by PearlyredTexas

Created on: May 26, 2010

Euthanasia is never an easy choice but to me it was the only choice that I had to make last year so that I could let my beloved chocolate Labrador, Cherokee go to the rainbow bridge and to heaven so she could be healthy again.  She had been diagnosed by a veterinarian over three years ago with cancer of the spleen (which I chose not to have surgery because she would not have lived through it).  Instead we chose the quality of life for her and she lived three years beyond her diagnosis. She was not ready to go then and had a will to live and not to leave me just yet. Sometimes a dog will hold on and not want to die because you are their beloved companion and they are hanging on because you want them to.  

It is best to ask your veterinarian when you are unsure especially in a younger dog. If you have an older dog you will know the signs because most dogs live to eat and play.  Some of the signs to watch for are: loss of body weight, lack of eating, drinking water excessively and bloody diarrhea. If you have a bigger dog such as a Labrador and they lose weight very fast then there could be other reasons that they are sick.  Diarrhea and excessive drinking of water can also mean other things so it is best to let your veterinarian look at them because they can do blood work to determine more what is making them sick or worse.

If you have owned animals as long as I have you will know when the time is right to say goodbye to your beloved companion.  I had hoped that someday my Cherokee would just go to sleep and I would come home and find her gone but she held on until I made the decision so she would not suffer anymore.

Today there are too many dogs being “put to sleep” or euthanize simply because they do not have homes.  If more people would be responsible and get them spayed or neutered at a younger age then the animal shelters would not have to make that decision to end the lives of many animals. If you have a pet that is dangerous then you need to seek a trainer to see if that pet can be rehabilitated back into society. I watch the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic channel and Cesar Milan says that “no dog is a bad dog” it is the people that raise them and how they are treated that turns them into the bad dog. Watching his show has taught me a lot about different breeds and it shows that not all dogs have to “be put to sleep” to have a long life as someone’s companion.

In the past I have had to put many beloved dogs to sleep because of old age and their health and it never gets easier but it is the best thing to do for them so they do not suffer any longer.  Do not be selfish and continue to let them live when you know in your heart that they are not happy, let them go because even though you will miss them dearly it is the right thing to do for that beloved pet. You will always have your pictures and your years of memories to hold in your heart.  After you say goodbye to your beloved pet you will someday probably adopt another one and you will then know that is was the right thing you did because that pet brought your new companion to you when you choose to let them be happy and healthy again in heaven!

Learn more about this author, PearlyredTexas.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.