I've known for a few weeks my dog had cancer, but when he wasn't struggling with it, he acted just fine. It was prostate cancer and he was in pain when he defecated. We gave him pain pills, but he'd cry out when he squatted. But when he was done he was the same old dog. But he kept getting worse. Saturday morning he seemed to be hurting more. Yesterday he quit eating, and he didn't eat today. We called the vet and set up the time. It was so hard. I hate to say this but it was harder to let him go then when my mother passed in January. We had this dog just less than 10 years, you couldn't ask for a better dog. He slept on his own bed right next to me. My wife had really grown attached to him. First time for her to do that. They let us both in there, while he gave the shot. No way was I going to let him go through that by himself. It was still tough, for him and for us. His whole life was about being around us. He was really family.

Sorry to hear that.

Yes, that is sad.

I like dogs.

My sympathy to you. I hate losing a dog.

Damn , hate to hear this... sorry for your loss

Darn dogs don't live long enough. Putting down a loved family member is terribly hard. My condolences.

Thats tough. Good on you for having vet come to your home. Got any pics of dog?

Sorry to hear,
It's always too short of time with them.

Been there, done that, cried like a baby. I'm sorry for you.

The hell of it is the day you pick up a pup you know they're going to break your heart, but it is worth it! God bless you.

Those days are SO hard. our condolences. Have had to do that more than we would hope.

Like I often say, most dogs are better than most people.

I do, just don't know how to post it. He's a yellow lab. He was the sweetest dog. The kids loved halloween, so they could come to the house and he'd come out and wag his tail and have fun with them.

The world became a little dimmer today. My deepest condolences.

Sorry to hear, hate when that time comes.

It sure hurts to lose a good dog, but you guys gave that dog a great life.

There's nothing harder. Even though you did the right thing, it is the worst. Best wishes.

Sorry.. Just went thru this with my wifes cat. Im not a cat guy but we had it 18 years and it was a good cat as far as cats go. It was tough. I told my Dog when I got home that she had to outlive me because I don't think I could go thru that with her.

There are no words that can ease the sadness you're feeling. Doesn't seem so long ago you wrote me about getting a new Lab pup. I do feel your pain and loss. We lost our Lab to cancer in 2017, and not a day passes that I don't think of him.

It hurts losing your dog.
Alot.
Sorry about your loss.
Alot of us on here been down that road.
It is never easy.

Good on you that you stayed with him for the shot....so many don't.

He was always there for you, glad you were there for him.


As Ive told many others, he would do the same for you, if only he could.

Sorry for your loss. I've been through that. My last dog was put to sleep at age 12 and a half. Anal sack tumors (?) or something like that. Made the decision when the vet said it was time. Waiting would have been agonizing pain and a slow nasty death. Didn't want her to suffer any more. Was with her cradling her head in my arms stroking her head while the vet gave her the shot. She just drifted off calmly to sleep and that was it. That was back in 2006 and we haven't got another dog yet. The wife gets too attached to them and then they leave to soon. It really was the loss of a family member.

Dogs are better people than most.

Real bummer - sorry to it .

so sorry to hear, my condolences.

yep

So sorry to hear about your buddy CJ......

Very sorry for your loss I know making the decision when was agonizing.

Very sorry to read this.

Having just gone through the same I can feel your pain. The thing is that all dogs want to do is give to you and the greatest thing you can do when it is time as hard as the decision was, is prevent them from suffering.

I wish you and your wife all the best. Focus on great memories of things you did together and talk about them. I made a screen saver camera roll that includes pictures of all the dogs we have had. For me recalling the good memories has helped.

We lost our yellow Lab girl August 11th to renal failure. She just got sicker and sicker. We spent a fortune on vets and treatments but they all told us her numbers were too bad to recover. We loved her dearly for 8 years. My old Lab of nearly 14 is still limping along.

I have no words to heal your grief but the sun will rise tomorrow and a new pup will bring certain joy. Sorry for your loss.....

Cariboujack, very sorry for your loss, my friend.

Had to put my little buddy down last year. Brain cancer. Same same. Great dog. Great friend. Walked in my footsteps. Right there all the time.

Maybe a quick read of The Rainbow Bridge will help soothe the pain..
He'll be waiting for you on the other side.

I am so sorry to hear that man. My dog is truly my best friend, and he's battling cancer right now too. I dread the day, I know its soon, I just enjoy every moment I can with him and spoil him rotten.

You have my deepest condolences, I truly feel your pain!!

josh

This breaks my heart a little more.

Very sad. Terrible. I know how bad it is. Very hard to get over the loss of a doggie.

Jake had a tough life. When he was 3 or so we took him to get a bath. Apparently they didn't mix what ever they mix and burned his skin. Poor guy went through a terrible time. We called the police, animal shelter and everyone we could think of and could get no satisfaction.
Later on he ended up with a bad knee and we took him to a specialist for the surgery. When that happens to one knee the odds are pretty high it will happen to the other one. That happened a couple of years ago, so back to the specialists. Then the cancer hit him. All the way through it he just kept going and hanging out with us. We probably spent over $8000 on him for medical stuff, and didn't begrudge a dollar of it. All the way to the end he just liked being with us.

