ive thought about this now and i have some advice for pet owners thinking about end of life.

As you read in the post before, just a few hours have passed since my sweet little one was put down. My mind is a little clearer, still sad, but I've been thinking about some of the posts here wanting to go after that miracle cure and this miracle potion to prolong a dog's life. I think I've come to a healthy conclusion...

I prolonged my dog's life another 6 weeks with fluids, medications, intense attention...all the while at that time of diagnosis I WASN'T READY TO LET HER GO, she was ready then. It was as a shock to me. I heard things I'd never imagined. My wife sensed it and even the vet knew it. It was more about me not wanting to let go than the little dog going to sleep, tranquil and calm, forever, never vomiting or stumbling around to find energy for a potty break. When I heard the news at first of her kidney failure, I was in the "what can we do to cure it" mode. Like many on this board. I do that in life, I find solutions and usually they have turned out in my favor. I'll try anything, within limits of course. I spent some money, got some different food, and this and that, you've all heard the drill. What did it really do? Another 6 weeks. Mild discomfort, vomiting, some nausea, not being able to walk or go to the potty properly in her case, not eating, not drinking but only in large amounts once a day, sleeping the day away. I chased a miracle, that's all I did.

We pet owners tend to do this...we think that our dog is the one out of 1000 that will surprise everyone and make it. With this drop of Iodine and this bay leaf added to a witch's brew of this and that, she will forever be youthful and happy. I say to that: quit chasing the miracles. Quit...chasing...miracles. They are called miracles for a reason...they don't happen often and they're not happening to you, friend. You'll spend time and money and emotional capital and in the end...you'll do what we did this morning.

Don't let end of life with your sweet dog or cat be about you...it's about the pet. That's my advice. Those extra 6 weeks were about me and my dog and I didn't want her to go. Life is harsh at times. You've got to make decisions in life that hurt. And running after remedies and hopes and dreams just delays the inevitable. Your dog is terminal for a reason. Vets just don't label them as such to get your attention. Terminal means...waiting to die. I knew it, didn't want to accept it. I'm a big, tall 6'3:, 215 lb guy and I can't keep from crying just thinking about her right now as I type. That sweet little face. I kept her around for me, not her, so I could kiss that sweet little head one more time.

My wife was ready 6 weeks ago. The vet was ok with my decision to try something, but she kind of knew the outcome and advised the likely outcome. I don't know if an extra 6 weeks was a good thing or a selfish thing on my part. I'm leaning towards...just doing what your pet needs, not what you need. Maybe that's the lesson we all need to learn about my situation today, our pets, our elderly even with terminal illness. Quit chasing after miracles that don't make your quality of life better, it just extends life for extension sake...really nothing more. Accept that heaven is waiting for you when the time is at hand. Don't prolong it with manufactured optimism. I think that's exactly the lesson I was supposed to learn. Tweet