Putting down, an old friend.

[Titalian]

I’m having a hard time with this, but our oldest true friend and pet Zack, sixteen years young, has reached His limit of life,
he can hardly hear and his eyesight is next to none and he also has a hard time walking falling over very often and now my ex has to carry him up the stairs.
So my ex and I as well as my daughter Have come to a decision to end his life. With all of his complications is still a very loving dog. When younger what a hell of a personality he had, bit of a yapper
but that’s what made it him so special. In his early years he could hear people walking a block away and would start yapping
(Never fuck with his domain and his environment) I’m going to miss that. We are having him euthanized tomorrow.
My ex and I have seven animals between us and we have taken care of all of them (You couldn’t phantom the vet bills). Except in Zack’s case.
There is no more to be done and I guess that’s What I’m struggling with. The process will be hard as we have to witness him dying after the injection.
I don’t particularly like this process, but on second thought I owe him that.

On a side note, Zack is a Schnauzer. I’ve had animals most of my life but nothing can come close to the dedication, loyalty
love and protectiveness of this breed, also they are probably one of the very few of the smaller breeds recommended for young children.
And he proved thart to us over and over to again.

This is not him but his clone. When he was a young boy.

As I said, I've had pets most of my life, and they were all great, but this one just captured my heart. He was 4 months old when we brought him home.
Four months later he owned the place. LOL.
Let’s Just say I will miss him.

 

[explorerzip]

So sorry for your loss. I remember losing my Golden Retriever very suddenly to a heart attack (I think) a number of years ago. Think it had something to do with the tainted pet food scandal, but would have no way to prove it. Dogs are such wonderful animals. No wonder they're called Man's Best Friend.

Hope that your family will be okay during this tough time.

 

[RLTF]

Being there for my cats at the end was the hardest thing I ever had to do. Condolences.

 

[babyfinsta]

Sorry to hear about Zack. I have a dog going on 13 years and i know it will be hell when his time comes. That picture alone is a tear jerker.

 

[Titalian]

So sorry for your loss. I remember losing my Golden Retriever very suddenly to a heart attack (I think) a number of years ago. Think it had something to do with the tainted pet food scandal, but would have no way to prove it. Dogs are such wonderful animals. No wonder they're called Man's Best Friend.

Hope that your family will be okay during this tough time.

Being there for my cats at the end was the hardest thing I ever had to do. Condolences.

Sorry to hear about Zack. I have a dog going on 13 years and i know it will be hell when his time comes. That picture alone is a tear jerker.

Thank you gentleman ! It is going to be tough this afternoon, because he was such a special friend to all of us. But we were all lucky to have had him all these years. And my heart goes out to RLTF
Yes I have 5 wonderful cats and they can be quite affectionate and loving as well. And to you babyfinsta keep him close, theres no denying how he feels about you.
God blessed the beasts or should I say nature.

 

[TESLAMotors]

It's the hardest, most tough thing you'll ever have to go through, honestly.

I lost friends and relatives, but there's that extra something with a pet, that connection, it's very tough. (my own working theory on the reasoning is simply because we have no direct language to communicate with animals but there is a bond and connection there but you both feel).
I wish you nothing but strength for you and your family T.
Drop me a message if you need to.

 

[bishop]

The best and worst of humanity is reflected on how we treat animals. Your dog was loved and loved you back, I am sure if your dog could speak he would thank you for giving him such a wonderful life.

 

[bishop]

It's the hardest, most tough thing you'll ever have to go through, honestly.

I lost friends and relatives, but there's that extra something with a pet, that connection, it's very tough. (my own working theory on the reasoning is simply because we have no direct language to communicate with animals but there is a bond and connection there but you both feel).
I wish you nothing but strength for you and your family T.
Drop me a message if you need to.

Pets are a proxy to children, you feel responsible for your pet, one can only imagine the depth of grief a mother or father goes through when a child passes, it must be many magnitudes worse.

