re: One of the tougher things to do in life

quote:

---

then burying his grandmother

---

Maybe Granny was an awful human. People are known to suck.

I had to do the same to my 11 year old lab last Sept. He had cancer and I decided against any treatment, as I knew it would only be giving him a few more months to be around. I didn't want to see him deteriorate to the point I was helping him move around and go outside to the bathroom. One morning I woke up and he was laying under the table where he never lays. Didn't move all day from that spot. The next day I took him to the vet and had him put to sleep. Stayed with him that whole day. Ended up digging a hole in the backyard so he could be with me still every day, instead of the vet cremating him and not knowing if I WAS getting the ashes of my dog.
It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, but that dog was extremely faithful to me and my family and helped us through some tough times. I felt it was my way of letting him know that I wouldn't let him down, since he never did it to me.
It's still tough when I think about it, but it does get better. Just knowing that I still have him in the yard, helps me through it compared to the vet keeping him and getting rid of him in their own way. I had a small plaque made and it sits on his spot in the yard.

Prayers sent to you and your fam. You did the right thing in not letting him suffer long. I hope you have plenty of pictures of him, so you can never forget the impact he had on your life.

quote:

---

If your grandmother lives to be a ripe old age and you aren't very close, it's not traumatic

---

The post I'm referencing states that his dog lived to be 15 years old. That, too, is a "ripe old age", as you put it. By your rationale, that should not have been traumatic for him either.

quote:

---

That, too, is a "ripe old age", as you put it. By your rationale, that should not have been traumatic for him either.

---

Yeah, you're kind of leaving out the "close" part.

quote:

---

Zeke HATED the vet. He start going nuts every time we turned down the road the vet was on. I just couldn't bear the thought of his last moments full of fear and agony.

---

Not saying you did not do what is right for you and your dog. But just some info for others. May vets will come to your house.

This.... she was a horrible person and the only good thing about her passing is I get a few paid days off of work.

quote:

---

Could not do it. Had a 16 y.o. lab mix. It was her time. Had the vet do it; she loved the vet's place. One shot to slowly put here to sleep, as she was resting on me eating her favorite vienna sausages. She went to sleep happily from what I could tell. Then another final injection. I sobbed audibly on the way out and the people in the waiting room looked very sympathetic.

---

One of mine didn't like going to the vet, but he didn't get upset. Just turned around and tried to leave.

I had a Blue Heeler 12 years old and hated goin to the vet. Doc always came by our house to give him his shots. He came to the house to put him down due to cancer. Was terrible to do but glad he was at home surrounded by the family

quote:

---

Ever seen Ol' Yeller, fella?

Some of us still abide by the old ways. You may bring him to some strange place where he's terrified and pay a stranger to shove poison in his veins. And like I said...that's on you. I'm not gonna stand here and tell you how to bring your friend into the clearing.

But that ain't mine.

It's heartrending as hell but it's almost cathartic. You make that last walk with your loyal friend to a quiet spot. You dig the grave. You say your piece and make your goodbye. Maybe it gets a little hard to see.
Then you grant your pup an end to his suffering. You commit him once more to the earth and give him a marker.

And that's what they deserve. A good clean death with their master at their side.

---

It's a bit unfortunate we don't do that with old people too. Instead we throw them in a hospital bed and let them rot

I've already told a few close people that I don't want to go out old and decrepit, shitting on myself.

Just take me fishing one last time and then...bring me back.