4 Ways to Know When It's Time to Say Goodbye -- Cone of Shame with Dr. Andy Roark
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 พ.ค. 2024
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The only time a dog will ever break your heart is when theirs stops beating. 💔🐾
😔 soon for me...
@@whatwillbem6825 I'm so sorry. It's been a year and a month since I put my dog of 14 years down on Christmas Eve morning. I just rescued a 4 month puppy 2 weeks ago. You will be sad for a while and you will never get past the ache in your heart but you will find joy again. You will realize that there are so many dogs out there waiting every single day to love and be loved by someone like you. 💓💓🐾🐾
@@christys8445 ok...
@@whatwillbem6825 me too
@@karensutphin5501 😔
The non dog lovers will say , oh come on , it's just a dog . No it is not just a dog ; he or she is part of your family , he is your best friend , your other soul-mate , he gives unconditional love and asks nothing in return . He is always there for you , he brings joy and laughter and picks you up when you are feeling down . He is the most selfless and loving companion that any human being could ask for . He is with you , in every sense , all the way to the end .
They are part of your family. I lost a 15 yr old chihuahua and now am going thru terrible things with my 16 yr old chihuahua. Our lives have revolved around our dogs since day we got them. So they are family. I have more money in my one chihuahua than a new vehicle. I would do anything for my dogs.
They’re family...fur babies...the love they give in my opinion surpasses a humans love...I have to say goodbye to my teacup chihuahua soon...I’ve had her 16 years...😔 my heart is broken 💔 but it’s because I love her so much...thank you for your comment at this very sad time for me....
Whatwillbe M She will always love you more.
@@whatwillbem6825 8th
Absolutely.
Our dog is in a real mess at the moment after suffering an unknown illness which resulted in a super quick deterioration into paralysation, although he has feeling in his paws and his tail wags still, and he can occasionally move his back legs, he can't stand up and seems unable to pass waste until it forces its own way out.
He's nine, but had a bad traffic accident as a pup and this seems to be linked, although it's puzzling because his tail still wags, but he can't stand up, plus his 'toes' on his front left paw curls back in under itself, and he seems to have lost the ability to placebos front legs in the correct place to get the support necessary to support his weight, so I think it's something to do with his nervous system, some form of degenerative virus or something, god knows.
He's been in pain for a while though, but I didn't realise it til this issue started last week when his legs began to give out whilst he was stood on them.
He's been coming to me for months now for me to rub his hips on both his front and back legs, and increasingly over the past year, he's been pushing for more and more rubs from me, until it almost became incessant, and I knew something was bothering him, but had absolutely no idea it was ever going to result in something like this, if that's what this is...
I don't even know what I'm trying to say. I suppose I'm just talking, because the hurting in my heart for my beloved furry best friend of the last decade is so incredibly acute and suffocating that i need to get some of it back out otherwise I fear I may very well suffocate. I can't stop crying and it gets very difficult to breathe at times, such is the force of my sobbing. God knows how I'm going to carry on without him
The vet said it seemed to be a slipped disc of some kind, but I'm not convinced.
All I know is that whenever the decision is made to end his suffering, I will ALWAYS feel a crushing guilt for not give Ng him another day or two, and my heart will truly, truly break when he finally leaves us.
Even the thought of it fills me with a breath stopping panic, but it feels imminent, and the dread is just suffocating.
How do we go on after they pass and we're left alone??
As a vet tech of 8+ years and certified euthanasia technician for 6+ years, please know that it's okay to let your pet go "early" if this is a progressive condition. Schedule an end of life appointment and let their last day be epic. Go the park, take lots of pictures, get them a cheeseburger, etc. Let them drift off to sleep with a happy heart. I regret waiting too long on a few of my pets. They ended up passing when I wasn't with them and to this day, it eats me alive. I shouldn't have ignored the signs, but I kept trying to squeeze "just one more day" out of their life. QUALITY is so much more important than QUANTITY.
TechnoSkittles I’m at this point again, I keep stressing that I’m about to put my lab down too soon. She is 11and a half, she seems happy but she has fallen down and not been able to get up, she has a few lumps that have appeared rapidly. She is pacing at night, she can’t get down the back steps anymore. She has started peeing in the house. She eats great and drinks good and she appears happy but I know she’s not as happy. It kills me💔💔💔
My 13 yr old sheltie is scheduled for tomorrow morning and I'm second guessing myself. She had a large tumor removed last year that has now spread to her lungs. She also has a herniated diaphragm (don't know how or when that happened) and her stomach is going into her lungs so her breathing is difficult, and she is riddled with arthritis. She is on a lot of pain medicine and is beginning to have problems getting up. The vet recommended it and it's killing me because she is still eating and drinking and alert. She is only going to get worse and she is in pain and uncomfortable, like she can't catch her breath. She was actually my mom's dog until she passed Christmas before last but mom had dementia and did not take good care of her. She loved her but there were a lot of problems I worked on and she has had a wonderful year and a half with me. Am I doing it too early even though the vet recommended it? I know it will only get worse. I hope you read this tonight I need some objectivity. thanks!
