Noah's gone.

[Guinea_Gal]

Hi everyone,

I have 2 Whippets that are both 10 years old: Noah and Kia. Noah has always been a runt. He has always been skinny, but otherwise healthy. In the last few weeks, his weight and health has been going downhill. He was becoming so skinny that it was embarrasing to walk him. We tried every kind of suppliment available and fed him dog cookies and people food whenever possible. Nothing worked. We had planned to bring him to the vet on Monday to get some bloodwork done. We were thinking that it was some type of metabolic disorder.
We went away on vacation for 10 days and while we were away, both dogs stayed at our friend's house. We were supposed to return Sunday (Today) but I convinced my parents to drive all day and get back Saturday night.

We got home and picked up the dogs from out friends house. Noah was so skinny we couldn't even believe it. He never eats much when he is away from home because he gets so nervous. He was also breathing VERY heavily and quickly like he couldn't get a breath. We waited a few hours to see if it would pass, but it didn't get any better. We took him immediately to the emergency vet clinic at midnight.

We waited what seemed like hours and finally the vet took Noah in the back to do blood work and take an X-Ray.
We waited until 2 am and she finally returned with the worst news possible. She informed us, as we looked at his X-Rays, that he was in heart failure. His heart was taking up his entire chest cavity; it was twice as big as a normal heart. His heart wasn't strong enough to pump out all of the fluid that was coming in, so as a result it made his heart swell. His trachea was beign pushed so high by his swelled heart that he couldn't breathe well. His lungs were filling with fluid and there was a large mass behind his heart that was most likely a tumor. He was also very dehydrated.

The vet gave us the options. 1. Have Noah stay overnight at the hospital, try to rehydrate him, and get an appointment with a cardiologist. 2. Take him home with medication and wait until he passes away. 3. Euthanasia.

That vet was not out usual vet and so my parents did not want to have him put to sleep there. My mom and dad talked for a long time and decided to bring him home with medication until we could get him to out vet on Monday. When I looked in Noah's eyes I could see that he was tired. His eyes were glazed over and I knew it wasn't fair to him to make him suffer anymore. I told my parents that we had to put him to sleep and thankfully, they listened and agreed with me. I loved Noah too much to put him through pain just so we can be with him longer.

I still remember putting my Standard Poodle (Madison) to sleep when I was 7. I remember it like it was yesterday. The next hour was one of the worst of my life. I held him in my arms as he was being put to sleep. He was such a good boy when they were doing it. He just layed in my arms and looked at me.

Now that he is gone, Kia doesn't know what to think. They were never apart and now that Noah is gone, Kia doesn't know what to do with himself. The worst part is watching him pace from room to room looking for his buddy.

Anyone here that has lost an animal knows how it feels. It is so hard and makes you feel like a part of you is missing. I am just so thankful that we made it home in time to see him. At least I am comforted by the knowledge that for being a runt that probably had a heart deformity from birth, he had a great life that lasted 10 wonderful years. I am so thankful that I was able to be with him when he was put to sleep. My younger brother and sister didn't even get to say good bye: they were at home sleeping.

I know this is a long post and I don't expect that everyone will read it in its entirety, but I needed to write it. I needed to tell someone that really, truly understands how it feels to lose such a lifelong companion.

Grace

[ScottandDebbie]

Oh Grace.... I am so very sorry that Noah had to leave. I know it was an extremely difficult decision to make.

Whippets are beautiful dogs.
One of my close friends has a Whippet, who she loves so very much.

Gentle understanding hugs to you Grace.

[cookie_gal]

I am so sorry and sad for your loss. Having a dog put to sleep is a terribly sad thing and hard thing to do. In the end you gave him the greatest gift of all - peace.

Give hugs to Kia from me, and hugs to you too.

[Sviega]

I'm sorry about your dog Noah, Guinea Girl. He sounds like a special dog and I'm sure you loved him a lot.

I'm going to say something here though. My dog died yesterday too. We had her a long time and I love her very much. I don't believe in euthenasia for animals or humans. I'm not saying that you did wrong. It was your dog and your choice to make.

On the other hand you shouldn't make comments that you loved him too much to see him suffer. That hurts my feelings, dear. We are both grieving the loss of a dear pet. Neither should judge the others actions. We have to act out of our own consciences and beliefs. I know that I'm probably as old as your parents, maybe even older and I'm only saying this so that you can perhaps be a little more understanding of other peoples feelings. I dearly loved my dog, she was almost like a baby to me. My children are adults.
My husband is ill and she brought him so much comfort while he was going through chemotherapy, we both love her very much. We made our decision, and you made yours, lets just mourn our loss together and offer each other comfort and strength.

