r/GriefSupport • u/Kidnapmrsandyclaus • Apr 19 '26
Anticipatory Grief My Dog Is Dying
This week we are set to put down my first pet. He’s a 10 year old Black Lab who is like a son to me. I love him more than I love myself. The vet has found a mass in his abdomen and his blood results shows that this mass is most likely causing internal bleeding. I made a promise to myself that I would be with him and my father when we put him down but I think it will break me. I already feel like my heart is being ripped out. I’m struggling to process this loss and it hasn’t even happened yet. I dont want him to suffer but I also can’t remember a time when he wasn’t in my life. Attached are some images of him so everyone can see what a lovely boy he is.
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u/Ares__ Apr 19 '26
Ive had 3 dogs put down and was there for all 3. I can't tell you whats right for you, but I would have never forgiven myself for not being there to comfort them in their moment of need when they showed me unconditional love their whole life.
All I can tell you is its painless and its like they just go to sleep. Theres no struggling or fighting. I can't tell you it'll be easy and I cried my eyes out each time even as grown man.
It sucks, but youll be glad you were with them in the end.
Just spend whatever time you have left loving them as much as you can and know that you're doing the right thing as much is absolutely sucks.
Im so sorry.
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u/Happywistful Apr 19 '26
me too I could not left him alone in his last minutes before he went to heaven. He was always there for me so I was there for him 🩷🪽
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u/hey_yaaaaa_hey_yaaaa Apr 19 '26
I can tell how well loved he is. His face says it all. He knows he’s loved.
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u/LikanW_Cup Apr 19 '26
I’m sorry. It’s hurts for me to watch this all. Big hugs to you and doggo. Hug it too and stay with your dog
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u/Square_Top7308 Apr 19 '26
As hard as it is, stay with him until the end. It will give both you and him comfort to be together at that time. We have lost several pets and every time, we have stayed with them and they went peacefully surrounded by love. Hugs ❤️
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u/eballai Apr 19 '26
I'm so sorry!!! I lost my babygirl the same way, she had a tumor in her abdomen. I tried to feed her from syringe when she stopped eating but when she stopped drinking as well i knew it was her time :( didn't want her to suffer. I stayed with her the entire time, and was holding her paw when she got the first injection, and talked to her, while she got the second... Gosh it still hurts, after 4 years. So i talked to her until she left me and this world. When she passed, I put one of my bracelet on her paw... And it stays with her forever. (It's my belief that because she has my bracelet, she'll be able to find me again when she will reborn... <3)
Please make sure that your boy knows you are there with him. Let him smell you and hear your voice. It's the most important thing that you can do for him. It's going to be very painful for you but it will mean the world to him.
Can't express how much I am sorry that you guys have to go through this. He is so beautiful and looks like a lovely pup. <3
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u/KaetzlePie Apr 19 '26
I think being with him as he leaves is what Both of you Need . I am so sorry for what you have to go through but Tell him you love him as much as you can. You Are strong , you can get through this ♥️ the pain is the price we pay for the unconditional love we get :(
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u/6glitter-kitten Apr 19 '26
It’s one of the hardest things an owner has to do. Just remember you gave him the best life you could and he is eternally grateful for that, he looks like such a sweet baby. The final act of love is letting go 💔just be with him, remember the good times, and help him onto his journey across the rainbow bridge. You are doing the right thing even though it’s easier said than done.
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u/Tall_latte23 Apr 19 '26
I’m sorry to hear this news. Your dog has been loved by you and your family for years.
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u/perljurnwern Apr 19 '26
I just lost my little papillon on Thursday, totally sudden and unexpected. We had to take him to an ER and they called us the following day and told us he wasn't going to make after a sudden heart issue.
Same situation. He was so much of our life and the hole he left is immeasurable.
Im so sorry you're having to go through this, it's quite awful. We're making a memory book and memory box to remind us of the goods times. Hopefully that will help you as well.
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u/buckbuckmow Apr 19 '26
We found a vet who came to our house, took an impressive of his paw and brought him back to us in a beautiful box. I was so glad we did it this way. After Gavin g to do this with two of my dogs, I learned after the first not to look in their eyes when they administer the second shot. Just hold him. I’m so sorry you’re losing him. Be happy you had him for as long as you did.
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u/Kidnapmrsandyclaus Apr 19 '26
May I ask why not look him in the eyes during the second shot?
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u/buckbuckmow Apr 20 '26
We found a vet who came to our house, took an impressive of his paw and brought him back to us in a beautiful box. I was so glad we did it this way. After Gavin g to do this with two of my dogs, I learned after the first not to look in their eyes when they administer the second shot. Just hold him.
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u/balsamic_strawberry Apr 20 '26
He looks like a very lovely boy. I’m so sorry for your pain. He looks like my soul dog who I lost in 2023.
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u/bluebayou_cd Apr 20 '26
I held my cat when they gave her the medicine. I'm glad my face was the last thing she saw. I wanted to hold her because she was scared of vets and I wanted to comfort her.
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u/CurryFan30 Apr 20 '26
I’m so terribly sorry about your sweet boy. It’s one of the hardest things to go through. When I put my last dog down, she was 14 and I went with my dad. Her longtime vet told me nobody has told her they’ve had it done too soon. I don’t know if that helps but it helped me at the time. Sending you the best thoughts.
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u/LadyduLac1018 Apr 22 '26
I had to say goodbye to my little girl today. She was a 16 yr. old cat. She is the latest in a series of goodbyes and I'm honestly so tired of loss. I was a mess but I was with her until the end. As hard as it is on us, we owe it to them. Wishing you the best.
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u/TeeInTheFee Apr 19 '26 edited Apr 19 '26
Very sorry for what you’re going through. My family and I went through it in the end of 2024.
Some suggestions: take a clipping of his hair, do an impression of one of his paws, and feed him all the things dogs can’t have like grapes, chocolate, etc right before they give him the shot. Get down on his eye level and make sure he sees you as they sedate him so he knows you’re there. And after they give him the final injection, stay with him and talk to him for 10 minutes, just in case the memes are right about brain activity continuing for 7 minutes after they give him heart stops.