Thank you! I’m facing that issue right now. My dog has a malignant tumor that is inoperable, and it’s taking him down slowly. I wondered if this would be a better way... to let him have a great day, which I’m not sure he can anymore. He’s up and down, but you just made a very good decision for me! Thanks again! 🙏
@@Tinyteacher1111 I feel for you. My Daisy is gone and it was a very difficult decision. I sat with her on the floor and hugged her until she was gone and the vet and assistant were wonderful. They reassured me I did the right thing and now that it is over I do feel relief and I know she is now with my mom who was her owner before SHE passed. They can't let us know how bad they feel and if we keep them around while they are suffering we are doing it for us not them. I also believe they know how much we love them and when they get to the other side they understand. I heard her bark the other day and I knew she was ok. Maybe some think that is crazy but I've heard from every pet I've ever lost in some way. There are so many of us faced with this and just know you are not alone!
Renegade therapist Thank you so much! I will know that he’s with my mom as well. He doesn’t seem to be suffering too much, but I know it’s getting near the end, since he has a very difficult time going to the bathroom because he has a tumor pressing on his colon and hip. When he can’t go anymore, it’s time. Thank you for your generous support! I’m going to have someone come to the house to this. I’ve done it before and it was a beautiful experience. 🙏❤️
Roughly a month ago we had to euthanize our first dog, "Frisco" who was 15 years old. Frisco had issues with joint pain, which we were treating with medication. She then, out of the blue one evening, started having issues keeping down food and water. Within minutes of eating or drinking she would end up throwing everything up. It was not stomach contents or yellowish bile, but rather clear frothy liquid, along with the water or food she just ate. The frothy liquid had the consistency of egg whites.
We took Frisco in for x-rays and it showed that she had bone cancer, cancer in her lungs and a mass that had grown large enough to block her esophagus. This blockage is why she was throwing food and water up immediately upon ingestion and why it wasn't coming from her stomach, like most pet vomiting.
This vet trip was on Tuesday evening and we decided on the spot that we would have her euthanized 2 days later on Thursday. Those 2 days gave us enough time to come to grips with the situation, ensure that we could say our proper and desperately needed goodbyes and also ensure Frisco did not suffer for any longer than necessary. The vet did give Frisco an IV of fluids to ensure she did not become dehydrated over the next 2 days and gave us some additional pain medication.
We took Frisco home that evening after the devastating news and cried a lot with her, hugged her, kissed her and told her how much she meant to us over the past 15 years. We did everything we could for her over the next 2 days to ensure she was comfortable, loved and knew that we were going to miss her. We took paw prints of her and framed them, took as many of our last photos with her as possible and did things with her that we know she loved more than anything (walks, rides in the truck, got vanilla ice cream and let her sleep with us the last 2 nights).
Frisco, as many people will say about their dog, was our best friend, our comforting force in the house and a part of the family. Frisco had been part of our home from day one we bought our place in 2004 and had been alive for every second of my youngest daughters 14 years of life. I guess in many ways we always felt Frisco would be with us forever and would never die. Her death never entered our minds and we never truly thought about it until our world was turned upside down in a matter of 2 days. Call it ignorant bliss or wishful thinking, but it was never something we spent time thinking about or focusing on.
In the end we drove Frisco to the vets that Thursday evening and my wife, daughter and I sat through the entire process and cried while we held Frisco, hugged her, kissed her, spoke to her and ultimately watched as she closed her eyes and took her last breath. While the experience was the most devastating and heartbreaking things I have ever experienced in my 47 years of life, I was glad that we were there until the end so that we were the last people she saw, the last touch she felt and the last voices she heard. I take solace in knowing that the deep pain we felt that evening was so that we could ensure that Frisco was able to know until that very last moment, how much we loved her and that we would never abandon her, no matter the circumstance. I still find myself feeling "guilty" for ending her life, but always have to consciously remember that I did it so she would not suffer the horror of starving to death, as she literally could not get anything to her stomach because of the tumor in her esophagus.
After Frisco took her last breath we had her cremated so we could take her home where she belongs. Our house is the only home Frisco ever knew and with her ashes in the house, we still feel close to her. Her presence is still around everywhere we look:
1. From the chipped paint on the wall where she would lay up against it
2. The rough patch of hardwood floors at the top of the stairs where she wore the wood down from laying for hours on end
3. From the dirt marks on the back of the love-seat where she would lay against so she could watch us in the kitchen
4. The toys, bedding, dog food and treats and her leash she left behind
5. The spots in the yard where I can still visualize her laying because of the hundreds if not thousands of times she had done so in the past
It's amazing how many things stay behind and remind you daily about your friend. Hell, we are neat freaks and still find dog fur dust bunnies a month later in spots we vacuum daily. It's like the migrate out from behind or underneath things.
About a week after Frisco passed we got some black and white balloons (Frisco was a black and white colored dog) and wrote some messages on them to her - things like we love her, miss her, she was the best dog ever and we hope she is OK and having fun at the Rainbow Bridge. We let the balloons go in the front yard where she used to love to sit/lay and watch the comings and goings of our neighborhood. While we know she will never receive the balloons and certainly couldn't read them even if she could, we hope maybe she could at least see them floating on by from where she is now - LOL.
Being that Frisco was our first dog and we were lucky enough to been blessed with her for so long, this whole experience has hit us very hard. Euthanizing a pet is never easy, but the first one I am sure is extra difficult. We have really used the experience to reflect on life in general. We took a small corner in our living room to remember Frisco and place her ashes. We have several pictures of her, the paw prints we framed, her box and ashes and some of the gifts we were given from friends during this loss. It's a comforting spot for us to "talk" to her, say good morning/goodnight to and to reflect on what a gift she was to our lives.
