Putting dog to sleep

If you think she’s staying because its what she thinks you want then perhaps it is the right time. I would only say to have the vet come to the house rather than take her to the surgery. They’re very good nowadays.

I understand totally because it’s you having to make a huge decision and we always doubt ourselves, it’s human nature to blame ourselves I had to make the decision to not resuscitate both my Mum and my Dad as there was no hope ( I have no siblings) and although it was totally the right thing I still felt I was hideously responsible for their deaths It still sometimes catches me seven years on
My youngest daughters black lab had what sounds the same medical problem with the smaller lumps then a big one which wouldn’t heal She also, faithful old girl, had to be put to sleep
Your dog needs you to make the decision for her to stop her pain and suffering but don’t deny yourself the grief you will feel

I think it’s because you feel you are making the decision to end her life, you would far rather she just died in her sleep.

But it’s because you love her that you owe it to her not to allow her to suffer, not easy I know.

So sorry for you, but this the price we pay for having them, and the final act of love that we can show them.

Dogs are hugely stoic and tend not to show they're in pain unless it's pretty bad. The fact that she's clearly suffering and showing you she's uncomfortable is a pretty clear indication that she's ready to be out of pain.
Look into your girls eyes and you will know. She's so lucky to have you and you've been so lucky to have her. It's pure love and incredibly precious. You have to be brave for her. My heart goes out to you. xxx

One of our dogs I left longer than I should have done to euthanise her because I didn’t want to lose her, but she suffered unnecessarily because of my dithering.

I will never do it again. Indeed our last dog was euthanised as soon as he began to suffer, we knew his illness was terminal so the decision was far easier.

It is devastating, but when you invite a pet to live with you I think it is an unspoken contract that you will never allow them to suffer beyond what is fair or tolerable.

I feel for you. It's sad and difficult.

But this is the final kindness that you can do for your beloved dog, as phoenix says.

We’ve made this heart breaking decision twice so I do understand. It’s such a hard but such a loving thing to do. Please don’t allow your friend to struggle on if she wants to let go. You’ll be in my thoughts on Friday.

Such a sad decision to have to make. She has obviously been well loved and cared for. Kindest to let her go now that she is showing signs. As someone else said ask the vet to come to your home.?

I have so much sympathy for you. Please remember that she knows that you love her and only want her to be free of pain and discomfort. She will go to sleep and know nothing else; if you hold her she will feel your love.

Don't be hard on yourself. You are doing the best for your much loved canine companion.

You know it's the right thing to do even though it's the last thing on earth you want to do. She's a good age for a Labrador so even a miracle cure would only delay the inevitable. Sadly dogs have a limited life span and it falls to us to make the decision to never allow them to suffer. Remember better a day too soon than a minute too late. Be kind to yourself it's a decision you have to make with your head and not your heart.

I'm so sorry you are going through this. My DH is a retired vet. He always says putting them to sleep is the last kind thing you can do for them. He put our lovely dogs and cat to sleep at home, is it possible for your vet to do this.

Vets can't really tell you whether to put your pet down or not [unless it's obviously in a great deal of pain]. But what we have said in the past [and, unfortunately, I've lost many pets over the years ] is, 'if it was your dog/cat etc what would you do?' It doesn't actually cost a great deal to have a vet come to your home and it's by far the kindest thing you can do when the time comes. I know it's heartbreaking but I assume the lump near her anus would need an operation and, at her age it would be a nasty thing to put her through. As other people have said, we do understand what you're going through. Hugs .

To fall asleep in the arms of the person you love best in the world is a privilege not granted to many of us humans
Done it 4 times and at home was the kindest and gentlest

Thank you everyone for your kind comments even though they have me in even more tears. Bluebelle you are so brave. 14 years ago this November my son died of Duchenne Muscular Dystropy after being given the wrong drugs and 2 horrific weeks of ups and downs in hospital. I think maybe this makes me more susceptible to emotion at this time of year.
Whitewavemark2 I hear what you say. FlexibleFriend my head is telling me I am right but my heart dithers especially when she has her perky moments.
Should I wait till the test results come back which could take another week? Should I try my complimentary vet's herbal remedy? Should I hope when I can only be putting off the evil day? I think I have made the right decision but I need to convince myself. I don't want to see her get really bad and suffer.
It will be at home on Friday and I shall cry.

It's heartbreaking for you to have to let your dear old girl go but I think that you know it is time.
As people have mentioned, ask the vet to come to the house.
It's only natural that you will cry and feel devastated but you are doing the best thing for your precious girl.
Be brave! I'll be thinking of you on Friday!

It's the last loving thing you can do for your dog, to help her leave this life with comfort, lying safely in your arms as you tell her how much you love her.
I had to do this with my six year old dog earlier this year. I did feel my heart was broken and I wept a river but, he was very ill indeed, dying from an inoperable tumour . I remembered what a friend said to me years ago when we talked discussed our very old dog, " better a day too soon than a day too late" was the wise advice.
As others have said, ask your vet to come to your home. It's so much better for the dog and for you to say goodbye to each other in your own home.
How much we love our dogs x

It is so heartbreaking saying goodbye to our family dogs. Dogs are stoical and will do their best to carry on for our sake. We’ve said goodbye to many (we foster poorly and/or oldies for local shelter) and it doesn’t get any easier. Your lovely dog knows how much she is loved. If possible we always have to vet come to the house and the end has always been very peaceful. Grief takes time and I think it is human nature to worry if it was too early or too late. Be kind to yourself.

I,personally, wouldn't use any holistic medicine at this point. Could you speak to your vet, explain that you feel her condition is and what is his/her opinion on waiting for the test results. Sometimes results do come through quicker than expected. Might a short course of steroids make her feel better in the short term, in which case it would be worth risking her having the odd accident and, if she did try to steal some food at least it would mean that she was feeling better.

So sorry for you. Like many I know what you are going through. At home is by far the best as your dog will not be anxious. Just know you are doing the right thing out of love. What more can anyone ask.

We had our little sweetheart 'put to sleep' in Feb last year. A border collie, she was stone deaf and had dementia, plus we were moving back to UK from France.
I agree it would be best done at home. Ours was at the Vet's and there was extra fear from other big dogs present. It was stressful for her, she seemed to sense she was there for something not nice, but the actual procedure was calm and not stressful.
First the vet gave her an injection which slowly made her relax and 'go to sleep'. She lay down eventually, then another injection which stopped her heart -I 'm in tears just thinking of it. Bless her.
They're only given to us for a short time and the amount of love they bring compensates a bit.

ps she was 15, a good age for a bc.

How sad. You are doing the kindest thing for your lovely dog. She's old, in a lot of discomfort (probably pain too), doesn't feel well enough to eat or play.

You have to do what is right for your dog. Euthanasia IS right, in this case. You'll miss her, of course, but you've given her a loving home, a good life, and you must now carry on being kind and loving by helping her to go.

Best wishes x

You owe it to your dog to do the ‘right thing’ but it is so hard. I sat on a chair in the consultation room and held my dog in my arms while our lovely vet crouched beside us and injected him.

He slipped away peacefully, and being cuddle.