Putting a Dog to Rest Forever, our journey will come to a close this month

I have two Bengal cats, now about 4 years of age. I have had cats all my adult life. The shortest lived one, which had a heart murmur, died prematurely at 13. The longest lived one made it to 23. My vet says I take excellent care of my kitties.

I myself am now at an age where it is 50/50 chance my present kitties will outlive me. I worry, if I pass first, who will want to adopt two aged cats.
 
Ive never been so affect by a death like this has. Gosh it is hard. 15 years of a best friend, loyal companion and a bond that was nothing short of amazing. The night before he laid on my chest almost like letting me know he was going to be ok. Typically he gets antsy in a short period of time when I hold him, not so with my wife. But Monday night he just laid there on my chest as I petted him and was even allowed to hug him tight as he had his head up against my chin. It was an amazing feeling, that I will never forget because in-between, he lifted his head up and licked my hand 3 times, then laid his head back down. May not surprise some but he wasnt a licky kind of dog.
He was in no rush to get down off of me.

Yeah, my wife and I get it. Both of us never had this type of loss with such extreme emotion.

We had a DR come to the house, administered a strong sedative as my wife stayed with him and kissed his head. She was great and let us know every step and what would happen next. Once clearly in a deep sleep, she administered the drug directly in a vein. I watched his breathing slow down in a matter os seconds until it stopped. After some time, she intensely checked for a heartbeat and then the Crematorium came, wrapped his body in his favorite blanket and then there blanket. Took him away for a private cremation. They will returned his ashes this week along with his paw print.
I know you will cherish that forever, my friend. Along with every day since the day he came into your lives.
 
Very sorry for your loss.
Only real problem with dogs is they just do not live long enough.
I have the cremains of my four dogs on the floor in my bathroom closet. Planning on scattering soon.
Don't scatter them where it creates a mix / blend with your other multiple dogs remains. Keep them separate as you scatter (or) do what I'm about to do.
Dig a big hole in the backyard and put the dog's collars and few favorite toys in the hole. Then place either the dog's ashes (or) the entire fancy box where the remains might exist today - all in the ground, then fill what should still be a relatively deep hole with the remaining dirt.

Never mix multiple dog remaining ashes (and/or multiple people. Someday our bodies (pets too) will rise from the dead - better whole versus being scattered in a billion specs all over one of our oceans (as some family members do their loved ones).
 
So sorry for your loss.

We are watching our dog in her last weeks/months. She has congestive heart failure occurring, though she is doing OK. There have been some days where I have held her and told my wife I need to take her in to put her down, but she bounces up later in the day and seems normal. She had a stroke last August which I also thought was the end, and occasionally now collapses and empties her bladder where she collapses. It's a regular debate if we should just put her out of her misery, but she always pops back up. Play time may be shorter, but at least we have it. Our prayer is she passes away in her sleep, which seems to be more often than before.

I once had to shoot my own dog after she was hit by a car and was essentially brain dead. That was the most difficult thing I have ever done.

Losing a dog hurts, bad.
 
So sorry for your loss.

We are watching our dog in her last weeks/months. She has congestive heart failure occurring, though she is doing OK. There have been some days where I have held her and told my wife I need to take her in to put her down, but she bounces up later in the day and seems normal. She had a stroke last August which I also thought was the end, and occasionally now collapses and empties her bladder where she collapses. It's a regular debate if we should just put her out of her misery, but she always pops back up. Play time may be shorter, but at least we have it. Our prayer is she passes away in her sleep, which seems to be more often than before.

I once had to shoot my own dog after she was hit by a car and was essentially brain dead. That was the most difficult thing I have ever done.

Losing a dog hurts, bad.
An emptiness around our house today, like someone ripped our hearts out. 15 years of devotion to him and him to us. He knew every moment of the day, when we worked, when he ate, when he would get a snack, when he would get a walk. He was amazing also in his trust with us. Completely blind since July of 2021 he never hesitated to climb stairs or even run down the block with me. Look at the photo below. Easter Sunday 2023. A dog with no eyes who can fetch a ball based on the sound of bells inside and a dog who trusted my wife and I with his life to keep him free of harm to run down the block with me and trust I will not let him be harmed.
I would not have traded these experiences with him for anything else in the world.

Heart Failure is one of the worst ways a dog can die. Not sure if you read all my posts through. August 2023 we were told he has progressive heart valve disease. (Heart Failure) Dr estimated 6 months to a year. He made it 14 months.
He was prescribed VETMEDIN at the time in August 2023. An FDA approved drug for his condition. 3 days after he started taking it, it was like night and day that he improved to the point like he wasnt sick anymore.

