Are you struggling to know when to say goodbye to your dog? Most likely, your canine companion has been by your side through the joys and sorrows of life. He or she has been steadfast in their loyalty and love. You’ve walked life’s path together—both literally and figuratively. Making the decision to let your grey-muzzled companion go may seem unbearable. Dog euthanasia is not an easy topic to broach, but comfort, hope, and help are here.
In part three of my series on dog euthanasia, I’m joined by my friend and veterinary colleague Dr. Elizabeth Chosa, owner of Courtenay Animal Hospital. Dr. Chosa shares a heartfelt message on selflessness as a final “gift” to our dogs during end-of-life care. If you are conflicted in knowing when it’s time to say goodbye to your dog, I hope you find peace and comfort through Dr. Chosa’s story of a 15-year-old dog named Rosie.
For parts one and two in this series on dog euthanasia, please read:
- Saying Goodbye to Our Dog: Dr. Buzby’s Heartfelt Story
- How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring Thoughts for Peace & Comfort
If you’d rather listen, please check out my podcast on dog euthanasia: Thinking Through the Goodbye.
Saying Goodbye to Rosie
by Dr. Elizabeth Chosa
Photo credit: Dr. Elizabeth Chosa
A week ago today, we said goodbye to a special patient, a dog named Rosie. She was 15 years old and had been rescued from a local shelter by her mama a long time ago.
Every day from that day until she said goodbye, Rosie’s mama did every single thing she could to ensure that Rosie was as healthy, happy, and as comfortable as possible. Life for Rosie was as good as it gets. And, as companions go, her mama also felt like she had won the lottery.
This is all any of us can hope for when it comes to pet ownership—to have a beloved animal who becomes like a part of you and lives a good long life, where each of you makes things better for the other.
But when you are lucky enough to have such a relationship with an old pet, it means you’ll also eventually have the burdensome responsibility of deciding when to say goodbye to your dog.
Talking openly about dog euthanasia
Rosie’s mama and I had a long talk last week and I asked her if she wouldn’t mind sharing parts of it with you. Some people don’t know what questions to ask and aren’t able to openly talk about the process as easily as Rosie’s mama did. I thought sharing some of our talk may help others as they approach this heart-wrenching decision. It (dog euthanasia) can be a very difficult conversation but it’s such an important one.
Pretty much everyone hopes that their senior pet will one day pass peacefully in his or her sleep. Choosing a time and day to end the life of a beloved companion feels unnatural. It can be an incredibly difficult task and one that is often fraught with inevitable guilt for those who love their pets.
Alleviating suffering: the last gift of love
Unfortunately, pets rarely pass peacefully in their sleep, at least not before enduring an enormous amount of suffering, in most cases. Giving them the gift of alleviating that suffering is the last loving, generous act of pet ownership.
Thinking through the goodbye
But how do you know when it is time? One of the hardest factors is that animals often have good days and bad days near the end. On the bad days, especially after several in a row, owners often think it is time to let go. Sometimes they even make an appointment, only to wake up that morning and find their pet having a great day, which makes them doubt the decision and hold off a bit longer.
This cycle may repeat for weeks or even months and owners are unsure where their responsibility lies. No one wants to give up too soon, nor do they want to wait too long.
Passing peacefully
The reality is that if you really love your pet and you have thought “it might be time”—it is almost always time. It’s just so hard to face that reality. I have had to make the decision for my own senior pets twice in the past two years and it never gets easier.
But it’s important to keep in mind that it is a loving gift for them, to go peacefully when they are surrounded by people who love them, and not alone and scared or in tremendous pain and distress.
Tools to help you know when it is time to say goodbye to your dog
One simple tool that can help is to write on a calendar “good day” or “bad day” then look back over the last 10-14 days. If the bad days are outweighing the good ones, it’s time to let your pet go before all of the days are bad.
Another idea is to make a list of your pet’s very favorite things to do. When he or she stops doing those two or three things, it is time to say goodbye. Decide in advance that you won’t waver and it will make the decision more objective.
Your dog has given you their very best throughout life and they deserve to leave with their dignity intact, while they can still stand up on their own and they are not incontinent. If you wait until they have completely stopped eating, cannot rise on their own, or are lying in their own waste, you have waited too long.
