SOOOOO Upset

My parents told me on Sunday that our dog Joe had been sick and had to go to the emergency vet the night before. I guess since he is a ****er spaniel he is prone to back problems and was having problems walking etc. He just generally was in a lot of pain. So they gave him some difference meds and did some X-rays to see if it got better. Well this morning mom told me he was really bad. He would just sit and pant like crazy and was drooling non-stop. I guess dad called our vet and a specialist and I guess they thing he has something wrong with one of his vertebrate. So the options were doing $2500-$4000 in surgery to try and correct it where he may never get to run, jump, or play again (depending on the severity of his condition) or put him to sleep. I called my dad and he was just crying. Joe was in so much pain and dad just didn't know what to do. So he made a vet appointment at 2:00PM and took Joe in. The vet said it was really bad and the chances of him recovering fully to a good quality of life were low so we decided to have him put down. My dad stayed with him so he wasn't alone. I am so upset right now. He is the first puppy I ever had. We got him the summer between my sophomore and junior year of college. He was only 4 years old. Eric and I are starting the process of purchasing our own home and we were going to get Joe and have him live with us. It was going to be our own little zoo with Joe, Kiwi, and Simba. I had to put down our other ****er spaniel the year before we got Joe and it was the hardest thing to do. He was having heart failure and was slowly drowning. So anyway I just had to get all this out...God I miss my Joe Joe! Sam

I work for a veterinary office and see this kind of thing every day. BUT, with that being said, it doesn't make it any easier. You made the right choice. I cry with my clients almost every day. It's a draining experience working in this industry. You did all you could and I think most, if not all, would have done the same. I'm glad that your dad was there with him when it was time. It is a very peaceful experience and they really do just "fall asleep". I hope that if you choose to, Call on PetAngel in Carmel. They really do an awesome job with afterlife choices for your pet. They are extremely inexpensive. They go to the clinic and pick up your baby and treat them with the same respect that a human is treated with. Call Colleen at Pet Angel. She will help you. Tell her that Heather at Woodland sent you and she will take care of you and your family. Heather

Thanks Heather. I am just glad to know he isn't hurting anymore. As much as I and my family am hurting, his pain and suffering is over. I am not sure what my dad opted to have done with him. I know our other two dogs we have had cremated so dad probably chose to do the same with Joe. It's just so exhausting. I could never do this everyday. You have a lot of compassion to handle this every day. I feel sick to my stomach from crying so much and I ache so bad. I'm thinking I will go to bed early... Sam

Samamtha, I am so sorry for loss. Its so sad when we lose our furry family members. I lost a ****er 2 yers ago, our dear Roxy, I still miss her. She was 7 years old. Like you said you know he's no longer in pain. I wish I was there to give you a hug sweetie. My heart is with you and your family. Hugs and Blessings,Gail For Joe

I understand... we got Katie when Chad was in Kindergarten... then when he was out to sea in with the Navy .. Katie was dignosed with lung cancer and had to be put to sleep.. the poor sweetie couldnt breathe... I sat on the floor and held her while they were giving her the shot and cried as she went to sleep.. not only for a missed pet but because Chad couldnt say good bye... he was between hawaii and China... Be well and enjoy the memories. Linda

Sam I can really feel for you. I have an 18 year old golden retriever that is going to have to be put down before long. She has been thru a lot and is a tough old girl. She lost her leg because she was chaseing a truck and it ran over her about 10 years ago. She has always got along fine with just 3 legs. Now her age is catching up to her. She does not seem to be in pain that is why she is still with us. I really thought that we were going to have to put her down a couple weeks ago since she could not hold her bowles and Ann had enough of trying to clean up after her. That was about the same time that I was having my own problems as I posted the other day. I was really afraid that Ann was going to put both Gertie and me down. I know when the time comes it is going to be really tough. Dan

Sam, You have my sympathy. I had two cats, one 17 years and one 16 years. I was with each of them when it came time to put them down (they each had cancer). It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, but I knew their suffering was greater than mine would be without them. I loved them enough to let them go. Hang in there. Time eases the sense of loss so that the memories can come to the fore. Cindy

Now I'm bawling my eyes out! Sam I'm so sorry. I can't imagine life without my babies (dogs). I'm especially sad that we are going to have to get rid of my smallest baby, the rat terrier before the baby comes. She just plays too hard and gets the other dogs all rilled up, which is fine for just us, but not with a baby. She's such a sweetheart, and we found her starving on the side of the road, so I feel incredibly guilty about having to find a new home for her. Nothing anyone can say will take the pain away of losing Joe. Just remember all the good times you had with him, He'll always have a special place in your heart.