The DR told us, it will only be for a while, 6 to 12 months later the drug would not be effective anymore, he was right. About a month (6 weeks) ago, he started coughing now and then during the night, also seemed confused at times, but still was always looking for our comfort. We thought it was nearing the time. We took him back to the doctor to make sure we were correct. The Dr said that if we put him to forever asleep at this point he could not disagree with that decision. We were told he was at stage 5 out of 6 in heart failure and then corrected himself and said actually a bit more above 5 and in-between the two. He was tossing and turning at night, another sign of difficulty breathing, wasnt as eager for my wife to take him for his nighttime walks, stuff like that.

So wanting to be sure, we waited, made sure he was still comfy, he still had energy at times to play tug of war etc but then would sleep away the entire day, meaning get tired quickly. Last month and more so two weeks there was a sudden decline in his quality of life, in the sense that the coughing and choking was coming back, infrequently but on the increase. Also was losing the desire to seek me out in my office after breakfast, something he has done forever and would fall asleep right near his food bowl where he ate.

Not wanting to make him suffer we decided it was time. No medicine could help him any longer and if you research the topic, heart failure is a horrible painful way for a dog to die if you let it go that way. He literally will start drowning in his own fluid as his heart cant pump enough blood, also organs get starved for O2.

I hope this helps you with a decision. Below, our blind dog, Easter Sunday 2023 how is this for trust? Galloping down the block with no sight) Then August 2023 diagnosed with heart failure.
We feel like our hearts have been ripped out.

Screenshot 2023-04-09 at 7.26.40 PM.webp
 
Last edited:
An emptiness around our house today, like someone ripped our hearts out. 15 years of devotion to him and him to us. He knew every moment of the day, when we worked, when he ate, when he would get a snack, when he would get a walk. He was amazing also in his trust with us. Completely blind since July of 2021 he never hesitated to climb stairs or even run down the block with me. Look at the photo below. Easter Sunday 2023. A dog with no eyes who can fetch a ball based on the sound of bells inside and a dog who trusted my wife and I with his life to keep him free of harm to run down the block with me and trust I will not let him be harmed.
I would not have traded these experiences with him for anything else in the world.
He sounds like he was a great dog and you were great dog parents. It's tough and can take quite a while to feel better. There's comfort in knowing that you kept him going as long as you could, and extended his enjoyment of life, but let him go at the right time too.

Sending condolences your way...
 
He sounds like he was a great dog and you were great dog parents. It's tough and can take quite a while to feel better. There's comfort in knowing that you kept him going as long as you could, and extended his enjoyment of life, but let him go at the right time too.

Sending condolences your way...
Thank you, …

100% yes my wife and I were on board that the time was right. Loved him too much to see a further decline into suffering.
Then at the time another doctor agreed before it was done and he went to sleep forever.
I’ll never forget that as my wife and I comforted him, cuddled his head and kissed him as the dr administered the final drug into his vein
 
Last edited:
Ive never been so affect by a death like this has. Gosh it is hard. 15 years of a best friend, loyal companion and a bond that was nothing short of amazing. The night before he laid on my chest almost like letting me know he was going to be ok. Typically he gets antsy in a short period of time when I hold him, not so with my wife. But Monday night he just laid there on my chest as I petted him and was even allowed to hug him tight as he had his head up against my chin. It was an amazing feeling, that I will never forget because in-between, he lifted his head up and licked my hand 3 times, then laid his head back down. May not surprise some but he wasnt a licky kind of dog.
He was in no rush to get down off of me.

Yeah, my wife and I get it. Both of us never had this type of loss with such extreme emotion.

We had a DR come to the house, administered a strong sedative as my wife and I stayed with him and kissed his head. Dr. was great and let us know every step and what would happen next. Once clearly in a deep sleep, she administered the drug directly in a vein. I watched his breathing slow down in a matter of seconds until it stopped. After some time, she intensely checked for a heartbeat and then the Crematorium came, wrapped his body in his favorite blanket and then their blanket. Took him away for a private cremation but we opted not to attend. They will return his ashes this week along with his paw print.
It's incredibly difficult. My condolences to you and your wife.
 
Sorry for your loss. You and your wife gave him a great life.

Remember the good times and all the love he brought to your home.

RIP. 🙏
 
Sorry for your loss. You and your wife gave him a great life.

