So glad you talk about this… especially with some of the the losses we’ve had lately in Group BB. There are quite a few four-legged therapists and friends that are dear to us in BB. It is good to have their role in our recovery acknowledged.

Schumie the miniature dachshund has saved my life on multiple occasions. I am convinced of this.
This little 8-pound furball is, in her way, more like Underdog — a true superhero(ine).

I recently had to put my doggie down after having him for over
17 years. It was an ungodly experience and I came away feeling
like I murdered him!!!!!! I stayed in the room and thought it
would be a gentle experience———-but 2 people held my dog
real tight which made him mad because he was soooo sore—-and
then with all his agony he cried while they put the needle into
his leg——–which – again – was hypersensitive. I would
have thought that they would have calmed him down first and
then inject him———–do you know if that was the way it
is always done??????????? Is this the accepted procedure?????
I cannot seem to get this horrible picture out of my mind!!!!!!

Rosee,
To my knowledge, if a dog is struggling, in pain… or otherwise won’t simply ‘fall asleep’ gently, usually the vet does not let you stay in the room with them. They sometimes will sedate the dog before administering the final overdose of sedation. I am sooo incredibly sorry you have that image. Unfortunately, some dogs and cats do not pass peacefully… as some people do not pass peacefully. Some simply fall asleep and some have one last violent gasp and muscle spasm. Your vet should have explained that to you in helping you make the decision on whether or not you wanted to be with your dog in his final moments.
If he was in a lot of pain and his quality of life was destroyed (which it sounds like it was), please know you did a very kind thing.

But then what do you do when the dog dies and you get your depression even worse???

I’ve been struggling with depression since my early teens and agree with the OP that dogs and pets can help with coping. During my lowest times, I never felt alone (one of the worse things about my depression was that I always felt isolated even when around people) because I had my little dog with me. He loved and adored me, even though I was sometimes harsh with him due to my ups and downs. He never judged, always listened, and always “told” me with his eyes that I was the best, most wonderful human being he ever knew, and it never seemed placating or trite because it was sincere as only an animal can be sometimes. However, I do understand Rosee’s comments because after ten years together (and a total age of 18), he recently died on March 28th of this year. To say I fell into a depression would be an understatement. I thought my world was going to end, but luckily I had another dog, wonderful friends, online forums to vent my sadness to, pet loss hotlines, a great doctor, and eventually I stabalized. I still miss him, but it’s grief now and not a bottomless all-hope-is-gone feeling. I struggle with guilt (had I seen him symptoms earlier…) and regret (why didn’t I spend more time with him), and my experience was similar to Rosee’s in that though he died from his illness before we could even begin euthanasia, his was not quiet either. The vet said his heart had already stopped, but he gasped, his body tightened like someone had touched him with a live wire, and he defecated blood. It was gruesome, but through it all I held him and told him what a great dog he was and how I would miss him desperately and be reunited with him again one day. In about a week, I’ll be picking up a new puppy. Not as a replacement. Because my other dog is lonely and has never been without a buddy, and my family feels incomplete. This new dog will never take the place of my heartdog, but I think I have enough room to let her in. Rosee, I’m sorry for your loss and hope you find your way to healing from this tragic event. And no, not all vet offices are so rough. I realize they must be efficient and didn’t want to prolong the pain should the drug not be administered properly because your dog was struggling, but I’ve seen my share of vet offices, and the good ones will talk to your dog, soothe his or her fears, and take any steps necessary to prevent additional pain. My vet use to take up to ten minutes to calm my dog down before his exam or shots because he knew he was nervous.

same exact thing happened to my dog that I had to put down, he struggled and cried with his last bit if energy and then he was gone and I cannot put that thought out of my mind. My heart and my head do not go together on this.

Same experience with my dog. It broke my heart when he left me.
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Dogs can really help us heal easier from depression. As they say that dogs are mans best friend. We can share to them what we want to share. We can breathe on them our pains, failures, fears and sorrows which causes the depression.

Dogs can really help us heal easier from depression. As they say that dogs are mans best friend. We can share to them what we want to share. We can breathe on them our pains, failures, fears and sorrows which causes the depression. Funeral Urns

Our pets deserves to be cared and loved
Our veterinary clinic provides comprehensive veterinary care for Dogs, Cats, and Small Pets such as Vaccinations & Preventive Care, Illness & Injury Care, Surgery and Internal Medicine, Dentistry, Radiology and Microchipping.

I don’t wanna hear pets dying.Because pets are valuable to me.Our Veterinary pet clinic provides comprehensive veterinary care for Dogs, Cats, and Small Pets such as Vaccinations & Preventive Care, Illness & Injury Care, Surgery and Internal Medicine, Dentistry, Radiology and Microchipping.
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i agree with this post. and this makes me miss my dog so much. our dog died 3 years ago.Idaho Falls dentist

i agree with this post. and this makes me miss my dog so much. our dog died 3 years ago.Idaho Falls dentist

i agree with this post. and this makes me miss my dog so much. our dog died 3 years ago.Idaho Falls dentist

Having pets at home can actually relieve stress and improve one’s mental (and physical) health. Most specially if your pets are dogs that can be trained.

A pet can certainly help with the stressful situation of sorrow and depression, they offer the companionship that does not judge and just continually loves.

During the worst 18 months of my severe depression, my golden-retriever/chow mix Sarah, hopped on my bed and cuddled with me during those moments that I couldn’t talk to a human being.