My wife has taken the loss of Frisco especially hard as they were cuddle buddies when I was not at home and Frisco provided love, protection and comfort when I was deployed for 14 months to Afghanistan in 2011-2012. My wife and Frisco became very very close during my extended absence and Frisco was such a sweet girl to my wife. I knew my wife has deeply missed Frisco these past few weeks so I went out and bought a pair of pajama's with cute little dogs on them for her. I then found a beautiful card with a dog on it and wrote a letter to my wife from Frisco. It explained that while Frisco may be gone in her physical form, she will always be with my wife in spirit. I spoke to my wife in the card as if I was Frisco and explained that she asked me to get the dog pajamas so on nights my wife found herself missing her, the pajama's would help her feel closer and she could wear them so that Frisco would know my wife was thinking about her. It's amazing the power of one little card, a few words and the thought that our dog was actually speaking the sentiments or thinking them. My wife has probably worn those PJ's 5 times now in the past 3 weeks and reread that card dozens upon dozens of times. It helps her feel close to Frisco and brings her comfort in thinking Frisco is "talking" to her.
I know this has been a bit long, but I wanted to share some of the feelings, experiences and ideas we have had over the past few weeks while it is still very "raw" for us. It is so very amazing how intertwined these animals become in our hearts. They offer such unconditional love, companionship and comfort and ask nothing of us, but to love them back. A good animal will always produce a better human out of all of us. I learned a lot of lessons on how to be a better human myself from Frisco and for that I owe her everything. Rest in peace my sweet girl, we miss you dearly and pray that one day we can see you again. It just isn't the same without you around.
Thank you
God Bless. Our dogs are family.
Richard, thanks for that, we lost our dog on Monday and you've perfectly summed up how we feeling and the emotions that follow.
I especially loved your points about all the places Frisco left marks. Our dog would also love laying at the top of the stairs watching us going about our everyday lives.
I can truly say that he not only touched my heart, but also my soul.
Richard C Nothing more to say really, that you so elegantly said. Rest In Peace Frisco, but don’t get too comfortable because my Jack Russell/Chihuahua mix is going to need someone to play with as she crossed the Rainbow Bridge last night. They’re going to be best buds for eternity. Rest In Peace Linda, you’re not in pain and distress any more. 🌈
So sorry for your loss! Mine Shih Tzu also had bone cancer, had to let go 9/3/20. God that was so hard.
Hard to let go.. they are better than people. Always love in their heart. Faithful.
A great vet I know always says to pet parents putting their babies to sleep, "It's the last kindness you can do for him/ her." And I believe that, truly.
Our babies come into our lives, to teach us about love, and they leave us, to show how strong we truly are🙏🏼❤️🐾
I tell fellow pet owners that it's our final act of love for them.... even though it's hurting our heart.
Soon for my 16 year old tea cup...I’m heartbroken 💔 and devastated...I’ve had her since she was 7weeks old...but I love her so much..she’s totally blind can’t stand long...soils herself in her bedding regularly...and just recently a tumor has grown on her little belly...I made an appointment...😔...thank you for your comment...💔
My one and half year golden retriever had testical cancer that was spearding all over his body and he became paralysed i told two veterinary doctors about his the two said he has to be put down i had to do it we put him down yesterday i feel soo guilty i feel like I am criminal and I didn't stop crying from yesterday
I think putting a dog down is a criminal act
@@razanmohamed6564 When you love your fur baby and they are suffering it as the owner a loving thing to do for your animal that is part of your family...this is your opinion and I respect that ...but people who love their family pets feel different...
@@razanmohamed6564 I know how you feel my 3 pound senior chihuahua of almost 17 years with me...died in my arms...that was two and a half weeks ago and I’m still heartbroken...but I know she’s not suffering anymore...😔
This video was a God send. Your patients are very fortune to have you as their veterinarian.
Thank you for the kind words. They are appreciated.
I'm sitting here with tears running down my face....in a couple of hours, we must put our dog of 14 years to sleep. I'm over thinking everything. I can't eat. I'm gonna be a real spectacle at the vets' office...............So painful.
Russ Lassonde I feel your paint I did mine yesterday. I’m sorry your lost !
Yes it is vary sad and painful to say goodbye to our beloved pets...that are like family too.
My sheltie is scheduled for tomorrow morning and I can't even think!
I hope you are feeling better my friend. I just had to go through this, this past Thursday. Totally sucks.
I know this was a while ago, but I'm sure you are okay now. As for being a "spectacle" don't worry about that, they are very used to it and if you have a wonderful vet like I did, they support you and let you cry if you need and stay as long as you need. I let mine go a few months ago and we sat on the floor and cried and I stayed with her the whole time. Such a hard decision but we have to do what is best for them, not us!!
Man, he got me at the point when he started talking about not being able to do the 5 favorite things :(
I put my cat down yesterday was my worse day of my life. He was 16 years old.THANK YOU for making this video.