Remember the good times and all the love he brought to your home.

RIP. 🙏
Thank you,
The impact this dog had on our lives is immeasurable. Wife and I having a rough time, at the same time know we did what was best for him. We haven’t moved any of his stuff. Wish we could hold him one more time.
I can’t believe we both say his death has been more emotional than any human.

His ashes from the cremation will be brought to us today, my wife bought him a tiny pumpkin last night.

IMG_0347.webp
 
I understand as My wife and I have been there. Prayers for healing for you both.
Thank you,
If you see my original post, I initially felt silly posting on how we were torn about how much we loved him, how much he was a part of our life and making this decision to put him forever to sleep.
Then I see we were not unique. Reading the replies in here and other friends and family who went through it..

Until it happens to you looking in from the outside, one can’t imagine what other people go through.

It all makes sense now, as are every part of your life every minute of the day that you are around your house your dog is there for you.
Then one day they are gone.
 
Last edited:
Thank you,
If you see my original post, I initially felt silly posting on how we were torn about how much we loved him, how much he was a part of our life and making this decision to put him forever to sleep.
Then I see we were not unique. Reading the replies in here and other friends and family who went through it..

Until it happens to you looking in from the outside, one can’t imagine what other people go through.

It all makes sense now, as are every part of your life every minute of the day that you are around your house you dog is there for you.
Then one day they are gone.
Ya. We found ourselves just wanting to get out of the house all the time because we saw him everywhere. The constant companionship, the routines you developed around him. It's just gone...forever. My wife and I still get choked up. It has been over two months and just last week when were were at the gym I had to stop what I was doing and take a moment to gather myself. It's so silly, but it is what it is.
 
An emptiness around our house today, like someone ripped our hearts out. 15 years of devotion to him and him to us. He knew every moment of the day, when we worked, when he ate, when he would get a snack, when he would get a walk. He was amazing also in his trust with us. Completely blind since July of 2021 he never hesitated to climb stairs or even run down the block with me. Look at the photo below. Easter Sunday 2023. A dog with no eyes who can fetch a ball based on the sound of bells inside and a dog who trusted my wife and I with his life to keep him free of harm to run down the block with me and trust I will not let him be harmed.
I would not have traded these experiences with him for anything else in the world.

Heart Failure is one of the worst ways a dog can die. Not sure if you read all my posts through. August 2023 we were told he has progressive heart valve disease. (Heart Failure) Dr estimated 6 months to a year. He made it 14 months.
He was prescribed VETMEDIN at the time in August 2023. An FDA approved drug for his condition. 3 days after he started taking it, it was like night and day that he improved to the point like he wasnt sick anymore.

The DR told us, it will only be for a while, 6 to 12 months later the drug would not be effective anymore, he was right. About a month (6 weeks) ago, he started coughing now and then during the night, also seemed confused at times, but still was always looking for our comfort. We thought it was nearing the time. We took him back to the doctor to make sure we were correct. The Dr said that if we put him to forever asleep at this point he could not disagree with that decision. We were told he was at stage 5 out of 6 in heart failure and then corrected himself and said actually a bit more above 5 and in-between the two. He was tossing and turning at night, another sign of difficulty breathing, wasnt as eager for my wife to take him for his nighttime walks, stuff like that.

So wanting to be sure, we waited, made sure he was still comfy, he still had energy at times to play tug of war etc but then would sleep away the entire day, meaning get tired quickly. Last month and more so two weeks there was a sudden decline in his quality of life, in the sense that the coughing and choking was coming back, infrequently but on the increase. Also was losing the desire to seek me out in my office after breakfast, something he has done forever and would fall asleep right near his food bowl where he ate.

Not wanting to make him suffer we decided it was time. No medicine could help him any longer and if you research the topic, heart failure is a horrible painful way for a dog to die if you let it go that way. He literally will start drowning in his own fluid as his heart cant pump enough blood, also organs get starved for O2.

I hope this helps you with a decision. Below, our blind dog, Easter Sunday 2023 how is this for trust? Galloping down the block with no sight) Then August 2023 diagnosed with heart failure.
We feel like our hearts have been ripped out.

View attachment 244486
Thanks for the full explaination. Our Lucy has started coughing now at night. She still greets me when I come home, but now just walks up and stands there. She also follows me around the house all the time, which is new. I sense she needs my comfort, the same way she comforted me whenever I was terribly sick.

She’s on the same drug as your dog and is in Stage 5. Your comment on this being a painful way to die is something I’ll keep in mind.

