Which Do You Think Is Worse? A Pet That Has To Be Put Down Or Sudden Death?

I've thought about this and thought about it some more and I can't come up with a true answer. Either way is hard as hell however, when having to put one down ourselves does give us a chance to say goodbye whereas, when they die suddenly, unexpectedly is hard too because then we don't have a chance to say goodbye. My brother won't have any pets because he said he can't stand the idea of losing them. To me, that's selfish because there's so many out there that need homes and to not take one in for those reasons is selfish. Animals give SO much and ask for so little. No matter what, I'll ALWAYS have a few fur babies in my home!

Very sad to lose our babies. I had been out of surgery almost a month when we had to put my Fang down. I couldnt do it daughter called around ttill we found a vet that did this kind of thing. THat last ride he took with us was so sad he didnt move after w put him in the van I think he knew it was his last ride with us. I still get climpses of him laying in here with me so he really hasnt left

It's just my own opinion, but I think it is worse to have to go through an illness with a pet and then having to decide whether to put them down or not. And if they had to be put down, I wouldn't just let the vet take them and do it, I would go back with them and hold my little one until they stopped breathing. I wouldn't want my babies to be alone when they passed on. So just the agony of knowing it was coming, and then going through it - to me that is worse. I don't even want to think about it. Good discussion, Pye.

As you know Pye, I've had to do both. Neither one is worse than the other to me. They're still gone, either way, and the sadness lingers for years. It's just something I don't even like to talk about as it brings up the depression that I'm trying to get over.

I'm like you.. I don't like the pain.. but I can not ever imagine not having a furbaby or 20 of them in my case.. I have had to make the decision to put pets down. I don't like it. But it at least gives you a chance to say good bye. I have come to terms with all of those I have put to sleep except for my Tesla. I still think i will be cursed for putting down a healthy 5 year old, and I hate myself for it. http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=1089460772#!/note.php?note_id=29435707992 But I truly hate the fast deaths. Or even when A pet disappears -the not knowing hurts so much more. I've had more babies than I can count die in my arms. But it's those ones that die with out me that haunt me. that hey had no one to comfort them and stroke thir fur in their last moments -really upsets me. I have nightmares for weeks about it. I will always have a furbaby. I hope they all live long lives and I am there with them at the end. My boy (dog) Ka'vik and I had lots of time together. He was almost 15 and hadn't been able to walk for 6 months so I knew the time was coming. When he was having trouble holding his head up to eat (due to muscle loss) I knew the time was here that I had to help him along. So for him I was able to make an appt a few days in advance and had time to say good-bye. That day I dragged him out to the van (on his dog bed and with the help of a child's wagon. I did not ask anyone in my house for help- because it was just our day and we would get through it together. I took him to the park we liked to go to and although he couldn't walk- and could no longer hear, he could still see and smell and he sat there as I opened the slider door and we sat together for almost an hour just enjoying the fine sunny November day. Then we went to the vet- were they helped carry him in. I got to say good bye and cry for 20 minutes. And I still preferred his ending to those who go so fast you can't come to terms with it. minx

I guess either way is very traumatic for any pet owner. But which would impact less? I guess a pet you know who is sick and have to be put down...I will have closure and it would be easier to accept but if my pet gets sick out of the blue I really would be wondering what in the world happened? I mean won't ya? and it would be harder to accept too.

Hi there Pye I have been through the lot and the hardest one is having to make the Decision It is hard anyway when they leave us no matter what way but like you say when you have to make the Decision their Lifes is in our Hands but we know it would be cruel to keep them with us if their Life is going to be a misery The reason we put ourselves through it is because we love them no matter what and we also know there is always one out there that needs us and our Babies know that to and I still believe that half the time they lead us to the one that needs us I still believe our Max led me to Gissi

For me, a pets life and our life together is what is always foremost in my mind. I've always said that if one of my animals becomes ill or is in pain and cannot easily be mended then I would rather they were put down. It is such a peaceful loving way for them to go. You hold them and talk gently and softly to them as they go to sleep. This for me is the easiest way of letting one of my friends go.

