How do we deal with a dying dog?

One day they are a dying dog. Then they die and are gone.

No one greets us with such enthusiasm, a wagging tail and a cold wet nose, when we get home. So happy to see us. Without fail. Every time.

No one walks with us anymore in the morning. Running ahead for a while. But always coming back to make sure we are still there. Always ready to go for a walk. Come rain or snow or sun. Let's go.

No one smells so good. So special. Though maybe only to us. Especially when the fur is wet.

Dogs are really good friends. We can feel so loved by their attachment. By their actions like licking our face. By their enthusiasm for so many things. Even just by their presence in our lives.

Putting a dying dog to sleep

He just lies there. Follows us with his eyes. Sleeps a lot.

The vet feels there is not much to do. This is just an old dog who is dying.

But he is only 11 years old? But 11 human years are 77 dog years. He his getting there.

What can we do?

Do we have the right to make that decision for him? We cannot ask him. He cannot tell us.

Are we doing the right thing? For him? For us?

Do we want him to be put to sleep now, because we are sick of cleaning up his pee? Because it is so hard to watch him suffer like this? Because we know he will be happier wherever he goes after he dies? Wherever it is where dying dogs go.

Or do we wait till he dies on his own time. But how much is he suffering?

But can we live with our decision later on? Right now we know it is the best. He is still here and we see his suffering. What about later? A month from now? A year from now? Will we regret our decision? Will we feel guilty for having him put to sleep?

There are no easy answers for these difficult questions about a dying dog.

Every situation has its own answer. There are no cookie cutter solutions. No one-size-fits-all solutions.

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