Preparing Yourself for The Death of Your Dog

There is no secret tip I can give you to lessen the pain of your Great Danes passing, or any dog for that matter, it’s going to come as a punch to the gut when it happens. You will be left with an emptiness and sorrow at the loss of your best friend. I can, however, tell you that a majority of the time they don’t pass peacefully in their sleep in the middle of the night after you tucked them into bed with their favorite toy, a majority of the time you have to make the hard decision to put them to sleep.
There are plenty of reasons we prolong making the decision to put our dogs to rest. Sometimes we put off the hard decision because we selfishly want as much time as possible with them. I get it, I have done it too. Other times we put it off because it’s hard to know when to let them go. Your Vet can help you with knowing when the time has come, and if your dogs in pain…the time has come.
Dogs don’t show pain the same way humans do, so it’s often difficult to tell if they’re in pain. Here are some signs that your dog may be in pain: excessive grooming to a certain spot, being more vocal, loss of appetite, aggression, panting, changes in sleeping patterns and accidents in the house.
These symptoms mean its time for a trip to the Vet to determine what is ailing your dog. If your Vet doesn’t give you a clear picture or offers unrealistic treatments that will only prolong the inevitable, you should be cautious. Going into debt for a treatment regimen that will not save your dog is not doing your dog any favors, you are only prolonging their pain. If your Vet isn’t being clear and concise about telling you its time to put your friend to sleep, you should ask them clear questions such as: Is the illness terminal? Is my dog in pain? How long can we expect my dog to have a good quality of life? Does my dog have a good quality of life now? If this were your dog, what would you do? If the vet gives you a clear picture that your dog has reached the end of their happy life and is crossing into an unhappy, painful time of life, you know the time has arrived.
If your plans are cremation, speak to your Vet about it, make a plan and even set a date. A date helps you and your family say goodbye by spoiling your Great Dane with lots of treats and cuddles. Plus, you may need to prepare yourself mentally to be there, IN THE ROOM, when the time comes to say good bye. I stress the part about being there in the room with your dog because, your dog will want you there. Your dog will be exhausted, in pain and ready to go, but they will want you to hug them and whisper sweet nothings in their ear.
Also ask your Vet about whether the cremation is for your pet alone or a group of pets. Often there are both options available and they drastically differ in cost.
If your plans are burial at your property, make a plan with your Vet and set a date for a HOME VET VISIT. I stress having the Vet come to your house because your Great Dane will be in a comfortable environment which causes less stress. After you lay your old friend to rest, I suggest planting a tree by their grave, that way you will have a beautiful reminder of them for years to come.
For months, even years you’re going to feel the pain of your loss. Its normal to look for them, call for them, even feel them. It will take time to adjust to the loss of your friend. I always try to think of a joyous memory of my dog when my chest aches with heart ache, it makes my loss bearable when I think about the amazing times we had together. Losing a dog is truly like losing your best friend.