Once my wife agrees it’s time, we’ll put her down, but my wife sees activity during the day I don’t, making her think it isn’t time yet.

It’s hard to watch, but, I was very glad to toss her toy around and play fetch two nights ago. Each day is precious.
 
Thanks for the full explaination. Our Lucy has started coughing now at night. She still greets me when I come home, but now just walks up and stands there. She also follows me around the house all the time, which is new. I sense she needs my comfort, the same way she comforted me whenever I was terribly sick.

She’s on the same drug as your dog and is in Stage 5. Your comment on this being a painful way to die is something I’ll keep in mind.

Once my wife agrees it’s time, we’ll put her down, but my wife sees activity during the day I don’t, making her think it isn’t time yet.

It’s hard to watch, but, I was very glad to toss her toy around and play fetch two nights ago. Each day is precious.
Im glad this was some help. Yeah, confusion will also be part of it. I thought that as soon as I read "just walks up and stands there" Im not a doctor and repeating what my wife researched but lack of blood flow affects all organs, including the brain.
AS you know our dog now blind ALWAYS found his way around the house, never needed our help. Over a two month period he started to routinely get lost in the house. One bark was his signal that he needed help and we would come and guide him out of his predicament. Like clockwork, he would come in my office here while on the computer every morning after he ate breakfast and played with his toy. In my office was a day bed set up for him and he would sit right behind me. He stopped doing that and started falling asleep wherever he was. Once in a while (on a good day) he would surprise me and find his way. That is an idea of the decline.

Im sure you will (if not already) have noticed good days and not so good days with the dog (name?) That is the point we got to. So we hung in there making sure the time was right.
There comes a point where all of a sudden you look back and notice a rapid decline, it is that time that we made the decision. It took a good month of making sure it wasnt too soon and then all of a sudden it was starting to take a little encouragement to eat, drink water, and endless hours just laying on the floor instead of what he used to do. Also he started waking us up in the middle of the night to go outside to go to the bathroom. The saddest part was when sitting down to watch TV or a movie he would always have his ball with snacks in it to play with, he still remembered and ALWAYS wanted that ball *LOL* but for more then a couple months then, after playing with the ball he would wander around the living room, unable to sit still, once in a while on my command he would stop, then other times he would jsut get up and start wandering around again.

We got to a point where we could not deny it any longer, even though there were periods he would play like a puppy, but short lived before he got tired. That is the heart wrenching part, there will be still good times so it's a fine line.

Also, (check with a doctor because we are not) but our doctor had us count his breathing a few times over the year wheel he slept. We were told that normal is 30 or less breathes a minute. We could lately always hear the wheezing and congestion as he slept. But his breathing rate some night was off the wall as high as 64 (the highest one night) Most all the time 40 or above but then some nights so slow I would make sure he was still breathing. Anyway, we also used that as a guide, over the year he went from about 40ish to now 50ish breathes per minute.

They are bringing his ashes to our home today.
 
Last edited:
Ya. We found ourselves just wanting to get out of the house all the time because we saw him everywhere. The constant companionship, the routines you developed around him. It's just gone...forever. My wife and I still get choked up. It has been over two months and just last week when were were at the gym I had to stop what I was doing and take a moment to gather myself. It's so silly, but it is what it is.
Im amazed at all these posts, Ive never been through this before. I felt silly at first, but anyone I talk to both in here and out of here say the same. I habevnt touched any of his stuff yet. Toy bin that he routinely went to get a toy (keep in mind being blind he still would walk over to it in another room everyday after he ate breakfast)

Food bowl, still there, his bed in our bedroom still there. I always expect to see him where he normally would be at any given time of day.
Thanks for this post. I actually feel lucky as I guess most do, to have loved him so much as to miss him so much, if that make sense.
 
Your posts on this last page remind me of our last two months with Roscoe (Min. Schnauzer). He kept getting progressively worse at 13 and the very last seizure he suffered was his worst to-date. He never did come back fully from that last seizure. We think he had a minor stroke also.
So a decision had to be made fast and several hours later Roscoe was administered that final injection at the vet.

I kept everything in it's place for almost two weeks, then Roscoe was replaced by a seven weeks old pup we named Henry (Schnoodle). So Henry inherited Roscoe's toys, beds and bowls. So none of it had to be put away or given away. We did snatch three of Roscoe's favorite toys before Henry saw them. Those three toys sit atop of Henry's wooden box with ashes and his collar inside with the ashes.
 
Back
Top