# I'm killing my dog tomorrow **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 24, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-killing-my-dog-tomorrow/622989 "2012-05-24T19:04:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-killing-my-dog-tomorrow/622989/21 "2012-05-25T00:17:16Z")
In the last pet loss thread I saw a link to the following poem by Rudyard Kipling. I knew some of his poetry, but not this one, “The Power of the Dog.” You can find it all over the internet. [http://www.poetryloverspage.com/poets/kipling/power\_of\_dog.html](http://www.poetryloverspage.com/poets/kipling/power_of_dog.html) As others have said you aren’t killing your dog, you are doing that last, loving act that shows how you care. I hope it goes peacefully tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-killing-my-dog-tomorrow/622989/22 "2012-05-25T00:21:19Z")
I’m sorry, **codgerone**. ☹ I’m sure if your dog could talk she would be grateful to you for being strong enough to give her this gift of love. I wish both of you peace tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![brainstall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@brainstall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brainstall)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-killing-my-dog-tomorrow/622989/23 "2012-05-25T00:36:44Z")
That you struggle with this decision is a testament to how much you love your dog and how much you value her as a part of your life. I’ve been there, too, and it sucks. To take such a final step, even knowing it is the right thing to do is so heartbreaking. {{{{big hug}}}} ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-killing-my-dog-tomorrow/622989/24 "2012-05-25T00:37:47Z")
You have my sympathy. Know that you are doing the right thing. I wish you peace through this process. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-killing-my-dog-tomorrow/622989/25 "2012-05-25T02:19:19Z")
**PapSett** is my sweet friend, and I am so happy to know her. Q ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-killing-my-dog-tomorrow/622989/26 "2012-05-25T02:28:51Z")
I’m so sorry. I know exactly how you are feeling. It’s been just about a year since we put down our 14 yo lab mix that we had from a puppy. Best dog I ever had. My heart breaks for you. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-killing-my-dog-tomorrow/622989/27 "2012-05-25T03:25:45Z")
Just echoing what others have said. I’m endlessly frustrated by people who just won’t let their pet go. I have to try to talk someone into it at least twice a month - have never second guessed myself afterwards or regretted talking them into it, am always relieved when the client brings it up first, and constantly feel helpless and mournful for pets whose people won’t make the decision and take them home AMA to just suffer through the end stage of life. So, people like you are are not only heaven-sent for their pets, but also for the medical personnel. We love, love, love owners who put their pets first and are eternally grateful to you on behalf of your pet and our own sanity for giving them such a gift. As hard as it can be to go through with the procedure, and when the clients lose it, I do too, it truly is a good thing to do. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-killing-my-dog-tomorrow/622989/28 "2012-05-25T04:17:50Z")
My deepest condolences. I know how hard it is to let go of a pet, but let me tell you: I’ve witnessed the “other” option, and it is ugly and cruel. After I moved out, my parents held on to a beloved beagle probably a year past they should have. Every minute for the poor thing was agony. They wouldn’t even consider letting it go until I happened to visit, saw how much pain the poor dog was in and demanded they do the right thing immediately. You’re doing the right thing. Hug your dog, do one last favorite thing with her (the thing she likes best and can still do), tell her you love her, then take her to the vet and let her go. You will cry. I didn’t think I would (my poor dog was so sick he couldn’t even sleep without howling in pain) but I did. But it’s the greatest kindness you can do for a companion that you’ve loved, and that simply can’t live anymore without excessive pain. /Hugs, lots of hugs. It’s heartbreaking, but it’s the kindest thing to do. ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-killing-my-dog-tomorrow/622989/29 "2012-05-25T05:37:30Z")
Why isn’t this legal for humans? (Added, I feel you and I’m sorry.) ---
**Author:** ![codgerone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c37758/32.png) [@codgerone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/codgerone)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-killing-my-dog-tomorrow/622989/30 "2012-05-25T06:25:42Z")
Thank you all so much for the kind words. I know it’s the right thing to do and that it’s the final act of kindness so I’m just trying to hold on to that thought. Dammit, I was holding up OK this morning until I read those replies. Now I’m shaking and weepy again. ---