Anel B I had to put my cat down today. Also feeling like it’s the worst day of my life. With you on that! Sending love and light. 🌈
Some people do not want to euthanize gay dogs are cats the humane I know but you gave your dog or cat the best life possible
You are a good parent and a very strong and kind person and God Bless you. Your sweet cat is in a better place and still loving you! Lots of love from Texas!❤️
Thank you for your information - I just euthanized my 19 yr Australian Shepard on Tuesday Oct 6 2020 who I rescued 10 years ago on my birthday. Sammy, the most lovable, patient, playful, protector but most of all his kindness in making sure we the family were ok. Im having a rollercoaster of emotions making this decision but after watching this video, it has made me feel that I did make the right decision for our dear beloved Sammy. Most people don't understand that pets are family members. I can't share my grieve with others who haven't experienced the bond with a beautiful dog like Sammy. Love your pets til the very end and never leave them alone. Sammy was with me all the time until his last yawn to the other side. Thank you
Sorry for your loss : ( I'll be putting my jack/pug down in the next couple of days. He's almost 18, got him right after my kidney transplant and he's been my best friend ever since. Long may you run, daddy loves you Chewee.
Thank you:-) for helping me find some peace. 6 days ago I let my Maggie May, my almost 15 year old dog, "pass away". My heart is broken. I can hardly function. You helped me to realize that I did what was best for Maggie. Right now I feel like the heart has been ripped out of my chest but I know that she is at peace. She was a rescue dog and she was mine. I was with her until the last minute of her life. I know that she in not in pain anymore. Thank you for caring about these animals who give such unconditional love, who never judge, and who accept us in spite of ourselves. Thank you for all you do for those who cannot "speak" for themselves. May God bless you now and always.
Carolyn
Carolyn Forsey...I know exactly how you feel. I have an appointment to put my oldest dog (almost 16) down today and of course, I'm second guessing myself. We did this to one of my dogs 2-1/2 years ago (she was MY baby) and I still miss her even though I still have others left but I keep asking myself: did I do it too soon? should I have waited longer? did I jump the gun? All these stupid questions that I can do nothing about. I was grateful for this video.
As a veterinary nurse in a teaching hospital, I want to share this with all my veterinary and nursing students.. It's such a good resource
Thank you so much for saying so. I hope it will help as many people as possible. Our vet nurses are a resource to pet owners everywhere.
I have an 11 yr old Cocker Spaniel and he is my very best friend. I find myself more and more thinking and worrying about him aging. My family and I will be crushed when he passes. This video gave me comfort. Thank you so much 🙏
Doing this as a pet mom (or dad) is so incredibly painful, but we do it because of our great love for them. My latest pet was put to sleep yesterday, this has been an occurrence throughout my life, and it never gets easier. I pray that over rainbow bridge, all of our beautiful pets exist.
I am deeply sorry for your loss
Just put my beautiful cat of 18 years down a few hours ago. Heartbroken is the word I can think of right now. I hope we get to be with them in the after life.
Tomorrow I'm taking my rottweiler to be euthanized. He has bone cancer and he's not doing well. I'm not letting cancer make my baby hurt anymore...even though I've crying like crazy, I know I've made the right decision for him.💔
I’m so sorry...😥 I’m there now in a few days with my chihuahua of 16 years...😥
@@whatwillbem6825 I'm so sorry, it's one of the hardest things to go through but it's the least we can do for our pups. Your chihuahua will appreciate you letting him go with peacefully 😔
Just put my dog down 2 weeks ago, he was 13 years old and had kidney failure. It was so sudden, he started showing symptoms in the last 4 days. He was barely eating but was drinking, was constipated one day, threw up the next day, wouldn’t leave his bed for anything except when my dad got home from work, but he’d lay back down 2 minutes later. I wasn’t expecting the vet visit to be his last day on earth. I honestly thought he was just sick or had a tooth ache. I felt like it was my fault since I was the one who wanted him to go to the vet. I was the one who put him in the car and let my mom take him, didn’t even get to say goodbye because I expected to see him after. This video just showed up randomly on my home page and I’m so glad I watched it. I definitely feel better and would say it was his time. I’m glad we gave him peace before he went through the pain he would’ve had if we waited a few more days. I’m definitely going to use those tips for the next dog I get.
Thank you for your video. I've been trying to make the decision for my little Shih Tzu. She is 13 and has been declining for months, sleeps all the time, she is incontinent and now has started having seizures. I am going to the Vet tomorrow to discuss putting her down. You have a very kind way about you and how you help your patients work through this part of their pets lives. Thank for helping me not feel guilty and look at it more in a common sense sort of way. You are a blessing to your patients. Thank you again. 💛
My dog was diagnosed with kidney failure yesterday and the vet is keeping her in for two days on antibiotics and checking her enzymes tomorrow. She is not eating. Her back legs are in bad shape because of luxating patellas which she has struggled with for a long time. This video is very helpful. She had surgery last month to remove teeth and cysts. Shortly afterward is when she developed the symptoms of kidney failure. I want to do everything possible to get her in a healthy place, but I do not want her to suffer.
