OS Pups Thread!

[l3ulvl]

Re: OS Pups Thread!

Yeah, it might be a difficult emotional scene, but I'd have to be there.

[Matt10]

Re: OS Pups Thread!

Yeah, it might be a difficult emotional scene, but I'd have to be there.

My thoughts.. if you're going to put her down, be there with her. I wasn't able to be with either of my childhood dogs when they passed and I've always regretted it.

Thanks, guys. We are still coming to terms on everything. She is playing with my emotions because she seems so happy with her tail wagging and play. I know she's in pain, and if that tumor bursts - we won't be able to get her to the vet in time.

So wife and I have decided Tuesday morning. I know it's the right thing to do and it's what God has told me to do as well. Wish me luck.

[jeremym480]

Re: OS Pups Thread!

We went through the same thing in August with my pug, Butters. It's a difficult decision and it's hard to find the balance between is he fine (or she in your case) or is he suffering.

Butters was still playing and eating just fine and I thought that he would last another few months. Well, I was selfishly hoping anyway. Then one day he was panting pretty excessively. I looked at the top of his mouth and from the looks of it I knew it was time.

We have an awesome vet and she gave us the option of staying as long as we wanted to. Neither of us could stay to the very end, but we stayed for the first numbing shot. Honestly, I kind of wish I didn't because I would have rather my final image of him being happy, but I didn't want him to go through that alone either. Our vet said a little prayer for him and her and my wife walked outside and let me say my final goodbye. That was a really, really tough day...

Ultimately, I'm not sure if there is a right or wrong way to go about it. Part of my wishes that I wouldn't have seen anything and part of my wishes that I would have stayed to the very end. I would love for there to be an easy answer, but there's not one. Just do what you think is best.

[aukevin]

Re: OS Pups Thread!

Thanks, guys. We are still coming to terms on everything. She is playing with my emotions because she seems so happy with her tail wagging and play. I know she's in pain, and if that tumor bursts - we won't be able to get her to the vet in time.

So wife and I have decided Tuesday morning. I know it's the right thing to do and it's what God has told me to do as well. Wish me luck.

Man, I'm sorry. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. That's gotta be hard, but I'm sure you have plenty of memories to remember Anna.

[Bullit]

Re: OS Pups Thread!

Wish there were words that could help. All our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family,

[NDAlum]

Re: OS Pups Thread!

I'm about to cry just reading these stories...

[Matt10]

Re: OS Pups Thread!

We went through the same thing in August with my pug, Butters. It's a difficult decision and it's hard to find the balance between is he fine (or she in your case) or is he suffering.

Butters was still playing and eating just fine and I thought that he would last another few months. Well, I was selfishly hoping anyway. Then one day he was panting pretty excessively. I looked at the top of his mouth and from the looks of it I knew it was time.

We have an awesome vet and she gave us the option of staying as long as we wanted to. Neither of us could stay to the very end, but we stayed for the first numbing shot. Honestly, I kind of wish I didn't because I would have rather my final image of him being happy, but I didn't want him to go through that alone either. Our vet said a little prayer for him and her and my wife walked outside and let me say my final goodbye. That was a really, really tough day...

Ultimately, I'm not sure if there is a right or wrong way to go about it. Part of my wishes that I wouldn't have seen anything and part of my wishes that I would have stayed to the very end. I would love for there to be an easy answer, but there's not one. Just do what you think is best.

Thanks, man. That is kind of what I wanted to hear in a way. I know there isn't a wrong or right way to do it. I too want to remember her happy, and the thought of her being scared as a final moment will probably be too much for me - just thinking about it right now is tough.

Thanks again for sharing, you've helped me out a lot.

Man, I'm sorry. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. That's gotta be hard, but I'm sure you have plenty of memories to remember Anna.

Thanks, Kevin. We took plenty of pictures throughout her life as well - and that was thanks to you and your postings of your dogs, just helped us to savor every moment with her.

Wish there were words that could help. All our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family,

Thanks, Bullit. Mine are always with you as well, man. God bless.

I'm about to cry just reading these stories...

Sorry, bro! This is rough and I knew it would happen sometime - it's just happening very quickly, and I guess I'm not ready - but it's not about me at this point.

Thanks again, OS brothers. You're one of a kind.

[HustlinOwl]

Re: OS Pups Thread!

Hard to believe 3 years after this post, we have been given the heart-breaking news that Anna has cancer. She has 2 walnut sized tumors and 1 softball size - all along her mammary chain (her belly). It is getting tougher for her to walk and even sleep because of the pressure she puts on it when laying down.

We are facing the decision right now of either putting her down, or waiting for natural results. The issue with waiting is the fact that the tumor can burst and discharge. We have a 5 month old little boy now - and he'll soon be crawling, I can't allow any fluids/etc to be near him like that.

She is also in considerable pain and discomfort, as mentioned above. No longer excited to go out -but still shakes my hand before she eats her food

Unfortunately, we are leaning towards the side of putting her down either Tuesday or Wednesday. I just don't know if I want to be with her or just drop her off - as incredibly cruel that may sound, I just cannot come to terms of her final breath occurring with her in my arms.

Any thoughts, guys? Just needing to vent - thanks for listening. I'm doing okay right now, but my wife is taking it pretty hard.

sorry to hear buddy and I know Im dreading the day with my 3 dogs. I will have to be there with them as I cannot let them be alone. My mother in law put her basset hound down to rest and she was not there with him and regrets it every day.

[FlyingFinn]

Re: OS Pups Thread!

Would you want to die without your dad being there if you were in the same situation? Sure it will be hard to do but the way you feel really isn't important at a time like this. She should be surrounded by the people she loves the most when she crosses the Rainbow Bridge. Also, she won't be scared if you are with her to keep her calm. Stay strong brother.

