The day I have dreaded finally came. How would you handle this?

@TessWhite (3146)
United States
November 6, 2008 10:09pm CST
The day I've been dreading finally arrived. Today I had to have 3 cats and my dog put to sleep. Two of them had health issues that weren't getting better. And the other two were put down because MY health and breathing has gotten worse, requiring oxygen alot of the time now. (I almost ended up in the hospital this last weekend) I did all I could to try and find homes for the healthy ones, with no luck. Even the shelters turned me away because they were too full. I finally had to make a choice, and did what I knew I was forced to do. I've spent most of my day crying and feeling so guilty. How can an animal lover such as me cope with making such a decision? I know I did all I could, but I still feel I failed. I sit here looking at the empty dog bed, and the house feels so empty. I still have pets, you see I had too many. But now I have a small number I can manage - and hopefully breathe with. Have you ever had to make a decision like this based upon your own health? How did you handle the grief of losing so many pets in one day?
3 people like this
16 responses
• Malaysia
7 Nov 08
Oh... I am too late reading this. I am a cat fonder and now I am in the middle of trying to find a cat to take care of. I like cats very much and thinking of having one as soon as we moved to our new home. I am in the process of buying a new home though. If you could have met me earlier, maybe I could adopt your cat. But I am not sure how you can send it to me. I am in Malaysia. By the way, don't be too sad. Just think about them as being lucky. Now just imagine they are happy in the heaven and looking down at you with love. I understand how it feels to lose the ones you love. Moreover like you, you are losing 3 of them in one day. I am crying while typing this, it is so heartbroken isn't it. Don't worry, every living thing will die one day. Life is never permanent. As long as you remember them, they will always remember you too. I can also imagine my own cat looking down at me from the heaven, waiting for me to join him one day. I hope you the best of health, and eat your medicine so that you can get well soon. Hugs and kisses, just me ladysurvivor.
2 people like this
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
7 Nov 08
Thank you for your response. It has been a very sad day. But, its something I knew I had to do. You see I'm also moving closer to family since my health has gotten worse. (I'm disabled) And I couldn't have that many pets at my new home. I hope you find a new kitty of your own to love. I'm sure you can find one at a shelter if you have them there. Good luck. :)
2 people like this
• Malaysia
7 Nov 08
Thanks for wishing me finding my own cat. I hope you get well soon. Yes, it is good you stay nearer to your family so they can look after you too. I wish you all the best.
1 person likes this
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
7 Nov 08
Hi Tess, My heart goes out to you. I know how your heart is breaking because I am still greiving over the loss of my precious little Bogie. I was faced with the possibility of having him euthanized because of my husbands asthma. We thenfound out he had an ear infection and was treating that when the neighbor poisoned him accidently by putting down weed killer without notifying me to keep Bogie inside away from it. The first thing I did when returning home from the Vet. was to remove his beds and anything that reminded me of my loss. I still cry as it takes a long time to get past the loss. Sweetie, you know you did what you had to do, and it still doesn't help the pain. I just wish I could take some of that pain away. It does get easier as the days go by. As you begin to feel better yourself, so the pain of loss will ease as well. Just hold your other pets close and they will help you to recover. You have my deepest sympathy.xoxoxo leenie
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
7 Nov 08
Bless your hear Tess, This will certainly be a day you'll remember, huh? How sad for your neighbor. I can't help but wonder sometimes just how much are we expected to endure. But I know we can. Hang in there sweetie!! I'll be thinking of you. leenie
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
13 Nov 08
It's a very sad and hard decision to make. Could you home some of them to relatives or friends? If this attempt was unsuccessful than I don't blame you for this decision. © ronaldinu 2008
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
13 Nov 08
No, none of my friends or family members wanted or needed any more pets. It was a week ago today that I had my three cats and dog put to sleep. And while I do miss them terribly, I have found that its already helping me. I have less fur, less work to deal with with my poor health and I can breathe easier already. Its also alot calmer and quieter - something I desperately need.
@seabeauty (1480)
• United States
8 Nov 08
My heart goes out to you Tess. That is the most heartbreaking news I have heard all day. I have never had to have a pet put to sleep so I don't know how you feel right now. All I can say to you is HUGS.
