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

[alarmguy]

Very sorry to hear and enjoy the time that remains. You are providing him a great life.

We held off getting another dog for a long time due to this...

Thank you for this,
Yeah, I told my wife, I wonder if we would ever come around to wanting another dog. Right now we feel it wouldnt be fair to another because we cant imagine loving another one like we did this one. He was so in tune with us, freak out and dart around the house like a crazy person every time we walked in the door, insane! . Cant explain it but most likely most know already and experienced the same.

 

[demarpaint]

My wife and I agree. It is why we took him to his regular doctor this week, to make sure we weren't playing god. This was at the suggestion of another doctor 1 hour away who will actually do the procedure. She suggested it for our own emotional well being, make sure nothing else could be done. It was GREAT advice even though I knew already based on what he told us in the past. Im so glad we did.

So you got to watch a horrible human death too. It's brutal the way we make humans suffer. I could never allow our dog to leave this earth like that.

We did the same thing with our dog. He had brain cancer, which we thought was vertigo when it started. I didn't want to believe it, but once we were certain he had brain cancer, two vets later and a ton of money, we knew it was time. He was having trouble walking, and couldn't do the stairs anymore. I wasn't going to be selfish and allow him to suffer because I didn't want him to die.

Yes, I've watched more than one horrible death. Unfortunately both parents, and a best friend. It changed a lot of things for me, but this isn't the place for that. Once again you guys are doing the right thing! God Bless!!

 

[Triple_Se7en]

I lost my best friend ever<<<< in March 2023. I still cry for him at times. So I know the pain you are having now and it'll get worse when Benson takes his last breath.

Cheer up momentarily anyways, for you and the wife will see him again when you-guys pass from this life. But being Catholic, we don't recommend mixing, blending or disposing of ashes in multiple locations. Do not unload one-third of the dog's ashes here - one-third ashes there and the last one-third of Benson somewhere else. But I do recommend a friend or family member (someday down the line) house all-3 of the ashes (you / wife / dog) together in a larger urn or box.... in a stackable position. Then if you have decided on a final resting place, that's great.

Just don;t do what my in-law did and stored her husband's ashes in the far corner, top-shelf of the bedroom clothes closet...... sight unseen by both herself and anyone else that visited that home.

 

[Nick1994]

If he is not in severe pain, why? Unless in severe pain I have decided to not euthanize. Now I have to convince my wife.

I did not give him his life, I cannot not take it away.

Regardless of my thoughts, I am sad this chapter with your wonderful friend and family member is coming to a close.

What is your dog's name so we may say it?

I couldn’t imagine having to wait until severe pain to put an animal down.

3 days ago I had my dog put down, nearly 15 years old and also heart failure. I certainly didn’t wait until the suffering was awful. He was uncomfortable and declining. Probably could have waited until later this week but that would have been cruel.

It’s the kindest thing you can do for them.

 

[Fordiesel69]

These are rough to read. Got my first ever dog in 2014 and at times think what it will be like on that day having to make the decision.

 

[Mr_Anderson]

Any of your pets are lucky indeed. When I have to have a pet put down, I sing to them on the way to the vet. They hear me cry a lot less when I do that.

 

[vavavroom]

I am so sorry to hear this. Doing the right thing can be so hard. I wish you peacefulness.

 

[wavinwayne]

So sorry. They are family members, and it hurts something awful when they pass.

 

[loneryder]

Benson
Everything we do is with his comfort and interest at heart over our own emotions. Everything we have done for him was a consultation with doctors, even when he lost both eyes we took him to an animal eye specialist for consultation. Most people give up on their pet by then, but we were told his breed is amazing and will handle this well and they were right. COST was NOT a concern for the two separate operations to remove his eyes. Cost was not a concern as they feverishly tried to save one of them to no avail. It actually ruptured the night before the operation. The cool part is, he went on to live an AMAZING life that no one can imagine. I have it all on video. This was three years ago.

This is now, 4 years later. (im getting mixed up on the years)
Im not sure how much you know about heart failure but we are at a stage now that for one year he has been on a FDA approved heart medicine for dogs exactly with his condition, its improves heart function to overcome failing heart valves. However the medicine over time cannot overcome nature and he will start downing in fluid as it builds up in his lungs. His heart valves are deteriorating at a rapid pace now. Dr put him at a 5 our of 6 but also offered its close to a 6 which is the limit of the scale. He said so much so he can hear it in his stethoscope even before it touches his chest.

