Just spending quiet time together. Take some pictures. Lots of hugs & give him lots of the special treats that he loved to have if they still have some interest in food.

Recall memories of those special times together that you shared thru the years.

It's NEVER easy to focus on the past good times when they are failing. Try to remember what a blessing it was to have this special 'friend' come into your life & honor you with their unconditional love & loyalty.

We are here to help you heal your breaking heart with warm words & thoughts. We have all been thru this experience at one time or more. It's never an easy road to travel. But know that you are not alone in your grief. We share the load with you.

This thread has really opened the memory floodgates for my old guy, BUT such good ideas (I'll keep in the back of my head) and hope I don't have to use for a long,long, time. I hope I don't have to use for a long, long, time.

The only real negative about owning a dog is this very thing. And the tough thing is that the older they get, the better they get, even if your training wasn't terrific, by the time a dog is 7-8 they know your words, they've molded themselves into a family member.
It makes it SO hard to loose them.

The 2 dogs we had before this one were the same experience as Melissa - I went into the vet with my dog not knowing that I would go out without them.

But we have had a couple other dogs that we knew in advance, and one thing that helped me was knowing that the dogs didn't think or understand like I did! They didn't know that they were in their last days - at least not cognitively. They are just living in the moment. And I think that's why the advice to be as normal as you can is such an important point. They take their cues from us and how we are behaving since they don't know anything else. I wish that were true for me sometimes!

I'm sorry to hear what you are going through...

Well, what id you feel is really ISN'T time to let go.. I mean ..I don't know if she wants to die..
What if i do it "too early"?
Just put her down because she has become "old sick and hard to deal with".
I mean, i can't ask her if she wants to die this or that day.

I'm trying to plan it ahead to have a vet come into my bedroom and do it..
Have it done at home.
What if i DO wait last minute and she needs to be put to sleep on a cold hard floor at the vet? (she hates vet office)

Ugh, why cant they live forever. It isn't fair. I have had this dog literally one half of my entire life. And i have never had another dog. Just me and her. And i doubt i will be getting another because of grooming school costs and such. I don't exactly have cash flowing out of my pockets. Ill be all alone.. No brothers, sisters, pets. Ugh, don't like the thought..

Melissa.. i'm so sorry. I could not even begin to imagine how you feel about what you went through that day.. Lord.. just trying to imagine makes me feel like i'm going to vomit.
You must have been in such pain and shock.. How exactly did you get along??

Thanks for all the good ideas... And kind words..
Im going to enjoy the beach down the street from us more often.. She loves life. Its just me.. pulling her down.

Its a very difficult decision Brianah, and one only you can make. My last dog, my best friend in the world was diagnosed with cancer. Like you, I found myself saying I'm not ready to lose him. However, I did factor in quality of life issues such as was he still wanting to drink, was he wanting to eat, was he enjoying the things he enjoyed doing, even if at a slower pace. Was he acting like he was in pain, did he have an "inward" look, did he still engage with me.
On the day I made the decision, I did not expect it would be that day, in fact it was like somebody else was on the phone making the appt. But my beloved boy had given me several signs that day that it was time. Although I wish that it was a decision I didn't have to make, its a decision I have never regretted.
My boys favorite place was the car, and thats where the final kindness happened.
To me, I like to err on the side of life, if they are still fighting I will fight tooth and nail with them, if they give me the signs that they are ready, then as much as it hurts, I will help them leave.
I wish you didn't have to go through this. I can empathize with difficult this is for you.

"Well, what id you feel is really ISN'T time to let go.. I mean ..I don't know if she wants to die..
What if i do it "too early"?
Just put her down because she has become "old sick and hard to deal with".
I mean, i can't ask her if she wants to die this or that day. ... I'm trying to plan it ahead to have a vet come into my bedroom and do it..
Have it done at home.
What if i DO wait last minute and she needs to be put to sleep on a cold hard floor at the vet? (she hates vet office)"



It will be easier to for us help if we know what the condition is that has made her terminal.


BTW, with just the smallest bit of foreknowledge, all fear of "the cold hard floor at the vet" can be done away with. Even her favorite blanket brought with you would eliminate that fear. I have sat on a blanket on the floor and held my dog. But also, a home visit can be a very peaceful way.

I have always had a catheter put in place in the leg, and always a sedative first. Then I have held my dog for as long as I wanted before nodding to administer the PTS solution ... and still held her after, too.

http://dogs.about.com/od/petloss/a/The-Process-Of-Pet-Euthanasia.htm

We've always had dogs and cats as a family. Then I started working, worked all hours, worked long hours, and I realized that having a dog wouldn't really be fair to the dog - the dog walker would see more of him/her than I would. So, I got a cat. Her name was Fiona. She was with me for 16 wonderful years. The last few years, when I took her to the vet, I'd ask how she was doing. He would always say "every day is a bonus day."

Since then, other 4-legged creatures have blessed my life. It is never easy to say good-bye, and your post brought tears to my eyes. Their lives are so short, too short. And their lives are so tender - full of humor and warmth. And when they are gone, they leave a soft spot that is infinitely precious.

Every day is a bonus day. Cherish them. Revel in the soft spot they leave behind - it is glorious.

The last 2 we had to let go of, I feel we maybe held on too long. They both got to the point where they could hardly get to potty on their own. Then I knew it was time. But maybe it should've been sooner. Its tough to know. Id much prefer it just happen naturally. A new puppy does help the process when you're ready.