**Author:** ![cerberus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cerberus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cerberus)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-killing-my-dog-tomorrow/622989/31 "2012-05-25T06:43:23Z")
One more thing, my cats taught me to send them out in a blaze of Diazepam and Tuna - if they are sick at the very end and haven’t eaten much, a small dose of Diazepam may make them hungry. If you have their favorite food ready, it’s a nice last thing to share. And I second being there at the end. ---
**Author:** ![BrassyPhrase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea666f/32.png) [@BrassyPhrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrassyPhrase)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-killing-my-dog-tomorrow/622989/32 "2012-05-25T08:29:57Z")
Hugs to you, very hard. Losing a pet is horrible, but you are so doing the right thing. Hugging HARD. ---
**Author:** ![codgerone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c37758/32.png) [@codgerone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/codgerone)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-killing-my-dog-tomorrow/622989/33 "2012-05-25T21:26:53Z")
Well, it’s over and done with amid many tears. We went for a walk down to her favourite swimming place, went home for a dinner of lemon and rosemary flavoured roast chicken (her absolute favourite food which I cooked last night) then laid out on the back lawn while we waited for the vet to come. It was a beautiful sunny day here in the south west UK and my lovely dog finished her time being fussed by the two people who loved her most. Once again, thank you all so much for the kind thoughts. I’m very sad tonight but at the same time relieved that her pain is gone and we’ve done right by her. Sorry I can’t reply to all the comments individually but they were all much appreciated. I’m currently lifting a glass or three to my girl’s memory so any further posts tonight may be fairly incoherent. Cheers ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-killing-my-dog-tomorrow/622989/34 "2012-05-25T21:40:22Z")
I’ll give my Nathan the dachshund extra love tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-killing-my-dog-tomorrow/622989/35 "2012-05-25T21:49:52Z")
As hard as it is to send them on, I tell myself it would be worse if they outlived us and had to deal with our passing first. I’ve already hugged my pups, but I will take them out and lie in the spring grass a while tonight, in memory of a great old girl. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-killing-my-dog-tomorrow/622989/36 "2012-05-25T21:54:49Z")
I am so very sorry for your loss, and for the difficulty of the decision. It is never easy to do the hard right things for our furry companions. ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-killing-my-dog-tomorrow/622989/37 "2012-05-25T23:03:50Z")
All of the Bentley Dogs will be getting extra hugs when Mama gets home from work. You are in my thoughts. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2012, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-killing-my-dog-tomorrow/622989/38 "2012-05-26T00:45:17Z")
My condolences. You did the right thing for your girl. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2012, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-killing-my-dog-tomorrow/622989/39 "2012-05-26T01:28:04Z")
> [@codgerone](#): > > Well, it’s over and done with amid many tears. We went for a walk down to her favourite swimming place, went home for a dinner of lemon and rosemary flavoured roast chicken (her absolute favourite food which I cooked last night) then laid out on the back lawn while we waited for the vet to come. > > It was a beautiful sunny day here in the south west UK and my lovely dog finished her time being fussed by the two people who loved her most. Dang, it sure is dusty in here (/wipes tear) ☹ It sounds like your last time with your dog was beautiful. She was lucky to have an owner that loved her so much. You did the last kind thing for her, so sorry for your loss. ---
**Author:** ![scratch\_llll](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@scratch\_llll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scratch_llll)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2012, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-killing-my-dog-tomorrow/622989/40 "2012-05-26T05:47:52Z")
Hugs. They look up to us like gods and love us out of proportion of our deeds. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-killing-my-dog-tomorrow/622989.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-killing-my-dog-tomorrow/622989.md?page=3)