My dog is a little over 11 years old now and last year was diagnosed with cancer. I chose not to operate at that time because he is already quite old and really would not be able to recover. So we decided to let him be comfortable for as long as he could. I noticed today that his lump has grown considerably and a visit to the vet might be in order.

If given a choice between him going through countless surgeries and medication and being put to sleep, I would choose the latter but the thought of my dog not being around anymore is unimaginable.

My question is, have you ever had to put your pet to sleep? How did you cope? How did you explain it to your child/children if you have any?

Ah, Pammy. I feel for you.

Death. This is a terribly sad situation, but a fact of life. It just simply.... is.

When it is a case of being terminally ill, especially animals, then I would not blink at the thought of euthanasia. But that's just me.

As for what you tell your kid, I would tell the truth. No fairies. No heaven. No anything. Which is why I believe that life is so special in the first place - without all the make believe. But again, that's just me.

Meantime, nothing can describe the emotional value in this situation. I wish you every deepest sympathy.

__________________
“All I ever wanted was a world without maps.”
― Michael Ondaatje, The English Patient

When you are keeping your pet alive only for your own comfort or gratification and it is suffering, then it is really time to let go.

It's a tough call but one you'll know is right deep down. Thoughts are with you at this time.

All Dogs Go To Heaven
I have never seen the movie, but from the title, I think it will be a good start....

I agree with HubblyBubbly, in that you should just tell your kid straight up and be honest with him/her. They will understand eventually.

[QUOTE][It's a tough call but one you'll know is right deep down. Thoughts are with you at this time. /QUOTE]
Very turn in my book and I think its best to tell the truth to your family.

Good luck I feel for you as I have had dogs all my life and have been lucky in some respect that all have passed away in their sleep apart from one and I still miss him now after ten years.

Sorry to hear this, may you get strength to bear whatever decision you have to take...

When I was about 19, we had to put down one of our family dogs, she was a mutt, who lived to be 17. We noticed she was getting pretty old but she still seemed to be in good spirits, even if her joints were acting up and she struggled to get up and run about, even though she still did it. Then one day, we noticed she wouldn't even get up to eat anything, and then eventually just peed in her bed. We decided to put her down right away. It was like she'd finally just given up. We all took it hard, but my mom took it the hardest. It was her favorite dog. I would rather put them down than see them go through pain.

Could not have put any better, seconded.

& my thoughts will be with you and your kids.

I wish you and your kids the best it is a rough thing but in the end you know when it is the best choice.
I had to put my dog of over 14 years to rest right as I moved here. Moving forced my hand which was good because my friends had already been trying to get me to accept what I needed to do, and just could not.

Pam,

Warning, sad story...

We had 2 Border Collies since birth and lived with them Internationally for 13+ years in 4 countries, and traveled with them all over Europe. They were our first children.

About 5 years back, one of them had cancer while we were in Abu Dhabi. And we took the vet advice to try a fairly new chemo drug (I forgot the name) since operation was not an option. And it turned out to be the worse decision we did for her. She immediately developed ulcer and couldn't hold down anything in her stomach - even water. So, a week after diagnosis, we had to say good-bye with both my wife and I hugging her tightly during the injection.

Hindsight, the alternative to the drug was to make her comfortable and give her as much love as possible for as long as she was not suffering.

We had her cremated and brought her ashes with us when moved from UAE.

Two years ago (in Egypt), her brother sufferred a heart attack seizure and didn't even recognized us for days afterward. His health went down drastically soon after. And eventually, we had to say good bye as well and buried him in our garden with his sister's ashes.

Our son (now 9) knew that both dogs were sick both times. We spared him the last vet visit and creamation / burial events, but told him that the dogs "went to heaven and live with Jesus" the first time (he was 4) and "went to live with his sister" the second time. He understood both times of what had happened.

We always have dogs in our lives for as long as I can remember. But after the last 2, beside not ready to love other pets yet, we have decided not to raise any more dogs until we are back home and settled. Personally, as rewarding as it is to have the uncondition love from our pets, we found living and moving Internationally with pets difficult and most of the time not fair to the animals.

I still miss both of my babies every single day, especially in the evening (they would be laid down right next to us watching TV) and on week-end (play ball / swimming at the beach, etc) but we are trying to remain strong.

Make the decision that you think is best for your baby, he knows that you love him dearly.