https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 18 Apr 2026 15:04:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-been-thru-end-of-life-with-their-pet#post-2613954 Wed, 31 Aug 2016 11:07:34 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2613954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One of the techs I worked with used to say, "Think of what your dog loves the most. It might be balls, food, her people, chasing squirrels, whatever. When they get to the point where they have no interest in that thing, that's how you know it's time." </p> <p>Obviously doesn't work in every case, but I think it's a good thing to think about. That's the point when life isn't good anymore for them. My 13.5 yr large breed dog is really slowing down. She can't do much anymore, but if she sees a squirrel or deer she still perks up and wants to chase. She still gets enjoyment out of the things she always has. When the day comes where I see her watch a squirrel in the back yard and not try to go after it, I hope I'll have the courage to make the call. I honestly believe that humanely euthanizing at the right time is the kindest thing we can do for our pets. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-been-thru-end-of-life-with-their-pet#post-2613945 Wed, 31 Aug 2016 11:02:51 +0000 avivoca 2613945@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, and it was horrible every time. The worst was when it wasn't my cat, but a cat I was sitting. We came to check and couldn't find her. She was upstairs, barely breathing. We took her to the emergency vet and there was nothing they could do. She passed in the night. It turns out that she had done that recently and the owners were able to bring her back, but I have horrible guilt about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-been-thru-end-of-life-with-their-pet#post-2613938 Wed, 31 Aug 2016 10:56:50 +0000 Boogs 2613938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, it's so hard. :( Mine was still young, but has seizures caused by a tumor. When it was time, we just kinda knew. Still one of the hardest things I've ever done was having to make that call. So sorry you're going through this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-been-thru-end-of-life-with-their-pet#post-2613672 Tue, 30 Aug 2016 20:40:48 +0000 caterw 2613672@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did recently with my family dog- he was almost 17 and kept falling down the stairs, was going blind, and pretty much stopped eating and lost 15 lbs out of his normal 45. My dad had to carry him outside to go pee... it was really sad. I adored that dog but I could tell he was in complete misery. We kept a conversation going with his vet about quality of life and we medicated and did the best we could until nothing was going to make him feel better. The vet absolutely agreed with our decision and was very sweet and supportive with us. My brother and I ended up taking him because my mom and dad couldn't do it. Our dog was very peaceful even throughout the shot and we stayed and held his paws until the end. The vet did a very nice cremation service and returned his ashes to us so we could bury him in the yard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-been-thru-end-of-life-with-their-pet#post-2613646 Tue, 30 Aug 2016 20:14:01 +0000 MrsRoo 2613646@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A beloved pets end of kids is so tough to go through. We've been through it twice in the last 5 years and it was awful both times. The first was with DHs dog. She had an inoperable tumor in her inner ear canal and she was stilly a happy, energetic 9 year old lab mostly, but when she had bouts of symptoms it was really bad, confusion, off balanced, lethargic. Ultimately DH couldn't bear to put her down, and she passed while we were at work. He feels incredibly guilty 5 years later.<br /> Just 6 months ago I had to make the decision to say goodbye to my 11 year old chihuahua with cancer because I couldn't watch him suffer any longer and he was becoming aggressive to my toddler. Our vet and their entire office was so supportive and calming. They made an awful experience as positive as it could have been. I still feel guilty about having to make that call, but it was right for him, our other dog and our family, so I try to be at peace with it. </p> <p>Either way, it's a crappy situation and I'm sorry you're going through this. :crying: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-been-thru-end-of-life-with-their-pet#post-2613644 Tue, 30 Aug 2016 20:11:18 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 2613644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry - I've been there 3 times and it doesn't get easier. We were told that when they stop wanting to eat I'd when you know it's time, so it sounds like yours could be getting close. ❤ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-been-thru-end-of-life-with-their-pet#post-2613603 Tue, 30 Aug 2016 19:00:20 +0000 IRunForFun 2613603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes and it was so hard to make the ultimate decision. I, like you, kept questioning whether it was time and then deciding she still had some life left in her. At the end she only had one eye, was blind in the other, was deaf, was getting repetitive infections, was on so many medications, etc. But she was still eating and was still happy to snuggle with me so I couldn't say goodbye. One day I came home and she had vomited and peed in her bed and was just laying in it because she was too confused to go elsewhere and that is when I knew it was time. She really didn't have quality of life at that point unless I could keep her with me 24/7 and I just couldn't. My vet was so kind and reassuring. We stayed with her and held her until the super anesthetic kicked in and then my mom actually stayed with her till the very end - I didn't want her to be alone but I couldn't handle it myself. Looking back I probably should have done it sooner but I just wasn't sure. I think it all comes down to what their quality of life is.