Terrible day today. My 15 year old dog has been off her food for a few days but was eating if we hand fed her. Just thought she was being fussy in her old age but this morning I went to give her a piece of cold meat and she wouldn't eat it. Later on in the morning she wet the floor even though she was able go outside. I knew immediately something was wrong as she never ever had accidents apart from when she was a puppy. Took her to the vet and was left literally reeling when she told me she had a massive tumour in her stomach pressing on most of her organs. There was nothing they could do for her. As she couldn't eat because of the tumour I made the decision to have her put to sleep rather than having her starve to death. My young son is devastated and thinks that I killed her but of course he doesn't understand. I know I did the right thing but even so, it hurts like hell.

Aw that's so sad Kiteflyer. You know you did the kindest thing you could for her, it's very hard for little ones to understand. Sending you some gentle hugs x

I'm so sorry about your dog, I know it must have been terribly hard for you but you did the right thing.

Take care x x

I know how awful the feeling is, and I send you my sympathy.

You have my every sympathy, having to put down a loved pet is such a hard thing to do, but you did the right thing. It is much kinder than let them suffer in misery.
take care x x

Thanks Frisky Python, Pasodaisy and Iphigenia. I am feeling a bit better now. I have got over the initial shock. Just wasn't expecting that outcome this morning, My son seems to be handling it a bit better tonight too.

Thanks. You are right. It would have been too cruel to watch her suffer. She wouldn't have lived much longer anyway so we would only have been increasing her suffering. I am surprised that she didn't show any obvious symptoms sooner bearing in mind the size of the tumour.

Big hug for you and your son. Its a terrible thing to do but necessary unfortunately xx

I am sending you hugs for your loss. 15 years is a long time to have a loving companion, so appreciate the time you had together. You absolutely did the right thing, unfortunately most pets do not live as long as we would like, however much we would want it. (15 years is good for a dog) I'm not sure how old your son is, but he will know, by your guidance, what happened, he will be upset too, and he will learn to accept.

I'm so so sorry kiteflyer, your story sounds similar to our Ollie's....we had to have him PTS on December 14th, he was 14...miss him so much it hurts..sending much love to all the family...it's heart-breaking xxx

You did the right thing by the dog.

Very sad nonetheless. I've had to do it myself and it's traumatic.

Really sorry for your loss. I completely understand how you're feeling, as I had my golden retriever put to sleep when she was 13, with cancer. You'll be sad, but you will also remember your dog's life and the good times you had together. x

Thanks everyone for all your replies and good wishes. Very kind of you and much appreciated. x

This happened with my 9 year old collie, so sorry to hear your news

You poor kiteflyer. I'm so sorry...that was a massive shock for you and your family but the decision you made was right IMO. I suppose you can comfort yourselves with memories of happier times with your dog.
It's like losing one of the family ;I know. You must be so sad right now.

I'm so sorry OP

Its a horrible decision to have to make, but you did the right thing.

RIP

aww massive hugs for you OP xx

So sorry to hear your news. It sounds like it was an almighty shock to you and decisions had to be made so quickly.

Your poor little lad - it must have been so hard for him to take it all in. There are some good websites that deal with pet bereavements and how best to help kids handle it. My kids were little when our cat got run over and we got a little plague for our cat which helped them come to terms with it.