Hardest thing I ever had to do.

This is Sugar. SWMBO brought her home a little over 11 years ago, saved her from going to the pound. We were told she was around 5-6yo at that time. She was a mess then, wasn't well taken care of. After dental work she could eat full meals. Favored her left rear leg, was told it was broke as a puppy and figured out it was improperly set. Also ran away if you raised your voice. Took several months of patience to break her of that and convince her she wasn't going to get beat. How could anybody abuse something that only weighs 6lbs. She had other indications of being beat or kicked.

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She settled in well. Would sit on the tables watching us do yard work outside and leave anything on the table alone, even food. Curl up to me taking naps or watching TV. Would wrestle with me, I would let her win. She loved riding in cars, was my cruising buddy. She was the bravest thing standing behind me barking and growling at strangers. If I moved she would run further back and act vicious. The past year she's been going downhill. Blind in one eye and can't see well out of the other eye, couldn't hear. The past few months getting worse. Getting lost, couldn't go up or down stairs without falling and then couldn't get up. Losing control of her back legs and falling. The worst was incontinence. Would sometimes whine while laying down. Just couldn't watch it anymore. Quality of life just wasn't there for her anymore.
Now some would say I'm a hard, unemotional man. Lost friends and don't break down. Lost my dad 19 years ago and it hurt but I didn't break down. Now taking Sugar for that last ride really got to me. Had a real hard time keeping it together at the Vets. After leaving her I bawled like a baby. Still gets to me and it's been 5 days. Miss her. Got real attached to her. That was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life. I did figure out it has to do with control. I had no control over others passing away. This time I had to make the decision. She was 16-17 years old and had a good life with us, spoiled rotten. Couldn't bring myself to write this until now and still brings a tear to my eyes.

Sorry for your loss, we had to put down a foster 2 months ago. Only had the poor guy for 3 weeks but the cancer got real bad real quick. Your right, I too bawled like a little girl and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Thanks for giving her a great life.

I had to do the same two years ago. It is hard. Just reading your post got me teary eyed. Just know that you did the right thing for her.

You spoiled her rotten. She lived a wonderfully loved and pampered life. Remember her from the good times and know you did everything you could for her.

In reply to wlkelley3:

RIP Sugar. Thank you wlkelley3 for giving her a loving home.

You gave a dog love when no one else would. She knew that. She loved you as you loved her.

Been there, done that. RIP Sadie.

You did well for her, at both ends of her life, and in between. My condolences.

I'm sorry for your loss, RIP Sugar.

I've had to do that for a pup that was totally eaten up with cancer at a young age. The vet missed it until the bleeding and seizures started. It was horrible. I hope it is many years before I have to do that again, but I know that I did the best thing for her. Know that you did the best by her you could.

Three months later I held her older "sibling" as he passed, possibly from a drug prescribed by a different vet.

God bless man. they really do take a little of us with them.

We had to do the same thing on the 24th. Maya, our 15 year old Border Collie mix, had finally gotten to the point she could hardly get up or down, had very little control of her bladder and bowels and was completely deaf. She was our "Honeymoon Doggie" that we got right after we came home from our honeymoon. She was a 6week old tiny baby covered in dead fleas. She was the most devoted, loving and caring animal I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Almost two weeks and I still find myself teary eyed and a dark pit in my heart.

Sorry for your loss!

She looks very much like our 'Treasure'. Yes, Treasure is her name. She's about 7½ lbs.

Is Sugar sitting on the back of the couch like a cat? Treasure does that too!

Yes, she liked sitting on the arm of the couch. She could oversee her realm better with the view. She also like the recliner because its position could oversee the living room, hallway and front door.

RIP, Sugar. You were loved and will be missed.

I'm sorry. Good luck going forward.

I'm sorry for your loss. I had to go to the vet in May with our 13 year old dog who had been going downhill for a year, and it was just brutal. Each day gets a little better, but sometimes a memory comes back and it's tough. It sounds like you provided Sugar with a great life, which is all we can do!

It never is easy having been down this path at least 16 times and counting. Not having children, they're my kids and it hurts always.

When I read the title of the thread I knew exactly what it was about. I could not agree with you any more. Knowing that YOU are the one responsible for something to stop living sucks.