Marlin, I'm very sorry for your loss. I went through it for the first time just over 5 years ago and even though I have another amazing dog, I still miss my "Good Girl".

I called her my Good Girl when I sweet talked her and also whenever I rewarded her for her many tricks. I again called her that when I cradled her through her last few minutes, when the chemicals took her away from her suffering from pancreatic cancer. Even though I wasn't exactly a kid (late 40's) on that day, it was my "first time" as she was the first dog I'd owned from puppy to passing.

I've learned to be OK with missing her while appreciating what she brought to my life, and I hope you find the same understanding in your situation. They're with us so briefly, but leave a huge impression on us.

We went through it with our Lola just 11 months ago. Her head was in my lap when the vet put her to sleep.
She had spleen cancer, had surgery, then we spoiled her for a whole year until the cancer came back.
She brought a lot of joy into our lives. But it is so very hard to let one go when you’re that close to them.

Very sorry for your loss.

Sorry to hear this! Prayers sent

The responsibility of a pup is so easily taken for granted. It takes a great level of maturity to understand what a dog means to us. They are the best of a human being. They carry so much of our load. Because of that, they do not last as long as we do. We are cursed to live so much longer than they. But the burden is worth the cost. Our lives are made more for the relationships we have with Dogs.

A good dog is better to have around than most people. Sorry for your family’s loss. At least you got those good years with him. Be happy for that.

Sorry to hear this, losing good dog is like losing a part of yourself. Good thing you did being there for him at the end, he would have done it for you.

Sorry to hear it Marlin.

This was my buddy. Thanks PD.

Caribou,

Wife, three daughters and I sent our Brutus on his way almost a year ago. We did it in our front room on his bed with us all around him. Tough, tough, tough.

Lot of support on this site.

Sorry for your loss.

Sorry to hear this.....I know that it’s tough. I as well as many here have gone through this, you can never fully be prepared and nothing can be said to ease the pain! My sincere condolences! memtb

Sorry for your loss, It truly is amazing how close we get to our dogs, for many there are children.They trust us with everything in life and that we would do nothing to hurt them. He’s not in pain or suffering you guys wouldn’t want that, tough to say but he’s in a better place. my dog Woody is 15 years old, still doing pretty good but I dread the day.

Sorry to hear the news sir.

God I do love dogs.

You two did the right thing. It was time for him to stop suffering and he went out knowing he was loved and well taken care of. It’s amazing how us old tough guys turn into such softies when it comes to our dogs.
Hope you pain eases away pretty fast.

My dog is dying as I type. It's slow, but he is still well enough to enjoy his company. He follows me around and just lays at my feet.

Dogs are God's gift to man.

oh, mercy. my bride and i have felt your pain together ...

Heart heavy with you. Sorry to near. You did all you could, and it feels awful still.

With dogs, you are their everything, and really they’ve no self-interest/selfishness desire in the balance. And when they get sick, get infirm, and when it’s their time, i think we hurt for loosing them, but also for feeling like we let them down. Do the best we can, but still feels unjust.

Cariboujack,

Your last sentence is my first, "He was really family." I have no doubt that he was.
Know this, that dog was loved every day of his life.
And he was loved on his last day, when the hardest thing you have had to do in a while was loving as well.
Bless you.

Gun Doc

It's hard for me to read these threads where my 'fire family says goodbye to their dogs. Our dogs are special. They are family, and we can learn everything we need to know about love from our dogs. I am sorry.

Sorry to hear that.

Dogs are such a blessing. My old girl has not long either. It'll be sure enough tough.

Iv'e said this here before and will again, spell dog backwards

Sorry to hear this.

I had to put down a dear friend of my own just 2 weeks ago - a Border Collie mix that had been in the family for 17 years.

I still have an empty spot; my younger dog still wonders when his older brother is coming home to play.

Yeah, I know the pain. Prayers for you and your family.

Sorry to hear about your buddy. I had to put down my Tank 2 years ago when he had a collapsed trachea. He was a 10 pound Pomeranian/ Chihuahua mix that never knew he was 10 pounds. He wasn’t a hunting dog, wouldn’t fetch a stick, wasn’t scared of a damn thing and he hated the wife’s cat more than I did and that was good enough for me.

Hope your pain eases soon.

Been in that spot many times now. Never easy. Just lifted my glass to you all.small consolation.....

Tough stuff Marlin. We put a girl Cocker down a month from now two years ago. It was my wife's dog for fifteen years. She vowed to not deal with that again. Here she is with her new pup at four weeks that we will pick up just before Christmas.

I feel for you, seriously.

And Labs, man I have a soft spot for that breed.

Cherish the memories,

I'd like to think the good memories vastly outweigh the few bad ones.

