I have to put my 12yr.old shep/lab mix down on Thurs.due to bone cancer.?
Posted on Apr 01, 2009 under cancer news and reports |Should I let my 7&10 yr.old kids be there too. My daughter grew up with the dog and really loves her. Would it just be hard on her if she was there or should I keep her in school. How do u know when it's ready to get another puppy. We also have a 2 yr. old lab at home who is going to be lonely.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:21 am
Yes Just tell them whats going on.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:21 am
I wouldn't take the children there. I once had an animal that reacted terribly to the injection and I wouldn't want children to see that.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:21 am
It really depends on how mature your children are. If they understand the concept of death and can act maturely about it I think it is a good idea. I think you should read them the poem "the rainbow bridge" so your children can believe that your dog is going to a great and wonderful place when she dies where she will be free from pain.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:21 am
I would reccomend leaving the kids at home this can be very detrimental and sometimes kids can react very badly. I would explain to them that he wont be coming back and all that but I wouldn't let them be there. It's sometimes not a very pretty sight they can vocalize and release there bowels and have twitching episodes after being put down. I would also wait a while to get a new puppy and see how your lab reacts to being by himself. That's a lot of change to go through at once and it's hard to put a lot of love into a new pup when you are still mourning the loss of your dog.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:21 am
Up to you - you know your children, we don't.
I would certainly explain first what will happen - the dog will be put to sleep and feel no more pain. Tell the children about the Rainbow Bridge, look up the poem, it is very lovely and does help with the sorrow of having to put a loved pet down.
As to getting another dog, why don't you go to a shelter or breed rescue and adopt a dog - save a deserving dog from being homeless - and do it in your dead dog's name, as a memorial to what a good companion she was and how you and the children loved her.
I commend you for doing the ultimate kindness for your sick dog, to let an animal suffer is cruel, but I know how hard it is to let go.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:21 am
well if your daughter really loves the dog very much then maybe no. but what you could do is if you have a big yard than bury it and let her come to that
it will be nice…
i am sorry
April 1st, 2009 at 7:21 am
let your daughter make her own decision as she might want to say good by explain to her the dog will get a shot & go to sleep & not suffer any more ps ask her if she would like to bury it in the yard
April 1st, 2009 at 7:21 am
When my lab Maggie died because of cancer, i really didnt want to be there i gave my good bye and went to school. My sister was not in school and had to go she said it was horrible. My recomendation would to not let her go. Hope this helps and sorry avlbout your dog
April 1st, 2009 at 7:21 am
I am sorry for your loss. Last November we put our 10 yr old golden retriever down. I too have children the same age as yours. I did not bring them with as it is a lot to take in & doesn't always go smoothly. Only you know your children & what would help them to cope with this loss. God Bless.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:21 am
I think that it's important for the dog to have familiar and comforting faces around while being put to sleep. I've seen too many animals be dropped off for euthanasia, and while I understand that it's hard to see your beloved pet pass before your eyes, it's also hard for the pet to be in a place where he's scared with no one he trusts to make him feel at ease. As far as getting a new dog, I would hold off for a little while. If you notice the lab starting to decline in health because of being lonely, that would be a definite reason to get another pet, although a puppy may be a lot of stress. It's a personal preference though but there's my two cents.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:21 am
I would personally want to go… I am 13, and I can handle that stuff pretty well, but still.
Don't you want your children to be the last people your dog sees? And don't you want your children to remember your dog, and know that he is going to heaven, a place where God will protect him?
Lying to your children or not taking them with you, is IMO, just immature and it makes the situation worse once they know the truth and what actually happened.
In a few months, after everybody has adjusted to the disappearance of your other dog, then decide on a breed, find a reputable breeder, and wait for a litter to be born. Then it is time.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:21 am
I think it would be fine. Ask your children. Often, children do not get closure.
Explain everything to them so they know what to expect.
As far as getting another dog for your 2 year old Lab, that is up to you when you are ready.
Some people do it right away.
You do what you feel is right for your family and in your heart.
Know that your precious dog is going to a wonderful place where there is no more pain. Once your dog crosses that bridge it is perfection and joy.
I understand and feel your loss. Bless you in this time or sorrow.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:21 am
i think you should let them be there if they want to be there. if they dont want to be there at least tell them the truth so they can say goodbye properly. especially the 12 year old. i grew up on a farm and it was really hard for me knowing that my "pets" were going to be slaughtered and eaten, but i also grew up with a healthy reality in and death and pet owning. my suggestion to getting a new pet would be to get a completely different pet. when i was in college, i lost a very special kitty. i credit that cat with saving my life, he woke me up when someone was breaking into my home while my dog was still sleeping(to her credit she was 20 years old and couldnt hear, see, and had no teeth anyway…) so, when i went to get a new pet, i chose one that depratelly needed a new home. that made me feel like his passing wasnt a waste and he looked completely different. i was afraid if i got one that looked to close to the deceased, i would always compare the 2 and thats not fair to the memory of the old kitty and not fair to the new kitty either… anyway, sorry for the long post. ill keep you and your family and shep/lab mix in my thoughts…
April 1st, 2009 at 7:21 am
I am sorry that you are losing your dog, it is a difficult time. Maybe explain what is happening to your daughter and ask her if she wants to be there. You could also suggest that she says goodbye to the dog instead, and make sure that you get the ashes back so that you can have some sort of ceremony.
