have people praying for you and friends to talk to. Hang in there. :smile:

[ApologiaPhoenix]

I'm sorry Nicholas. Losing a pet is never easy.

[mossrose]

I am so sorry for your loss Nicholas.

Many of us have lost our pet family members, and our hearts ache with yours.

:huggy:

:pray:

[Michelle]

Nicholas, I'm so sorry for your loss. :hug:

[Lazarus]

I know how you feel Nicholas. It's hard to lose a friend you've been so close to for so long. My sympathy.

[Longstreet]

I've been there man. It's never easy, even when you know it's the right thing to do.

I was about your age when we put Prissy to sleep. We took her to the vet. He came and took her from my arms, and as he carried her back to the treatment room, she turned and looked over his shoulder at me as if to say "Aren't you coming?" I kind of thought the vet would get things set up and then call us back for the end, and when he brought her out, having already put her down, I fell apart. I felt like I had betrayed her for not being there at the very end. That was 20 years ago, and I feel that loss and guilt to this day.

You have my deepest sympathy.

[Bill the Cat]

Nicholas,

I had a dog for 15 years named Ace. He was a mutt we found on the river. At the end, he got the same thing. He'd walk into walls, fall down, and just stand there staring into space, even while losing control of his bodily functions while just standing there. It got worse and he suffered for far too long. My dad finally couldn't stand it any more and took him to the vet and had him put to sleep. It's far more merciful to them than it is easy for us. I understand how you feel all too well. Know you are being prayed for and thought about today and take comfort in the many fond memories of him. It'll help you through.

[gharfish]

...Very hard, Nicholas. My heart goes out to you in your grief ! So awfully sad. Death is the worst of all things monstrous.

[Hamster]

I am sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. I had no idea that dogs could get alzheimer's. It must have grieved you to see him suffering like that.

[Nicholas]

I want to thank everyone for your support. :hug:

We buried him under the catalpa tree with his favorite ball and on a spur of the moment thing I used a piece of drift wood from the river that he loved to swim in as a marker.

[Sparko]

Nicholas, I had to put my dog Max to sleep (14 years old) when his nasal cancer came back (I did the whole radiation therapy thing for him but it came back again)

It was the hardest thing I ever had to do. I know how you feel. :hug:

I told myself I would not get another dog right away, but after about 3 months of missing Max, I just had to get another dog. I got one from a rescue shelter I found on petfinders. Getting a new dog helped tremendously. I still miss Max, but having a new buddy helped me a lot.

[NeilUnreal]

:pray:

I can empathize; my last dog died a number of years ago at about the same age.

-Neil

[Nicholas]

Thanks again everyone. It's been hard on our other dogs as well, especially since he was almost a second father to one of them. Actually, he was more of a second mother.