I put my dog to sleep today

[jgraz]

She was 16 ... blind, deaf, couldn't smell and was fighting kidney failure and dementia-induced anxiety. It was definitely time.

We adopted her at 13 when she was already losing her sight and hearing. Her name was Chiaro, but we called her Puppa. In her younger days, she was a best-of-show champion. We just knew her as a sweet little dog.

[firedupdem]

1. So Sorry,

:hug:

[Connonym]

2. ...

:hug: I'm sorry. I know that must have been terribly hard to do. Rest in peace sweet Puppa.

[LeftyMom]

3. I'm sorry. Thank you for adopting a senior dog. nt

[jgraz]

4. Thanks. I somehow thought an older dog would be less of an emotional commitment

Turns out I was wrong.

[Sheltiemama]

56. There's a special place in heaven for you.

And she'll be waiting for you there to thank you.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[deepthought42]

5. Oh...

:hug:

At least she had a good life with you. :)

It's never easy; I still remember coming home from school the day Snoopy (age 15) was put to sleep. Got home and he wasn't there. That was over 9 years ago.

[nomorenomore08]

6. Sad how these little critters don't live nearly as long as we do.

My condolences...

[jgraz]

7. heh... I wonder if my parrots think that about me

Unless I exceed the average life expectancy, they'll likely outlive me by at least 10 years.

[nomorenomore08]

8. At least giant tortoises aren't commonly kept as pets.

Then you'd have to hope your grandkids were animal lovers. :P

[jgraz]

12. It happens with the big birds

Some of them live over 100 years. Both my girlfriend and I have provisions in our wills to make sure that our parrots are taken care of. I know some older parrots who have outlived three caregivers.

[fizzgig]

9. i'm so sorry

rest well, puppa.

[flvegan]

10. Bless you for adopting a senior dog.

16 years old. That's a good long time.

Excuse me, I appear to have something in my eye.

[jgraz]

13. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Older dogs are great

Right now I'm overloaded with foster birds, but once I get a few of these guys adopted I'll be looking for another "senior citizen".

[Robeson]

11. I'm sorry...

...:grouphug:

[ThomCat]

14. You did a good thing adopting an older dog

that was already developing problems. So many people would have just abandoned a dog like that, or left it in the pound to eventually be put down.

You gave her years! :)

I'm glad you let her stick it out for a while. And I'm glad you made the choice before her life became unbearable. :hug:

I'm so sorry you had to do this. :(

You're a good person.

[jgraz]

16. Credit for those extra years goes to her raw food diet.

My girlfriend converted me to feeding homemade, raw meat food. It had a HUGE effect on Puppa's energy and mobility. I doubt she'd have made it to 14 on her previous dried food. I'll never feed a dog store-bought food again.

[MajorChode]

57. My experience has been about the same

I have a dog that's 17 and we fed her Dog Chow for over a decade. When she hit about 14 she started having problems and we've had her on the vet specialty food ever since.

[enigmatic]

15. I'm sorry

What a sweet face.

:hug:

[47of74]

17. Sorry for your loss

I'm sorry for your loss.

[ccharles000]

18. ...

:cry: :hug:

[applegrove]

19. Oh great of you to give her some fine last years.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

20. I'm sorry -- R.I.P., Puppa.

:hug:

[Gormy Cuss]

21. My condolences, graz. She was a lucky dog. n/t

[denbot]

22. I'm sorry jgraz

Peace to you.

[bigwillq]

23. I am very sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[S n o w b a l l]

24. Aww, she was adorable...

I'm so sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[Debi]

25. She's a beautiful girl

Sorry she's gone :hug:

[Roon]

26. Puppa sounds like she was a wonderful dog!

I adopted a senior kitty and I wouldn't change anything for the world! I am just glad she is spending her last days in warm, comfort, and has a belly full of food and treats.

[femmocrat]

27. So sorry, jgraz.... She sure looks like a sweet girl!

She had a really great three years with you. :hug:

[sammythecat]

28. That's really tough.

It's so sad that animals have to suffer afflictions like that. It seems so cruel and they are so undeserving of it.

I'll be facing the same decision as you some time soon. I dread it.

My sympathies to you and everyone who loved Puppa.

[jgraz]

30. Some advice if you're facing the decision

In the end, it turned out to be the kindest thing for her. She wasn't in acute pain, but she had nothing left in her life that brought her joy. I could have waited until she became truly miserable, but would that have been for her benefit or mine?

