Very few people rate as high on the list as my dog. My hope for you is for him to pass in his sleep, with out so much as a whimper.

 

I pray he goes to sleep one day and drifts over to the Rainbow Bridge. But chances are we will have to make that awful decision to help him when that time comes.

It is a hard decision. It takes courage and strength. It is too easy to be selfish and put it off so we have more time together. But it is at this time that our beloved pets need us to be strong and put them and their needs ahead of our own. You will know when it is time. Know, too, that it is a kindness you do. Stay with him to the end. Don't let him be alone at that time when he most needs your reassuring presence.

Two of my three dogs are aged. They can't hear anymore. One is blind in one eye and has cataracts in the other. She is nearing 20 YOA but gets around like a dog half her age.

The other has trouble getting up and down. It hurts me to watch him struggle. He is probably about 15 YOA now. I know the time is near but it's not here yet.

The youngest, probably about 12 YOA now, is covered with tumors that have so far proved not cancerous. Not yet, anyway.

I expect it's going to be a tough year.

Again -- you have my sympathy and condolences. We can feel how much you love Cotton. Thank you for sharing your life with him and giving him the best life he could have had.

 

Stay with him to the end. Don't let him be alone at that time when he most needs your reassuring presence.

If a vet assists, stay with him -- let his last thought be of your love.

 

Unconditional love is what exists between a dog and it's master, treasure the memory.
Here I am with my "Ruby" days before she passed at 11 years of age.

We are having a nap together. The grief of losing her was immeasurable.
Three months later we where offered up Rosie, not up to pure-breed specifications and the runt of the litter.

She also enjoys her naps with "Dad".

You are not alone and my heart weeps for those like you going through the process of saying goodbye.
I know your heart will mourn the loss of Cotton but I hope the memories of a life well lived with you will outweigh the loss.
Love lives forever. Find peace on your own terms. You have been blessed!

 

It hurts to say, but I too have been in your shoes and will be again in a few years. I have always believed that I have owed my dogs the very best life I could give them and I have. I have also honorably given them the best ending possible.

You’re a good guy barrel horses and I know your doggie is too.

 

Dang Dog!

On a lighter note.... years ago I worked with an elderly gentlemen who always had a story to tell about "that **** dog." That's all he ever called the dog when talking about it. I don't think I ever heard the dog's name mentioned. He obviously loved the dog and I'm sure it was reciprocated.

The gent died of cancer. His obituary was published in the local paper. Included in the list of loved ones he left behind was "and that **** dog."

 

So sorry to hear this, such a heartbreak..we recently went through the same thing, tumor on the spleen of our best boy Huckleberry, Head of Ranch Security the last 11 years. God bless you!

 

I feel for you. In the past 18 months, we've lost 3 dogs and 4 cats all were in their mid to late teens, and their worst crime was to love us unconditionally for their entire lives. Hold him as often as you can. He knows how you feel.

 

I must have gotten something in my eye as I was reading your post.

I remember all too well how it felt when my my dog needed palliative care.

Please take care of him the best you can, favorite treats, lot of love and be strong when the time comes.

My biggest regret was waiting a few days too long thinking that he might recover.

 

I must have gotten something in my eye as I was reading your post.

I remember all too well how it felt when my my dog needed palliative care.

Please take care of him the best you can, favorite treats, lot of love and be strong when the time comes.

My biggest regret was waiting a few days too long thinking that he might recover.

Something got in my eye too while I was typing the post.

My wife thinks we have a month or two. I don't know. He's still eating and drinking. He sleeps a lot and I tend to watch him breathing (just to be sure he's not panting or in distress). But he snubs dog food most of the time. Tonight he had a grilled pork chop. Last night he had boiled chicken. I scrambled some eggs for him on Saturday. I know human food isn't the healthy choice for him, but I think we are beyond worrying about long term health effects.

We have been down this road before and it always sucks. In each case, there was a definite time when each furry family member told us it was time. When Cotton tells us it's time to go, we will get him to a veterinarian ASAP and we will stay with him. I still hope that he will go in his sleep. But that's just never been the case for the others before him.

 

Our 12 year old miniature Schnauzer, Cotton, has a softball sized mass on his spleen. We learned this last week. He's not a surgical candidate due to a heart murmur and his platelets and red blood cells are low, indicating that the mass is probably causing internal bleeding. They prescribed some sort of Chinese herb to help stop any internal bleeding. He's now basically on palliative care and the clock is ticking. Will we have days, weeks or maybe a few more months with him? Only God knows.

