You are incredible to adopt a senior pet. Know you changed his life. I am thinking of you and your family. - an animal rescue volunteer

We had to do this a few weeks ago with our 15 year old dog, and I was a basket case. I've been through a lot of loss in my life, so I thought I was toughened to some degree, but I would cry at the drop of a hat for several days (and still do, to a lesser extent).

My only regret is that we probably waited too long. I wouldn't say that I was relieved he was gone -- the sadness was too strong for that -- but I didn't fully realize until some days had passed after he was gone to what extent his being sick and weak had cast a shadow over our house. Constant worry about him -- how is he doing? Is it time to take him in? -- took up so much mental and emotional space. Our other dog knew he was sick and was acting oddly -- for example, he suddenly didn't want to go on walks and we realized that he didn't want leave his buddy behind. I guess that can be called being "relieved," but even though we have a little dog shaped hole in our lives, it does feel like a weight has been lifted, and I know we did the right thing in the end.

Anonymous wrote:You also might find the grief hits you later. I didn't cry much the day I put my old cat down, but I found myself sobbing in the car a week later.

Unfortunately everyone will tell you that waiting until it's an emergency is a huge mistake. My aunt delayed putting her dog down and he had a very bad seizure and she had to rush him to the vet. Instead give the dog a really nice last day.

Yes, it's definitely better to do this too soon rather than too late. Let them go while they're still themselves. Please don't wait until they're completely falling apart; it's stressful for them and unfair to keep them alive when they're no longer functioning well.

It’s awful. You’ve got a little time to prepare so at least it won’t be as shocking as it sometimes is; but it’s still so sad and the grief is rough. My best suggestion is talk to your daughter about ways to memorialize and remember the dog, and help her process and talk through it. Build that narrative she needs - the hardest but most important part of caring for an animal is doing right by it when it is suffering.

Brownies/cookies are good, too!

You also might find the grief hits you later. I didn't cry much the day I put my old cat down, but I found myself sobbing in the car a week later.

Unfortunately everyone will tell you that waiting until it's an emergency is a huge mistake. My aunt delayed putting her dog down and he had a very bad seizure and she had to rush him to the vet. Instead give the dog a really nice last day.