We were in the room with her, and she came pretty close to leaving after receiving only 1/6th of the initial sedative. Once she got the Big Shot, she was gone in a couple of minutes. After it was over, I realized that it was the first time I'd seen her truly at peace in months.

This decision is the last, biggest thing that our pets require from us. I'm sure I made the right call, and you will be too when the time comes.

[UTUSN]

29. OHooo noooo. I'm sorry. I haven't gotten over this for 15 years. n/t

[BarenakedLady]

31. I'm so sorry

But thank you for opening your home and heart to an elderly dog. That is awesome she spent her last years in a loving home.

:hug:

[BuelahWitch]

32. I'm sorry

:hug:

[LeftyFingerPop]

33. I'm very sorry...

:hug:

[Shell Beau]

34. That is so awesome that you took in an older pup!!

:hug: Never easy to make that decision either. Even though we know it is time. :hug:

[DS1]

35. Sorry to hear that. Godspeed, Puppa!

[jobycom]

36. You both got lucky enough to spend three years together.

Happy thoughts. After the sadness. :headbang:

[Canuckistanian]

37. Requiescat in pace, Puppa

May you forever chase squirrels in your favorite field.

[Richardo]

38. So sorry, jgraz

I know exactly what you are going through :hug:

[emilyg]

39. I am sorry. Sweet play for her in heaven.

[KT2000]

40. I am so sorry

She was very lucky to have lived with you, especially in her later years.
What a sweet girl too.

[EFerrari]

41. I'm so sorry.

:hug:

[livvy]

42. I'm so sorry.

As a person who has lost many furbuddies, it's so hard. I've been fortunate enough to have lost all of mine at home. I've not been put in the situation of having to take one of my babies in.
My most sincere understanding of your feelings right now flowing your way. I am so sorry. Liv

[CrawlingChaos]

43. Ah heck...

I can't tell you how much I admire you for adopting her at age 13 and filling her final years with love and happiness. I'm so sorry for your loss -- I can never find the words. What a darling girl (that pic is off the charts).

Take good care of yourself and feel better soon.

[sohndrsmith]

44. you okay? I send you warm hugs... n/t

[jgraz]

45. Yep, we're doing ok.

I was a wreck yesterday, but seeing her finally at peace makes things a lot easier.

[sohndrsmith]

46. Aw... I know it's hard. I'm so glad she had you for so long...

Sounds like both of you were extremely fortunate to have each other. That in itself is priceless - and will never go away. She sounds like a gem and it's no accident that your being part of her life helped her live so fully and so long.

Take good care and be gentle with yourself, okay?

[driver8]

47. I'm so sorry for your loss...

RIP, sweet girl.

[Erva]

48. I am sorry.

Hang in there. I know it's awful.

[Pool Hall Ace]

49. Thank you for providing that sweetheart such a good home.

:hug:

:cry: RIP, Puppa O8)

[mitchum]

50. My thoughts are with you and everyone who knew and loved Puppa

rest in peace, sweet girl

[GreenPartyVoter]

51. I am so sorry *hugs* Losing a furbaby is always so heartbreaking.

[jgraz]

52. Thanks, everyone, for all the kind words

You guys really did a lot to help me get through this. :grouphug:

[Liberal_in_LA]

53. Sorry about your dog. :-(

[MadMaddie]

54. jgrazz Puppa had a great life thanks you and your family!

RIP Puppa..

[My Good Babushka]

55. Sorry for your loss.

[Sultana]

58. So, Sorry

She's in a better place :hug:

[nuxvomica]

59. I'm sorry.

What a sweet little sprite she is in that picture. Rest in peace little one.
Peace to you. :hug:

[Vidar]

60. My sympathies. Awfully hard to part with friends that way.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

61. Aww jgraz

:hug: :hug: :hug:

Goodnight Puppa. Good Girl.

My deepest sympathies. Our Midnight was blind and lost in her last days.

[latebloomer]

62. I'm very sorry

I know how hard it is to lose a furbaby.

[janx]

63. This is probably the toughest thing any one of us can do.

I still cry when I remember having to euthanize my baby, Finn, some years ago. I still have her ashes and don't know what to do with them. She died from lymphoma.

What a cruel trick of nature it is that our dogs, our best friends, live for such a short time.