I'm sitting here with Duncan. He's an 11 year old American Cocker, and he's very poorly.

He was diagnosed with Liver disease 6 weeks ago. After a period of being relatively stable, he's now deteriorating. He had a bad weekend, and on Monday I made an appointment with my Vet to take him on the one way journey. It's tomorrow, and it feels unreal, like I'm about to make some big mistake.

I know he can't get better but what if I've got it wrong and it's too soon. I always answer myself the same way though, another couple of weeks isn't enough, I can't make him into a three year old again, but it feels so wrong to plan ahead like this. I have a wonderful Vet, Frances, I'll ask her if I'm being hasty, but if it's not now it'll be in a week or two, and I can't let him suffer.

Why do we put ourselves through it again and again?

Dawn R.

Sorry for your situation, it's never easy but I always go by the saying
"Better a week too soon than a day too late"
in this situation.
thinking of you

Hi Dawn,
You must feel you are all alone tonight. I feel for you. You know you are doing right for Duncan. The one thing we are stopped from doing for our human family. When quality of life is gone then to say goodbye is the only step. It is hard and I know you will feel you gave in to soon, but remember " a day too soon is better than a day too long"
Hugs and thoughts winging your way.
Goodnight Duncan.
Aileen and the girlies.xxxxx

hugs and thoughts with you tonight dawn x x x

planning ahead shows you care,thinking of you.
donna

My thoughts are also with you tonight, never easy.

Thinking of you

Thinking of you today x

I know what you mean about it feeling wrong to plan ahead. That is exactly how I felt when I decided it was time to let my sick cat go. I know in my heart that I did the right thing though, and I'm sure you are too. Take care x

Because we love them and we need the love that they give us back. We need to share the joy of owning and loving a dog. They are so loyal, so caring for us and our needs. All we can do is love them back and when the time comes give them release from all pain and fear. Thats what being a good owner is, and thats what we do when its time to set out old friend free. We carry them in our hearts as they have us, but because we are strong good people, we find another friend and sharing love again makes us better people.
Im so sorry for your pain.
Viv
X

Thinking of you today. I always feel it is the last act of love that we can do for them, even when it rips our hearts apart.

Take care. Hugs x

You know in your heart that you are doing the right thing. Your mind is telling you something else.
Its never an easy thing to have to do.
Thinking of you today with ((((hugs))))

> and I can't let him suffer.
>
>

This is exactly why you are taking him , i am sure you will make the right decision for you between you and your vet .
Thinking of you both ,  XXX

Thinking of you.   {{{{  HUGS  }}}}

Thinking of you and your boy today.
It's the most difficult decision you will ever have to make but you are doing the unselfish loving thing by putting his needs before your own.

"We sent you on a journey, not because we didn't love you,
but because we loved you too much to make you stay. "

Dawn,
Really can't find the right words to say. Its not an easy thing to do but you know in your heart of hearts if its the right time or not.

My deepest thoughts are with you right now whatever you decide.

Much love and hugs to you in your time of need. xxx

Hi Dawn,  I am so sorry to hear this, Duncan is such a great character, but you know you are doing the right thing for him, the only choice you  have because you love him so much.  Remembering him now in the ring at North Riding Gundog, looking  a picture, and can't believe it must have been 9 or 10 years ago!

Bye and hugs
Gwen

Hi Dawn,

My thoughts are with you at this very difficult time.

You can only go by the vets recommendation and you will be doing the right thing for Duncan.

Big hugs

Annee

x

Dawn,im so sorry to hear this,my heart goes out to you.
I am thinking of  you ((((Big Hugs)))) xx

Thankyou so much everyone.

I'm heartbroken, I can't believe he's gone. He was so tired and so ready to go, it didn't take a moment really, and it was all over. I'm wrecked, It's exhausting being so sad.

I took some last photographs last night and this morning but I can't bear to look at them just yet. I have a couple of other oldies and I know I'm going to be rather familiar with this awful feeling in the not too distant future.

Thankyou all again for understanding.

Dawn R.

My thoughts are with you Dawn at this very sad time.

Annee

I'm so sorry, Dawn. I know you'll be feeling utterly drained from the emotion. Take comfort from the fact that he was ready to go and is now free from pain and discomfort, and he went to sleep knowing that he was loved.

Thoughts are with you
Massive Hugs

I have tears rolling down my face as i type...i am so sorry for your difficult decision, i know all too well how heartwrenching it is

I hope you can smile and look at his pictures very soon, knowing you gave him the last final gift you could, the gift of peace and free from pain.
God bless x

My thoughts are with you Dawn, Run free Duncan xxxx

i'm so very sorry for your loss.

I am so very sorry for your loss keep those pictures for another day when you feel stronger then treasure them...

take care

Roni

My thoughts are with you,I am so sorry,
Sheila.XX

I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend, its an awful time for you xx

So sorry Dawn, thinking of you at this sad time. x

I feel so sad for you. I had to make the same decision with the same disease with my old girl back in April. I felt just the same, was I right, should I have done something else, was it too soon. But seeing her so flat, and so obviously very ill, and, like your boy, so tired. I couldn't let it go on. I planned in as much as I saw her at the vets in the morning, having been on a drip for 24 hours, and having had a discussion with my vet, decided she should come home and be PTS at home that evening. I sat with my head in my hands and tears literally splashing on to the floor. It is just the most awful thing, BUT I think planning is very important at such a time, maybe more so than any other. It is just so important to get it right, for you and for him.

It has taken me a long time to trust that my judgement was right, and there are times when I still question it. It is such a responsibility for us, and a big weight to bear. I am sure though that they would both have said that it was too hard to go on, so we simply let them rest. In doing so we pass the greatest test, that of unselfishness and love.

May he be bathed in golden sunshine at the Bridge, and may you be in peace with your decision, it was, without a doubt, right.

So very, very sorry Dawn, but I am sure Junior and Dexter would have gone to meet him at the Bridge, and he will be with lots of old Yankee friends all bright eyed and lively again.

So sorry Dawn, but I'm sure he had a happy life and was loved. Its always too soon for us though.

M x

R.I.P Run free at the bridge

You feel the pain so he no longer does, true act of Love x

Very sorry to hear your sad news about Duncan. Always such a difficult decision to make.

You're all so kind, your words are a great comfort, but I'm crying again. Thankyou all.

Dawn R.

((((hugs))) to you dawn.  My thoughts are with you.

Thinking of you and sending big (((hugs))),
It never gets any easier, even though it is the on thing we can do for our beloved babies...

Gabrielle xxx

You were brave to do what you did and put him first before your own feelings. Many dont and let them suffer. You did the right thing and remember he will always be in your heart and he gave you 11 years of love and laughter.

Please allow me to offer some cyber hugs.
Just this morning as I was walking my two I had this overwhelming feeling of sadness, and comprehension that only 'dog people' can understand how other dog people feel and we really do need to support each other at these sorrowful times.

Karen

Oh dawn i am so sorry. Big hugs from me and beano Xxx i wish there was more i could say to take away the pain but know i cant. Run free duncan.    Lea Xxx

Again Dawn(((BIG HUGS))),its not an easy thing to do as a lot of us on here have vouched for already,there are no words that will make it easier to bear either,but I want you to know im still thinking of you.
May duncan run free now at the bridge pain free
xxxx

Well done' you stayed strong for him and didnt make him go alone, he felt loved until the end.
Hugs!! you did good and more importantly you did what was right.
Viv
X

So very sorry - run free at the bridge little man x

So hard to make that kind decision and so brave Dawn

(hugs)

My thoughts are with you, May Duncan rest peacefully at the Bridge.  ((((hugs))))