Last week I had to make the decision by myself to put my dog down. He was my best friend his name was Archie. He had pneumonia on his lungs which developed from kennel cough and I had to take him on the bus an hour and a half away to an emergency vet to get treated because the cough turned into pneumonia. I didn’t know what it was I just knew his breathing wasn’t normal and when I got there even though I was promised that I could do a “consent to pay” which would cover treatment and consultation I was then told after they’d already started treatment that it only covered euthanised or painkillers. I couldn’t afford to forward treatment and I felt it would be cruel to keep poor Archie back and forth to the vets while he was struggling so sitting alone in that room I had to make the hardest decision of my life and have him put to sleep. I didn’t want that for him but I also knew it wasn’t about me it was about taking him out of pain. I haven’t been myself since entirely as having experience so much grief before that loss I wasn’t ready to loss someone else I loved so much. I’m not sure I’m “grieving correctly” I’m very self aware that I’m in denial currently but I’m not sure where to turn moving forward to help myself live with this grief.
I am so sorry for your loss. Archie is out of pain now. You did your best. Sending you a hug
Thank you for the hug I really appreciate it
We can only do the best we can for our little fur friends. Sometimes it requires very hard decisions and choices we would rather not make. Made that miserable decision 5 times now and it is so awful.
I am so sorry. You did your best. Be at peace.
Hello Katie4
I couldn’t just read your story and not say I’m sorry you have had to go through this. It took having and losing my own dogs to show me just how utterly devastating pet loss truly is.
I can imagine you are shell-shocked, numb and bewildered right now, and will be for a fair while to come. You made a selfless and caring decision out of love. That will have taken great courage.
Take your time, and keep looking after yourself too. It sounds as if Archie was well-loved and a happy soul, and it was you that gave him that gift of happiness in his life.
Keep going, little by little.
Kindest regards to you.
Hi Katie
It is utterly heartbreaking, the grief & anger guilt we have in the grief process… You did your best if he was in pain but never the less it takes time .
I too am not myself, i don’t want to eat, do usual stuff, feel like in a surreal world whilst everyone else seems to be getting on with life but we don’t know others pains… I think of my Syd each night & cry myself to sleep holding his fave toy… The things we have to do & put ourselves through for the price of the love we give our dogs our unconditional love family members. Sending a hug & strength to you. 