 

[TESLAMotors]

I witnessed one of my grandparents having to bury one of their children not too long ago. It was hard to watch, but when a friend euthanized his dog, man, I REALLY felt for him, I mean REALLY. He was quiet for a bit and he just looked utterly devastated, it's the worst feeling ever.
That human+animal bond with a pet, it's beyond comprehension.

 

[Titalian]

Pets are a proxy to children, you feel responsible for your pet, one can only imagine the depth of grief a mother or father goes through when a child passes, it must be many magnitudes worse.

So true bishop, but my daughter will be right beside me when the time comes, Zack was a gift to her, when she was 4 yrs old and he (Zack) was 4 months old. My daughter is 19 now.
Its all part of maturing and growing up and the realities of what we've been given by the powers to be, what ever they maybe. Its all good Love.
As far a loosiing her my daughter, I don't even want to go there !

 

[Titalian]

It's the hardest, most tough thing you'll ever have to go through, honestly.

I lost friends and relatives, but there's that extra something with a pet, that connection, it's very tough. (my own working theory on the reasoning is simply because we have no direct language to communicate with animals but there is a bond and connection there but you both feel).
I wish you nothing but strength for you and your family T.
Drop me a message if you need to.

Thank you TES, I will no matter what.

 

[Freedom1970]

Woooow 16 years. That is awesome. Celibrate that & feel good you are not letting him continue to suffer. For my dog I will also honour her life by getting her cremated & put in an urn. There is 3 places in Toronto that are pet funeral Homes for wakes & even Cemataries

 

[K Douglas]

You're very lucky to have had 16 years of Zack. The best thing you can do is not let him suffer. Pets are at the mercy of their owners. It's tough but life moves on.

 

[Mr Bret]

Sorry to hear of your situation.
I hope you can find comfort in knowing that you gave him a good, and obviously very loving home for 16 years.
Sixteen years is a great run, even for a little guy.

And as the others have said, this is one of the hardest things life can throw at you.
Only another pet lover can understand how close the bond is between them and their human families.

 

[xmontrealer]

My family went through this just over a year ago when we had to put down our almost 14 years old Portugese Water Dog.

One of the hardest things I've ever done, with more tears than I think I've ever shed over any loss, strangely enough including the loss of my parents.

But in regards to the process itself, first the vet injected the dog with a strong tranquilizer, so that he would fall asleep. When he was fully asleep and totally non-responsive, the vet then injected him with a substance that stopped his heart. After a few minutes, with no visible reaction from the dog (although the vet warned us there might be some slight reflexive movements) the vet listened for his heart beat and said our dog had now passed. There was absolutely no apparent suffering for our dog in the process!

At that moment I was totally devastated, but soon after fully realized that he was now in a much better place than he was over the past few months, having had difficulty walking, etc, with steady decline, and in the last several days refusing food and finally water.

There isn't a day I don't think of him, but only about the good times and what a wonderful friend he was.

 

[Devin Cruz]

Very sorry for your loss. That is heartbreaking. I don't know what I would do if I lost my dog.

 

[M4F]

Remembering Zach's best moments will hopefully help you and yours during this difficult time.

 

[frankcastle]

Real sorry to hear about your dog.

I have two dogs and love them dearly. Some people say that they are a hinderance because you can't stay out too long. But honestly I am happy to come home to them.

Sounds like you are an animal person. Have some time to grieve.

Look forward to hearing about your new puppy. I'm not trying to be flippant, but for me I can't imagine not having a dog..... well except for if I was not physically able to walk and care for it.

 

[trm]

I know how you feel. I had to put down my cat five years ago. It was very hard, but she was so sick it was the best thing to do. Two weeks later I went to a shelter and found a new cat. She is still with me and I love her as much as the old one. There will be a grieving process but getting a new dog will be a good thing for you.

 

[Aardvark154]

Very sad to hear this Titalian. Having gone through it myself I know what you are going through.