How can I help my Golden Retriever? (she's dying)?

My heart is crying for you!

Perhaps it is time to do the most humane thing for your darling girl and put her to sleep. I know how difficult that is to do. I had to put my darling Rex to sleep due to cancer on the spine...he was 6 years old and a GSD/Staffy X. He was a beautiful dog, but in extreme pain, so I did what was best for him and stopped thinking how I may feel. His eyes begged me to do something and since it couldn't be cured...I made the very tough decision.

Your girl sounds like she is in a lot of distress and pain. Give her a huge cuddle and take her to the vet for the last time...that is the best you can do for her.

Take care and your darling girl will be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge with eager :-)

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.

There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

I haven't read thru all of the replies that you have received.

But here is my story

I had a Lab mix that I adopted when she was a year old. Her name was Ubu (if you remember the show Murder She Wrote..at the end they would say Sit Ubu Sit) She was the BEST!! I rescued her from a shelter, she was found on the side of the road, pregnant, heartworm positive, had a litter of 11 pups, very gentle, easy going dog that would never leave your side.

When she was 15 yrs, she started having seizures that 'could' be controlled with meds, but after 2 weeks I realized that she wasn't 'living' but just existing. I was keeping her around for me and it wasn't fair to her.

I made the decision to put her down and it was the HARDEST decision I ever had to make...As hard as it was, I was with her and I don't regret the decision I made for HER.

A week later, I received a card in the mail from the vets office. It had an imprint they made of her paw, along with a flower...it still sits on my bookcase today...

You need to decide what is best for you girl. Go with your heart and you will make the right decision....

You and your family and Vet need to make that decision. The best way to ease her pain is putting her down. I would never let an animal of mine lay around in pain suffering. I am not hollering at you; I know how difficult this is. You do what is best for your golden retriever who has given her entire life for you. She is suffering and in pain. If you give her pain meds what are you accomplishing? A couple more weeks? Good Luck...God Bless and I will pray for her and you! ♥

I work for a vererinarian.

You need to ask 5 questions-

1- is your dog in pain, and can it be controlled??

2- is she living a reasonable normal life or is she withdrawn from normal activity?

3- is she eating/drinking?

4- is she causing undue stress on family life?

5 Can you alleviate any of the ablve things.

If the answer to more than 3 of these is yes, you need to consider talking to your veterinarian about euthanasia. I have seen pets that are left to suffer great discomfort for months because the owner couldnt let go. Talk to your pets doctor,he can guide you to the correct and himane decision.

I am sorry for your pet.

Putting your friend down can be very hard, I've been there and hate it. Have you asked you Vet for some medication to ease the pain if you're not ready to put her down? Sometimes the vet will give you Valium to make it a little easier for them. God bless you and your friend. You'll know when you're ready to put her down or you may decide to let nature take it's coarse-nature takes care of it in the wild-don't let anyone guilt you into putting her to sleep

I have a dog in the very same predicament as you do. I can't believe how incredibly hard this is. Every day I ask myself, "should I end his life?". Every day I pray, "Please, God; just take him already."

I believe we're in the "days" stages of death at this point. For my dog, anyway. His appetite is gone. Not even broth, yogurt and small pieces of soft meat entice him. But, he's hanging in there! HE has not given up, yet.

I did some preparation last week with the vet and inquired about my options, my wishes. That helped. My "wish" is to have him die at home, in his bed. Even if this is assisted by the vet. That is my wish. More importantly, I want his ashes to scatter upon the lake we live on.....where he spend so many a happy time.

However, more than likely he will leave us this weekend when we're out of town on business. I can't cancel the trip. I can't stay. I refuse to end HIS life before we leave for some sense of selfish closure.

All I can offer you is to take it day-by-day, moment-by-moment. All I can feel from my heart, the pit of my soul.... is that our dogs will tell us when it's time.

I pray they do. My prayers are with you.

I had my old pointer euthanized last week. Her quality of life was terrible. She is now at peace. I'm still sad and I miss her but she is now in a place without pain, fear, confusion, or distress. I want to think that she is out there running, chasing birds and playing with her friends. I know that I will see her again someday. Yours is a difficult decision to make. Thankfully with pets we can help to on their way to the next world. Sometimes I think that it's sad that we can't help our human loved ones the same way but that belongs in the ethics column. Good luck to you. That last walk to the vet is a hard one.

Hannah, I hope this is of help to you, as it is to me:

May I go now?

Do you think the time is right?

May I say goodbye to pain filled days

and endless lonely nights?

I've lived my life and done my best,

an example tried to be.

So can I take that step beyond

and set my spirit free?

I didn't want to go at first,

I fought with all my might.

But something seems to draw me now

to a warm and loving light.

I want to go

I really do.

It's difficult to stay.

But I will try as best I can

to live just one more day.

To give you time to care for me

and share your love and fears.

I know you're sad and afraid,

because I see your tears.

I'll not be far,

I promise that, and hope you'll always know

that my spirit will be close to you

wherever you may go.

Thank you so for loving me.

You know I love you too,

that's why it's hard to say goodbye

and end this life with you.

So hold me now just one more time

and let me hear you say,

because you care so much for me,

you'll let me go today.

- Written for a beloved pet & friend, by Susan A. Jackson

I think it's time to let her go. If she were happy where she's at right now, it would be a different story, but it sounds as if she is really in pain. When the time comes to take that trip to the vet, please stay by her side until she passes; it will be very comforting for her. That will be the very last thing she needs from you.

If she is suffering or in pain you need to put her to sleep. That's so sad. That's the hardest thing I have ever had to do. They don't suffer & it is very fast, if that helps any. Don't know if it is right or not but I always get another puppy to fill the void. I just wish they lived longer. I couldn't do it by myself. I will be thinking about you all tonight.