After more than 20 years working in the veterinary profession, I have talked to countless people who say that looking back they wish they hadn’t waited so long. But I have never had a single loving pet owner come back and say they regret letting them go too soon.
Again, if you’ve thought that it might be time, it probably is time.
Your veterinarian can help you through the decision process
If you are approaching this decision (dog euthanasia), your veterinarian would be happy to help you through the process and give as much insight as possible into how your pet might be feeling. As veterinarians, our job is to advocate for the animals, but we also want to help family members come to a decision that will provide the most peace of mind possible during the difficult moments.
- Sometimes that means making a housecall so that pets can pass comfortably in their own homes.
- Sometimes it means sending home additional medications for hospice care to keep our patients comfortable until other family members can say goodbye.
- Sometimes it means an owner will sing a song to the pet or take pictures or select a unique memento to honor the final moments.
- Everyone grieves differently and there is no judgment from us—only education and compassion.
A consultation with Rosie’s mom
When Rosie and her mom came in last week, it was just for a consultation. There was no rushing the process or the timeline. As we talked, she began to realize that the time should perhaps be sooner than she expected—for Rosie’s sake.
Photo credit: Dr. Elizabeth Chosa
I took the pictures above of Rosie before her mom left to take her to the car. Rosie’s mom and I talked about scheduling an appointment for the following week.
And then a few minutes later, Rosie’s mom came back inside. She had decided to let Rosie go the very same day. We gave Rosie a sedative first and she fell asleep right next to her mama; she was snoring quietly when it was time…and she didn’t have to feel anything at all when the final moment came.
If only we could all pass so peacefully and with such dignity.
About the author
Dr. Elizabeth Chosa is the owner of Courtenay Animal Hospital in Merritt Island, Florida. She is my friend, colleague, and inspiration in the way that she cares for her veterinary clients and her patients. Dr. Chosa graciously allowed me to share this story so that others who are considering dog euthanasia and knowing when to say goodbye to a canine companion may benefit from a real-life situation. I hope you find comfort and peace in your decision. For more about Dr. Chosa’s practice, please visit the Courtenay Animal Hospital website or Facebook page.
Help please,
Today we said goodbye to my 13 year old Chihuahua with brain cancer. She got radiation, but it seems to not have worked.
Although I feel guilty for taking her life. I do think it was the right choice so she wouldn’t keep suffering through seizures, not being able to see fully and not having her metal capabilities like she used to.
What I’m struggling with and is eating at me inside was the process. They came to our home. She was in my arms while they injected the sedative into her (no IV Catheter), she did cry out as I read might be possible, but the next part is what is eating at me.
Instead of going to sleep. She started panting extremely fast. They said her brain wasn’t “awake” anymore and that she didn’t notice. But I feel as if her last moment were stressful and full of fear.
Can you help me? Is this normal? I need to know if she passed away in peace or in fear.
Thank you
Dear Irving,
My heart goes out to you with the loss of your senior girl. I know saying goodbye was emotional and I can only imagine how much you miss her. You made a loving choice to free your sweet pup from her suffering and struggles and I assure you her passing was peaceful. Panting is a reflex that does not require a dog to be conscious for it to occur. While this is not common during euthanasia, it does happen from time to time. With all the changes to your girl’s brain due to her cancer, it is not surprising that she displayed some different side effects after the medication was administered. Trust me when I say she was not in pain or experiencing any fear. I am certain your presence was a comfort, and she knew how much she was loved. May her memory be a blessing in your life. Praying for comfort and peace for your heart.
Hi Dr. Buzby,
Thank you so much for your reply. It does bring me some peace to know. I have honestly asked about 5 vets about this and received similar answers, but yours was the only one that truly made me feel that even though her eyes seemed fearful, maybe it was the eyes of a loving pet saying goodbye. Words can’t express how much I miss her. While my pain, guilt and self blaming will not go away got a while. I am happy her spirit was set free from that strong but ailing body. Thank you again for your reply 🙂
my 15 yr old Jack Russell has dementia and chronic arthritis, he no longer enjoys his walks, pants heavily in pain,no sniffing. he doesn’t have interaction with anyone anymore, used to be very outgoing and friendly, doesn’t come over for cuddles now, he is also deaf so can’t hear me comforting him. Sleeps a lot or just stands about or wandering. Not much interest in his food only treats. Do I try other pain relief or is it time to let him go before he gets even worse.