It's a sound quite unsettling hearing the wheezing. So when you ask about pain, think about the feeling of constant state of drowning which we would be awakened at night by his choking, it was then we took him to the doctor over one year ago and was told. So this miracle drug gave us another 1+ year with him which stopped the fluid build up and his life greatly went back to almost normal which slightly exceeded the doctors expectation of 6 months to a year.

Keep in mind with heart failure at this level now, other organs start breaking down do to lack of blood circulation. Anyway, had him at the doctor again this week and doctor 100% agrees with us, we wanted to make sure we were thinking clearly and not playing god. (read on) He tires very easy, the beach lit him up, but at home he cants walk more than a few houses without getting tired.

He is also entering a stage of dementia, he has good moments for sure, most times sleeps but is now getting lost in the house at times and barks for us to come get him, we also now have to make sure he drinks water and lately not as interested in eating but he still does so far. ALL I am mentioning has been a rapid downhill spiral of what seems like the past few weeks to a month or so. We were told this time would come one year ago by the doctor.
We ARE NOT TAKING HIS LIFE AWAY, if anything at this point we are artificially keeping him alive with the drug he takes. The drug gave him one more year of a comfortable life and now at the point of rapidly being in-effective. If not for that drug he would have drowned in his own fluid over 10 months ago.
BOTTOM line is we do not want him to suffer for our own emotional good. His time is here and it is NOT easy but I can honestly say if this was me, I would tell my family to let me go now. I watched my mom die of cancer in a bed with a morphine pump, I look at letting an animal pass on as more humane than we treat humans. Trust me, Im man enough to say this is killing my wife and I, many tears.

I'm guessing he is on Vetmedin. It is a miracle drug. Gave one of my dogs another year plus of quality life. I feel your upcoming pain. Your write up in tribute to him is superb.

 

[Pelican]

He has been our world for 15 years. Amazing dog in every way imaginable. Lost both his eyes at the age of twelve and overcame that disability like we could never expect. We actually learned from him over the last 3 years. Less than a few weeks later he was chasing a ball and retrieving like he always loved to do, and was able to completely blind. HE would listen the sound of a bell inside the ball and zero in on it.

Made his way around our 3000 sq ft home like he always did when he could see. He knew the texture of the floors of different rooms.
We had a rubber matt (so his paws could feel he was at the top of the stairs) at the top of the staircase and he knew how to go up and down the stairs as fluid as a dog who could see.

Anyway, making his final arrangements, now on a heart failure scale of 5 out of 6 with 6 being the worst. He sleeps most the day but still will play in short bursts. We didnt want to bring him to his Vet office and have his last moments on earth being terrified as the vet office terrifies him. Keep in mind he is blind but yet, we pull in that parking lot of the VET and he trembles as soon as we get in the parking lot, even with the AC on he must pick up the scent
.
So when we place the call, a Doctor will come to our house and put him forever to sleep. After that a crematorium will pick him up and individually cremate him and return his ashes. In our/my will I want my ashes spread with his.
I know this sounds nuts. But this dog impacted out lives like nothing else in our lives (and we have adult children now*LOL*)

Anyway, we have been doing a "bucket list" for him since first learning about the beginning stages of heart failure one year ago. Including trips on the boat ect. We also knew it would be his last Christmas in 2023.
Knowing he will not be with us next month, my wife took off early from work this week and we took him to one of his other favorite places. The beach, it lights up his senses. He loves it. His ears are typically "down" like the car photo, at the beach it must be the sounds of the ocean.
View attachment 239957 View attachment 239958 View attachment 239959
Christmas Morning 2023, he always could sniff out his presents, would act like a kid, every Christmas even when blind.
View attachment 239961

Have been there 6 times, the only confort I derived was knowing that it was no longer enjoying life with all the
problems Old Age gives.

 

[HemiBenny]

I hate that you're having to follow through with this, it's always tough when the decision has to be made. I was a grown man reduced to tears when I had to put "Kiwi" (my ACD) down.
They do impact your life so much! No matter how bad your day, or the mood you're in, they're always happy when you come home. They don't care how rich or poor you are, they love you just the same.
You'll have a lot of memories to look back on and know that Benson lived his best life.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Benson
... ... .

I understand fully now - to go naturally would not be to his benefit.

You and your wife are amazing caretakers.

Godspeed, Benson!

 

[AZjeff]

My dad called this tough duty. Some people have dogs, some people love dogs. If you love them you know. So sorry for your pain, it just comes with the joy you've had with him. You'll never replace him but in time maybe you can love another dog.

