Ok so this isn't the happiest topic to talk about but... my mum has decided quite rightly so that her beautiful Cavalier King Charles has had his best years on this earth. My fiance has offered to take him to the vet as no way me or mum could face it. I am now unsure what we do though, can we take him tomorrow or do we have to speak to the vet / make an appointment? practical and horrid stuff but I need to know. Someone has said that the vet can come to the house and do 'it'. Any advice appriciated.

You need to phone the vet and make an appointment - the receptionist will probably ask what it's for. Some vets do make house calls - but I believe they are very expensive.

Sorry, I wasn't going to say anything else, but I can't help it. I know it's very difficult for your mum and you, but it would be so much kinder and better if one of you could also go to the vet with the dog. He's probably going to be confused and not know what's going on when he's taken, if one of you could go with him, as well as your fiance, it would be easier for the dog, if not for you.

Good luck.

When we had to take our dog, we made the call at 11.30am and explained he was in pain. The vet saw him within the hour and was ever so kind. We stayed with Dog whilst he went and then the vet left us with him for five minutes afterwards to say goodbye.

I cried buckets but then who wouldn't.

Sorry to hear about your Mums dog, I know what an upsetting time it must be for you both :sad:

If you take him to the vet then you will need an appointment to be sure that the vet can see you at that particular time, the vet can also come out to your home usually before or after the surgery, nice for the dog to fall asleep in his own home if that can be arranged.
What ever happens I hope that it all goes as smoothly as possible, doing the right thing is sometimes the hardest thing in the world :sad:

Thank you for the quick replies. We have decided my fiance is going to call in the morning and try and arrange things for tomorrow some time at home. Told mum we will go and stay with her tomorrow night as she lives alone (taking our 5 mth old Calvalier puppy, which she seems to find a comfort) Who would have thought it was so gutt wrenching?

Do see if your mum or you could go with him, we took our dog last week and i have found it a great comfort to know that he passed peacefully and the last things he knew were our familiar faces, voices etc. The dog is what is important at this point.

My mum had the vet come to her house when she had to have Becky, her Yorkshire Terrier put down. She had her on her knee, he then asked her to leave the room, and when she got back, he'd laid her so that she just looked asleep on the settee. My mum's last image of her was curled up as though asleep on there, she found it very comforting.

My thoughts are with you - I know how difficult a decision it is to make and it's not something I envy you for.

KTHFB xxxx

My very first dog was put to sleep at home, I was the only person there as Mum was at work and couldn't face it all, I sat on the floor with Sooty in her own bed where she had been asleep all morning, and stoked and cuddled her as she fell asleep, it was quiet and peaceful for her and she would have had no idea what was going to happen just literally fell asleep in her own bed...I remember it all just like it was yesterday :sad: but it was a good end for Sooty.

Thank you for the quick replies. We have decided my fiance is going to call in the morning and try and arrange things for tomorrow some time at home. Told mum we will go and stay with her tomorrow night as she lives alone (taking our 5 mth old Calvalier puppy, which she seems to find a comfort) Who would have thought it was so gutt wrenching?

I hope the vet will come out for you. I'm so glad you're going to be with your mum and I'm sure the puppy will be a comfort. As for gut wrenching - it is, every time, it's something you never really get used to, even though you know it's likely to happen one day.

All you can do is hold onto the fact that you did what was best for the dog - or other pet - and you really can't do more than that.

Thank you everyone. The vet came out this morning and it was very peaceful just like you said. Mum cuddled him in his blanket as he went. So very upset but know it was the only thing that could be done.

Awww bless. Sorry for your loss, but you did your best to ensure he had a peaceful ending.
My thoughts are with you. xxx

Sorry for your loss :( R.I.P little one. xx

It is the hardest decision that a loving, and responsible owner has to make. I wish it were something that we didn't have to do.

My heart goes out to you and your mum, as I went through this with my fifteen year old "old boy" just a fortnight ago.

If his Quality of Life has deteriorated, though, it's wrong to force him to carry on.

It's hard to let them go. They have such a hold on us.

However, we owe it to them to let them go in a dignified manner.

They give so much love back to us, and ask for very little, just a scruffle, their food and a walkies.

ps,
I talked it through over the phone with the vet-nurse, (with lots of tears) and discussed how I needed to arrange to bring old-dog down to have it done.

I explained that his dementia had deteriorated rapidly over the preceding month, and that he was getting bewildered and distressed, and that it as upsetting me to see this change in him (having always been a sparky, alert little lad).

They were very good, very helpful, and I cannot recommend Hunters Bar vets highly enough. They were kind and compassionate, and gentle, both with us and with old-lad.

They made sure he had no distress, (upsetting as it was for us) and ensured that he had dignity to the last.

Thank you everyone. The vet came out this morning and it was very peaceful just like you said. Mum cuddled him in his blanket as he went. So very upset but know it was the only thing that could be done.So glad he was able to go so peacefully with those he loved and trusted :)

I hope your tears soon dry and you remember all the nicest times with him

So glad he was able to go so peacefully with those he loved and trusted :)

I hope your tears soon dry and you remember all the nicest times with him

hear-hear.

RIP, little pooch.

RIP, and run free at rainbow bridge. X

So sorry for your loss i went through the same thing 3 weeks ago with my 14 year old cavvie , Knowing its the right thing to do doesn't make it any easier . My thoughts are with you x

So sorry for the loss the pain is terrible it is as bad as loosing a child , but it is a cliche time does help.

How upsetting!!
R.I.P. little ladxx

Euthanasia translates as "gentle death". In regards to releasing your pet's pain, euthanasia is given as a merciful, peaceful rest after you, the responsible human, has decided it is time to let go. Euthanasia is generally administered by an overdose of barbiturates, through an intravenous catheter, or by standard injection (like a vaccine), causing the heart to stop painlessly. This is the most humane gift you can give your pet when their time has come.


The assistants will bring you and your pet to a private room for a while. Take this time to be with your pet, to say good-bye, anything you want. This is your time.

When you are ready, a veterinarian will enter and inject the euthanasia drug. You will feel your dog relax, and maybe sigh, and it will be over very quickly.

Do not be alarmed by any nerve jumps, or if you hear your dog "gasp"; it is just air leaving the lungs. Your dog's eyes will not close.

Remember that this is ultimately the greatest gift you can give your dog : Peace

Are you thinking of having another little dog to care for? , please remember the rescue dogs that need homes

Dogs Legacy

Author Unknown

When humans die, they make a will
To leave their homes and all they have
to those they love.
I, too, would make a will if I could write.

To some poor wistful, lonely stray
I leave my happy home,
My dish, my cosy bed, my cushioned chair, my toy.
The well loved lap, the gentle stroking hand,
the loving voice,
The place I made in someone's heart,
The love that at the last could help me to
a peaceful painless end
Held in loving arms.

If I should die, Oh do not say,
"No more a pet I'll have,
to grieve me by it's loss"
Seek out some lonely, unloved dog
And give my place to him.
This is the legacy I leave behind -
'tis all I have to give.

It is three yeas ago today we had to have our faithful friend put to sleep it was a traumatic time for all, never ever having another dog............. Typing this with a rottie on my knee whilst the other one is recling on the bed enjoying a little snooze before a light supper and a late walk.