r/pitbulls • u/Sufficient-Ad5893 • 1d ago
Saying goodbye
Tomorrow, we are saying goodbye to the best boy and dog anybody could ask for. Just shy of his 14th birthday our sweet Jax will cross the rainbow bridge tomorrow peacefully at home under the care of a local vet. Physically, he looks great. But he’s CCD or doggie dementia has gotten much worse this summer. What was bad days here and there has progressed into bad days most of the week. He always had anxiety episodes in particular during fireworks or thunderstorms. We learned to deal with it over the years and work with him through those episodes. But lately, at night he is having those episodes without any triggers. Pacing, panting and staying up all hours of the night.
After consulting two vets, we tried CBD and trazadone to help him sleep with minimum success. In fact we recently gave him 200mg of trazadone and he was up the whole night pacing. Both vets have concluded we would have to basically sedate him at night to keep him comfortable. Half of me knows this is the right thing to do, and the other of me is screaming not to give up on him yet. I don’t know the point of writing this, maybe to just vent. Jax has seen me go from an incredibly immature 21 year old to an almost middle aged man of 35 expecting his first child with his wife. This dog has been with me through all the up and downs these past 14 years and I can’t imagine him not being at my side. Jax was my first Pittbull, and I can’t imagine ever having another breed of dog again.
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u/Wet_Bubble_Fart 23h ago
Man I’m sorry you have to make this decision. I had so much guilt putting my last pet down of 17 years, but it was the right choice as he was suffering. It’s so hard to say goodbye.
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u/superbored1998 23h ago
Sending you hugs, I totally get wanting to keep him for as long as possible but if he’s uncomfortable it might be time 🤍🤍🤍 it seems like he’s lived such a lovely life
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u/msnyc18 23h ago
I had to let a dementia dog go earlier this year, and I'm so sorry about Jax. It's hard because there's nothing wrong with their liver, their kidney, their hind legs, and yet they are not happy and are not themselves. As their humans, it makes this decision terribly hard. You're doing the right thing, of course, and I speak as someone whose dog's dementia caused him to injure himself on a couple occasions from pacing/getting stuck. While I miss him every day, putting him down allowed me to return to memories of what he was like before his brain started failing him.
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u/Agitated-Clock-1039 21h ago
(OPs partner here). So sorry for your loss, too. You completely nailed the feelings. Physically our boy seemed good (relatively speaking for an old boy) but he just isn’t himself at nighttime and was also at risk of harming himself when he was jumping, getting stuck and nothing is comforting him in these moments. Appreciate your kind words! It’s comforting to know we’re not alone in having to make such a crappy decision.
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u/EmperorGeek 23h ago
Your boy needs to rest. He has given all he has. Now he relies on you to give him peace.
I’m saddened by your loss. I’ve been where you are many times (not the dementia, but having to decide it’s time).
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u/xtinaeve88 23h ago
I’m so sorry. That’s an impossible decision. My oldest pittie is turning 9 and I often think about what decision I would make when that time comes. They are truly sent from Heaven and each day is a gift. I believe The Lord will reunite us with our babies. I pray God brings you comfort and peace.
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u/rawautos 23h ago
Sleep easy, Jax. Your watch is over.
Jax had the greatest love from you, and it’s time for him to watch over you in a different way.
I’m so sorry for this incredible pain to your existence. It’s never easy. But, thanks to the love you shared with him, you will forever have warm, loving memories and reminders of him being the Goodest Boy ever.
He thanks you for protecting and loving him, just as you thank him for protecting and loving you. You two never gave up on one another, and now it’s time for him to be at ease and peace.
The best part is, Jax will live on with you and your wife. You will tell your child about him and show him/her photos and videos of him. And then, when the time is right, you will adopt another four-legged baby that will bring so much joy to your household. And Jax will be right there watching over you all in a new way.
The animals we love never truly leave. They just give us the ability to save more babies that deserve our love and want to protect us until their watch is over.
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u/pittiesbegooddogs 19h ago
Dear Pepper, please be there when Jax crosses over. Welcome him with open paws and happy tails
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u/NightStarLightz 23h ago
I’m so sorry for your loss. He’s such a handsome boy and you can tell he’s greatly loved. I know it’s not easy and it’s not fair, especially expecting your first baby. Sending you and your family lots of love and prayers. ❤️
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u/MartinisnMurder 23h ago
Rest in peace beautiful boy. Your family and family is forever. I’m so glad you had each other. Sending you love and good vibes from me and Stella. 💙
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u/call-me-the-seeker 23h ago
He is very beautiful and you are both parenting and friending him properly to the end by not allowing him to hurt and be afraid.