Hi Helen,
I’m so sorry that you are faced with making this difficult decision for your Jack Russell. From what you are saying, it does sound like his quality of life is declining. Sometimes dog parents find it helpful to mark a calendar with green (good day), yellow (ok day) or red (bad day) to have a visual representation of what most of the days are like. Or others may find a quality of life scale for dogs (linked below) helpful when making that decision. You may also find some clarity from reading our blogs that go over the considerations for deciding when to euthanize a dog with arthritis and dementia (also linked below).
I hope that the answer became clear to you and that you can find peace in knowing that you made whatever choice you believed was right for your dog at the time. Thinking about you!❤️
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. When to Euthanize a Dog With Arthritis: A Vet’s Heartfelt Advice
3. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
Thank you for this article.. I am really struggling with the decline of my sweet old dog. He is a russel ray terrier mix named Popeye and he is 18 years old approximately. I am also 18 years old and i have had him all my life. He has always been a very happy dog who loves snuggles and he has always loved to escape from the house or yard and run around the neighborhood. when he was younger we could never catch him and he seemed to find great joy and amusement in this before eventually coming home after hours. but now i believe he is in the later stages of kidney failure. He has been having occasional seizures and cognitive issues as well. he seems to lose his balance and fall over or get confused and wander about or just stand and stare. he also has dental disease (he has for a while) and now it makes an awful grinding noise when he chews. he is refusing his dog food now because he knows we will give him human food treats. and just today i came home to him having just vomited and drooling. it’s so hard to know what to do. and what’s worse is that i work full time so i am often not home to see his behavior. i don’t know when i am going to have to put him down but i know his time is coming soon. it’s so unbearable to think about. i just hope i can make his last days happy.
Dear Lucie,
My heart goes out to you as you struggle with this emotional decision for Popeye. From what you describe, it does sound like saying goodbye may be the only way to give him true peace and rest. I cannot think of a more loving act than to allow your own heart to break so your sweet boy can be free from his suffering. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers. I am hopeful you will find the answers you need to make the best choice for you and Popeye. Praying for your strength and comfort as you navigate this difficult road. Bless you both. ♥
1. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
2. Grieving the Loss of a Dog After Euthanasia (& Finding Peace)
3. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
My Jack Russell is just 17 years old and has had cognitive dysfunction for the past year, gradually getting worse, He waits at the wrong side of the door, gets stuck in corners, paces up and down, forgets his way back in from the garden and for the past six months has been urinating in the house (this has also got worse and now includes defecating in front of me). In a morning I have to carry him downstairs and not put him down until I have unlocked the doors, because he will just wee. Even with the outside door open he forgets he has to go to the door. He has gone through barking fits every day and night for up to a year before, but has stopped those for some reason, which is a huge relief as I couldn’t cope with those. If he is not sleeping he is whining and going to the door for food. My stress levels are extremely high (I am also having other difficulties in my life, such as health and marriage problems and have always been a strong person who copes well with stress), In the evening when I want him to just go to sleep so I can relax (before I take him to bed for the night), he can spend up to an hour getting out of his basket and going to the door and whining (he has always been a whiner too). He follows me everywhere and remains at my feet many times so I am constantly tripping over him. I have a lot of empathy but I can’t help losing my temper and hate myself for it. I am at the stage where I don’t know how longer I can take this stress, If he had a terminal illness or other physical problems that cause him to have a poor quality of life, it would be easier, but he loves his food (far too much as he won’t stop pestering). He also loves his walks and has lots of energy still, but they are problematic because he pulls all the way back (not on the way) and by doing so he ends up leaping in the air and choking, He pulled my husband over recently and he hurt himself. He has always been a bit of a puller but never this bad. He has cataracts and bumps into things in the dark (on his walks) and he is struggling with jumping onto the sofa now and struggles getting upstairs as his hind legs appear weaker and he stumbles on the last 3 or 4 stairs coming down and falls sometimes (I’ve looked online at ramps but none seem that suitable and do occasionally pick him up). I dread the day I need to euthanise and will feel grief for a long time, despite the relief of not having to deal with it all. Each time I think of it I feel it would be for selfish reasons because I really can’t cope any more. He can only get worse and so part of me thinks why wait for that time, going through even more stress.. I love him so much and dealing with all this has made me feel so much guilt because I don’t always act lovingly (just shouting and getting irritable, although never when he has just urinated. I will take him to the vet, just to make sure the urination is not an underlying disease. He last went 7 months ago and was tested for diabetes and had blood tests due to having teeth out but not tested for kidney disease. So to summarise, I just want some advice on whether he is still getting an ok qualify of life if he enjoys his food and walks?.