We rescued a chihuahua & gave him the best quality of life we could for 6 months. His last month his mobility got so bad he couldn't walk AT ALL. We carried him from room to room where he could see us. He even cried when he had to pee or drink & we would lay him in the grass or bring water to him. He loved our company & even wrestled with toys laying down. He was diagnosed with water on the brain (hydrocephalus) & it's an irreversible condition. One night he cried for over an hour & I just couldn't comfort him. All I could compare it to was my moms brain tumor & how bad her head hurt when the fluid wouldn't drain. We put him down that night. His name was Peetie and I loved him SO much and so glad I got to give him a great 6 months. The little guy had a really hard life before that. We nursed him back from mange, fleas, and malnutrition. 💚 Peetie
Melissa Crockett love you
You are wonderful person having done that. Blessings on you
💚
Our Dachshund is in his 19th year. We know it the time is coming to say goodbye. This has been helpful.
Yesterday my 16 1/2 year old chihuahua named Roxy crossed the Rainbow Bridge with the help of her very caring vet. In a search for comfort from missing her so much I watched this and feel better. Thank you
😔 awe...that’s me right now soon with my chihuahua 😥
This past sunday we had to make the decision to let our 12 year old Chihuahua El Loco cross.
He has been having seizures for over 5 years and had congestive heart failure. He had seizures friday night and saturday night and his abdomen was really swollen from the CHF. He had a really deep cough and his breathing was very labored.
I held him while his life slipped away. I really miss him.
I just had to put down my 14 year old dog yesterday. She most likely had cancer and wasn't going to make it through the weekend. Poor thing had to be carried out to the bathroom cause she couldn't use her hind legs. She had arthritis in her spine and hips. She was refusing to eat and drink. She did get the strength one last time to get up, and walk over to me for one last head pet session. She passed peacefully in my arms at the vet. I'll miss her so much.
I'm so sorry. Hope you're ok?
Thank you for this...euthanasia is never an easy thing to talk about but we have to remember that it can be a wonderful blessing to prevent suffering. I still remember wrestling with putting my own cat to sleep, but at 13 years old, FeLV positive and suffering with mammary tumors, it was definitely time. I didn’t want to put her through surgery and chemo just to buy her a few more months full of pain and misery. My middle cat now is in the beginnings of renal disease and I know down the line I will have to make that decision for her too...I’ve loved her these past 8 years and I owe it to her to make sure she’s comfortable to the end. If only our furry friends could live forever 😢
Oh God!, out all the videos I saw you are the one that definitely made me realize I am doing the right thing for my beloved 17 year old Snoopy tomorrow. I am in tears. I needed reassurance. Thank you! It is so hard though! I just love him so much! But I must let him go!
I came to this video to get some insight on what to do with my 12yo pitbull who was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in August. I also have a Rottweiler, so your story resonated deeply with me. I know deep down that it is time, but I am finding such a hard time making the decision. It’s like I’m waiting for the right “timing”, but I don’t think that will ever be….
This video is 5yo but so soothing. I said goodbye to my 13yo mini schnauzer. He was such a fighter and beat the odds so many times, but ultimately, a nasal tumor was just too much for him to overcome. I miss him so much. I knew there were no good days left to be had, but what I wouldn’t give for one more.
Thank you, I have 45 min. Left with Felix and you made me feel better even though I am broken to do this. I know it’s the right decision. Felix is almost 17 Yorkshire. Thank you again 😢❤
Hope you are okay Lisa, very hard decision to make! I may have to make same one in next few months! Keep strong......💞💖💕
I hope you've recovered well. My cat is getting ready now. So much pain.
Our poor little Teddy doesnt have long left i dont think, hes such a good boy, a reason to wakeup in the morning, ive never had anyone love me as much as this dog loves me.. 🥺
We put down our 4 lb, 15 y/o Chihuahua last Monday, so like 11 days ago. She had an open pyometra, I'll never not get my dog fixed again, I always fixed my dogs but she was so small and I was never planning on breeding her, I didn't know about it, now I do. And she was losing some teeth, and her eyes were "blue", she wasn't seeing very well. She loved food, our food, and still was moving well and wasn't in pain. But my husband was going to visit his family for Thanksgiving, and she did have one day about two weeks ago, where she started yelping for like 10 seconds, and I knew a heat was coming, and I didn't want her to be in pain. I didn't purchase a ticket to go with my husband so I could be here with her, because we weren't planning on putting her down, but as the days counted down, and after she was yelping that one time, I decided we better do it while she's ok and not in pain, we knew she wasn't getting better. I didn't want to be alone with her in heat, and if she got in pain, I didn't want to put her down alone, at an emergency vet over Thanksgiving weekend, and my husband wanted to be there.
Now it's Thanksgiving and I'm all alone. I've never been alone, without my baby. We've chosen not to have children, so our Chihuahua was our baby. We've had her, almost our entire relationship minus 6 months. I know we didn't wait too long, and it was peaceful. Idk if I want another dog, I always thought I'd get a puppy to help me heal, but so far I've just put all of Penny Lane's stuff away. I was cleaning my TH-cam downloads up on my phone, on Thanksgiving morning, and this video came on and now I'm a blubbering mess, even though I haven't cried much since last Monday. I think it's just everything, I miss my dog, I'm all alone on a holiday and I'm just having a pity party. She even got to eat some chocolate, a Hershey's kiss, courtesy of the vet, and she loved it so much, it was the cutest thing. I know we did the right thing at the right time, but it doesn't take the pain away.
I had to make the choice for my cat. I am so glad Stone was loved.
