How Do You Know When it’s Time to Say Goodbye to Your Fur Child?

by sierrag on in Useful Tips 45
old dog rolling on the grass

Yes, many owners may keep their dog alive because they can't bear saying goodbye. However, if their pooch is in pain, she is living out her last days most likely feeling uncomfortable and not happy, and no one wants that for their fur baby.

If your fur child has a terminal illness, it's best to be honest with yourself and be selfless with every decision you make. Carefully think about the below question:

older pug

•Is it in his best interest to extend his life, or are you extending his life for yourself? This last point is the most difficult one for most of us to sort out, but it may well be the most relevant.

When it comes time to say goodbye to your precious pooch it will undoubtedly be one of the most difficult times in your life and yes, I'm dreading the day I will have to say goodbye to my fur baby.

You're not only saying goodbye to a faithful friend you've had for years, but you're losing a fur “child” who has loved you like no one else. Not only will the loss of your doggy affect you, but it will affect your other family members and friends too.

Come together as a family and do what's best for your loved one — because they're counting on you to take care of them until their final breath.

For more information, including a list you can make and other important factors to consider during your dog's final days, check out DogTime.



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45 thoughts on “How Do You Know When it’s Time to Say Goodbye to Your Fur Child?”

  2. Jo Neugent

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    You can tell the fur baby knows when it is time also mine sure did she did not wan`t to go but her time was up and she knew it,she was fourteen years old and died very peacefully in my arms here at home just where she wanted to be close to us,I miss her so very much ,such a hard thing to go through,my little Pug Roxy….

  4. Susan Ciccarelli Jenkins

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    Our 14 year old male pug Dewey just walked off-the pugs would lay on our front porch every morning & sun themselves & my husband went opened the door to let them in & Dewey was gone. He walked out 10 acres for 7 hours the first day, called everyone in town-no Dewey. We looked for weeks, never found him. Daisy was 15 & lived until her hips broke down. I miss my babies every day!

  6. Mary Clark

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    I have had to put down most of the ones that I have had and I have been there for other people when they had to put one of theirs down. It is not easy to do but when they arre in pain it is time to let them go.

  8. Julie Renna

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    It’s a decision that is made between you and God. You know when it’s time and God directs your steps. My pugs are 13 and 15. And I know everyday with them is a gift. And when the time comes I will do what’s necessary to show them I love them. Forever.

  11. Kathy Casada

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    God bless I am losing one of my fur babies I cry everyday but I make him happy no matter what I have had him 8 yrs.. but I pray god help me and this fur baby idk just feel empty inside .. love him to the moon and back

  12. Weed Ster

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    After reading this post,it brought tears to my eyes, Nuggz Puggz is my little girl,she was so small when i got her at 6 weeks old, The smallest of 3 puppies.She was hiding in the corner of the box,skinny,scared. Her brothers wouldn’t let her feed. I picked her up and she looked at me with them little brown eyes,I had to have her. I knew she was to young to take her,but also knew if I wait she might die.I took her home. Stopping at the vet,I bought a nursing bottle,2 cans of Mother’s Milk and baby food. Time to bring this baby back to life. Feeding time was 3 times a day,2 times at night.Rub her belly like momma was licking her. I am mom and dad. I’m a 60 year old male,disabled all my life,I needed something to bring the life back into me, And she did it.First trip to the vets was more scary to me then her I’m sure, waiting to hear that i was wasting my time,but the vet said i saved her life.the vet said she’s very small but very healthy. Now at the age of 4 years old she’s only 8 lbs.She’s my life,my soul. And i hope I die before her,I couldn’t live without her in my life.She has brought life into me and my family,I never had any kids of my own,shes my little girl.

  15. Abi Harden

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    This post breaks my heart….in my 24 years of existence I can only relate to losing one special pet to me, and that was my cat when I was 12. Since then we’ve had 2 dogs, they are still living, but are getting fairly old. 3 years ago I adopted a pug mix from the shelter and my life has changed so, so much for the better. He goes everywhere with me, to the store, to work (I own a dog grooming shop), ect. He’s always by my side and is the most loyal little boy a girl could ever ask for! I can’t imagine my life without him and to be honest I cry every now and then at just the thought of ever losing him. He is around 6 or 7 and still full of life. His name is Barney and he is my best friend!

  21. Denise Ling Goodrich

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    I’ve lost many dogs that ended with it being my decision. Not easy. While I miss all of them, I am feeling haunted by my beautiful Lizzy. God bless you little one. God knew me when he put you in my life. My heart aches for you

  22. Suzanne Zethner

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    You need to be brave, not think of yourself. My pug Bert had lost a lot of weight. Peeing the bed at night. I knew it was something really wrong. Most likely cancer. Long story short, I spoke to him that morning. Told him I would never let him suffer. Let his fur baby sister say goodbye while he lay in his bed. My mother took me to the vet while I held him in a blanket. It was a sunny day. When I got out of the car, he looked up to the sky, took a deep breath of the crisp air. I knew that he knew I would never want him to suffer and I would be brave. It is the last beautiful thing you have to do for your baby. I know I will see him again. Love you Bert !

  26. Suzanne Zethner

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    Its alright that your Dad helped you thru. There’s no shame because you made the right decision. My Mom helped me and she stayed with my Bert for the final minutes. I couldn’t do it. You did everything right, Bless you.

  34. Elizabeth Moore Stonnell

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    When they are having trouble breathing, or are in pain, or have no quality of life, and there is nothing more that can be done. My Boston Terrier just passed on 2/21 very peacefully. My Pug Max is nearly 14. He is doing well, but I love him too much to let him suffer if he can’t be cured or made better.

  37. Barbara Munch

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    My Jay jay of nearly 16 years had started acting funny would not come in from the yard stayed out one night until it rained another time hid under our table. The day he woke up he was having trouble standing. The slightest noise he would bark non stop. This day nothing not the door bell, smoke alarm, slamming a seat nothing I told my husband something is wrong my adult children took him to vet I thought maybe his nails needed trimming that’s why he wasn’t able to stand. Well when the vet saw him he said he had a large stomach mass and was going to bleed out shortly. My daughter called and I told her put him to sleep. He was too good too suffer. She kept asking if I was sure I said yes. I hung up and Gould not stop the tears!

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