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
8 Nov 08
Thank you for your reply.
@ladym33 (10979)
• United States
8 Nov 08
That must have been very difficult. I have never had to put an animal down due to my health, I did have to put my beloved dog down a little over a year ago though due to her health. She wsa 14 years old and had been gradually getting worse and worse. When she started to fall down and was unable to get back up for at least 20 minutes at a time I knew it was time. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but I know that it was the right thing for her. It still hurts me really badly, and even though I don't cry daily anymore, I still cry several times a week. Every time I walk past the pet section at the store I get teary eyed. I also lost the cat that we took in and had for two years about 2 weeks before we had to put the dog down. He was really old, and he looked bad the last time I had seen him, he got out and never came back, and I am almost positive he went away to die. It was hard having 2 pets and suddenly having none. It is very heartbreaking. I am sorry you had to do this, but I am sure you did the right thing by them.
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
8 Nov 08
It is hard losing more than one at once I know. Sorry about your dog and cat. Maybe some day you can get another pet?
@mariposaman (2959)
• Canada
7 Nov 08
How sad. I hope the day will come that you will remember them with fondness instead of the sadness you are feeling now. You did what you had to do and I am sure they had a good life with you. Take care.
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
8 Nov 08
Thanks for the response. Yes they had a very spoiled life with me. :)
• United States
7 Nov 08
That is so sad. Pets become part of your family and to have them suffer and make that awful decision would have to be so hurtful. I am sending you tons of hugs.
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
7 Nov 08
Thank you. Yes, its a hard decision to make. Right now I'm not sure I ever want to get another pet - that is after the remaining few I have die off of old age.
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
7 Nov 08
Oh how sad and I feel your hurt and pain. I have never had to put pets down due to my health or even to their health. But I have come so close to having to put two of my dogs down. My first one was Amber, she was injured by a person going to sleep behind the wheel and hit her from behind. She kept getting worse and we talked about it and my daughter and I went to the vet to say goodbye to Amber and have her put down. When we got there the lady that worked there met us and said that Amber must have known and didn't want us to have to make that decision and the lady said that Amber took her last breath when the door opened at the vet. My other dog, Leila...she was 3 years older to the day and a half sister to Amber, she was just an old dog and her health started going down hill. I had called the vet one day to find out how much it cost to put her down about bringing her home to bury her. Well after I made the call and cried and told myself it was for the best Leila got up and wanted to go outside, I let her out and in a bit she come to the patio door, looked in and turned and went back out in the yard and then I got up and saw her laying under the shade tree, she had gone out there to die. Both of my beloved dogs I guess knew that it was so hard to have to put them down that they didn't want me to feel the "guilt" of being the one to make that decisions so they did it themselves. My heart goes out to you. I know the ones that were healthy are really hard on you but if you had just let them run loose they might have gotten hit and left on the road to die.
@ellie333 (21016)
7 Nov 08
Oh Tess, How awful for you, I know how much you love your animals and this indeed has been a very very sad day for you. What can I say other than that I am sorry for your loss. They become like family so you are going to be grieving bigtime over this one. They are all at peace now anyway and the sick ones no longer suffering. I have never lost that many pets in one day so I really cannot say how you would handle it, one day at a time I guess and get rid of the dog bed as the reminder with it being there will make you worse. All I can do is send you big huggles of love at this sad time for you. Huggles. My thoughts and prayers are with you to give you the strength to get through this. Ellie :D
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
7 Nov 08
Thanks Ellie. I didn't sleep much last night. My dog always slept by my side of the bed and one of the cats always slept by my side. So many tears yesterday I'm still battling the headache from it all. Thanks for the thoughts - I know it will get easier as time goes on...
• United States
7 Nov 08
We had to put one of are dogs done when i was younger becuse of very bad health.He was so old but I likeed him very much and cryed my mom did not even like him but she cryed too.It is hard but over time you will get better hope you are breathing better.
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
7 Nov 08
Thanks for the reply. :)
• China
7 Nov 08
Sorry about that! I have not in such situation like that. I love animals but I have not got anyone in my house, because I have no time to spend on them, and I think it is not not for them to stay at home alone all day. I think if I were you, I would send my animals to my relatives, in that case I can go to see them always and conveniently. So what do you think about that?
