Readers Respond: Saying goodbye to our pets with dignity

There's always that "what if" chance that tomorrow will be a better day, our pet really isn't that sick, or the appetite will come back. But usually, deep down, we do know when it is time, whether we can admit it or not.

How did you "know" it was time? Can you offer advice for coping with guilt or grief? Please share your tips. Help others with tips

Letting Panther go

I 'knew' it was the right time to let our cat go a few weeks ago when she was in liver failure due to hyperthyroidism. But I went along with the vet's treatment plan. She suffered far too long. I wish I listened to my 'gut' weeks ago. Yesterday her breathing was fast and shallow, she was unsteady on her feet, she was moaning and had no appetite. She couldn't tolerate the medication and her organs were failing. She cried yesterday as if to ask for release from her suffering. Thank God He gave me the strength to respond to her wishes.

—Guest Jill

Goodbye to our best friend

Tomorrow at this time our beloved farm dog Bill will be gone. Bill has liver failure and the spark is gone from him. I am full of such grief and sorrow but know it is time. What a best friend he has been...

—Guest amy

Erebus aka Ms. Biss aka Airhead

Yesterday I had my best animal friend to sleep. Erebus was my first true pet. I had others growing up, but they were more my parents, not mine. Erebus joined my life 15 years ago, right after I graduated from college. She was a spry black rescue kitty. Many of my friends called her a she-devil/terror. But to me, she was the cat that always slept on the bed. Either on my feet, by my head or more often on my chest. She was so small, that it was never a bother. Whenever I walked in the house, she was always running to jump up on whatever piece of furniture was closest as if to say "here I am, how was your day?" When I met my husband, she accepted him with no qualms. When we got a second kitty to be her friend, she tolerated Dooley. When I had our daughter, the first night home she lept into the crib to welcome her. She was so much a part of our lives; my heart aches to think of her gone. The last two weeks, her spark was gone, she could barely move. My heart is broken.

—Guest Andi

My Angel Princess

I had to have my beloved 18 year old cat, Princess, put down a year and a half ago. She had diabetes, so the fact that she lived so long is remarkable. However, she began to go downhill the last year of her life and lost the use of her legs the week before I had her euthanized. I thought I would never have another pet because I didn't want to go through that again, but here I am with two cats I got from the humane society! I know I took good care of her so I have no regrets, just thankful to have had so many wonderful years with her and her unconditional love. I will always carry her in my heart.

—Guest Vin

Our Zachary Bear

We had to make the decision for our "monkey in the middle", Zachary Bear our beloved Min. Schnauzer. He was almost 13, had kidneys stones removed 3 years ago and then developed diabetes. He was strong, loving and brought so much joy to everybody he met. It was his world and he let you know it. Up to the end he was trying to please us and keep us happy. He developed a tumor on his spleen that was leaking and could have ruptured at any time, so we made the decision to tell him good-bye. We told him the story about the day we brought him home, how he drug all his toys into his basket and crawled up on them, laid on his back and took a nap. Our house is empty, the skys are bleak and our hearts ache, but we know he's in Heaven and playing with his brother Brutus Bear...leading the way, like he always did, for us to be with him some day. He gave his unconditional love to the last breath. We cry, we look for him and realize that our little buddy isn't here. We miss him dearly and love him.

—Guest john and joyce

Saying goodbye

My beloved 10-year-old cat, Ozzy, turned on her back to show me her belly yesterday and let me check the incision where on Thanksgiving, she had a radical and aggressive tumor removal. The incision went from her front leg "elbow" to her be belly. We were hopeful hers would be the one to be the exception to the statistics which show that more often than not, malignant mammary carcinoma for felines comes back. She showed me her incision and as I ran my finger along..my heart stopped as I felt that awful hard area that had me rushing her to the vet in the first place. It was confirmed today..it's back. The doctor/surgeon offered to restive his fee to remove the new tumor but it's come back so fast, it most likely will again. Do I keep putting her through this? I've already spent $3K and can't afford anymore. Though I'm not sure what I'll do next, I need to know if there is a vet that can put her to sleep in our home. I don't want her part moment on this earth to be scared in a vet's office.

—Guest Monica L

romeo aka michi

This cat was so great he had two names: michi and romeo. he responded when he felt like and always responded if you had food. We had him since he was about 2 years old. we didnt know he had a heart problem until two months ago he began to breath odd. My baby was hospitalize and though I couldnt afford it, I risk it all-two jobs plus school- for him.He came out before the 3 days they expected would determine if he was responding. He was strong till the last minute! he had ups and down after he came out. the last three days of his life my fam and I were agonizing with him. we believe he lasted longer to be with us. We took him to be euthanize on 11/11/2011. not seeing him when we returned home, was and is still devastating. He knew we loved him! I gave him EVERYTHING he needed. We just want to know where he is and how he feels about everything. We want to see him and pet him so badly.we made sure he knew we loved him all along.We feel he got even more closer to us during his last month.