[Matt10]

Re: OS Pups Thread!

Would you want to die without your dad being there if you were in the same situation? Sure it will be hard to do but the way you feel really isn't important at a time like this. She should be surrounded by the people she loves the most when she crosses the Rainbow Bridge. Also, she won't be scared if you are with her to keep her calm. Stay strong brother.

Yeah, there are a lot of things racing through our minds on whether to stay with her or not. I talked to the vet this morning and couldn't answer the question, it was pretty rough.

Thanks, man.

[Aggies7]

OS Pups Thread!

Thoughts and prayers with you and your family. Stay strong. I have a 13 year old lab and I dread the day I have to make the decision.

[Matt10]

Re: OS Pups Thread!

Thanks everyone.

Today was the day, and it was a rough start. My wife really struggled, I managed to keep it together. I think the preparation of it all was the most difficult to get through.

We fed her anything she wanted last night and this morning - I even sneaked her a big piece of cake (and told my wife later tonight) that she inhaled. This morning she had rice with lamb, and plenty of sausages. We took her to a field next to the vet and said our goodbyes. The walk to the vet was hard, but the staff was so understanding, and they really cared for us and Anna.

When it came for the vet to come in, we had made up our minds - and felt good about it. It was validated, and we knew she would be in a better place soon. We decided to leave her in the vet's care, he had 3 of the same breed and had to put down 2 of them recently - we trusted him - and it felt good to put her in his hands.

Got through the workday and today we still feel good about our decision. We have a baby boy, and a 6 year old yorkie in McCoy that needs plenty of loving. We placed Anna's collar under McCoy's bed for safe keeping; and we are looking for an urn to put her ashes in when we get them.

Thanks again, OS. This was tough - but you each helped. Something I posted on facebook that came from my wife's dad: We have broken hearts today, and the reason for that is because we had the capacity to love deeply.

[l3ulvl]

Re: OS Pups Thread!

I can't get this lump out of my throat

Best wishes moving forward, Matt

[Sandman42]

Re: OS Pups Thread!

Had a big scare with our cocker spaniel. He's 13 and started suffering from laryngeal paralysis this year (essentially they lose control of the muscles in their throat and breathe differently). Sunday morning we let him outside and when we checked 2 minutes later he was lying on our patio gasping for air, but nothing was coming in. Had to rush him over to the animal hospital, which was about 25 minutes away. During the drive my brother was trying to stick fingers down his throat to help get air in. After a couple of tries he must have opened something up and he was able to start breathing again. The vet checked him out and recommended we come in the next day when the cardiologist was in to make sure there was no problems with his heart. We took him home and he was seemingly fine the rest of the day.

Then yesterday we took him out for his morning walk, and he wasn't even outside for 30 seconds before the same thing happened. Sticking fingers down his throat got him breathing normally again and we had him just lying in his bed while we waited for our vet to open. Brought him to the vet and they said he immediately needed to go back to the animal hospital for surgery, they said he wouldn't make it through the night without it.

When we got into the animal hospital he had another episode where he couldn't breathe. The head vet/surgeon took him immediately in and they performed surgery to tie back one of the cartilages in his throat to keep his airway open. He stayed overnight and is back at home now, but he's clearly feeling the effects of the surgery and the anesthesia as he's been pretty groggy since we took him home.

We're not completely out of the clear yet, as there's a 15% chance he could get pneumonia, and if its a chronic issue its fatal.

Such an emotional roller coaster. Went from being deathly afraid of having to potentially put him to sleep to the surgery going well and him being alright. The doctor also said that otherwise he's in good health, no issues with his heart or other vital organs.

[l3ulvl]

Re: OS Pups Thread!

Had a big scare with our cocker spaniel. He's 13 and started suffering from laryngeal paralysis this year (essentially they lose control of the muscles in their throat and breathe differently). Sunday morning we let him outside and when we checked 2 minutes later he was lying on our patio gasping for air, but nothing was coming in. Had to rush him over to the animal hospital, which was about 25 minutes away. During the drive my brother was trying to stick fingers down his throat to help get air in. After a couple of tries he must have opened something up and he was able to start breathing again. The vet checked him out and recommended we come in the next day when the cardiologist was in to make sure there was no problems with his heart. We took him home and he was seemingly fine the rest of the day.

Then yesterday we took him out for his morning walk, and he wasn't even outside for 30 seconds before the same thing happened. Sticking fingers down his throat got him breathing normally again and we had him just lying in his bed while we waited for our vet to open. Brought him to the vet and they said he immediately needed to go back to the animal hospital for surgery, they said he wouldn't make it through the night without it.

When we got into the animal hospital he had another episode where he couldn't breathe. The head vet/surgeon took him immediately in and they performed surgery to tie back one of the cartilages in his throat to keep his airway open. He stayed overnight and is back at home now, but he's clearly feeling the effects of the surgery and the anesthesia as he's been pretty groggy since we took him home.

We're not completely out of the clear yet, as there's a 15% chance he could get pneumonia, and if its a chronic issue its fatal.

Such an emotional roller coaster. Went from being deathly afraid of having to potentially put him to sleep to the surgery going well and him being alright. The doctor also said that otherwise he's in good health, no issues with his heart or other vital organs.

This may sound totally random, but have you tried pinching his nostrils? What sound does he make when he's struggling for air, is it a grunting noise or just flat gasping? I used to think my dog was having seizures as he'd stand in a spot making a grunting sound like he couldn't get air, then someone suggested the nostril pinch/plug and it worked. Not always on the first try, but apparently it opens up the airway in their throat that locked up for some reason. With my lil guy it might take 2 or 3 tries but it works eventually.

Your situation is probably more severe than that though, the vet likely would've already suggested it. Best of luck with your results, hopefully it'll be good news