'Death'

Wolfgang from Dog Pound -

It's not something anyone wants to think about, but it's inevitable. How do you plan to handle your pet's death? Will you end her suffering or let him die on his own? Will you set up a memorial at home or in the yard?

Comment #1 QTPie from the rainforest -

I have had to have several old and suffering pets euthanized in my lifetime. It's hard. But it's even harder to watch them suffer and be in unnecessary pain. The hardest part is being there and I know that some people think it's gruesome, but I would never be able to walk away and leave them alone. How they die is as important as how they lived and I always felt that they are loyal during their lives and they deserve your loyalty when they make that last trip to the vet. As far as what happens afterwards, that depends on the animal. Some I have buried, most actually. But you can also have them cremated and get the ashes back. That is considered better and more healthy now.

Comment #2 BadGRRL from the pound -

I could never leave them alone either. My husband thought I was wierd when I took our last Shepherd in because I stayed with him. He said he could never watch, but that dog had been our protector almost all his life and I felt that I owed him no less than to be ther so the last thing he saw was me and the last thing he felt was my hand petting him. He would have given his life to save mine if the need arose. I had him cremated and I bought a Beer Stein with a picture of a shepherd on it and it sits on the mantle.

It's going to be harder when the male we have now has to go, because the female we have is his mate and has been with him since she was 9 weeks old. We can't take one for a walk and leave the other at home - even for 10 minutes. They go ballistic when they are separated. I've come to the conclusion that I will have to take them both so she can be there. Otherwise she'll never recover, and may never trust us again. I just can't take him away and not bring him back. But I figure if she is there then she will understand... at least I hope so. Gonna find out soon enough because he's going downhill fast.

Comment #3 Whiskers from Guest Room Bed -

I had a kitten that got out through a loose window screen and the dogs killed it. I found his poor body in the yard. That was very hard. Animal Control took him away.

One of my cats was in ill health when I got her. I had no idea how old she was when I adopted her 11 years ago, so I have no idea how long she has. I long ago made the determination where the line was on her quality of life and mine. I love her so much. Every time she hides in the house I worry. I will be there holding her and sobbing uncontrollably (sobbing now just thinking about it) when the time comes.

Comment #4 snowy from Wisconsin -

I had a cat that got real old. It got to the point where he was just so weak and frail from not eating that he couldn't walk. I finally had to have him put down. I just wanted him to die with dignity. He use to be such a big strong cat.

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