This week for his provocative question, fandango asks us:
What’s the hardest decision you’ve ever had to make?
For me, this one is simple.
The hardest decision I ever had to make was whether or not to put my guide dog to sleep.
She had had a heart attack, but the vet was willing to put her in hospital, and give her fluids.
However, she was 13, and her quality of life was not good.
Her legs were not good, and she could barely walk.
So I made the decision to let her go.
It was heartbreaking. The vet was brilliant though.
He let me sit with her and I patted her and told her what an amazing dog she’d been.
I’ll never forget when he put the needle into her paw.
I cried like a baby.
That is the hardest thing about owning a pet, is when it comes time to put them to sleep.
Your never ready!
Fandango’s Provocative Question #193 – This, That, and the Other (fivedotoh.com)
Therapy Bits 
I feel for you. I used to keep hamsters as pets when I was young; but as the little critters only live for two to three years, I stopped keeping them as their passings became too much to bear. (Call me a big softie.) These days, my companions are cats. Just one at a time – but they, too, pass away all too soon (my most recent parting was from Minouche, who was simply the best cat ever).
I know it’s hard to make the decision to end a beloved pet’s life, but that pain is, in truth, in our own heads. I think it helps (not much, but a little) to consider that relieving incurable, ever-present pain is a kindness. As an aside, I find it abhorrent that we are allowed to put our pets to sleep but the law (in the UK at least) forbids that same kindness when it comes to our own kind. (There are signs that this may, perhaps, change, thanks to the ongoing efforts of Dignity in Dying: we’ll see.)
PS
I see from your bio that you lack sight:
have you met Lorraine, who shares your plight?
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Yes! I am good friends with Lorraine! She is a wonderful lady!
I agree, letting a beloved pet go is sometimes the kindest thing to do!
No matter how hard it may be! Xx
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That is definitely a very difficult thing to do. Unfortunately, I have had to that too many times. 😦
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Yes. Its hard and definitely not an easy decision to have to make. Xx
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I agree with you, Carol Anne. Letting go of a beloved pet is truly a gut wrenching, heartbreaking, extremely difficult decision to have to make. But sometimes it’s the best decision.
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Yes, it is, really hard indeed 😍💞
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It’s rough. I’ve been in this situation several times in the last 60 years, and it never gets easier. Last week I couldn’t find my cat Ash, and after searching the house, I found him dead behind the sofa. He was in perfect health and was only 4 years old. We have no idea what happened. I still cry on and off. We had him cremated and he got a nice oak box for his ashes. They made bookmarks with his paw print and locks of his hair. I sure miss him.
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Oh, that is so sad, I’m so sorry for your loss xx
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Thanks, he was a great cat
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I bet he was xx
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