I’ve had two cats in the past who l had to euthanize and that was much easier because they had cancer and it was the kindest thing to do.
Dear Julie,
My heart aches for you and this difficult situation you are in with your senior guy. First let me say you are not alone. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great comments from other readers in your exact situation. It is clear from your words just how much you love your boy. I have no doubt he knows how much you care. Dementia/cognitive dysfunction can be so cruel, and I truly think the suffering from mental disease can be just as bad (if not worse) than from physical disease. I always think it is better to say goodbye one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. I know you want to do right by your sweet boy, but your quality of life matters too! I hope you can find the advice you need to make the best decision for everyone involved. Saying goodbye can sometimes be the most loving option and give a beloved pup the peace and rest they deserve. Praying for your strength and clarity in decision making. Bless you both.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
3. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
4. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
Thank you for everything you post. I’m really struggling on when to let my beautiful dog Bb go. She is 7 years old and was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer in January 2022. We gave her chemotherapy and she has fought it for twelve months now. Her vet told me in November that she didn’t have long left. She is taking her highest dose of prednisone. She struggles to breathe though she is taking a breath almost every second. Her lymph nodes are extremely swollen in her neck. She doesn’t really play or go on walks. But she will still get up to eat and has regular bowel movements. I don’t want her to suffer but I also don’t think she wants to leave us. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Dear Anna,
I am so sorry your sweet girl is in the final stages of her cancer battle. I know you don’t want to end her life prematurely, but I can’t imagine what quality of life she has left while struggling to breathe every second of the day. Letting go is incredibly difficult, but sometimes is the only way to offer a beloved dog peace and rest from their suffering. I always think it is better to say goodbye one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary pain. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers. I am praying you will find strength to face these difficult times ahead and clarity in your decision making. Bless you both.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
Hello I need help in making this Decision my dog bear is 11 years old and two days ago he clapssed over and had a seizure I rushed home from work took him to a vet ER and they ran blood work everything came back fine. But the vet did inform me that the only other thing it could be is something in the brain ( cancer) today he had another episode he’s barley eating I’ve gotten him to eat some chicken I cooked up for him but other then that he won’t eat or if he does it’s just a bite. This is way harder on me then I could ever imagine I’ve never had to deal with a pet death. I don’t want him to suffer his breathing is very slow and deep like gasping but idk cuz I’ve never had a dog so that. I feel like it’s time and I know the wife dose they didn’t look much farther in to the problem but I don’t think we have much time left for him to even do the MRI to find out what’s going on. pleas idk what to do
Dear David,
I am so sorry you are facing such a difficult situation with Bear. Without examining him myself, I can’t say for sure if his condition is critical. From what you are describing, euthanasia may be the most loving decision you can make to give your sweet boy peace and rest. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great comments from other readers. I always think it is better to say goodbye one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best choice for Bear and everyone involved. Praying for your strength and clarity while you navigate this tough road.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Signs Your Dog is Dying: A Caring Message to Bring You Peace
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
I am having a difficult time knowing when to say goodbye to my 16 year old heart dog, Henry. He started to show signs of kidney distress this year, including increased thirst and urination. We tested his kidney levels in August and he did have elevated creatinine levels indicative of stage 2/3 kidney disease.
Two weeks ago he lost his appetite. We got by initially with hand feeding, cooked chicken, other new tasty wet foods, and lots of treats.
However now he has lost nearly all interest in eating. He will be interested in what I take out of the fridge or the bags of treats I open, and he will sniff but not eat. We are now now at the point where he will only eat treats and a tiny bit of my food, if I am eating a meal that includes chicken or turkey.
We tried appetite stimulant and anti nausea meds but it did not increase his desire to eat.
He still has a spark and is still playful, enjoying his snuffle mat and doing tricks for treats with me. He also enjoys a slow walk. He does have lethargy but is still interested and engaged.
He is showing no outward signs of distress, such as panting, confusion, falling, incontinence. He is still very mobile.