I've had lots of dogs, dog crazy, and am blessed to have the best dog of my life right now. That's him in the avatar when he was getting laser treatments for a torn ACL. He's 14 and slowing down and I can't even think of the day your facing but it's coming.

 

[Krieg]

Many blessings for Sir Benson!

 

[k1xv]

God made the typical human lifespan many times that of a dog or cat. Thus, if you give a loving home to such animals, it is inevitable that you will experience the passing of several in your lifetime.

You should be gratified that you gave your dog a loving home during its allotted time on earth, took care of it, and in turn, it provided you with loyalty and companionship. And as soon as possible, do the same for another canine or feline. The shelters are full of love just looking for you.

 

[Cujet]

I'm guessing he is on Vetmedin. It is a miracle drug. Gave one of my dogs another year plus of quality life. I feel your upcoming pain. Your write up in tribute to him is superb.

I had my Elkhound on Vetmedin. Caused her to lose her back leg strength completely (full collapse), her front right leg to be crazy restless (stepping non stop) and to walk in a curve non stop. Really messed her up. But she was not coughing all the time. Took her off and now she can walk and the neuro symptoms are lessening, but she is coughing again.

She would not have lived another week on Vetmedin. She was clearly going down.

 

[dlundblad]

Condolences. It’s very hard, but you did good.

We lost our 3.5 year old GSD earlier this year to an extremely rare medical condition that we fought for most of his life. Very expensive food, medicine, and vet visits too. We found his “replacement” (friend for our existing pets) at a shelter a month later, but we will never get over him.

 

[pvs2487]

I'm so sorry for your loss. You gave him a wonderful life, and he gave you unconditional love.
It's the hardest thing to do, but it is also the kindest.
All dogs go to heaven.

 

[Bill7]

He has been our world for 15 years. Amazing dog in every way imaginable. Lost both his eyes at the age of twelve and overcame that disability like we could never expect. We actually learned from him over the last 3 years. Less than a few weeks later he was chasing a ball and retrieving like he always loved to do, and was able to completely blind. HE would listen the sound of a bell inside the ball and zero in on it.

Made his way around our 3000 sq ft home like he always did when he could see. He knew the texture of the floors of different rooms.
We had a rubber matt (so his paws could feel he was at the top of the stairs) at the top of the staircase and he knew how to go up and down the stairs as fluid as a dog who could see.

Anyway, making his final arrangements, now on a heart failure scale of 5 out of 6 with 6 being the worst. He sleeps most the day but still will play in short bursts. We didnt want to bring him to his Vet office and have his last moments on earth being terrified as the vet office terrifies him. Keep in mind he is blind but yet, we pull in that parking lot of the VET and he trembles as soon as we get in the parking lot, even with the AC on he must pick up the scent
.
So when we place the call, a Doctor will come to our house and put him forever to sleep. After that a crematorium will pick him up and individually cremate him and return his ashes. In our/my will I want my ashes spread with his.
I know this sounds nuts. But this dog impacted out lives like nothing else in our lives (and we have adult children now*LOL*)

Anyway, we have been doing a "bucket list" for him since first learning about the beginning stages of heart failure one year ago. Including trips on the boat ect. We also knew it would be his last Christmas in 2023.
Knowing he will not be with us next month, my wife took off early from work this week and we took him to one of his other favorite places. The beach, it lights up his senses. He loves it. His ears are typically "down" like the car photo, at the beach it must be the sounds of the ocean.
View attachment 239957 View attachment 239958 View attachment 239959
Christmas Morning 2023, he always could sniff out his presents, would act like a kid, every Christmas even when blind.
View attachment 239961

You have a very sad story, and I feel bad.

If it were me, I'd do everything possible to keep him alive as long as possible until he died of natural causes.
I would ask the vet what they can give him to ease any discomfort, and spend a lot of time with him each day.

 

[Urshurak776]

I'm so sorry for your loss. We lost our 12 year old Doberman in January. She was our world. We also lost our two Yorkies the year prior (one of them also due to heart failure.) They were 15. I miss them all very much. In February 2023 I lost my Mom. Lung Cancer that spread to her brain. Last couple of weeks were AWFUL. She didn't want that, but she held on for us.

You and you're wife sound like amazing animal parents. When you are ready, please get another pup. I promise you that Benson will want you too. You have a lot of love to give, and you both deserve the love of another dog, when you're ready.