I have been through everything myself. I've never regretted having any of my pets although the pain of losing them can be intense. I look back on my time with them and the love and joy they gave me while they were with me and I can smile. I remember a cat I had for 16 years. He developed a serious heart condition and got very sick very fast. I took him to the vet and, while they were examining him, he had a heart attack. The vet came running out to me and asked me what I wanted him to do, try to save him or put him to sleep. I had him put my kitty to sleep, immediately. He had quite a few other age-related issues, as well, and I didn't want him to suffer a second longer than he had to. The vet's exact words to me were, "Your cat is in the process of dying right now. What do you want me to do?" I remember them like they were yesterday. I knew I did the right thing for my kitty but it wasn't until the vet came out, put his arm around me and said, "You did the right thing" that I totally broke down and cried my eyes out. When considering a pet, you need to keep in mind that their lifespans are nowhere near as long as ours. You have to accept the fact that we will most likely outlive them. Oh, it still hurts plenty when they go but still, we can hold onto those great memories. I've been quite worried for the past three days that I would have to make that decision or face waking to a pet who didn't make it. My husband's cat, who is one of the MEANEST kitties on the face of the Earth, was not eating for two days. All she did was sleep. She barely drank any water at all. I told my husband that she needed to go to the vet's. I almost had to pound him on the head to get her there because he was saying "Let's wait another day." I told him she probably wouldn't live another day and made the appointment for him. It turns out that she had a massive urinary tract infection. Poor little kitty! She got a shot of an antibiotic and they gave us some very mushy cat food (Hill's Science Diet, prescription) and a syringe to get at least a little food in her. They also injected fluid under her skin because she was very dehydrated. This was two days ago. She refused food that night so my husband used the syringe. She also refused water but we weren't as concerned about that because they injected quite a lot of fluid into her. Yesterday, I was even more concerned because she was still not eating or drinking and just lying in one spot and sleeping. Last night, I took her some of her regular food and she actually ate a bit of it! I was so happy!!! This morning, she ate a bit more and drank some water. She's still sleeping a lot and not moving around much but has moved some. She's very wobbly on her feet from being so weak, but she's showing signs of improving. Now, as soon as I go to her and she hisses at me, I'll know for certain that she's on the mend. When she's feeling good, she hisses at anyone who gets close to her, except for my husband. She hasn't hissed at me for three days now and it just breaks my heart! Weird, huh? I am VERY glad that I didn't have to make that decision. My husband would never do it and it would be up to me.

Hey pye~ As much pain as I have had to endure making those horrible decisions to have to put my babies down when they were just too sick and in pain (and I had 2 cats with cancer) it was necessary and I trusted my Vets to tell me when and did what they told me too. Even they didn't want to do it, so I know how awful it was. My cat Jaguar threw a clot in his lung right after returning from a Vet visit and I had to take him right back and my Vet spent 3 hours sitting with him trying to save him, but when he knew he wasn't going to make it he told me "it was time". It broke my heart and then his brother Cougar was put down three months later with Pancreatic Cancer. I had just gotten Star & Luna a 3 weeks before because I was expecting it, but Cougar was very special. My Vets loved him so much they sent me a donation in his honor to the "Morris Foundation". That is the most wonderful thing that a Vet could do and I still contribute to this day. I wouldn't trade one minute of the love I had from Mystique, Jaguar or Cougar ever even though the pain I went through when they were gone was so horrific. I loved them them all more than I ever loved any human and I don't care if anyone thinks I'm crazy! They gave me more love than any human ever could and I feel that way about my Star and Luna! Animals are so very special and love unconditionally with all their heart, unlike people who always disappoint!

I think having to make the decision to end their lives is the hardest way to lose a pet. You keep thinking maybe they will get better, and you don't want to see them in pain, but feel guilty for ending their life. There is no good way to lose a pet. Having them die at home, like you did with Pye at least you knew it was the end.It is also hard not knowing what happened to them. If your cat runs away, and you don't know if it is alive or not. I have mourned many cats , but I agree with you that I don't regret having any of them

I had to do that with our family chihuahua Buddy he somehow got a bone splinter in his intestine and so I took him in and we really thought he would make the operation. I got to stay with him before he went in surgery and they called me after and said I could come see him for a few minutes Everything went well but on his 11th birthday that morning at 8 am on Thanksgiving Day he passed away. I was greatful to have had him for 11 years. And also greatful that he would not suffer anymore. I brought him home and we buried him in the backyard so we always have him with us. Since my health was going down it was getting harder for me to take care of a dog because they need to go outside so much. So I now am the proud owner of two cats Tink and Mawmaw Mawmaw was a litter of my son's cat and Tink I met at the Vet where I volunteered my time. Five kittens come in to be washed to be taken to Animal Control and when I asked Lori about them she told me they were up for adoption. Well they all got some kind of wierd illness we could not get them well. had those kittens in the kennel for over 3 months. Dr Barr would not give up on them he is a wonderful man I came every day and cared for "MY" adopted kitty Tink and finally he started looking so bad I went to Dr.Barr and told him if he needed to put him down I understood because I did not want to see him suffer through all this illness he has had. Dr Barr said let me try one more thing and then we will make that decision. He tried a different antibiotic and I am happy to say I have had Tink with me for a year now and he is in perfect health. Its a hard decision to make either way you go. I just dont like to see animals suffer they cant tell you what is hurting them. So if its time to Let go let God so to speak I have been able to understand that they will no longer be in pain and its been easier that way for me to make the hard decisions we all have to make for our pets we so dearly love I know I am very greatful to Dr Barr for trying everything I cant imagine not having the Tinkster around LOL Love to you and your friend and whatever choices are made