My Dog Has To Be Put Down, How Do I Know When?
I’m the saddest I’ve ever been.
I’ve never cried at work, ever.
But, I’m crying as I write this because my beloved pup has cancer and my veterinarian says that it’s inoperable. Her name is Davis and she’s the sweetest dog I’ve ever known.
They say that the cancer has spread too much and that we should concentrate on helping her feel better as she gets closer to her last days. She’s been put on two prescriptions to try to slow the cancer down, and it has slowed down… but… I feel like the time is getting close.
I just don’t know how or when to make this decision.
Davis was adopted – along with her sister who we named, “Miles” – at WRAT’s Bark in The Park promotion in 2014. It’s true what they say about adopting a dog: Davis quite literally picked me. I didn’t pick’s her. I visited an adoption booth and she climbed up into my lap and started licking me. It was over from that very second.
Right now, she’s sitting at my feet, breathing very heavily. I can’t tell if she’s in pain or not. I don’t think she is, but with dogs, it’s so hard to tell.
Davis loves to go on walks. She loves to sit under her favorite tree and watch the breeze blow. She loves to bark at birds, especially the turkey vultures as they glide high overhead.
Davey-dog still enjoys going for a walk; she’s actually just came in from a pretty spirited walk with her sister. Trotting along happily with her tail high in the air. She is still eating normally and she’s still pooping her normal amount (which is A LOT! LOL!)
Davis is so special to me, she’s the sweetest animal I have ever known.
Her loud, chesty WOOF! is a classic to my ears. She’s a dog who loves to give kisses. Some of my favorite memories are of her slobbery tongue all over my face. Davis’ fur is always super soft, even if her last bath was months ago. She and her sister are happy pups through and through. They’re great at being pals and I really hate the thought of the two of them being broken up.
I sincerely don’t know how these next few days and weeks will go but I’m praying they’re not painful for her and that the right timing and right decision is made for her.
Davis is a special dog… She is so gentle that our local neighborhood dog-walker, Mr. William, has borrowed her to be a therapy dog for other dogs who need help socializing in the pack.
We all know that one of the agreements that you have with life is that usually you will outlive a pet. I understand that, it’s how pet ownership goes down. But this dog is only 9 years old. It’s way too early to say goodbye.
Have you gone through this? How do you know when the time is, “the time”?
