Originally Published: November 28th, 2024
I’ve had to make the euthanasia decision four times in my adult life.
Each time was heart-wrenchingly difficult because it’s about quality of life for my beloved dogs – not keeping them around for me.
I would do every single option presented to me by the vet, except when the cost verses the reality of an outcome was too much.
That way in my heart I knew I did everything possible for my fur babies, and that euthanasia was the best decision to end their suffering.
Mookie died of stomach cancer at 14 years old.
Garbo died of jaw cancer at 7 years old.
Marlow died of health complications at 14 years old.
Mookie, Garbo, Marlow’s cremated ashes are with me.
Bob, our young rescue cat from Qatar, fell through the ice and drowned in a lake. His body later found during the spring thaw by a kind man who recognized Bob from the many lost cat posters we had posted in the community. We collected Bob’s body, brought him to the vet to confirm his identity with his microchip, had him cremated and brought him back to us.
Pooh Bear is our most recent heartbreak. Her old age took a drastic and sudden turn and we had to make the euthanasia decision. Now that we are living on our property, we didn’t cremate her, she is buried here, forever a part of our home we affectionately call Penny Lane.
Once my heart is ready, I will bury Mookie, Garbo, Marlow and Bob’s ashes next to Pooh Bear so they too can rest forever in our home we are creating with love.
S, 🌻
Your love for your fur babies is commendable. Stay lovely.
Thank you Hazel! Sending hugs…. 🤗🌻💛☀️
Thanks so much for the hugs, Stephanie. I appreciate YOU.
I’m so sorry for your loss 😞
Thank you @justrojie…. 🌻🐾💛🌻
It’s a very harsh decision someone has to make regarding Euthanasia. I went through the same experience with my German Shepherd, Zeta. She had cancer, and there was no hope. Furthermore, it was apparent that she was in pain. 🙁
Sorry for your loss of your fur baby Zeta.. 🐾❤️❤️ Sending hugs….. 🤗💛🌻
Thank you so much. 🤗😊❤️🙏
Stephanie, I don’t own any dogs but I enjoy meeting them during my walks through the park. Now in light of making the hard decisions, it perplexes me when people recommend getting another to replace a recently deceased pet dog, as though it will soften the grievance of loss. Care to share your thoughts as to why so many dog owners feel that dog is man’s best friend? (For instance, they are known to be loyal.)
Jason
Hi Jason, it has been my experience that dogs are so much safer to love than people. Dogs offer unconditional love and (as your indicated) loyalty. I am someone who struggles with connecting to another person because of trust and decades of mental health complexities. The dogs in my life offered me companionship, were there for me when I struggled and could not reach out. They dried my tears when I cried. They snuggled with me when I was lonely. They walked with me when the sun called us outside. Now, decades later, in my mid-fifties, I am healing successfully with my mental health, am happily married to a man I am connected with and we have two dogs that bring much joy and happiness to our lives. Dogs seem to be constant source of fun and snuggles who, as pack animals, love being part of a family.
Stephanie
What a beautiful response! Thank you for sharing and keeping it real.
My pleasure. Keeping it real is my journey. Thank you for stopping by and reading my blog. It’s nice to meet you. 🌻☀️