Thanks Doc, I have had dogs all my life, I'm 58, I can tell you it doesn't get easier. But like I tell kids that want a dog or any pet, some day they are going to die , you have to be ready for that day before you get one. I lost one of my dogs 2 yrs ago & just got a golden retriever pup in Jan . That cycle of life, love & companionship, it's the best .
Thank you for making this video. I let my 16yo Basset Hound, Dali, cross the rainbow yesterday evening. I'm one of the people that came to this video because yes I do feel guilty even though I knew my old girl was no longer happy and couldn't do what she loved anymore. Hearing your words gave me some comfort in realizing I did do what was best for her. It was a rough morning today. Her not being here to enjoy some of my Saturday morning breakfast with me.
Thank you for your support. I put my 11 year old beagle to sleep yesterday. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made. After listening to you, I'm now sure that I made the right decision. May she rest in peace. 🙏
I just put my old girl down, too. I am so oddly comforted by how many people I see who are viewing this after the fact. I feel less alone and more assured. Blessings to you.
RIP "my Good girl Obie" 😢♥️ I too am looking for comfort after the hardest decision I have ever had to make...Obie you gave me & Brett 17years of joy, protection, love & loyalty. Run free without pain my Good girl xxxo RIP 3/07/2000
Thank you for taking the time to put this together.
Im sitting here bawling my eyes out,i just made an appointment for the vets to come to my home to put my sweet 16 year old schitzu to sleep on monday. Although she still eats shes blind and deaf and gets stressed out about everything,she no longer has any quality of life,thank you so much for the video ,it makes me realize im doing the right thing by my sweet gidget.
Im gutted the proceedure didnt go as id hoped,i had them come to my home to do it,and my beautiful dog was so distressed and screaming,they couldnt find the vein and tried on several legs,once they got the vein she went quickly and quietly but i feel like crap for how distraught she was.
@@dominiqueelliott452 OMG....Soooo Sorry to hear that
Sorry but this is an example of waiting WAAAAAY too long😮😢
My vet is coming to my house today at 2:30. I want to cancel so badly but he doesn't even have the strength to stand now. He hasn't eaten for 2 weeks and turns his nose at any offer of treats that he would have gulped down a month ago. Merlin is a huge black goldendoodle. He would be 12 December 5th. He was 103 lbs just a few weeks ago but I can see him rapidly losing weight. He won't drink now either. Every time I look in his eyes I know that he is asking for help. I was there when he was born and I will hold him as he takes his last breath. God help me.
Hope you're ok 😭
@@PH_1964 Oh thank you. So sweet to comment. I'm going to be ok. His loss brought back some pretty intense feelings, I won't lie. I believe that life goes on and on so I hope to see him again and that he's now young and healthy and playing with those that have gone before me. Take care.
I lost my dog to bone cancer in the shoulder, one month from diagnosis we had to put her sleep. It was a blessing to see her out of extreme pain. Our hearts were breaking but we couldn’t let her suffer.
We let our boy go today from lymphoma. I am sick, gutted and completely heartbroken. I am thinking it is the price we pay for having dogs that are so special and love us so very much. Thank you for this video it helped.
Thanks so much for this video (and all the others!). I feel they are great educational tools and share them with my clients frequently. Keep up the great work!
Thank you so much
appreciate this info and your kindness
Hi Dr and everyone here. I just wanted to thank you for this message because it really helped to prepare me for putting my thirteen year old Lab mix Chandler to sleep today. Yes I cried and yes I miss him but it would have been so selfish of me to keep him lingering with the degenerative myelopathy he had. He went peacefully and we had a great visiting vet. ❤️
It's your last act of kindness for someone you love to be able to end their suffering.
Bless you, dear Doc!
What a good person you are. Thank you for making this video.
This is by far the best most informative video I have found 9n this heartbreaking subject
Thank you.
This was such a big help for me knowing I made the right decision. Dr. Villalobos thank you so much.
Thank You for this video. I hung on every word and the end "Reveal" brought me to tears. Really good advice.
Such a nice, informative, sensitive, respectful, compassionate and loving video. Well done and much appreciated. Thank you. This video helps a lot.
I'm sorry for your loss. I'm glad that the video helped. 🥲
@@ConeOfShame Thank you 🙏🏼❤️
Only people with pets understands what it's like I had to put my dog down 20th October 2021 iam heartbroken 💔 it was hardest decision I ever made but I know I made the right decision for him I loved him so much but he had been not well for a while he would be up and down and his back legs started to go didn't walk anymore and but I really miss him thankyou for this video
Thank you for being so sincere and honest. I know that you are just talking to a camera, but I feel like you are talking directly to me. Thank you.
thank you
Thank you for making me feel better.
Thank you so much for this. I am struggling with this decision right now and I’ve been through this in life without some of this guidance a few times. The most important point I am taking away is the point you made about dogs living in the present moment. It’s why that relationship is always so difficult to lose. If only we could be more like our dogs. It’s the character trait we benefit from most in our dog and human relationships. But hearing you say it drove the focus I have been struggling with home. My poor buddy hasn’t been himself in the moment lately because the moment isn’t comfortable or happy. Thank you
Thank you. This help me when hardest time comes.
Thank you. Been wrestling with this decision for a few months. The added clarity.
