Had to say goodbye to our Kelev...

I feel like I've been dragged under a truck...

Our lab, Kelev, has been declining steadily over the last 5 months. He lost 20 lbs of muscle in back and slowly got slower and less steady on his feet. As a flight of stairs is the only way to the street from my two story home, it became more and more difficult to even take him for a walk. Still, we helped him down, and back up the stairs and walked slowly with him when he was strong enough to go. He was 14.

Last night, he slipped and landed on his butt with his legs straight out in front of him, unable to get back up. His cries woke me and I got him back up. This has happened in the past, but he was ok after being picked up. This time, he fell again a short while later, and then several more times through the night. By morning, I realized he was drastically worse and was wobbly on his front legs as well. Thankfully my brother came over and together we took him to the vet he had been seeing since he was 6 months old. No arthritis, which I suspected was causing pain as the vet had mentioned years ago was a possibility. There was no pain. It was spinal degeneration, and he had almost no feeling in back. Cortisone shots once a week could help a little, but he was given maybe 6 months at best. He had declined so rapidly... We decided instead to say goodbye with dignity. Hardest thing I ever did; I held him and told him I loved him, told him he was going to the park in Heaven... he put his head on my chest as he always did when I scratched behind his ears, and closed his eyes. Been expecting this; he was 14, but he had tried to remain active for the last several months and we had been walking down those stairs and helping him up. But last night was horrible and the thought of him going out the dogie door and falling outside in the hot sun and getting heat stroke while I was at work was too much to bear.

This house is so empty now. I almost got up just now to make his warm steamed carrot snack (ground steamed carrots + a spoonful of canned food) that I gave him in the evenings or afternoons when I was off work. He had cataracts and I thought it would help. Gosh I miss him.

tzvia, I'm so sorry :( You obviously gave him a happy life full of love and a gentle way out, and that's the best any pet owner can do.

I couldn't read your whole post because I can feel your pain. Please take care. I'm so sorry for your loss.

I'm so very sorry.

Oh, I'm so sorry. That just breaks my heart to read. He lived a wonderful and long life and left this world with you by his side. I hope your happy memories of better times together provide some comfort to you.

I am sorry for your loss. We lost our Lab this past December and it is never easy letting go. Cherish the memories. I still burst out laughing sometimes when I think of those crazy "Lab" antics...

So sorry for your loss. I wish they could live as long as we do.

(((((((tzvia))))))) I'm so sorry.

I cry tears of sadness along with you. I'm so sorry you lost your Kelev. Although you did the right thing, and saved him from suffering, it's never easy to make the decision to let him go. All of our fur babies who have gone before are welcoming him at the Rainbow Bridge where you will meet him again some day.
Much love and hugs to you. :(

I'm so sorry. We have a 19 year old kitty who is nearing her end. It's hard to watch our pets decline. I'm not sure what's worse, the fast declines (like our late Gus kitty who had a stroke/seizure and passed away days later), or seeing this slow struggle and having to make the decision to help them go gracefully.

RIP Kelev. (((hugs))) to you as your grieve your baby.

Hugs to you (& tears).

We are lab people too. What lab #1 didn't do, #2 does. Our son grew up bought a house and of course a lab. They really are crazy but the most lovable dogs I've ever been around.

So sorry.

I am so sorry to read this. It's heart=breaking to have to make that decision to say goodbye. May your memories of Kelev keep you company in your mourning.

((((((hugs)))))

I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds like he had a long and good life with you.

(((((Tzvia))))) So sorry for your loss. It is unfortuate that our furry friends live such short lives. At least you were there, and he was eased out with lots of love. Still doesn't make your heart ache less, I know like many pet owners here on TE, we've been in your shoes. Nothing quite like the "Mom, I'm tired and I don't feel good" look in their eyes. :(

I'm so sorry for your loss. Having to say goodbye to a beloved pet/part of the family is always so hard.

Hugs :( (())) Losing a pet is one of the hardest things that ever happens to us in life. Having to make the choice to let them go is even harder. :( I am sorry about your puppy but you can have faith in that you made the right decision. Once we see they are suffering so, it's the only thing to do. I hope you have lots of peaceful and fun memories with him.:o

I'm so sorry. That's the hardest decision to make.

My kitties are going to get some extra playtime and treats in his honor tonight.

So sorry to hear about this. {{{HUGS}}}

(((HUGS))) I'm so sorry.

Expecting and at the same time thinking not yet; then its time. So hard and yes, it does feel like being run over a truck or something just as bad. Losing your best friend is worse.

We all need to be able to cry over our loss. It's what any loving parents do.

I wish you well and peace be with you and your best friend.

Smilingcat

"there is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals. It is a cycle unlike any other. To those who have never lived through its turnings or walked its rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with full knowledge that they will be broken seems incomprehensible. Only we know how small a price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given. Writing his essay, 'The Once Again Prince," animal lover and gifted writer, Irving Townsend summed it up: 'We who chose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own live within a fragile circle easily and often breached. Unable to accept is awful gaps, we still would live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan.' It is a fragile circle. But it goes round and round without end." (from "If a Dog's Prayers were Answered...Bones Would Rain from the Sky" by Suzanne Clothier)

You gave Kelev the most unselfish gift of all. Kelev has left the earth but he is not gone. Agnes and Maud, golden retrievers with angel wings, will watch over him at Rainbow Bridge...

Thank you all for your kind thoughts.

The rational me knows it was the right thing to do; I can still hear his cries from Wednesday night and realize he had really degenerated, from looking at old photos of him.

But the emotional side of me keeps thinking that maybe... No. I could not do anything to stop what was happening to him; he could not even get up by himself.

He runs now at the park past the rainbow bridge, chasing rabbits as he did years ago. I will see him again one day, and take the rabbit hind quarter out of his mouth and drop it in the trash.

Thank you all for taking the time to read about the anguish of a woman over her old dog.

I'm sorry for your loss. Kelev had a great life, but it's so hard to lose them. I hope happy memories bring you peace.

So sorry for your loss. Sounds like he was well loved.

I just saw this for some reason, and reading it brought tears to my eyes. So hard to lose a beloved pet and I know the decision was hard to make. I am sure he knew that he was loved.