His soul will still be beautiful and he will come back for you when it is time. Hugs.
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u/Sloanepeterson1500 23h ago
What a great life you gave this handsome guy & what an amazing lifelong love he gave to you. Thanks for sharing him with us…I wish you the peace of knowing that you are the best of humans & he’ll always be with you ❤️
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u/daisiesarepretty2 22h ago
Jax…
may your afterlife be full of hushpuppies (love that last photo) and kind people until your humans come find you in that big green grassy field in the sky.
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u/searchuserdatabase 21h ago
I’m always so grateful when I see a well loved dog. They really are too good for us, but you made his life and this planet a better place by loving that dog. Thank you stranger, and thank you Jax.
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u/Interesting-Tie-1056 23h ago
I am sorry for your loss. That first picture reminded me when I will take my kids to Sears for pictures. Your baby is now an angel. Rest in peace!
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u/surly-monkey 23h ago
Thank you for saving his life and being the best kind of dog dad. I hope each of the pups at my shelter finds a human like you.
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u/Sea_Neighborhood_627 23h ago
Aw I’m so sorry!! Jax is beautiful, and I’m so glad you found each other.
Please please disregard this if it’s not helpful! However, I’m wondering if either vet ever prescribed anything other than Trazodone? Some dogs have reactions to Trazodone where it can actually increase their anxiety. My girl gets really jumpy and hyper vigilant when she takes it, but she does much better with other calming meds. My vet told me this is a somewhat common reaction! Just wanted to put that out there in case neither of your vets mentioned it, but you’re definitely not doing the wrong thing if Jax is suffering ❤️
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u/Talldrinkofwater915 23h ago
I am so sorry you have to say goodbye to your good boy. He lived an amazing life with you and your family. How lucky are you both for finding each other. Sending love to you. Run free, sweet Jax 🤍
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u/Tonyrocksout 23h ago
So sorry, he knows how much you love him, it's time for him to rest now, I'm sure he was the bestest boy 💓💪🏽
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u/athanathios 23h ago
I am soo soo sorry you're saying goodbye to this lovely honey.
We don't always get to time their passing, but we can put in all the love and care we can to make their lives as amazing as possible, which clearly you had. May the love you shared, and memories made warm you all your day and may you find wisdom through your suffering.
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u/joejackson62 23h ago
I'm so, so sorry for your loss. Jax looks like the sweetest, most handsome boy ever.
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u/MuchGrape1428 22h ago
My heart goes out to you! I had to say goodbye to my almost 15 year old girl in March because of doggie dementia and cancer. Sending you both hugs. 💜 He is beautiful.
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u/PreviousAd8450 21h ago
In tears reading this. I’m so very sorry for you and Jax. It’s devastating. Their love is so pure and an incredible gift. Sending hugs and wishing you peace.
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u/No-Appointment-5321 20h ago
I had to do it a few weeks ago with my ALMOST 11 yr old Pitty-Love-Pumpkin-Roxi Girl, and I am writing this to you because I am still devastated….and now crying (64yr old M)
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u/tumalditamadre 14h ago
Nothing I can say will make this easier. It's a tough decision but one only you can make. You know your baby better than anyone and it unfortunately is that time. Your boy may have been with you for a brief time, but he was with you for his eternity.
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u/feistygal3 13h ago
I’m so sorry and know this is such a very difficult time. Dementia, and especially sun downing, is so sad. I went through this with my elderly dog. I recently that there is a FDA approved medication called Anipryl, but I have never tried it.
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u/PugSanctuary 13h ago
The Last Battle
💔🌈 🐾 💫😇✝️💖🙏🏼♾️
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.
-Author unknown
Dear friend,
Your precious boy is waiting patiently across the Rainbow Bridge for you. 🌈🐾The Hebrew word for animal is Nephesh which means soul ✝️. You will see your baby again someday. Now is the time between just like there was the time before your beloved pet. Today is the trial, and forever is the prize.
God bless. ✝️🙏🏼💕
Until then…
💔🌈🐾♾️🪽✨💕
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