How Do I Heal From My Dog’s Terminal Condition/impending Death?

10 Responses for "How Do I Heal From My Dog’s Terminal Condition/impending Death?"

1. Red (UK) December 23rd, 2009 at 12:31 pm

   I have a poem that I share with friends that have to make the sad decision over the fate of a beloved pet – I’ll share it with you – I hope it helps. Hugs.
   If it should be that I grow frail and weak,
   And pain should keep me from my sleep,
   Then you must do what must be done,
   For this last battle cannot be won.
   You will be sad – I understand,
   But then don’t grief let stay your hand,
   For this day more than all the rest,
   Your love and friendship stands the test.
   We’ve had so many happy years,
   What is to come holds no fears.
   Take me where my needs they’ll tend,
   Only stay with me until the end
   And hold me close and speak to me
   Until my eyes no longer see.
   I know in time you too will see
   It is a kindness that you do for me
   Although my tail it’s last has waved,
   From pain and suffering I’ve been saved.
   Don’t grieve so that it must be you
   Who has decided this thing to do
   We’ve been so close we two these years
   Don’t let your heart hold any tears.

2. Santa's Mistress December 23rd, 2009 at 4:26 pm

   I sympathize with you, I guess you’ll just have to treat things the way you would if it were any member of your family. We all have to mourn the loss of loved ones one day and like everyone else, we’ll heal. All you have to do is spend as much time as you can with your dog and leave no room for regrets. Make his last few months happy, keep him close and take lots of pictures!!!

3. Chetco December 23rd, 2009 at 6:16 pm

   Please be sure to read the link posted by shair00.
   It may be of great help/hope.http://neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/neuro/DM_Web…

4. Rivka S December 24th, 2009 at 12:34 am

   See your school’s counselor and start talking.
   Get a simple spiral notebook and start writing in it about your dog.
   This semester is half way over. When school breaks for the summer consider taking a semester or two at a local college. You will save money and get to see your dog on a daily basis.
   It may even be with the money you save by going to a local college that you can get the equipment through rental or by buying used that he needs.

5. lawrence December 24th, 2009 at 2:35 am

   Do not give up. There are vets working on this disease now. There are exercises and foods. Look it up on the Internet. There are also wheelchairs for dogs. They are two wheels that strap under the back end of the dog and a support harness. If all e,se fails, go to the Internet and read “Rainbow Bridge” and have a good cry. I have done it more than once. As with the death of any loved one it will take time to heal.

6. shair00 December 24th, 2009 at 7:10 am

   http://neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/neuro/DM_Web…
   There seems to be some treatments for this disorder, read on and good luck…

7. nicoicon December 24th, 2009 at 11:56 am

   Im so sorry – that is the hardest situation. Last month my cat (who was 9 also) suddenly started having seizures. We basically found out that she ‘probably’ had a toumor and she ‘may’ have seizures everyday or never again. That expensive everyday medication ‘could’ help or she could enter seizure that may never end at any time. Eiether way we knew one thing for sure – that she wasnt going to get better. I made the hardest and quickest decision to have her euthanized before it got alot more complicated. I felt terrible. Guilty. Sad because I missed her. Scared I made a mistake. The only thing I can tell you is that it will never be any worse than it is right now. I actually felt sadder but it was more bearable after I was out of the ‘what if, maybe’ phase. I still cry when I think of her but now it i dont have to dwell on something that is inevitable.
   My suggestion from experience: Pick a day. Spend a great day with your dog while he is still happy. Then let him go with dignity. Pets arent like people. They dont have the complicated emotions we have. Your dog will never understand how sad you are and will never be as scared as you are. You will miss him so much but you wont have to struggle with waiting for something that is going to have to happen.

8. pet_trai December 24th, 2009 at 1:39 pm

   Part of owning a pet is to go through the enormous grieving process at the end of their relatively short lives compared to ours.
   I say let yourself come to terms with what’s happening and allow yourself the time to grieve. It feels like absolute heartbreak at the moment but focusing on all the happy times you had together will help you through this. What’s important now is that everyone is doing their best to help him. Your guilt is natural but shouldn’t be there, you’ve loved him with all your heart your whole life and that will never change and he knows that.
   All the best and take care.

9. kazzyb37 December 24th, 2009 at 6:22 pm

   it’s very hard isn’t it! i’m sorry.
   but i do feel that you should see your dog, as when it comes to that time when he cant go on any longer, then in your heart you will know he’s ready to go.
   it’s very difficult to see a beloved pet deteriorate, especially when you know what the outcome will be. but i think a lot of your sadness and guilt comes from not being there with him every day.
   you also have to remember that he’s not dying yet!! just deteriorating. so when you do see Mac, don’t forget that he doesn’t think he’s dying! he’ll just be aware that he can’t run about the same. so try your best to treat him as normally as possible. i know it’s hard but you have to be strong when you see him , ok! keep your sadness shoved to the back of your head. cos he wont understand. just be pleased to see him, the same as you would otherwise.
   but i really do sympathise!! if i could wave a magic wand and make him better for you , then i would. it is really heartbreaking, i know. but in the meantime, he’s not dead- he’s aive, so you must treat him that way!!
   all the best, and chin up!! x xx

10. Mandy aka Dane-A-Holic December 24th, 2009 at 10:36 pm

    Terrier lady, that poem almost made me cry. Thank a lot. lol