My Papillon developed a lump with no other symptoms. She was diagnosed with breast cancer, and it was affirmed that the cancer had metastasized. Because of her age, 16, and she did not appear to be suffering in any way, I put her into hospice at home. I told myself that when the first sign that her quality of life was deteriorating, I would have her PTS. She went on like a trooper for one more month, the signs I was watching for did not happen until the minutes before she passed, some of longest minutes of my life as she was experiencing physical and mental anguish. I lost my 13 year old GSD, unexpectedly, just a few months later, his final moments were just as devastating.

I think we would all like to believe that our pets will peacefully pass, this isn’t always so.

Connie, does your friend know about the Rainbow Bridge? I first heard about the Rainbow Bridge from my grandfather when my first dog Sam died of Cancer. He told me about the wonderful fields that the dogs play in and that all the dogs play together. They are watched over by St. Francis until the day that you find yourself at the Bridge and you are reunited with all of your wonderful animal friends and cross the Bridge together.

My grandfather added the bit about St. Francis, but the day Sammy died, we made him a St. Francis medal and buried it with him to be sure that St. Francis would take care of him until I made my way to the Bridge.

All of my dogs (and horses) get a St. Francis medal when they come to live with me. When they go to the Bridge, they are buried with it. (We are not permitted to bury horses here, so I cut a piece of the mane and braid the medal into it.)

The point of the story of the Rainbow Bridge is that death isn't the end. It is just the beginning of a new journey together. Your friend's dog will be waiting at the Bridge, and she will see her again.

All of my dogs are buried in a grove of trees. They all get a tree planted for them when they come here to live. At the end of the path leading to the grove, I have a little sign that I made that says, "Angels Gather Here" and I have a bench out there for when I feel like I need to talk to my girls.

I can tell you that the first time I put a dog to sleep, I waited too long. Ug had gotten to the point that she could no longer get up on her own. I just couldn't do it... I could not bring myself to lose her. She had shared my life for 17 years, and we had been through SOOO much together. I now regret that I had waited so long.. she had been telling me for a long time that she was ready to go but I wasn't listening.

I miss each and every dog (and horse) that I have ever lost. I remember each birthday and each day they passed. On each of those dates, I go out to the grove and tell them how much they had meant to me, and tie a ribbon to their tree.

Each person grieves in their own way. I will only say that the pain does get better with time. The tears turn to smiles when you remember your lost friends. It just takes time.

Connie, if your friend needs more support during this time, please let her know that we are here for her.

Hugs,

--Kel

Since it sounds like the decision has been made to euthanise, I'll chime in with my advice.
The emotional aspect has been very well covered.

Make sure when it's time, you suggest to her to pre-pay for the appointment. After you loose a dog, you're in no mental state to pass over a credit card, or write a check.
Have your friend insist the vet place an IV Catheter. The risk of blowing out a vein decreases with this. Some vets bypass that step on the PTS dogs, but I think it's worth the extra $15.

ALSO, and in my mind, MOST important. Ask the vet to heavily sedate the dog before giving the lethal injection. Use Acepromazine, or better yet Ketamine. Many people have been lead to believe that euthanasia is not painful. I disagree, and so do many vets. Heavily sedate the dog first.

"Have your friend insist the vet place an IV Catheter. "


I had forgotten this too, and I agree that this is critical.

Connie, the best advice I ever got about Dolly, who was my first dog and my first PTS, was from you. You said you'd never regretted putting a dog down to early. But you'd regretted doing it too late. To me that spoke so many volumes and in the end it's what gave me the resolution I needed to let go of my little girl.

There isn't a day that goes by I don't think about her. Sometimes I call Conan "Dolly." Sometimes I still expect to see her when I walk through my mom's front door. It's a bizarre feeling.

We spread her ashes in the backyard at a family BBQ, so she could be there with us just like she always was.

I have a stuffed dog in my bedroom that wears her collar. And her tag is on my keys. None of that will ever change.

Once I realized that it was my turn to be brave for her, I was able to accept that she would be happier over the Rainbow Bridge.

 Quote: Katie Finlay

Connie, the best advice I ever got about Dolly, who was my first dog and my first PTS, was from you. You said you'd never regretted putting a dog down to early. But you'd regretted doing it too late. To me that spoke so many volumes and in the end it's what gave me the resolution I needed to let go of my little girl.

And it was years ago that I was given this wisdom, from two people, and both here: Ed Frawley and Bob Scott.

I will never let this happen again if it's at all in my power.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

 Quote: Katie Finlay

Connie, the best advice I ever got about Dolly, who was my first dog and my first PTS, was from you. You said you'd never regretted putting a dog down to early. But you'd regretted doing it too late. To me that spoke so many volumes and in the end it's what gave me the resolution I needed to let go of my little girl.

And it was years ago that I was given this wisdom, from two people, and both here: Ed Frawley and Bob Scott.

I will never let this happen again if it's at all in my power.

I'm glad it continues to be passed down, because it really made a world of difference in not only my life, but Dolly's.

We are headed towards this inevitable loss with Nico. I take a mental evaluation of her every single morning and every morning I tell myself that if she does not meet the criteria for quality of life it is time to make that decision.

This is my way of not only making sure I am doing the best for her, but also a way of preparing myself well ahead of time.

By having this specific criteria decided on ahead of time, I am hoping it will help me face the situation logically rather than totally emotionally.

My vet offers house calls so that you can let your pet go at home. My mom and I talked and thought long and hard about it but decided that she didn't think it was a good idea.

She decided she didn't want to have a spot in the house that she would always associate with that sadness, but would keep the home full of happy memories instead.
I believe I feel the same way.

 Quote: connie sutherland

"Have your friend insist the vet place an IV Catheter. "


I had forgotten this too, and I agree that this is critical.

It's important. That, a heavy sedative before hand, and way more B-euthanasia solution then you need for the weight. It's so much easier for the pet that way. Also, staying in the room if you can manage it.

Another option that has not been mentioned- if this person has horses, call the equine vet. (Or ask a friend who has horses). Many farm/equine vets will help out clients, and PTS a dog at it's home, avoiding a stressful, sometimes painful trip to the vet. That's really only an option if you can also bury the pet at your home. I was fortunate and always had this choice. Still insist on an IV-Cath, and a sedative though.

This is so fresh for me. I just had Sierra PTS on October 26. I didn't have a chance to do the many things I would have done if I would have had a little more time.

I had bought one of those kid things were you put your child's hand into clay and then frame it along with a picture. I had bought one fully expecting Sierra to come home from the hospital but she never did. I had her cremated and she's in a lovely cedar box that's sitting on an small table by the window of my living room.

If I would have had one more day with my girl, I would have taken her to the park to watch the squirrels. She loved to do that. I would have fried up some liver for her which was her most favourite meal in the whole wide world and then followed it with an ice cream cone and raspberry yogurt. I would have allowed her up on the couch to cuddle and slept with her on her bed. Sorry, done now. Can't see through the tears.

Edited by Debbie Martin (12/06/2010 08:08 PM)
Edit reason: spelling