I am just posting on this lovely site to say that today my beautiful youngster was put to sleep to prevent any pain, suffering or distress.

He was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his right stifle in April and had the limb amputated.  (Because of his age everyone initially thought it was a cruciate problem).  He recovered magnificently from this operation and was his usual bouncy, happy, glorious self.  We were warned that the cancer was aggressive and highly likely to return.  You can imagine the shock and heartbreak of this diagnosis.  After very careful consideration and for various reasons we decided against chemo and committed ourselves to giving him a fantastic life for as long as he was well and happy.  This we did, and he never stopped wagging his tail.  At the end of June we began to suspect that he had a mass in his abdomen and along with our Vet we were monitoring this very closely.  Today, the Vet confirmed that he thought this mass was now a considerable size, very aggressive and likely to start causing discomfort and pain very soon.  We had already decided, for his sake, that there would be no further treatment.  So we took the hideous decision to put him to sleep while he was still well, still happy and still wagging his tail.

He was exactly eighteen months old today.

It is of some comfort to know that he really did have a wonderful life.  Just not enough of it.

He was a glorious boy.  He made us laugh every single day of his life and brought us great joy.  His love of life and of absolutely everything and everyone in it was truly remarkable.  We will miss him dreadfully.

I am posting this news because, while I do not post very often, by reading regularly I have gained an enormous amount of knowledge and information from this site.  At the Vet's today, while I cuddled him and where all was very peaceful and very well handled, I had ringing in my ears the phrase I have read on this site often - ''Better a week too soon than a day too late".

Thank you.  And thank you for reading.

Blay  XX

How utterly tragic. I'm so sorry your beautiful boy was affected by this cruel disease. You have been perfectly selfless and your love for him is demonstrated in the way you spared him the worst this disease would have delivered.

Keep your wonderful boy in your heart, forever young.

God bless you, much love,
Dawn R.

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, and at such a very young age too. :-( What a terrible tragedy. Try to take comfort that your boy crossed to the next stage of Life knowing he was dearly loved, and he will never suffer any pain. Be kind to yourself.

Taken far too soon, how very sad for you all. Words do seem meaningless but take comfort that you did the ultimate act of love for him by giving him peace.
Thinking of you.

Devastating to lose such a young lad :-( Take comfort in knowing you gave him a wonderful life  and , as hard as it was, you made the decision to ensure he did not suffer. Thinking of you and wishing you strength and courage in the days to come.

I am so sorry you have had to lose you lad, but what a lovely loving thing you did for him. And yes the saying "better a week too early than a day too late" is something real animal lovers live by. It's a decision taken by an owner who puts aside their hurt and does the right thing for their pet. You loved him and cared enough for him to let him go.

So sorry Blay, we all understand how heartbreaking a decision like that is, so tragic at such a young age, may he now RIP and many of us know how painful this is losing our best friends, keep strong and know you took the best of care of him. xx

I am so sorry RIP little one x

Thank you all so much for your very kind replies.

This is devastating, as you can imagine. but your responses really do help.  We now need to look after our older boy (7 next month).  He also had a malignant growth removed from his leg a couple of years ago.  In his case it was a slow growing one and so far, so good ... He will miss our beloved youngster, I am sure.

Just in case anyone is wondering, I have kept the breeder informed all along and I have also informed the breed club which collects data on cause of death.  Just hope this will help other dogs and other owners in the future ...

Thank you again for your kindness.

> I have read on this site often - ''Better a week too soon than a day too late".
>

I am one of the people you may have seen this from.  Only a week ago I said this to someone, who said to me 'oh but it's not that easy to do.'  As if I didn't hurt less than them because I had made the decision.

I can only say to you what my vet said to me while I was sobbing after having my Beardie girl pts.  He said Jean, you have taken her pain away and made it yours.  This is something that we should all be prepared to do for our beloved pets.

I know you don't hurt less for hearing this, but he helped me by saying it.  So very sorry that you had to make the decision to such a youngster.   {{{ HUGS }}}

You are a very loving owner.

I too believe in a week too early is better than a day too late, on that basis as you did for your young one they leave you whilst they are still alert and 'know' you, you can gentle them on their way as you absorb all of their suffering, knowing that you have given them great release and relief.

Well done to you for being such a great and good owner of your best friend.
xxxxxx

So sorry to read this ...my thoughts are with you

So sorry X

I'm so sorry x

Sorry to read of your loss. I also subscribe to the ''Better a week too soon than a day too late" although it is extremely tough on the owner at the time. 

