My Sweet Baby Boy Angel

by Eric
(Long Island, New York)

Hi, My Name is Eric and I just put to sleep my 6 year old Beagle Lab Angel, this past Monday Oct.24th. He was my life. I found Angel 3 months before I was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and he saved my life. He was the sweetest most loving dog with not a mean bone in his body. My heart is so broken and the sadness is so heavy.
Almost two weeks ago, Angel woke me up at 2am in the morning with his ears pinned back, breathing heavy and shaking and his Hine legs paralyzed. I rushed him to the Vet emergency 5 minutes from my house to find out he had a compressed disc that he needed emergency surgery. In a hysterical state I okayed the 2 hour surgery. After 4 days in ICU he was able to come home last Friday. He was still paralyzed, incontinent and in pain. I was given 8 different meds for him including 2 pain pills and predisone. By the 3rd nite he was in constant pain, incontinent and just miserable. I like many pet owners had to make the decision on his quality of life and if it was fair to let him suffer the way he was. I just couldn`t let him be in such pain anymore.Even if he did walk again, his life would never be the same. The recovery for this surgery would be 6 to 9 months.I wanted to be selfish and keep him, but I had to be selfless and let him go.
My heart is so broken and the pain is unbearable.I miss him so much and I`m so glad I found this site to share my grief with others who are going through the same pain.I know he is at peace and no longer in pain but its always hardest for the ones still here. He will always be part of me but for right now, I`m devastated. Thanks for letting me share my story.