My wife and I had to put down our belove Dottie and she was only 2 years old. We still have our Dottie moments everytime we see a picture of her. I put a memorial to her hereat Puppy Dog Heaven.
Pretzel will wait for you and be the first one to greet you when it is your time.
and racer …now I am really crying at that link.
purple haze I’m so sorry for your loss. It is truely amazing how much that pet-size hole in one’s heart hurts. We lost our Maxx kitty 2 weeks ago. Its so very hard.
As others have said, you made a very good decision, You showed that your love was big enough to allow Pretzel to rest. You’re really a hero.
I have worked for several vets over the years and this type of question never gets any easier. It is so hard to lose someone you love, and who loves you. You have the consolation of knowing that your beloved friend passed quickly, painlessly and in the arms of someone who loved her very much. That is a gift I honestly wish I could have given my mother. When my cat Chessie developed liver cancer, we were able to prevent her suffering. After my mothers’ stroke, I was forced to watch for months as her condition (both mental and physical) worsened to the point her little peekapoo didn’t even know her any more.
You did the right thing.
You did the ONLY thing a compassionate, loving friend could do.
She will be waiting at the Bridge when it is your turn to cross.
It was right. It was hard for you, but it was right for her. I’m so sorry. 
Thank you.
We have another dachshund, Shadow, who is Pretzel’s sister. She and I are going throught this together. I can see my own pain mirrored in Shadow’s eyes. She has not stopped looking for her sister yet and is confused and upset. She did not get to say goodbye.
Shadow and Pretzel slept in the same kennel, ate, played, and argued together. Pretzel went out first to pee, then Shadow would go out next and have to go on top of that exact spot. (sorry if that’s TMI). When it’s time to take her outside she wanders endlessly with a forlorn look about her.
Who will lick her ears now? Share her blanket? Snuggle with her during the lonely days while I’m at work?
I’m also in the process of closing my toy store. I lost my lease and a ski shop is taking over my space. The last day is May 31st. Dealing with that is just as hard. When you leave a regular job that you love, it can be a challenge. At the store I answer dozens of questions EVERY DAY. Why are you closing? When and where will you reopen? An on and on… By the end of each busy day, I’m tired of answering the same questions!
I was just getting to know the new owners of the ski shop. Nice couple, and they have already moved into the building. They plan to knock out the wall between their store next door and take over my space as well, in order to have one big store. Last week, the wife came in with her dog Daisy and we had a very nice conversation as she was going back and forth, putting new merchandise into her store. I sat with Daisy and enjoyed meeting someone new. Anyone that owns a retail business can make a connection with another owner pretty fast. We deal with the same issues.
She killed herself last week. I can’t even imagine what her husband must be going through right now.
All of your responses help. It’s hardest at night when it’s quiet and I feel most alone. I would sit at this computer with my Pretzel in the crook of my arm. Every now and again I would kiss the top of her little head and she would make her “happy noise”; almost like a little growl/sigh. I never realized quite how much I held Pretzel until now. She couldn’t stand it when DH and I talked - she had to be right in the middle of our conversation. When I would stretch out on the sofa she cuddled up on top of me with her head curled around my neck. DH called her “scarf dog”. Every once in a while she would look into my eyes and lick my nose.
We had a good life together and I look forward to seeing her again someday. I hope that she is the first one to greet me with a nudge of her nose and a frantic tail wagging.
Purple Haze-
I’m sorry you had to put Pretzel to sleep. I know exactly how that feels. I went through it this past October.
Maybe it will help a little to think about what Pretzel enjoyed doing most - being with you. She walked, jumped around, played, snuggled and wagged her tail with you. It was time to let her go when she could no longer do those things.
Dogs live so openly, so strongly that they cram a lot of life and love in their few years. I know you wanted to be with her longer, but it really does sound like you made the right decision about not opting for surgery. “Any sort of meaningful recovery” is a very grim phrase. There was a strong possibility that her recovery would have been minimal, painful and distressing. I don’t think dogs choose pain or worry on their own, ever. And it doesn’t sound as if Pretzel would have wanted to inflict any of those emotions on you, either.
It’s so hard to take responsibility for ending a pet’s life, and I think some guilt is normal, even when there is no option of surgery or other treatment. But you should know that Pretzel’s faith in you was well placed. You did what was tough, but best, in a very loving manner.
Again, my sympathies.
Cindy
I’m so sorry. I had to make the same decision for my dog 17 years ago, and I couldn’t think about it without crying for years. But you made the right choice by giving her an easy and merciful exit. She never failed you, and you didn’t fail her.