The sigh
Let me say first that I have had 12 sheepdogs over many years, mostly adopted out of rescue or the pound. A couple died tragically, before they should have-- like Lulu, my deaf girl who was deliberately run over by a car so many years ago, and Monty, my first male, who died at the prime of life of Parvo in the early 1970's when that horrible disease first came onto the scene and there was no treatment and virtually a 100% mortality. But most died after a full life from a terminal illness such as cancer or just the infirmities of old age. When I was younger I would take my dog to the vet, when the time came, to be euthanized. I could not face being present-- my own weakness, really. They deserved better than to spend their final moments with a stranger. Bo changed all of that. She could not walk at the end and I had to carry her onto the vets table. I ended up staying, and have done so for every one of my sheepdogs since... at the end. It is surprising how quickly the procedure takes-- and how peaceful it is. The vet administers that simple overdose of anesthetic. Your dog''s eyes close as you hold his head, and his breathing slows and becomes shallower until you can't really tell if he is still breathing at all. Is he gone? You look up and the vet seems to be waiting. Then unexpectedly, you hear a single, deep, slow intake of breath and then it is released. I know it as "the sigh", and I have heard it before... ever since Bo. That moment when the spark of life, or soul, or whatever you call it, leaves and you know that the many years you had together are finally over, but that the burden of disease or old age he carried at the end has been lifted. Sometimes, if his bladder was full and he is no longer there to control it you know that whatever made him what he was, what made him more than organic matter has passed. I don't think about those times afterward much, and hardly ever talk about them. I am too busy with my current generation of sheepdogs. But we all know them I think... if you live with dogs in your life. . . I am reminded of something someone once told me. heaven is the place where all of the dogs you ever loved run to greet you |
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| OK, pass the tissues. Each dog tears the hole in my heart just a bit more. |
| rfloch AND SheepieBoss
How you were able to put words to the emotions felt in those last final moments, when you know in your heart, this is the end... The utter sorrow and lonliness walking out of that room with only a leash and collar. |
| You don't get the sigh with yorkies, only big dogs as the breath leaves their bodies.....it is good that we can release their pain and help them over the Bridge. who had the tissues last? |
| sitting there with my dolly girl while she when over the bridge there is no more a greater pain then that |
| Even though it's been 6 months since we lost Drez, I can still so vividly see our last vet visit in my mind and the look on her face - a combination of good-bye and thank you. How I miss that girl, and will, until I release my own final sigh. |
| Ok...I sure hope there are some tissues left for me. It strikes me as such a quick painless way for our lovies to go. I am always shocked how quickly it works. After watching my dad die (very slowly) with Altzheimers, I often wonder why we don't do this gentle loving thing for humans as well. Each day, I miss every dog and cat that has passed through my life. |
To be be with our faithful companions at the very end is soooooo very hard  yet a duty we all must fullfil its our way of saying I am here with you always and ever
Dolly I miss you more than life itself. Debsx |
Dollysmum wrote: To be be with our faithful companions at the very end is soooooo very hard
yet a duty we all must fullfil its our way of saying I am here with you always and ever Dolly I miss you more than life itself. Debsx  I think we all know how that feels......................... |
| Big sigh from me too....
I have read this thread many times trying to find words! In the past five years we have lost 6 dogs. Five euthanized and one died at home. The babies I have had to euthanize I have always stayed with through the whole procedure! I feel as if I need to be with them.... BUT, this is a personal preference. Working for a vet I have cuddled many a dog/cat to that final journey. So, if an owner can't be present they still know love in passing. The Big Sigh came from my Wilby boy... He was so sick and I wanted to put him on fluids... His xray showed that his liver was totally enlarged, he had no stomach left. I said to hook him up to fluids and he made the most painful sigh... It was not fair to him so, we said "good bye" I miss each day without him but, it was his time. |
| Made the mistake of reading this at my internet cafe...
luckily I have sort of a shaggy haircut, kind of hides the tears. sigh... oh Vlad,  i miss you so.
tissues, please... |
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