My girl crossed the rainbow bridge

My 15-year-old dog, Jilly – crossed the rainbow bridge yesterday. Over the past year or so, she really started to show her age. She’d go through periods where she wouldn’t eat, have bathroom accidents. Chalked it up to old age. She was still playful, barking.

About 2 weeks ago, I took her to the vet because she was limping. They said she tore her ACL but was too old for surgery. So, they gave us some doggie CBD oil and went on our way. She wasn’t really acting herself. She was laying in one spot – having more frequent bathroom accidents and not really eating. She didn’t even want treats. I figured she was in a lot of pain, which I felt awful about, but was optimistic that she would be ok with rest.

Then, on Monday she fell in the living room, and was very dazed afterwards. Took her back to the vet and they gave her some more pain meds. They gave us “the talk” about options and quality of life, etc. I still wasn’t ready to hear it, so took her home.

She wouldn’t take the medicine they gave because she wasn’t eating. It was a struggle to give her water.

Yesterday, she developed a cough and was making a very high-pitched squealing sound. So, I took her back to the vet and they said she had a very irregular heartbeat and there was fluid around her heart.

I knew it was time. I stayed with her as they put her to sleep, and I was “ok” with it because she seemed so peaceful.

Well, last night and today, I have this overwhelming feeling of sadness and guilt. Having to tell DD (her and Jill were buddies) and her not believing me and running over to Jill’s doggie bed (I didn’t have the heart to put it away yet), will break my heart forever.

I miss my girl and the house feels so empty without her. Did I do the right thing? She wasn’t coughing at all in the vet’s office and wonder if I should’ve just dealt with the cough and she would’ve stopped eventually.

I don’t know. I can’t believe this is so long, but I had to write it out and get it out because I am trying so hard to be strong at home.

If you read this whole thing – bless you. And for all of us who’ve lost our fur babies, I hope they’re all running around, playing together. And, I hope they knew/know how much they were/are loved.

Re: My girl crossed the rainbow bridge

Re: My girl crossed the rainbow bridge

I’m so sorry for your loss.

I have questioned putting animals to sleep or what I did leading up to their death, but if you felt in your heart that you did the right thing, then you did the right thing.

One cat I had had a really awful ending (her tongue fell out— tongue cancer), and the vet plain and simple said she can’t live like this. When the vet said that, I knew he was right. I was thinking about using a feeding tube. Just the fact that the vet tak the talk with you speaks volumes. They know what they are doing. Don’t doubt your decision.

My girl crossed the rainbow bridge

Thanks guys.
Klingklang, so sorry about your cat. That sounds awful.

I was just driving home from work and there was the most beautiful rainbow in the sky. I had to stop and take a pic of it for my family.
Some people may say it's a coincidence but I truly believe it was my girl telling me she's ok.

Re: My girl crossed the rainbow bridge

Re: My girl crossed the rainbow bridge

I'm so sorry for your loss. You definitely did the right thing. This end of life question is so hard to deal with. We had to let go of my dog last year and I was so grateful that it was quick- one day he was fine, the next he was so sick. We took him to the emergency vet and they said he had tumors in his stomach that had burst and he was bleeding internally. Any treatments they would've given him would be extremely costly and would only give him a few months at most. So the decision was easy. Now our other dog is 14 and she's been sick for awhile- sounds a lot like yours and it's such a struggle deciding what to do, especially with kids. I'm so sorry you had to make this decision, but I truly believe it was the right one. She sounded like she was in pain and just falling apart. Letting her go was the kindest thing you could do for her.

Re: My girl crossed the rainbow bridge

Thanks. I feel a little better now about the decision. Just miss her. I keep hearing her collar jingling and think I'm going to look up and see her. And last night, I found a piece of her dry dog food on the area rug. Don't know where that came from, as I just vacuumed. Ugh, it's so hard.
I read online that someone was asked - What is the hardest thing about having a pet? And they answered - Saying goodbye.

Re: My girl crossed the rainbow bridge

I'm so sorry for your loss.
It is the most difficult decision to make, since furbabies cannot tell us what is wrong, if they hurt.
Based on what you wrote, you did make the right decision. It's heartbreaking, but was the right thing to do.

I had to do it for my 13 year old boy cat who had cancer in his jaw. Just 5 weeks after the diagnosis, the look in his eyes told me it was time to let him go. It's been 13 years, and I still miss him. My girl cat will be 15 in December, and I dread the day that I lose her too.

The rainbow is a sign that she is ok.