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
7 Nov 08
If you were ever in that situation and had family that would take them then yes its a wonderful idea. However no one in my family would take mine. And, its too late. I've already had mine put to sleep. Its good you know that it takes time to care for animals. I'm home all day, so I have the time for mine. Thanks for the reply.
• India
7 Nov 08
Hi Tess, cool down my friend and take some time off. I am extremely saddened to hear about your plight. I am an ardent animal lover myself but judging from what I have read of your discussion, I am totally convinced that you did not do that on purpose and it is not that you have sacrificed those poor animals for your sake.But you did all within your reach to save them and it was only when everything failed that you took this decision. I know that it must have been a very difficult decision to take and I cannot imagine the amount of mental stress that you would be going through right now. For the number of years that they've been with you and all that you have done for them i am sure that your pets would have understood you well and would have been happy to repay you their love with this ultimate sacrifice. Things will be fine soon my friend and remember that your little friends that have given themselves for you will always be with you in whatever you do.They will take care of you.Take care my friend.
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
7 Nov 08
Thank you so much. It does make it easier to know that others understand the choice I had to make. I'd had my name on waiting lists for shelters for months, with no hope any time soon of an opening. With the health issue, it just seemed no other choice. I'll adjust, its just been so very stressful this last year. Thanks for the kind words.
@anujs007 (98)
• India
7 Nov 08
well, this can be a tricky situation and well,when u loose a pet it definitely hurts.But you know,things happen for a reason and your own health is important too or who would have taken care of them. Please dont feel bad and dont worry things will be fine...
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
7 Nov 08
Yea, I know I did what I had to. Now I just have to cope with it. Thanks for the reply.
• Canada
7 Nov 08
Hi Tess; First I would like to send my condolances to you and tell you I totally understand. I have never had to , touch wood, put to sleep a healthy pet. But I have had to do it to some of my pets before. Let me tell you I am an X dog and cat breeder and I certainly have felt the way you are feeling. I was in the business of breeding for 30+ years and a few years ago was diagnoised with MS and the breeding and showing world that I loved so much is now just a memory. What did I do with all my pets? Well I was lucky enough to have the connections I had and I managed to place them in good homes and to fellow breeders so my legacy is living on. I do so miss the world I was living in. Did you do the best for your beloved companions? If you can answer YES to this ? then you have nothing to feel bad about. All anyone can do is their best. I realize that you are morning their loss but from my experience you will never forget but as time passes you will be able to put this behind you. When you have to make a choice between health and pets your health MUST always come first. I hope this has helped you at least a little and please stop feeling guilty cause it could be worse you could have placed them in homes and then discovered they were being abused so think of the good they are waiting for you.
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
8 Nov 08
Yes, I did my best. You see my german shepherd had birth defects. Everyone told us to put him down as a puppy but we didn't. They said he would only live between five and seven years. Well he was over seven when we put him down. So yea, we did our best with all of them. Thanks for the response. :)
• India
7 Nov 08
Oh Tess, this must be terrible. I really don't know how to comfort you, but what should be done should be done. To be honest, I can't bear the thought of losing any of my pets. I even beg them not to grow too old and fall sick. You will surely get over it with time. Don't cry. Think of them happy in heaven. Cheers and happy mylotting
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
7 Nov 08
Thanks for the reply. Thru the day I've calmed down. Its hardest to see my little male chihuahua. He was buddies with the other dog, and now he keeps wandering the house looking for him. We will adjust, I know.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
7 Nov 08
If I knew where you lived, I could've worked out something with you but well, lets let that one lay where it may. Tess, you did the best you could and that's all you can do. Take it one day at a time and try not to beat yourself up over it for it's done now and nothing you can do to take it back. Give all the rest of them all the love you can give. The others knew you loved them and now that they're on the other side, they really know that. My heart is with you. Just take it one day at a time and ask God to guide you and heal your heart.
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
7 Nov 08
Thanks. I know I did the best I could really. Its just hard to accept right now. But I can be grateful I didn't lose ALL of them at least.