When Do You Let Your Pet Go? By Mary60 on - Updated Oct 15, 2011
Our pets have become part of our families and when they become sick or old, it's very hard to let go.. Do we just keep them here for us, or do we want them to pass comfortable. This is a question that many of us with pets, have to face someday. Many pets can live to a good age, if taken care of and loved much, but the hardship of letting go can be traumatic for the whole family. How do we make that choice of what to do? How do we explain to the children? How do we know if we are making the right decisions? Some would say not to be selfish or let the pet suffer, but only our hearts can judge our reasons for the decision we have to make.
Our family has had to deal with the sickness of a cat that was 16 yrs old, and whether to put her to sleep or wait for her to die on her own( which she did). Today a much loved dog passed (13 years old) and she was slowly passing in front of our eyes. Was she hurting or should we have put her to sleep, thats was the question. The Vet thought he could do something, but she went to Dog Heaven a few hours later. We do believe she was waiting for us to get home.The saddness in the family is overwhelming. Today we feel like we won't get over this lost of our dog. She was so special and beautiful. She will now spend her life with us through Cremation.
The decision of what to do has to be an individual one. Sometimes we make decisions about our animals out of love, and other times we have no choice. It's a hard choice to make either way. We are feeling so much saddness today..
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It's a hard choice and same that we face with our loved ones. Hard to let go but seeing someone in pains is even more painful. My prayers for Maliki's dog.
So sorry for your loss. We lost a beloved dog several years ago and I still have not gotten past it. We cremated her and she sits in an urn in the office with her favorite tug-of-war toy.
Mary, I'm so sorry for your loss. We had to put our beloved Sasha down 2 years ago when she was 16. We know she was suffering but it was still the single hardest decision of our lives. We still miss her everyday.
I have lost many animals in my life and it never gets any easier. Sending hugs to maliki and his family.
I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I had to have a dachshund put down a little over two years ago, and I still miss him every day.
I'm sorry for you loss Mary. My family has a cat that is getting pretty old and we love him dearly and he is just the most beautiful cat in the world and has so many unique mannerisms and personality traits that can never be replaced or replicated. We often think about how and what to do if such a situation arises with him and its tear-jerking just to think about so I can't even imagine what you are feeling. It makes me not want anymore attachments than the ones I already have in life because death of a loved one is such an overbearing hardship to come to terms with.
I'm so sorry to learn of your loss Mary. It is indeed a difficult thing to have to say goodbye to a pet we have cherished and loved. I have had a few beautiful treasures pass away over the years and like the passing of a beloved human, our pets remain within our memories for ever. May you find comfort in the fact that she continues to be a part of your loving environment but just in a different form. May your sorrow heal quickly and the many beautiful memories be it's healing power.
sorry for your loss. I had lost my favorite cat/peta month ago. it can be real difficult decision and a tough loss.