re: When you know the end is coming for a pet...it sucks

My boxer being put down about 4 yrs ago changed me. He was abnormally large for his breed and averaged about 85 lbs his whole life. I went from not noticing a thing was wrong with him to losing him within 2 wks. Noticed a small lump under his jaw one day and made a vet appt for the following day and he was diagnosed with lymphoma. After discussing the options it appeared that the best course was just to enjoy the time I had left with him as treatment may have prolonged his life by 6 months to a year and it would have been a fairly miserable one. After that diagnosis day the tumor grew to the size of a baseball in about 10 days. Woke up one morning and he couldnt even close his mouth anymore, and wasnt eating so brought him in. I took two shots for him to pass. The first one was supposed to be plenty but he just didnt want to stop living it seemed. I held him the entire time and after 5 mins from the first shot which was supposed to be plenty of time he opened his eyes and look up at me. It absolutely broke me heart. They gave him a 2nd shot and even that took another 3-4 mins until his heart finally stopped. I was really attached to him as it seemed like he was there for everything important in my life up to that point. Finishing school, getting a job, buying my first house, losing relationships, he was the one constant. And then he wasnt.

We lost both our dogs within three months of each other last year. It still hurts and I think about them every day. I want to say it gets better but you just get used to them being gone. You still miss them a lot.

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I know about the end of the life for a cat. They'll start losing weight, you'll notice how bony their neck/ scruff area will get. Then they won't clean themselves as well as they used to. Otherwise, sometimes you won't really notice. They tend to try to put on a "I'm ok" look

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Yep, that's exactly how mine went.

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First, you make a roux

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I forgot who said that in a post before this, but that made me chuckle. I'm cat lover but that was pretty funny.

My Amstaff will be 12 in April. I’ve had him since he was 7 weeks old. He still looks great but you know big dogs, when they go they go quick.

Thanks to all for sharing.

Had to put down a 20 year old Persian (wife and my cat [by marriage]) when out of nowhere she grew a tumor on her lower jaw. Had to put down our 10 year old Siamese less than a year later for what I believe to this day was a broken heart. Held them bith for their last breaths and cried my fricking eyes out both times.

We are going to be a wreck with this one. My wife and I drove to Houston to get her and she's a year older than our oldest child (she's been our children's cat their whole lives). I just hope she can make it to the summer.

Yep! God bless because it does suck--no matter what type pet.

Well, my sweet girl passed away a couple of hours ago. Can't even describe how sad I am, but am glad we were by her side the whole time.


She was an amazing companion and will be missed terribly.

I dread the day I have to put down my oldest dog, a 7 year old whippet who has been with me through it all these last years.

They know when you're down and need a little love. They just know.

My dogs have always been dear to me so I can relate. Over the years, I have shared my life with 9 dogs, 10 counting the young hound dog I am now raising.

Losing a dear companion always hurts. Keep the love and memories alive in your heart.

And may God bless you.