You will know when the time is right to get a new puppy.
Again, I am sorry for your loss, and I hope that the process is not too traumatic.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:21 am
It really depends on your kids. When I was younger, I thought that I would want to see it, but watching my mother cry was almost as heartbreaking as knowing where my dog was going, so I stayed home. I'm glad I did at that age.
Euthanasia in a vet hospital is very simple and usually peaceful, they fall asleep quickly. However, sometimes it's the trauma of seing the needle for the kids, and if they think their doggie is scared, often their reactions will feed into the dog's discomfort and scare her unecessarily.
As for getting a new dog, you know you're ready when you don't feel guilty about it. Think it through, you don't want to act too quickly and regret it, but your children can benefit from a new friend.
You can always try your local animal shelter, take your kids and see how they feel, let them help be part of the process of finding a new pup.
Good luck
April 1st, 2009 at 7:21 am
First of all, I am SO sorry, bone cancer is bad, and usually with this type of cancer, they get very sick in a very short amount of time. Perhaps, you could let your 10 year old be there, but explain to her what they will be doing. The veterinarian will be giving the dog an overdose of an anesthetic agent into her vein. They fall asleep, and then their heart stops…most of the time they go very quickly and peacefully and the only pain they feel is the prick of the needle. If you explain this to your daughter and she feels as though she can witness this, you should let her be there.
As for getting a new puppy, you will know when it's time. You will know when you will be ready for that.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:21 am
i don't know if you should do that honestly cause if they grew up with your dog its going to be hard honestly trust me im 25 and i had my mom put my 11yr old rottie to sleep cause i couldn't do it all though she was my dog i just couldn't i had to put her down cause she couldn't walk and she couldn't get up to go to the bath room she was dying and i didn't want her to stuffer anymore then what she was so we took to the vets and i was sitting in the waiting room cause i couldn't go in the room cause she was my baby she followed me every where in the house and yard! i would keep her in school cause she might get really upset if you do take her just keep her in school honestly! i would wait about a few months cause since you other dog will be lonely! i would say about 4 months! if you didn't have another dog i would have waited a while! sorry for the loss i know what its like!
April 1st, 2009 at 7:21 am
I am sorry your dog and you have to go through this
I would not have my kids there
Explain what is going on,and that God called for her to cross the rainbow ridge
your 2 yr old will feel lonely,and sad
if you can handle a new puppy with having to go through the loss of your dog,then yes get one,sometimes a puppy is just what everyone needs and sometimes not,its gonna be a hard choice
I took my 12 week old puppy for her second shot yesterday and when we got home my other dogs had to make sure i brought her back
April 1st, 2009 at 7:21 am
My heart goes out to you. I lost my 10 yr old Rottweiler to bone cancer last May. Brandy had her whole family with her when she went to Heaven. You are the best judge as to your daughters being there. It's a peaceful ending and being there may help the kids understand that death, though final, is not frightening. When my Dad passed away last fall at home, he had all of his children and grandchildren with him. The kids were very emotional of course but when it was time for the funeral, they seemed to have accepted that Papa had gone to heaven.
We have a 9 yr old Shepherd/Collie, he was Brandy's best bud since they were pups. He was lonely. We waited until September to adopt a puppy and she and he have worked out really well. My old guy is a real mentor for my new little girl.
Again, I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow. Try and remember the good times, collect pictures of your dear dog and have the girls make a memory book for her. Looking at the pictures will bring back memories that are good and will help to heal the hole in all of your hearts.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:21 am
Don't take them.
It will be hard enough on you AND if the kids are stressed on the way to the vet it may upset the dog. If your poor dog gets anxious because the kids are anxious it could create some very painful memories instead of peaceful, letting-go type memories. Trust me, you don't want to be dragging an anxious dog into the vet so you can have him put to sleep.
Let them have some nice memories at home with the dog the day before you put him down — but don't send a kid off to school knowing her dog is being put to sleep while she is at school.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:21 am
I am so sorry.
This is a hard decision. I probably would not let the kids go, But you know them best. I would let them say their goodbyes though.
I would also let them grieve before you get a new puppy. There is no rule for this. You will know when it is time. Your other dog needs to grieve also. Give him some extra attention.
Again, I am so sorry.