I love that dang dog! I came in from work a few minutes ago. He's deaf so he didn't hear me. I walked around to where he was laying on the couch (on top of a comfy blanket, of course). He opened his eyes and lifted his head when he saw me. I got down on my knees and put my face against his face. He can't hear me say I love you, but I hope he can feel it.

I pray he goes to sleep one day and drifts over to the Rainbow Bridge. But chances are we will have to make that awful decision to help him when that time comes.

Dear B.H. , I have been where you are this is a tuffy . I hope Cotton goes to sleep , and doesn't wake up. The last two years I lost my mom, my border collie, Pepper, and
Bailey, quad color blue merle Australian shepherd. I have two more doggies red heelers sisters, I still miss everyone. I be thinking about you and cotton. Get you Australian shepherd, or Border collie, or another Cotton ll. I love my
doggies. I hope this helps, Buck
R.F.C. was here allowing to talk about mom and my 4 legged buddies what we done and those memories,
B.H. , hang in there its tuff,

 

This is why I won't have any more pets.

Best wishes for his peaceful transition.

 

"Rub my head, Dad!"

 

When you are responsible for a life there is a strong bond formed. Love!

 

Let him eat what he wants. I know not the same but I got into argument with my stepdaughter when my wife was near the end because she got mad about what her mom was eating. I had to tell her as long as she is eating something that is all that matters.

 

I was in intensive care about 10 days ago,Tippy was home and one of my friends was tasked to feed her he locked her up
and she had no way of getting out, from the hospital I called a neighbor to let her out, he took a shine to her and asked if he could keep her, I couldn't so I let her go breaks my heart but got to do what's best for the dog so I let her go.
I trained her for two years and the neighbor gets the benefit of her. I miss her, now I'm stuck with the cat.

 

Sad all around about our dogs. They give us so much companionship. I feel for everyone who has lost a dog, here. We just put one of ours down a few weeks ago. Turns out she had a condition, which is probably why she got dropped of at the shelter. Such a sweetie. #sad

 

4:54 am and I've got tears in my eyes. These dogs get into our hearts and although we have never met my heart goes out to you.

 

The Son having had Ollie put down ( holding him and talking to him at the end) only waited a short time before getting our new family pet Finn...wife occasionally says we need another dog but with her issues and my potential issues it's not going to happen. I've buried my share and can't take any more.

Who's a good Dog, Ollie's a good Dog, miss you little buddy...

The Wild Man Finn

1st assistant to the VP of DeFeet socks....

Ace at hide and seek....

 

He can't hear me say I love you, but I hope he can feel it.

You know he does. Sounds like he's had, and is having his best life, It's great that you found each other. Pass the pork chops.

 

Been there several times. I’m too old to get another one. It’s like losing anyone else in your family. I feel your loss.

 

Sorry to hear this Brian. They are part of the Family for sure.

 

Lost a few over the years. Never easy. Id go for the surgery, if it works great. If not , then you’re where you were gonna be anyways.

 

There is nothing that hasn't already been said above, or that you don't already know. In another two weeks it will have been one year for me, and this string has my throat swole up a little bit. We had a vet come out to our house in the country and performed the deed in our own yard where she spent her whole life running free, surrounded by the people she loved, rather than in some strange cold room with nobody she knew. Hoping both of you make the best of the remaining days.

 

It hurts so much to let them go but a good animal deserves a good death. B.H. - I know you will put Cotton's welfare first, however painful it will be.

 

Certainly, to the best of our ability anyhow. We don't want him to suffer at all, but we don't want to send him out while he still seems to have a decent quality of life.

 

I will tell you what helps me tremendously is just knowing that we did everything reasonably possible to help our little girl live. And when knew when it was time we did what was best for her and helped her pass away with dignity and without pain. That was two years ago and her ashes and favorite toy are still on my desk.

 

I've been there several times and it is truly heart-wrenching. We lost Kaylee, an Irish Terrier, about five years ago. She was so weak with cancer, she could barely walk. I held her as the vet gave her the injection, while she just looked into my eyes and I felt her go limp. I cried like a baby. She was our fifth over 50 years and we decided never again. But the best way to fill that hole in your heart is with another, knowing full well it will happen again. Need to balance the years of joy (and occasional aggravation) with that pain that lasts not nearly as long, though the memories linger.

Best of luck to you, Brian.

Doug