I feel like I am waiting for a sign from him that he is done. But I don’t want him to feel the pain of slow starvation.
I spoke with my vet today and she agreed I’ve tried everything I can.
Do you have any thoughts on knowing when to let go?
Dear Carissa,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult decision for your senior guy. It sounds like Henry is struggling and his health is declining fast. I know you are waiting for a definitive sign that it is “time”, but this may not be the case. If you make a decision now, you can ensure Henry’s transition is smooth and peaceful. If you wait too long, the decision may be taken from you. I always think it is better to say goodbye one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. You have the ability to offer your sweet boy the peace and rest he has earned after a lifetime of love and devotion. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best choice for you and Henry. Praying for strength and comfort.
Here is a link to another article with additional information that may be helpful: Dog Kidney Failure: When to Euthanize Your Dear Dog
I have a 14 year old Boston, He has never been over weight. He has been fainting maybe 2-3 times a month. Last night he fainted/seizure and he was literally screaming. Woke up and walked back to house. Vet diagnosed him about a year ago with enlarged heart and murmur. I just need to know if we should euthanize him. Having a hard time deciding this. Any advice is needed.
Hi Alice,
You are right to be concerned about your senior Boston. The events you are describing do sound like possible seizure activity. The only way to know if your pup is suffering and if euthanasia is recommended is to have him evaluated by your vet. Many dogs live long lives with heart issues and seizures can often be well controlled with simple medication. Please talk to your vet about your concerns and let them help you make the best decision for your sweet boy.
I have a ten yr old beagle. He has lost a lot of weight, due to peeing out urine. Memorial weekend he was very lethargic and not eating. He did rebound but is having lots of accidents. Vet says leaking kidneys. He is fine during day but when sleeping it seems he is struggle to breath. Not short breathes but it looks like his chest expands. His legs are also twitching. Is that normal for end of life?
Your article really helped me decided. Thank you
Pee out protein.
Dear Kelly,
I am sorry your beagle is struggling with end stage kidney failure. The symptoms you describe do sound consistent with this disease and how it progresses. I know the decision you are facing is hard and filled with emotions. My heart goes out to you during this difficult time.
We are going through this with our 12 year old Basset Mix, Lily. She had what the vet thinks was a spine stroke and her leg usage and her gait is total off from that. Then she had two grand mal seizures (one lasting over 5 minutes) within 3 hours of each other. We started noticing blood pooling in her eye and possibly in her other eye. Now she is blind. In all of this she is shaking all the time. We believe this points to cancer or a tumor as the emergency vet said there was no glaucoma or cataracts. She is happy and content outside of the seizures and seems to be drink ok and ok at eating small bites. The MRI for diagnosing stuff would cost $10,000 and I cannot afford that. I don’t know if it is the right time. I am going to miss her a lot and my other dog, an 11 year old pit bull will miss her greatly but I do not want to see her suffer. I don’t know.
Hi Jen,
Those symptoms are definitely worrisome, and I can only imagine how concerned you are for Lily. Since I haven’t examined her myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions and recommendations. I am suspicious about a blood clotting issue or bleeding disorder. Has Lily had any blood work done since all of this started? Cancer is certainly a possibility but may not be the cause. I recommend you talk to you vet and let them know you are considering euthanasia due to financial concerns and the MRI not being an option. They may have treatments/medications that you could try as a last resort to see if these symptoms resolve. If I know my option is to try an uncommon medication with possible side effects or euthanasia, I will throw everything I have to the dog and see if it works. At this point what do you have to lose? I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best decision for you and Lily. And if her quality of life is truly suffering, I pray you have the strength to give her final peace and rest.
I am struggling at the moment watching my 16 year old sleeping. She has all the signs mentioned in this article. I’ve been having to pick her up for several months now and today it looks like she’s turned for the worst. I hate this.
Dear Ginger,
My heart aches for you watching your senior girl’s health rapidly decline. I pray you find the strength to make loving and difficult decisions for her. Bless you both. ♥
Hello Julie,
First of all, I received toe grips for my 15 year old declining schnauzer a few weeks ago and I can’t tell you enough how great they are! But he is declining rapidly and this morning he had seizure: it lasted only 20-30 sec probably and when I searched Internet your article came up. Toby is diabetic (for 2.5 years now, but well managed with feedings/insulin injections 3 times a day), almost blind, death and he really hasn’t been enjoying his normal activities (like taking a walk) for several months now. He still eats well and seems perky at times (like last time he was hopping across the yard like a bunny), but overall he is mostly sleeping. Of course I have been questioning quality of his life, his vet says it determined by how he eats (and he eats well, even this morning after seizure, being totally confused). But I am not sure about it now…
Taking him to the vet to investigate cause of the seizure seems unnecessary: Toby IS at the end of his life. Is it time to say good bye?