Smile, and stand tall, Honor him.

So Sorry to hear off your loss. I know exactly what you are going through.

I had to take my yellow lab on the same ride about 3 years ago. I held his paw in my hand and petted his head as he took his last breaths. I’ll never have another dog. Don’t ever want to feel that pain again

Marlin, My condolences, sorry for your loss.

I met your grand buddy a few years ago when I picked up that Taurus 41 mag. Yes, he made an impression. He was a fine dog.

good looking pup

Been through this and it was awful. Didnt want anothet dog after it. But we got another golden and eventually healed. These animals quickly become a true family member. Hurts like hell to lose them

When Max had to travel over the Rainbow Bridge, I put my forehead on his, told him I loved him, told him I will never forget him, told him how much he was loved, told him he never met a stranger.....even the veterinarian was crying when I spoke those words. I watched his eyes.....I can see them now. It is tough......very tough. It IS part of having them as our companions, our pals, our confidants.....and yes....our family.

A new "good boy" will help heal your grief.

Sorry to hear it, friend, Having met you, I know the pup had a great life, and imagine you were as important, if not more, to him, as he was to you. And like a true friend, you had the courage to ease his suffering when the time was right. Nothing any of us say can make it better, but know you made his life a great one, and be happy that he made yours better, too. We don't deserve them, it’s what makes them such a gift.

Yes it's hard as fug

Sorry to hear. Pets are family!

I’m very sorry for your loss, My yellow lab was put down a year ago at 15 1/2. Worst day of my life

Sorry for the loss, marlin.

Marlin, Very sorry to hear you lost your Pal.

Good Boy Jake, good boy.

Sorry to hear that you loss your dog. I am glad that you stayed with him.

Marlin,

sorry for your family's loss....I have more use for most dogs than I do most people...

you can rely on a dog, you can hardly ever rely on people...

and dogs won't stab ya in the back...

I know there is a heaven for dogs, and I know your best friend is there... when he will be forever young and always happy..

Peace be with you and your wife during this difficult time..

cheers and best regards
seafire

Went down the same path last December. My wife spent the night on the floor cuddling him, and we all sat with him on the floor until the vet came in the morning. We said our goodbyes. Again. It helped me to know she gave him two shots, the first to sedate him and the second to stop the heart. I watched his head sag as he got the sedative, knew he was asleep, then she injected the stopper. He was only 11, and I will probably tear up about it as long as I live. Condolences.

Losing one of life's true friends really hurts.RIP old dog .Peace be with you Brother.

Feel for you man. Been through that several times and it just takes time. Truly mans best friend! Every time Ive lost one it just makes my attachment to the next one stronger...something to look forward to. My current love is shown in my avatar.

Bummer, one of the biggest ones in the life of man.

He's gone around the bend in the path, waiting there for you.

Condolences.

Geno

Lost my Good Girl 7 months ago, I know you're pain brother.

We have been down the same road.

I know your hurt...

Hardest thing to do, IMHO, is to take a dog to the vet to be put down.. We've gone through it three times now - and never again...

Terrible. Glad you gave him a great life.

There are many wonderful things about dogs, but perhaps the moist poignant is innocence. While I am sure they know when it's time to die, most times they do not. We took our JRT to be put down years ago because of a brain issue. She was happy and clueless in our arms when the vet gave her the injection ending her life. I've been through a lot in my life, but arguably, this was one of the toughest. Take heart though. God will soon send you another. Not a replacement because I'm sure you know he was one of a kind, but just another that will make you happy again.

I am so very sorry you had to do the right thing and put your dog down. Your post reminds us all of what we have been through with our dogs and what we have to face. I hope each day will get better and you will only remember the good times and not the last days.

My current dog is in my avatar. She is the best dog I ever had but I know that I will face the same grief you are dealing with. Hoping you can find another 4 legged companion when the time is right.

The wife and I both went in with him. There was no way I was going to let him go through that by himself. About 6 weeks ago we found out he had prostate cancer, and it was hardened. They told us that he would be in pain when he took a dump which was true, even though he got pain pills. Sometimes he'd cry so bad I thought we were being selfish keeping him around, but when he was done it was like nothing happened and he came back to be with us like everything was good. The hospital told us we would know but not really how we would know. On Saturday night he got us up 4 times during the night to go out. He never did that, and he cried a lot. On Sunday morning he wasn't eating at all, and we had a bad feeling we knew it was getting to be time. We both wanted to deny it so we could keep him longer, but on Monday when he still wasn't eating we were pretty sure. We called the vet and they scheduled him for late afternoon. He didn't eat all day again and wanted out every little bit but couldn't do anything. We knew that it was time. They let us stay with him for a while after they gave him the shot. He was such a big part of our family. I still feel bad that we couldn't do anything for him. Our other lab made it 14 years and he got to the point he couldn't even get up, and I knew we had waited too long. I didn't want to do that. Ingwe thanks for your comment.