I knew this day was coming and now I'm a wreck

[Albion Wilde]

So sorry for your predicament. The pure love of a dear pet is only on loan to us from God. May He comfort you and ease her way.

[EinNYC]

I feel so bad for you and Kacie. Severing a loving relationship between an owner and a beloved pet is always hard. I've lost several cats over the years and I could never go to work the next day. My eyes were too swollen to see.

I imagine Kacie has some terminal and painful condition and you just can't watch her suffer any more. So you are going to relieve her pain and suffering. Hopefully, you will shelter her in your arms as she passes, to reassure her. Bless you for caring enough for her to ease her way out of this world gently, and I hope you can work through your grief. It will take a good while, but there's no remedy to hasten grieving. Perhaps in the future, you will honor your dog's memory by adopting a pup in need of a good home. My heart goes out to you.

[Revel]

:(

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I have to disagree. Had our Border Collie put down at 17 yo and our Lab put down at 15. I thought about it and couldn’t bear the thought of our dogs dying among strangers. No matter what I think it was a good decision. My doggies left the world with someone they loved.

[Professional]

I fully understand. I’ve worried about losing my hound since she was 3. We bought her a chihuahua when she was 6 as a daughter friend. Since divorced and Abbey my hound and I have traveled the country 2x together camping for 4. & 6 months. She lost her sight to glaucoma. When she lost her second eye at 10 I was devastated but in a day or two I realized how capable she was despite blindness. I begged God for more time. She just turned 13 and is healthy and happy. Knowing her time draws near, I spoil her as much as I can and walk her often. She’s very popular and loves meeting people.

I will be so miserable when she “goes off to college “

[Bonemaker]

You aren’t alone mate. Worst experiences in my 84 years. Big, strong, strapping man bawling like a baby. I’m working with my sick 12 year old pug as we speak and it’s nip and tuck. Have to reach deep within. No words can suffice. Godspeed you and best friend. Amen.

[Qiviut]

I have had to put down horses, dogs, & cats. When I had to put down the horse I had for 20 years, the vets sent me a sympathy card with the following quote in it:

We who choose to surround ourselves with lives more temporary than our own live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan. The life of a horse, often half our own, seems endless until one day. That day has come and gone for me, and I am once again within a somewhat smaller circle." - Irving Townsend "The Once Again Prince"

This has helped me not only with my horse, but the dogs & cats, too. We choose these wonderful animals to be in our lives, even though we know their lives are shorter than ours & we usually make that choice more than once, despite the pain when we have to say goodbye.

You've made a difficult, unselfish choice - to put Kacie's welfare above your desire to keep her as long as you can - she's a fortunate dog. Personally, I stayed with all my animals - the vets were compassionate. The last thing my animals knew was I was there, stroking their heads & telling them they were a 'good dog' or cat. Passing is peaceful - it helped me to know I was there for them all the way to the end. Some cannot stay - it's a very personal choice. My heart is with you.

[CaptainPhilFan]

Hugs to you.

The 20th time isn’t any easier, either.
How could it possibly be?
They are our babies, our friends, our protectors ...
Dogs are the best angels God ever sent to earth.

Hold her and tell her all the good the things she’s done.
My heart hurts for you.

Lisa in Virginia

[Chickensoup]

So sorry!

[Trump_Triumphant]

I’m so sorry.

[Paul R.]

Bummer. It’s always tough to lose a good dog. :-(

Will you get a new puppy to help keep your mind on the joy (and responsibility) of it?

[GOPJ]

You’re in my prayers - it’s painful to make the choice you’re making. Even when you know it’s the right choice.

When my Marcie got old she would follow me around in the house where ever I went. And if I went out without her she would sit by the window waiting for me to come back. There’s still times when I sense she’s close by. So sorry for your loss and also happy you had her to love and care for so long. You’re in my heart...

[Ueriah]

I think if you can muster up the strength to be there for them in the final moments, it makes their final moments easier.

It is harder for you in the short term, but having gone through it twice, I would suggest that in the long term you will be able to look back and say you stuck with them until the very end and they died in your presence which might be what they would want.

I’m so sorry you have this on your plate. Prayers for you.

[SharpenedEdge]

God bless you, friend. I have prayed for you. Much comfort to you as you do the right thing. Good girl, Kacie. Good girl.

[nikos1121]

Kevin,

You have many here for you.

Read all the posts here to you today. We will keep this thread running up til the end and after if we need to.

I retired about 3 years ago. Never had a dog. Never wanted a dog. Couldn’t really understand people and their attachments to their dogs.

I’d have friends going through the last days, taking their dog to McDonalds for chicken mcnuggets on the way to be put to sleep, and frankly I couldn’t understand it.

Then I bought an 8 week old Australian Shepherd named Kiki.

My world has changed, and I am ashamed, no I am sorry that I’ve gone 70 plus years without the joy of having a dog.

I can’t imagine being without her.

[Freedom4US]

George G. Vest
Eulogy of the Dog
23 September 1870
Warrensburg, Missouri

Gentlemen of the jury—
The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter whom he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name, may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has he may lose. It flies from him perhaps when he needs it most. A man’s reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads. The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is the dog.

Gentlemen of the jury, a man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground when the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he can be near his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince.

When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens. If fortune drives the master forth an outcast into the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him, to guard him against danger, to fight against his enemies.

And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws and his eyes sad but open, in alert watchfulness, faithful and true, even unto death.

[hoosierham]

On the contrary,it is cowardly to leave the room. If you really care for the dog you will be thete gently holding or petting as they pass.
I have hoped my pets were comforted by my presence and touch at that time. Finding my pet laying dead knowing they passed alone is even harder.

[spincaster]

I have been thru it, they don’t live long enough. Hang in there brother, she will always be with you.

[anton]

Hardest thing a human can do. When its mom or pop they don’t even ask you if there is any question at all. With the cat or dog, its all up to you. After going through this 3 times, I now now the secret. Its not about me and what I want or need.

[digger48]

I’m so sorry you’re ģoing through it

Remember the good times and the good life you gave her

She’ll be waiting across the Rainbow Bridge to see you again