Thank you!
Dear Anna,
Thank you for the testimonial about ToeGrips! I am sorry your Schnauzer boy is declining so rapidly. It does sound like he is nearing the end of his life. Many people will use whether a dog eats to determine quality of life, but it may not be the best indicator for every dog. You know your boy better than anyone else, so if you think he is struggling and not living a happy and pain free life, it may be time to say goodbye. It is always better to let go one day too early rather than one day too late. I hope you can make a decision that offers you both peace and comfort. Praying you find clarity for this tough situation.
I just came across this article while trying to find information on “signs your pet may be nearing the end.” I have a 10yr old Boxer named Vegas. He has been thru 2 breakups & 1 devastating divorce. He’s comforted my daughter on stormy nights & loved on her while she was sick or was recovering from surgery. He started having seizure like symptoms about a month ago- that was my first indication. After taking him to our vet, we found out he had an enlarged spleen. The vet decided to do emergency surgery….but by the time he got in there, the spleen had already ruptured. They found evidence of tumors inside the spleen but said they didn’t see any signs of cancer on any of the nearby organs- which was a blessing. He seemed to be doing better but then, about 2 weeks ago we noticed subtle changes: he wasn’t super interested in his food (we had to sit right next to him to get him to eat), he lost control of his bladder three times in our home which was never an issue before; when we take him outside to use the restroom he’d get too tired to walk the 5-10 steps back to the house- he’d simply lie down on the sidewalk until we physically moved him inside; he stopped eating much at all, even treats; and within the last two days, he’s moved from his bench at the foot of the bed, to sleeping underneath the computer desk in my room. I know now, that it is probably time to help him cross over but…..I’m having the hardest time actually making that decision. Please pray for my daughter and I as we sit down tonight to discuss the final steps.
Dear Micaela,
I understand what a difficult decision you have in front of you. It does sound like letting go might be the most loving option. I am sorry everything has deteriorated so quickly with your sweet boy. I will attach links to other articles that may have helpful information as well. I pray the conversation with your daughter went smoothly and you both find comfort in allowing Vegas to find peace and rest. Wishing you the best as you navigate this difficult path.
1. Signs Your Dog is Dying: A Caring Message to Bring You Peace
2. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
4. Grieving the Loss of a Dog After Euthanasia (& Finding Peace)
Thank you so much for this article and for Thinking through the Goodbye. I had been struggling to accept that the time might be right for my best friend and companion of over 16 years, Amber. These articles helped me recognise that my sweet girl had maybe had enough. She had CDI for 12 months and was ailing. One comment particularly struck home with me, that One month to early is better than one day to late. I had been asking myself what was I waiting to happen? For her to go off her legs or be in real pain before I let her go? So with a very heavy heart 8 days ago we said a peaceful goodbye to her. I miss her dearly and have shed so many tears, and there’s plenty more to come. But I now know we did the kindest thing for our girl. Thank you again Julie.
Dear Julie,
I am sorry you had to say goodbye to Amber. It does sound like you made the right choice, but I know that doesn’t make it any easier. I am glad her transition was peaceful, and I have no doubt she knew how much she was loved. I am glad you found the articles and advice from other readers to be helpful. I pray with time your heart will heal and that Amber’s memory will continue to be a blessing. ♥
My family and I are struggling. Our 14 year old schnauzer has congestive heart failure stage C, azotemia and pulmonary edema. She has been to the vet weekly for the past 2 months and in the ER/hospital last week and we brought her home for Christmas. She has had some rough nights and then the ver had us add hydrocodone to her meds (furosemide-max dose, sildenafil and pimobendan) and it has help slow her breathing down. She sleeps all the time and always wants to be touching me but when she gets up she’s peppy and seems so normal except when she has her coughing spells. She didn’t want to eat her regular food this am but did eat an egg and she urinated in our bed last night which she never did before. I’ve been told CHF is a painful death. We were planning for her to cross the rainbow bridge tomorrow but now she’s so peppy. The struggle is real. I wish I had a magic crystal ball.
