Time has come, Steffi will be put down

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

Steffi is now 14 year, 7 months old.
She has been a good girl, and had been with us for most of her life.
She is nearly blind, is using me as her guide.
She is on a couple pain pills twice a day, but giving her some extra this last week.
I sometimes feed her by hand because she can't see her food. She is generally eating just once a day.

We have made the tough decision that Friday we will be taking her on her final car ride.
The DW and I have been married 15 years in a few weeks. Steffi has been with us most of that time.
I think this will be the toughest thing I have ever done.
If there was a tear imodicon, it would be placed here.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Sorry for this tough decision….hugs to you.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Oh, Vintner, I am so sorry

Sending hugs and strength.

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

So sorry for you and your wife. We have had to do that a couple of times, and even thought it is the right thing to do, it is still very hard.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

Awwww. Sorry. She is beautiful.
Dogs are so wonderful and such a great gift.
Cyberspace hugs to you and DW.

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

[Jeanne Sz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jeanne Sz]

My sympathy to you and DW.
We've had to do this a couple of times, and it's so difficult to decide it's time to say goodbye.
Our Ollie has been gone almost 7 years and we still have his photo on the fridge.

[jackio Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close jackio]

I am so very sorry for you at this sad, sad time.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

My dog has been with us for over 15 years and is currently having issues too. So sad!

So sorry! My heart goes out to you, your wife & little Steffi!

[CarolF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close CarolF]

So sorry. A friend sent me this poem and it helped me. I hope it helps you.

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 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 my needs they’ll tend,
Only, stay with me until 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.

[gandalf252002 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gandalf252002]

So sorry to hear you have had to make this tough decision. Having to make the choice makes the loss often so much more difficult to bear.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

So sorry. A friend sent me this poem and it helped me. I hope it helps you.

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 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 my needs they’ll tend,
Only, stay with me until 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.

Well I've got tears now. Thank you for this. I had not seen it before. Honestly, I think we treat our animals better than our humans.

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

So, so sorry. It's a hard decision to make, esp when they've been with you that long. Just know you are doing the right thing for your little dog. When I had to put Monkey down I was with her till the end. I thought my heart would break but now it's easier altho I still miss her. You've given her a great life so be proud of that. Hugs, Shaggy

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

Sending hugs and strength. Steffi has known true love and reciprocated the same. Rejoice in that and allow yourselves the accompanying grief. It's perfectly natural when you lose a loved one. I'm so sorry for you loss.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

My heart goes out to you. It is such a hard decision to make but kind to your little dog. Tomorrow will be a very tough day for you and the family. Cyber hugs to you and strength.

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

Well I've got tears now. Thank you for this. I had not seen it before. Honestly, I think we treat our animals better than our humans.

Agreed. This was tough to read.
Our animals love us, no matter what. It is tough to let that love go.