—Guest candy

Its time for my buddy

My (spoiled) best friend for the last 16 years let me know today. "Ladybug" aka Bug is a rat terrier. She was 4-5 when I adopted her & she's been my buddy for the last 16 years. She is old, I have been doing everything from special diets to making special ramps so she can get to her backyard easier. I got home today & she didnt greet me, even though it was feeding time. I found her in the hallway, unable to walk. Tomorrow will be her last day, her eyes say so. I always called her "Bug" since "Ladybug" was not a tough name and she was one tough terrier! Just two days ago she chased off a possum that had dared to enter her yard ;) Its going to be hard not having my little buddy hogging the bed at night when I sleep. I hope she remembers me if we ever meet again-she means so much to me.

—BugsDad

goodbye King

our cousins dog King died months ago, i really loved him i beleive i asked for him a couple of times.he was the perfect dog ,loyal,smart,strong,kind.i think he was 100 and he passed away in the floor of their frontroom.i missed his burial and regretted going to my dad's house.poor german shepard/whatever eles he is i mean was :(

—Guest Bri-bri

loving to let be free

just found this site as i am learning to reflect on memories of three of my long term friends samuel, austyn and sir andrew. this month samuel of 14 passed awaydue to diebites oh how his calm presence is so missed austyn of 16 also crossed to the other side as he was very sick and needing a lots of medical attention that was not treatable he was known to be talking jumping squirell for all of his years he should could talk and was a mammas boy to his last second. and now sir andrew of 19 is near all 3 were very close and s &a really looked up to their father. Many tears streaming down feeling of emptiness surounds me and my other 2 left cats maddison and teak. this web site is healing and thank you for sharing with me all of your own jouneys with your special friends that in your thoughts and heart have moments of reflections of the days that both lay in the arms of each other knowing only lov for one anothr.

—Guest kris

For the love of Champ

It has been a terrible two weeks. My 11 year old cocker spaniel Champ died on Aug. 5, 2011,he had heart disease, but about 6 months ago his kidneys started to fail. he was still happy and enjoyed his life with a special diet. I live alone so he was my buddy. He went in the car with me and would get a cup of water at the drive-thru. A week before he died, he quit eating, was slow getting around and couldn't get up on the bed, so I stayed on the floor with him. After blood tests i found that his kidneys were very bad-he was vomiting and not eating and looked like he felt terrible. One day before he was put to sleep, I stayed home with him and loved him a lot and talked to him. On our ride to the vet's we stopped to get water, but he didn't want any. I held him and talked to him as the vet gave him a shot. I cry a lot and miss him terribly but know it was time for Champ to go on. I love you my buddy. Rest in Peace.

—Guest Judy

Buster

Buster has been with me for 17 years. He is a beautiful brown cat and he is lying here in bed with me. He is suffering and I need to call the vet. It is difficult because this morning he was on my bed purring. He has cancer throughout his organs and his kidneys are in failure. I have a very difficult time ending a life. Part of me feels that it should be a natural process. But his suffering is wrong and it hurts so much to see. I feel that tomorrow will be the day. I have a few other animals and I love them all but I have to say that Buster has always been my favorite. I hope for the strength to accept what I cannot change and the strenth to say goodby. Thank you for all of the very helpful and touching stories. I will always love my brown boy Buster.

—Guest Suzanne

My Ginger Spice

We had to put our 13 yo shepard mix down yesterday suddenly. The last few days she was vomiting bile, couldnt keep food or water down. She just layed around and wasnt acting her norm. We took her to the vet and they drew labs and she was in end stage liver failure. I never dreamt we would not be returning home with her. Im lost and empty. I knew it was time, I could see it in her eyes, she couldnt go on. I feel she did so well as long as she did for us. My life will never be the same without her. She was loved, happy and gave us so much joy. I pray ill get to see her again in Heaven. She died with me and her Daddy holding her and kissing her face.

—Guest joy

saying goodbye w/dignity

I had to euthanize my 14-yr-old Cymric cat last week, so I sympathize. She had diabetes, and the 3 days before, she couldn't digest anything solid; also, the 2 days prior, she just laid on the bed & growled @ me. I knew the time had come, so I called the vet & made an appt. They were very sympathetic, and even gave me a bag to bury her in so the animals couldn't get to her. The best I can say is to really know your pet; they will let you know when the time comes to put them down. Also, try not to tell your kids that you are having the animal "put to sleep," as this could scare them into thinking that they will go to sleep and never wake up. Just explain it to them in a natural, matter-of-fact way, as death is a normal part of life.

—nfrazier63

I MISS MY SEBASTIAN

My 17 yr old cat, Sebastian, died today. He had to be euthanized because his health declined very rapidly in the last few days. He had been losing weight slowly since Dec, but nothing obvious and readily fixable could be found wrong. Yesterday, his eyes began draining profusely, and he couldn't walk without falling. He stopped eating his treats (and believe me, this cat LOVED treats)! He did tricks-he sat on command to get a treat, just like a dog! We got him when he was 5 mos old, and he was a constant companion to the kids who are now grown. He was always there for EVERYTHING. He slept with my son (now 18) every night up until the end. He was always there to lay on your legs whenever you sat down. My cat died of stomach cancer, and we chose to bring him home and bury him under the oak tree in the backyard. After the sedative took effect, I whispered in his ear it's ok to go, give me a purr if he's ready and HE PURRED. He did it again for my son. He passed away peacefully

—Guest GuestSebastian's Mom