Thank you I needed to hear that today😢
Thank you too for sharing
Thank you so much for your excellent guidance and heart calming video. My dog a 17 year old Coton, is past due and with Covid/restrictions we've waited far too long. It's good of you share your story and a pic of your beautiful Vizsla boy. Peace to you, and to all who've had to say our sad goodbye's to precious beloved dogs.
Yesterday my best friend was suffering, today I found this video because of course I had to put my best friend down. It was like what you said in the video I wish I had done it sooner because as I listen to you , I meditated on the things of the past with her I discovered that I was allowing her to suffer beyond what she needed to. Just because I was selfish and just wanted her here. Thank you for making this video and helping me to know that I made the right decision and giving me the tools to make the right decision for the future. I really can’t express the gratitude that I feel for you sharing your comments and helping us who love our animals and respect their lives!
grateful in Florida
Thank you for making this video
This is a very helpful, compassionate video.
Thank you for this ! so helpful !
Thank you so much for this video. It was so wonderful!!!❤️
Thank-you so much for posting this informative video for me. I have been struggling with this decision for the past month. I have an 18 year old lab/pit mix. She is the best companion a human can ask for.
This helped me make the decision about my cat. I knew it was probably time. I just needed help thinking it through. Thank you, Dr. Roark.
Thanks for this perspective. I appreciate it.
Thank you 🙏🏻
Thank you for this video. Going through this time in my life right now!
Thank you for writing about a topic that is so difficult to process . I don’t know that I will have the strength to make this decision when the time comes-my dog has Recently been diagnosed with lymphoma and has been with me for 10 years. While she undergoes chemotherapy, my goal is to do as many things on our bucket list that I can do. I want to create as much quality of life as I can for her and for me. Thank you again for treating this topic with such honesty and sensitivity.
It’s Thursday January 31st 2019 And yesterday was such a heartbreaking day because My Parents told me yesterday morning when they woke up they found my 13 year old Dog Dead in my Kitchen. My Dog that just died his name was Leo. His Mother died a few years ago in November. Leo was not put to sleep. It’s never easy saying goodbye to a Pet or to a Family member. Leo was my best friend too.
Doctor thank you for taking the time to to do this. This will be my second time to do this with my best friend and it is never easy. No one ever tells us how much it's going to hurt if we love someone, when were growing up.
Hello Dr. Roark, I just wanted to say thank you for the video. Your video was very informative and helped to answer a question that I really didn’t know I had. My family member and friend, Niko, just died yesterday. We miss our 11+ year old, world traveling GSD tremendously, and we look forward to hopefully reuniting with him one day. I take great solace in knowing that he is no longer in pain and discomfort. Cheers.
Thank you for your kindness . I am trying to make this difficult decision and I needed help . Thank you .
God bless you 🙏 ❤️
Thank you very much. I put my baby Chiwawa down this morning. Your advise makes me feel so much better and totally agree with you! Thanks again!
Thank you so much. You’re kind words have really helped me put things in perspective. Being in a whirlwind of emotions can cloud our ability to to make this difficult decision. You common sense advice has helped me see what I need to do.
Most sensitive video I come across, was dwelling for weeks, but thank you for help me making the decision
Thank you, Doctor. My 14 year old Boston-Boxer recently and suddenly went completely blind. In hindsight, there were a few things that may have been signs of some brain issue. Before and since his blindness, he has had episodes that look like TIAs.
I don't have the resources to run all kinds of brain scans and neurological testing to tell me what happened just to know his sight or brain function will not return to normal. My vet said his blindness is permanent. This blindness happened about a month ago. He now acts as though he has dementia. He no longer enjoys interaction with me, his toys, playing, walking on the trail, barking at other dogs, or anything he used to enjoy. He eats, overhydrates, goes pee about 12-15 times a day (no diabetes / appears to be an obsession), and walks very slowly (not laboriously) when we go on our walks. He walks around the house aimlessly, and when he is not doing that, he is sleeping. He has difficulty finding his water bowl, doesn't respond to his name, or any verbal commands. He is not deaf, albeit may be a little hard of hearing.
No one ever talks about a dog's mental decline and euthanasia, only about physical pain or terminal illness. Would you be willing to address this issue?
Thank you for your sensitivity and humanity in discussing this vital topic. Kind regards to you.
Thank you for this. 💔😭
I’m so crying thru this, your a compassionate vet. Bless you
In watching this , I think my friends dog is ready to cross over.
Rest In Peace “Stone”
Excellent video. This should be shared, which I'll do. Dr Roark really explains all you need to know. This could be an enormous help to those questioning what they need to do, and eliminate the guilt. Will very soon, have to do this with my 19yr old Siamese, Meepurs. She is my 7th baby. I will hold her till the very end and talk to her so she feels safe.
Thank you so much for this, I put my bunny to sleep at the vet yesterday and I have been so upset because I keep thinking I should have given him one more day to see if he would turn around but the truth is the reason I did it was because his behavior told me he felt really bad. Temperature, shaking, lethargy, laying differently like he was very uncomfortable and laying in his urine. I suppose I loved him too much and wanted him here no matter what but I became fearful of him having an awful death or me finding him dead the next morning in his cage and I knew I couldn't bear that so I took him in. I had him 10 years and I miss him so much because he was the sweetest bunny anyone could ever have. We did children's entertainment together and he was the star of every show. It is so important that you posted this so everyone can understand it is better that we consider our best friend's needs over our own and try to do the best thing we can to keep them from suffering. No matter how much we hate to let them go it is probably the most noble and unselfish thing to do. Thank you again, Sincerely, Patty
Thank you so much for this. I have a dog who I know I will have to put to sleep and this helps with the things that I need to think of. I'll miss her forever but I so don't want her to suffer.