Hi KJ,
Knowing when to say goodbye is such a difficult decision. I am sorry your Schnauzer girl is struggling and nearing her last day. From what you have described, it does sound like euthanasia would be the most loving option. I will post a link to another article that may be of some help. I know that you will be heartbroken without your sweet girl, but I hope her memory will be a blessing to you and your family.
Signs Your Dog is Dying: A Caring Message to Bring You Peace
I’m having such a hard time with letting my beloved Reese go. She had a seizure and was having trouble breathing. The vet recommended euthanasia and I have never made that decision before. They asked me if I wanted to come back in a few hours and I said no because I said that I would not be able to bring myself to come back. but now I regret it. I knew she was in discomfort but I wish I had taken just a few more hours to say goodbye. I miss her so much.
Dear Johnny, My heart breaks for you as I read your comment. But I believe with all my heart that you did the right thing for Reese. You would have needed a crystal ball to know the “perfect” timing, but had you taken her home, she might very well have experienced more seizure activity. Furthermore, a dog having difficulty breathing is a true medical emergency. You would never have forgiven yourself if she had struggled for her last breaths. Instead, you made such a brave, wise, and kind choice to let her go peacefully. Without a doubt, even though it was very painful for you, you made the right choice for dear Reese. Please take comfort in this. May her memory be a blessing.
Very good articles in your blog.
Tragically we lost our beloved Pitbull girl of 14 years to awful cancer (lymphoma/leukemia stage 5). We are traumatized by the euthanasia, first after the sedation she started quickly to like hyperventilate with her breathing (fast and shallow and her lips were opening and closing) in the beginning. That can’t be normal? The vet just said its ok shes not experienxing anything causing her pain…
Next, it seemed hard to put the IV catheter in place and after several triies it worked, but I understand that the poision to stop our girls heart was not working even after waiting a time. At the end the vet stuck a néedle right in our girls heart, i really couldnt believe it. I asked him what was happening and why, and he just said its another way of doing this and its not wrong…
Please, could you explain what was going on?
We can’t help feeling and struggling with the thought that our girl actually fought and were not ready to die!
Dear Marko,
My heart goes out to you with the recent loss of your senior girl. Cancer can be so cruel, and I can only imagine how hard it must have been to let go after 14 years of memories. Also, I am so incredibly sorry that your euthanasia experience was not what you had hoped or envisioned. While the events you describe do not sound ideal, they are potential complications that do happen from time to time which I have been unfortunate enough to experience myself. When sedation is administered, depending on what medication is used, it can cause a bit of panting or fast breathing. Your vet was correct that it is not a pain response. Now when it comes to placing an IV catheter, any disease processes that can affect blood pressure, the health of veins or blood volume will make the process very tricky. Cancer can definitely affect all of these aspects. In fact, any dog that is being euthanized due to failing health is already in a category of dogs that make catheter placement the most difficult. The medication that is used for euthanasia is actually an anesthetic and works in this fashion due to the high dose that is given. So please don’t have visions of your beloved pup being “poisoned” but rather allowed to fall into a very deep anesthesia and then passing peacefully. Sometimes if a dog is very sick or debilitated and their internal organs are not functioning well, the euthanasia solution cannot be processed efficiently and it does take a very long time to take full effect. In these instances, in order to prevent an unnecessarily long process, additional solution is often administered closer to the heart. Intra cardiac (in the heart) is one viable option. I have also preformed this injection into a kidney. I would never do this in a patient that wasn’t already heavily sedated to prevent the possibility of pain. The events that you were a witness to are definitely not how I hope a euthanasia will go, but are an unfortunate outcome in rare cases. I hope you will not let the events surrounding the passing of your sweet girl be a lasting burden on your heart. You made a loving decision to prevent her suffering and allowed her to find peace and rest. May her memory be a blessing to you and your family. Bless you. ♥
Thank you so much for your comforting words. I do understand now it was not the ideal situation, but I hope your right that she didnt suffer because of it.
Yes, there are tremendous amount of memories and we are having a very extremely hard time grieving our loss of her. She was our first and only dog, and our best friend. She was so vital and active for her age, but the awful cancer got the best of her despite that…