This is Mr Sam. He’s been part of my family since I was 12. He’s a big old fat dog who is always smiling and ecstatic when he sees us. He’s 16 and blind as a bat and nearly deaf, but still a good dog. He’s a red shepherd / doberman mix, and the dumbest but funniest dog we’ve had.
About a month ago, he started having serious trouble standing up, so we got him on some painkillers and waited for the inevitable.
The inevitable has come. I woke up yesterday morning to him crying, because he could not get up off his side. It’s been really cold here the last week or so, and he was so stiff that he couldn’t get up. I had to go to work, so I got him off his side and up against the sofa so he’d be comfortable while I was gone. I came home to him in the same place, so I knew he hadn’t been up all day. When I went to slide him up on his side, he yelped and snapped at me. His front left leg can’t hold him up any more. I got him up and took him over away from where he was so he could pee – I didn’t want him to do that on himself – and I put him on top of one blanket and under another against the sofa.
This morning, we called the vet and got an appointment. By 12 today, Mr Sam will no longer be with us. This dog has been with me and my family for over half my life, and I will miss him greatly. He’s the fourth one we’ve lost in 8 months (the others were Susan, 16, Sarah, 17 and Kitten, 5), but his loss is the most painful.
I lost my boy Friday several years ago in much the same way. He was a 90 pound Golden Retriever. The last couple weeks of his life I had to carry him outside 3 times a day to do his business. I carried him to the car so he could go to work with me every day and I slept on the living room floor with him every night.
He was in pain, but I just couldn’t let him go. I finally realized that I was trying to keep something that was no longer mine and I allowed the vet release him.
It was the hardest and best thing I’ve ever done. You’ll get through this. It takes time, but trust me, it gets a little better every day.
I am so sorry! tons o’ tears fallin right now. We had a norwegian elkhound that had hip displasia and we had to put her down because she couldn’t get up the basement stairs anymore. The place where we took her didn’t do anything until the next afternoon! I was ##@@$$%%%!!! We could have had one more night with her instead she was alone in a cage all night and half the day with no one but the vet there to see her off! I was pissed! I went up to Gross Resivore (sp) because I couldn’t take it anymore. I kept calling to see if she was finally at peace and they said no. I b*tched them out so bad! Then I walked up a path to my favorite place to grieve and there before me was a deer and I took it as a sign that our Gypsy was finally at peace and she came to me through the deer to tell me it was ok. Prayers are coming your way for Mr. Sam and family. more tears are fallin and I gotta go to work now.
I’m sorry for your loss. I have had to put two beloved pet dogs to sleep in my life, and that remains the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I realize this means I’ve led a very blessed life but still . . . it is so very hard. Remember: All dogs go to Heaven.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. It was very difficult to take him to the vet to have him taken care of, but it was the right decision. He’s no longer in pain, and he went quickly. Still, this last step never gets any easier.
Bambi, I am so sorry for your loss. Many people who don’t own pets can’t understand just how painful the loss really can be. It’s acceptable to grieve over the loss of a family member, but no one knows how to react over the death of a pet–but a pet is part of the family, too. It hits just as hard. I can sincerely say I understand the trauma you’re going through right now. My dog, Blitzen, was put down just two weeks ago. I’d had her for almost fourteen years.
Isn’t it funny just how happy dogs can be, even when in the last stages of life? People have a lot to learn from animals like Mr. Sam. I bet he’s been happy throughout nearly his whole life, and didn’t regret a bit of it.
Just take the time to grieve, okay? You have friends and family who will be there for you when you do.
Huge hugs coming your way. It’s one of the hardest things you’ll ever do.
I had to put my 14 year old Bobbie girl to sleep three years ago. I held her in my arms and told her she was the best dog ever while they gave her the shot. I felt her heart beat, then it just stopped. Quiet, peaceful . . . no more pain.
