sandyd Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I have 2 dogs 14yrs and 16 yrs problem is one at 14 has very little time left and the one at 16 is very frail, they have never been apart in 14 yrs and when the time comes for the 14yr old to go to vets should I leave the 16yr at home or should I take her with us and leave her in car or leave her at home ..Im unsure what would be the best ... she will worry where the other one is ..any advise please we are all so sad and worried about the older one...thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
princess21 Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 How heartbreaking for you,and especially the older one.Makes me want to cry just reading your thread.Please keep us informed how things turn out,and dole out lots of TLC to your remaining dog. So sad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spats Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Can you request a home visit for the vet to come to you? I think most vets will do this although it does cost more than an appointment at the surgery. When it was time for my old girl to go, I requested a home visit. I informed the vets beforehand that I wanted her to pass away at home with us & her puddy cat friends. The vet came with everything she needed & with an assistant veterinary nurse. My little old lady passed away peacefully on her favourite rug, happily nibbling on honeyroast ham (her favourite) & her mum & dad telling her how much we loved her. The vet waited outside for us & the kitties to say our goodbyes & then we gently wrapped her up in her blanket & the vet allowed us to carry her to the car. The vet took her back to the surgery for her to be cremated. It was a peaceful, beautiful way to go & she had no fear, no stress & no pain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyd Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 Hi thanks for replies, sounds a good idea to have the vet call ,will give them a ring to see what kind of arrangements they offer..spats it was very touching to hear how you coped with your pet passing away sounds very peaceful..though we am dreading it ..the vets done all they can [cancer] So its just waiting now..and giving plenty of treats and cuddles.thank you for your kind thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainrescue Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Oh bless - its awful watching anything get old and frail and poorly - loved pets or people. I usually find that if the pets see the other animal dead - they do heal better - however, having lost several animals over the years - I have to say - they really seem to accept the change - but a bonded pair may struggle - so I think in your case it would be best - even if the vet can't come out (I personally wouldn't take your other one with you), but if you can bring your dead pet back home with you so the other one can see it - and accept it - then take to a crematorium. I would also add though - don't drag things out for your pets - naturally - they wouldn't be kept alive without drugs and often an animal that is incapacitated naturally - can be fearful - as they know they are easy pickings should some larger younger animal come and get it. Make sure its not suffering at all and remember, they can't tell us that they are in pain and suffering and often 'shut down' is their way of coping with enormous pain that they can go through. Check the heart rate - thats a good indication - if slow - usually fine, if raised - can be in pain or stress. Well done you - just care for them as you always have done - they have been very lucky to have known you - and my last bit of advice is to always smile when you think of them - they would never wish you to be sad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogwoppit Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 When it was time for my old dog to go we decided to have the vet out to us. I'm really glad we made the decision. Paddy was laying in his favourite sunny spot in the garden and had lots of strokes and a very peaceful passing. It cost a bit more, but for us it was definitely worth it. Good luck with whatever you decide x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medusa Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Oh bless - its awful watching anything get old and frail and poorly - loved pets or people. I usually find that if the pets see the other animal dead - they do heal better - however, having lost several animals over the years - I have to say - they really seem to accept the change - but a bonded pair may struggle - so I think in your case it would be best - even if the vet can't come out (I personally wouldn't take your other one with you), but if you can bring your dead pet back home with you so the other one can see it - and accept it - then take to a crematorium. I would also add though - don't drag things out for your pets - naturally - they wouldn't be kept alive without drugs and often an animal that is incapacitated naturally - can be fearful - as they know they are easy pickings should some larger younger animal come and get it. Make sure its not suffering at all and remember, they can't tell us that they are in pain and suffering and often 'shut down' is their way of coping with enormous pain that they can go through. Check the heart rate - thats a good indication - if slow - usually fine, if raised - can be in pain or stress. Well done you - just care for them as you always have done - they have been very lucky to have known you - and my last bit of advice is to always smile when you think of them - they would never wish you to be sad. ^^^What she says. The only thing I can add to this is the old adage- better a month too soon than a moment too late when it comes to letting them go. You will always have regrets and things for which to blame yourself, but you'll find it easier when you genuinely know, in your heart of hearts, that you have saved them from suffering and being terrified in their last hours. As for your older dog, love them up, let them see what is happening and then give them time to cope with it all. If you can find a way for the vet to come to you then even better because that will allow your older dog to spend some time coming to the understanding that your younger dog has gone. Understand that it will take time to process all of this. Animals may not have the consciousness to 'grieve' in human terms, but they do undoubtedly miss their friends who have gone and they do feel their humans' sadness too, so it will all take time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyd Posted July 22, 2012 Author Share Posted July 22, 2012 Thank you for all your kind and helpful comments ,I will think about want you have said as the time comes nearer...we nearly had to make that choice this week ,but thankfully she has improved over the last 5 days and seems to be her usual self, ready for a short walk with wagging tail then fav breakfast scramble egg with tuna...as the vet says she cant give me a time so we will enjoy whats left,..Shes been though the mill before we rescued her,starved beaten so badly she had to have one eye removed...but over her 15 yrs with us shes been a sweety and had plenty of hugs to make up for her rotten start in life...but as for now we will do our best for her as we always have... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHEZZFAYE Posted July 23, 2012 Share Posted July 23, 2012 we lost one of ours a few months ago and i wanted to say your other dog will probably take it better than you think ours did, it took him a few days but he was back to normal and ours were pups together. i left our boy 2 long not on purpose it was a bank hol weekend and i wanted the kids to say bye, but i hate myself for it knowing how much pain he was in for his last few days is something i will always regret Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lotti Posted July 23, 2012 Share Posted July 23, 2012 We had the vet out for our old boy too... he went on the sofa having had a box of lindor chocolates! (He was always trying to steal chocolate and was never allowed it for obviously reasons). We let our girls in to see him once he'd passed and the younger one who was a pup at the time didn't understand at all but the older one took one sniff at him and curled up in the armchair. She had lived with him since she was a year old and she did mourn his passing but she got over it - and yours will enjoy all the extra loves that I'm sure she'll get. Best wishes - it's an awful decision to make, but looking back I don't regret any of what we did and choosing to let him go before his kidney failure caused him any real suffering has made it a lot easier to cope with in the long term (hard as it was at the time). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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