So very sorry for this sad new.
I too lost a dog on Thursday, but she was just over 10 years so she had a chance to have a good life before this happened. To make this decision for such a young dog is so devastating, but your love for him has taken away any pain he was likely to have in the near future. The heartbreak is yours as he is fine and healthy again now. Just take each day as it comes and the pain will gradually lessen although I don't think it ever goes completely.
My thoughts are with you.

Thank you all for your further kind and helpful comments.

JeanSW - yes, I recall your posts (amongst others) about timing these dreadfully difficult decisions.  I was very lucky that my 'favourite' Vet was available yesterday and he was totally supportive of our decision.  I actually felt relieved, after months of feeling helpless in the face of this ghastly disease, that I could actually do something constructive to prevent our lovely boy from experiencing any pain, fear or distress.  I kept thinking that this is not about me, it is about what is best for the boy ...

It was also a reminder of how important it is to have a Vet you are in tune with and who handles these situations professionally but also sensitively and sympathetically - again I was lucky.

Sillysue - I am so sorry for the loss of your lovely girl.  Although it feels particularly cruel to lose such a youngster, it is dreadful at any age and whenever it happens.

Can't remember who said "The Price of Love is Grief" but it is so true, for all our losses of our friends and loved ones, canine and human.   XX
 

I'm very sorry for your loss.

So sorry for your very sad news. To lose a baby so young is just awful, know how it feels to be 'robbed' of a potential life but you did the right thing for him.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I suffered a similar sequence of evens with a very special GSD last year. I felt cheated because she was only 9 and in wonderful health otherwise, but 18 months is just a tragedy. You did everything just right.

So sorry for your losing such a young boy.

Just remember, you loved him enough to let him go without suffering.

Having made the decision for my 13 year old last Tuesday, I can agree, it doesn't get any easier whatever age - it still feels like they're too young!   I also kept remembering Jean's words,  when we got to the vet's she was putting on her best show, but it only lasted a few minutes before she ran out of steam and we could see she'd had enough.  We had to do what was best for her

But for you the shock of having this in such a young dog, must add to the pain and loss.

You did your absolute best for him, that's all anyone can do.

Oh Blay - I am so sorry to read this! It's sad when you have to decide its time for the oldie to take the one way trip to the vet, but when it is a youngster that you have loved for such a short time and hoped to love and cherish for many many years to come, it is heartbreaking.   But you have taken the most loving, most courageous action that you could - he will never know the pain - but you will.  {{hugs}}

May the memories that you have built up in the past 18 months sustain you in your grief.

Margot x

> It was also a reminder of how important it is to have a Vet you are in tune with and who handles these situations professionally but also sensitively and sympathetically - again I was lucky.
>

Oh how very true.  I too was lucky to get my 'favourite' vet.  I had difficulty leaving her after she had gone.  Being such a large breed, I knew that I couldn't carry her.  I had never left a dog for cremation before, and I just couldn't handle it very well.  I was used to taking them home.  So, I was on the floor with her, stroking her, and talking to her.

Eventually my vet got down with me, stroking her while he talked to me.  I cannot tell you how much that meant to me.

Oh Jean - this sounds very similar to what happened to us on Friday - thank goodness for excellent vets at these heartbreaking times.

I thought of you again yesterday when I started crying in the supermarket (discreetly, I hope!).  I had 'tinned pumpkin' written on my list as it helped with my boy's tummy (thank you for the tip!).  I set off down the aisle looking for it & than remembered I didn't need it any more.

Yet again, thanks to everyone for such kind messages and words of wisdom.  And yes, this is the price we pay for having such wonderful canine friends enriching in our lives.

How terribly sad.  An incredibly courageous decision that you made for your lovely boy...utterly selfless. My heart goes out to you, and so sad when they're so young.

So very sorry for your loss, always a hard decision to make, but at the time they need us most we have to be strong. You did the right thing for your boy, you loved him and made a very brave decision to end his suffering.
Run free little one.

I am so sorry.how absolutely dreadful for you. its hard to know what to say,except I can imagine how you are feeling.You did the best thing,although it probably doesnt feel like it.god bless you,and rest in peace,little boy.xxx

I'm so sorry. Having lost 3 dogs this year I know how you feel.

WolfieStruppi - thank you.  I can only imagine how awful it must be to lose three dogs in such a short space of time.  I am so sorry for your losses.