01-22-2016, 01:14 PM
(01-17-2016, 04:51 PM)HarleyDog Wrote: My wife and I made the difficult decision to euthanize one of our dogs this week who had cancer and was showing severe declines in quality of life. It was a tough decision to make because she was the best dog ever and we both loved her very much. Unfortunately, we took the dog to the vet and when she laid on the table and the vet stuck her with the needle, she blew a vein. He then stuck her in another leg with a second attempt and the same result occurred. Each time he was only getting a small amount into the veins and the poor dog was not liking getting stuck with the needles. You could see she was struggling to hang on because there was just not enough in her system to put her to sleep. Not to mention she was very scared. My wife was bawling and the dog was shaking and just looking at me with that look wondering what the heck was going on? I could not believe what I was witnessing?
As I tried to comfort my wife and the dog at the same time, the vet continues with the 3rd, then the 4th shot. The 4th was successful and the dog passed within seconds. I still can see the dog looking at me with that look wanting it to stop. My poor wife has been a mess and feels the dog went through torture. In a pain sense,I don't feel the dog suffered much from pain as much as fear and the sticks of the needles. So why am I telling you this? Probably just to get it off my chest a little because its been a very difficult week.
One choice I am confident with is that we were there with her and held her until she was gone. I've been told so many who have euthanized a pet did not have the courage to be in the same room. Not saying its right or wrong, but in my opinion the first thing the dog does when you leave the room is miss you and wonder where you are and why you left? I just can't imagine the poor dog going through all that trauma alone. We had the dogs cremated and my wife picked up the ashes Friday on her way home from work. She told me she petted the bag all the way home and cried. This has hurt her 10x more than it has me and I know how I feel so that sucks.
We have the dog home now where she belongs.
Sorry for your loss sir.