[WEAVER]

Sviega---I am sitting here actually in shock at your post!!! How dare you put your beliefs on her and try to make her feel bad for putting her dog to sleep when it was very ill and suffering horriblly. Whether you believe in euthanization or not, really does not matter, most people do, and I for one believe it is a way we can allow our furry friends to go with pride, without pain, without the needless suffering.

If you want to get technical and into personal beliefs, than I think it is cold, and heartless to sit and do absolutely nothing watching a animal suffer in pain until the animal finially passes.

You say it hurts your feelings to hear her say that she loved her dog too much to watch him suffer, I have to agree with her whether in it hurts your feelings or not. You say you are a adult, well so am I, and I just want to say that in m y opinion your post was very hurtful to Guinea Gal to try and get her to second guess a very difficult decision to make, one every pet caregivers wishes they never have to make, but sometimes unfortunately it is the only kind and humane choice to do.

[WEAVER]

Guinea Gal--I just want to say that I am so sorry for your loss.

I do wish that Noah was able to see a vet sooner than he did, but I also understand with you being a young adult, sometimes those decisions are out of your hands and fall onto the lap of your parent.

I also want to add that for you to have peace with the loss of Noah, you need to know that you made the right decision. You knew Noah better than any of us, you were the only one seeing the pain in his eyes, his small body becoming even more frail by the day. I am a firm believer in our animals have a way of communicating with us what they want, sometimes it takes a little while to get the message from them, but in the end we know the answer in our heart. Euthanization, is never a easy decision, or one that shoud be taken lightly, but it is a kind way to help our animals end their pain and suffering.

Try and remember the happy times, Noah would want it that way. He will always be a part of you and hold a piece of your heart.
Rest in peace Noah.

[BabyGrl]

Grace I am so sorry for your loss. At least he is at peace and is not in pain any longer. Do not let anyone make you feel as if you made the wrong decision. Euthenasia is the most difficult decision any pet owner has to make.
Weaver thanks for beating me to the punch.

[PiggieMom]

I just saw this today. I'm so sorry for your loss. I agree not to let anyone make you feel bad. Euthenasia is a very hard thing to decide upon. Try to keep happy memories in your mind of you sweet Noah.

Sleep well Noah.

[Percy's Mom]

Guinea Gal, thank you so much for not only trusting us enough to know that we would understand and offer you support, but for telling us about your beautiful little Noah. I'm so sincerely sorry that your family had to make the decision that you did, but I also believe that you made the right decision for Noah's comfort and dignity at the end of his life.

Hugs to you, your family, and Noah's spirit. You'll be in my thoughts.

[cookie_gal]

I agree with what people have said here, I pm'ed her personally as I knew she would feel bad about THAT post. I too was disgusted but as I am new, I didn't feel it was my place to say anything publicly but I am glad others have now! I think she did the right thing and gave her dog the greatest gift of all - peace. He will be forever thankful.

[ScottandDebbie]

Guinea_Gal.... It's extremely difficult in making the decision that you made for Noah.

I have been there. And I don't even kill *ANTS* or *SPIDERS*....

But look what I did.

Click on the Picture.

My Thoughts are with you.
Special Understanding Hugs to you,
Debbie

[VoodooJoint]

Guinea-gal - I am very sorry for your loss. I too have been in that position with a beloved dog. It broke my heart but in the end I know I did they right thing for him.

Sviega - This thread is not about you and your feelings. Your comments were selfish and hateful.

You were lucky that your dear dog passed suddenly and spared you the grief of having to make the decision to euthanize or not. It is fine and good if you do not believe in euthanasia for a dying animal but not all of us feel the same way.

Many of us feel that it is the greatest gift we can give our animals when they begin suffering, with no hope of improvement. Personally I would much rather allow my friend to pass from this world peacefully then to watch them linger on in pain and fear.

Do not come onto a mouring thread again and post you views for your own selfish gain. If you cannot selflessly express sympathy then say nothing at all. If you want to discuss the ethics of euthanasia then start a thread about it in the kitchen and leave the grief stricken in peace.

[pigger]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope that you, your family and Kia are in better spirits. You made the right decision. Don't let anyone make you feel otherwise.

Chin up, pigger

[ScottandDebbie]

Guinea Gal... Just checking in to see how you are doing.