</p> <p>It's so so hard and I hate that pet ownership comes down to that. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-been-thru-end-of-life-with-their-pet#post-2613601 Tue, 30 Aug 2016 18:53:49 +0000 kakimochi 2613601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry, it's so hard to see our furry friends declining. The end came rather quickly for our 10 year old dog, over the span of 2 weeks, she just had such difficulty breathing and eating became less and less, even the soft yummy foods and treats she loves, so it was time. The non eating and difficulty breathing really were the signs to let her go. With the help of our vet to rule out all the problems and options, we knew it was time to let her go. The best decision we made was to bring a vet that specialized in coming to people's homes to put her to sleep--it was a nice option for us to say goodbye to her, and for her to be surrounded by us, in a familiar surrounding, out in the backyard where she loved to frolic and sunbathe all the time. Many hugs to you and your furry friend. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-been-thru-end-of-life-with-their-pet#post-2613353 Tue, 30 Aug 2016 11:59:52 +0000 GoGoSnoGirl 2613353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes &amp; it was so very hard. She had a slow decline over her last year, &amp; we probably let her hang on longer than we should have, which I feel guilty about. :crying: She was happy to see us, but not able to get to her food or even litter box all that well, so she spent her last month or so in a small triangle between her bed, the litter box &amp; her food and we helped her get to each at the end. I'm sorry you are going through this, it's really heartbreaking. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-been-thru-end-of-life-with-their-pet#post-2613336 Tue, 30 Aug 2016 11:48:21 +0000 MediaNaranja 2613336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh I'm so sorry to hear this :(</p> <p>We lost our sweet girl two years ago and I still get teary-eyed thinking about it. She was 17, and in fairly good health until one day she stopped eating, and two days later she passed. I honestly didn't even call the vet because it happened so quickly--it was just her time. It's so hard, but you will know when it's time. This is something I think about often because my other little guy is 17, and while he's in excellent health for his age I know that these decisions are coming soon. Go with your gut, you'll know when it's right. :crying: :crying: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-been-thru-end-of-life-with-their-pet#post-2613320 Tue, 30 Aug 2016 11:29:45 +0000 Shantuck 2613320@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For us, our vet made the call. We brought our cat in and the vet point blank told us that it was time and that our cat was greatly suffering. I mean, I think we knew it deep down. She was losing weight and not really eating much. Her liver was failing. It was a weekend and we needed a day to say our goodbyes so we brought her to an emergency veterinary place the next day. It was pretty awful timing because I put my cat down on a Sunday and had a D&amp;C scheduled for the next day at 6 a.m. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-been-thru-end-of-life-with-their-pet#post-2613288 Tue, 30 Aug 2016 10:54:09 +0000 LulaBee 2613288@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry you're going through this. My 11 year old best dog ever was diagnosed with osteosarcoma- she went downhill pretty quickly, but one night she kept trying to stand and her front leg kept giving out, and I knew. We made it to the vet right before they closed and said goodbye. It sucked. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-been-thru-end-of-life-with-their-pet#post-2613275 Tue, 30 Aug 2016 10:32:48 +0000 mdf106 2613275@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had to put my dog down a few months ago. I think she was about 13, I had her for 11 years. It was very hard. She was in kidney failure, so I knew she was dying. She stopped eating food she liked at the end. She was also very restless, walking into walls, and getting stuck in corners. I knew it was time when she had trouble sleeping, and stopped eating and drinking all together. I probably should have done it a few days earlier, I think she was very close to dying outright when we put her down, but it was hard to let go, and I thought she would have longer from her diagnosis. She would seem better some days, which made me keep going. I miss her so much. I got her before I met DH. I though I should take her to be put down, but DH insisted on doing it (we could not both go because of the children). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-been-thru-end-of-life-with-their-pet#post-2613273 Tue, 30 Aug 2016 10:29:57 +0000 LAZB 2613273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just went through this with our almost 15 year old dog. He was on a bunch of meds everyday, was incontinent and also had a hard time with controlling his bowels, and frequently had a hard time walking or couldn't walk.<br /> The best advice I got was to make a list of all the things that make him happy, and when he can no longer do or enjoy most or all of those things, it was time to consider letting him go. We made a list, and realize that he couldn't do anything on it anymore. It was then we realized that we were keeping him around more for us than for him.<br /> I still feel bad about our decision, but really think it was for the best. We had a vet come to our house so he could go peacefully and surrounding that he was comfortable with. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-been-thru-end-of-life-with-their-pet#post-2613255 Tue, 30 Aug 2016 10:12:01 +0000 Bibliolove 2613255@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, though he was young. It was incredibly hard and I tear up even with writing this and thinking about it. My vet was very supportive, I also had my SO (later DH) with me. There was nothing I could do to get him well. It haunts me he became acutely sick when I was at work and was likely in pain while I was away. Though he had issues long before it. He died purring in my arms at the vet. </p> <p>When a pet's quality of life is diminished so much that it's painful to watch them live, you (a general you, not you specifically) are keeping them alive only for yourself and not for the pet. It's so hard to say good-bye, but reflecting on the good life your pet had and the good times is what can help. The hardest part of owning a pet is knowing when to say goodbye. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-been-thru-end-of-life-with-their-pet#post-2613254 Tue, 30 Aug 2016 10:09:31 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2613254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went through this in my late teens/early 20's with our family dog. I was at university and not caring for him day to day (he was at my parents house) but home for weekend visits and holidays his health was declining. Accidents in the house, balance issues, confusion, then not eating. We made him hamburger and rice and he would eat that if we laid with him and spoon fed him basically. That's when we as a family made the decision. It was very upsetting and still makes me teary over 10 years later. But we knew he had a good life and it was up to us to make the best decision to end his suffering. We realized keeping him around was more for us than for him as he could barely walk without falling and the vet could do nothing more for him. The not eating, not jumping up to run to the door for us, sleeping all the time, etc. were clear signs to us, even though we continued hopeful for another month or so. Sorry you are facing this decision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-been-thru-end-of-life-with-their-pet#post-2613242 Tue, 30 Aug 2016 09:53:46 +0000 Mamaof2 2613242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Madison43: @mediagirl: @Mama Bird: thanks :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-been-thru-end-of-life-with-their-pet#post-2613240 Tue, 30 Aug 2016 09:49:54 +0000 Madison43 2613240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He was still grazing on food, but not nearly enough to sustain a healthy body weight. He lost like 5 lbs, which is a ton of weight for a cat. We also ran a ton of tests which showed his liver was failing and he spent a weekend in the hospital for treatment,, but there was no real improvement. I could have elected for at home treatments that could have kept him alive for a few more months, but that seemed cruel. It was the worst though, because he didn't appear so super sick. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-been-thru-end-of-life-with-their-pet#post-2613238 Tue, 30 Aug 2016 09:48:29 +0000 Mama Bird 2613238@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. I'm so sorry. I lost my friend at 15 to cancer. I am not proud of how I handled it - I wasn't there enough when I knew he only had months, and worst of all I wasn't there when he died. I will carry the guilt for the rest of my life. No advice, just hugs... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-been-thru-end-of-life-with-their-pet#post-2613236 Tue, 30 Aug 2016 09:44:00 +0000 mediagirl 2613236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Awww. I'm so sorry you're going through this. 15 years is a good life lived by your girl.</p> <p>We went through end of life with our dog but we knew it was time to say goodbye (we had to make a choice) because she was having trouble breathing. </p> <p>I really believe you know when the time has come to realize your pet has had the best life possible and now she just isn't enjoying it like she used to. I don't know the right answer here, just that at some point, you'll know. And that's the worst thing to hear, I know. It's like telling a first time pregnant lady "you'll know" when you're in real labor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-been-thru-end-of-life-with-their-pet#post-2613233 Tue, 30 Aug 2016 09:39:48 +0000 Mamaof2 2613233@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Madison43: did she stop eating anything? Meaning even yummy stuff? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-been-thru-end-of-life-with-their-pet#post-2613231 Tue, 30 Aug 2016 09:37:18 +0000 Madison43 2613231@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. It sucked beyond words. For me, I worked closely with the vet and went over every scenario with her repeatedly. When my cat stopped eating, the vet was supportive but clear that there was no positive ending, so I made the decision to euthanize. It's so hard and I'm sorry you're in this position. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-been-thru-end-of-life-with-their-pet#post-2613223 Tue, 30 Aug 2016 09:25:11 +0000 Mamaof2 2613223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sweet girl turned 15 in April and has been at the vet 3 times for various things - UTI, extreme drooling, and then she started leaking urine.</p> <p>Her mind has been slowly going downhill -she gets confused as to where she is - gets stuck in corners - goes to back door to come inside instead of the deck (again, confused), eye sight is going bad - she walks the walls so she knows where to go.</p> <p>Her hips are horrible and she seems to be restless lately - only a few months ago she was sleeping all day.</p> <p>She is on Omega fish oil, glucosamine , and proin for the leaking.</p> <p>The past 4 days she wont eat unless I put rice in her food.</p> <p>I guess I just wonder what the end of life looked like for others. DH keeps saying maybe its time but she still seems to have lots of life in her still - I don't know - I just dread the day :crying: </p>