Thank you very much for this video. It was very appreciated.
Thankyou. I've had to make this decision recently for my cat. Your video has provided me with some comfort. :'(
I’m so glad I watched this video because last night was so terrible. I was aware that my dog was standing next to me as I slept and I woke up to find him trembling uncontrollably. I knew he had a high temperature before the vet took it so I managed to give him a pain killer by using a syringe. Thankfully it seemed to help with the pain until the morning but then I couldn’t get him down the stairs because he was unable to do it himself. I had to find a strong man to help me. He’s been diagnosed with pancreatitis for the third time even though he’s been on a low fat diet. He still loves his home cooked food but he’s lost so much weight recently. I know he’s going downhill fast and I’m finding it hard to make the decision because the ultrasound hasn’t shown up anything significant. The vet still thinks there maybe some underlying cause such as prostrate or pancreatic cancer. He is also limping and he’s arching his backbone. I know he is suffering deep down and yet to make that big decision is so hard as my husband can’t see it as well as I can. Thank you for helping me to come to turns with it and make this terrible decision. At least I know I will be alleviating his pain and suffering.
I'm so sorry you are going through this. Sending positive vibes.
Thank you for making this video. My family is struggling with this very decision.
This video was so comforting and compassionate. thank you so much for the points on when to make this difficult decision. Our 16 year old Shih Tzu mix Leila is in stage 3 kidney failure and she also has pancreatitis. She has been on the decline for thr last few days and we made the difficult decision to euthanize. She had an amazing life and the memories are what we are holding onto.
Hi, Dr. Roark. Thank you.
I used to work at CPAH in Travelers Rest several years ago and refuse to take my dogs anywhere else. You recently saw my pitty mix, Violet. Nasty skin, ears, allergies. Dead tooth. But that’s not what sparked me to write this.
On December 27th, my Doberman, Zig, was very ill. He hadn’t been sick since he was 12 weeks old with giardia. I brought him in to see Dr. Bryant that day thinking maybe he’d eaten something weird and worst case scenario was a foreign body. They took him back for blood work and X-rays. Came back a while later and said X-rays were a little fuzzy and they’d pulled blood from his abdomen. Ruptured splenic tumor was what we were looking at. Not normally a huge deal, usually benign, he and Kayla set us up an emergency ultrasound appointment at UVS (it was roughly 4pm by this time) and they both offered to stay late at CPAH to do surgery if need be. We get to UVS, they take him back for his exam and ultrasound and bring him back. They tell me he has widespread cancer. Liver, spleen, lymph nodes. They could biopsy it, but by then there’s not much they could have done. It was so aggressive. They gave us two or three days maximum and my world has never been the same since.
I’m the Director of Etiquette at Noble Dog Hotel. It’s amazing and, obviously, full of dog lovers, so everyone there worked together so I could take time off and focus on Zig. Well, he started wagging his tail again. Started eating, and actually keeping his food down. We sat outside in the sun when weather permitted, and snuggled inside when it didn’t. Sometimes he preferred to sit on the couch at the foot of my bed. But he did not leave my sight for three months. Three whole months he hung on. On his good days we’d play tug of war and share chicken jerky and go for rides (he loved to bark at horses, or any livestock for that matter) or go to the lake on warm days. On his bad days we’d hang inside the house and be lazy together. Always together.
March 27, 2018, exactly three months later, he just wasn’t right. He was restless, refused to eat, gums were pale and cold, and wanted to go outside every few minutes. Thankfully I had my family’s support through it. I’ve lost family members, including the childhood pets I grew up with. But Zig was just five years old. He was supposed to live forever and was taken way too soon. I’ve questioned myself every single day since then and I’m even in therapy now to help cope with such a traumatic and unexpected loss. I guess the whole point of writing this is to thank you for saying exactly what I needed to hear. I feel somewhat comforted. It’s June now and I have hurt every single day. I’ve questioned myself, doubted myself, but feel a bit of relief after watching. Thank you.
I needed to watch this video. We recently put our almost 16 year old Pekingese down on Valentine’s Day. Every day I second guess my decision despite my heart saying it was right. Without a doubt I’m in mourning and cycling thru the stages of grief. Being able to self reflect the answers to these questions you posed definitely says I made the right decision. I prayed God would take her before I was forced to make this decision because I didn’t want to feel guilty. Thank you for this video. 💕
Thank you so much for this video. My dog Bella has stromal sarcoma and it spread from her spleen to her liver. At the moment she's very happy, but I want to take it day by day to ensure she still has quality of life. The hospice journal is such a fantastic idea and I am starting it today. Thank you again.
Thank you for this video, as I had to lay my 12 year old Maltese , after she was diagnosed with cancer . She had a as lump the size of an egg near her groin. The vet checked and tested her on the 2/8/2022.got results back the 4/8/2022. She was put to rest 2/9/2022. A month after all this was found out. I’m so lost withiut her, she was such a beautiful companion . But I’m glad she’s free of pain . R.I.P Molly 💔💖
Thank you! Very powerful!
Thank you💙