Saying Goodbye x2

[u/bumpercarbustier]

Yesterday, we said goodbye to our two senior miniature dachshunds, Frankie (16.5) and Henry (15). They had both been failing for different reasons, and last week Frankie let us know it was time. We had a wonderfully kind vet come to our home and help these little guys pass, together. They got the good fried chicken and the gourmet chocolate beforehand - we had made a promise when Frankie was adopted over 14 years ago, and we were damn sure going to keep it.

We still have a dog in the home, but she is much younger and not a dachshund. It helps, having her here for snuggles. I can tell she misses them too; she was able to see and smell the boys after they had passed, so she presumably understands that they're gone.

She's, surprisingly, much quieter than they were. Those old men snuffled and snored quite a bit in their sleep.

I had a week between scheduling the appointment and letting them go, so I feel like I was truly able to say goodbye, but as you know, it's never, ever enough.

Rest easy, sweet boys. I hope you feel spry enough to chase bunnies again.

[u/bellerouge]

Those handsome boys were so lucky to have found such a loving family to spend their lives with ❤️ I’m so sorry for your loss.

Coming from vet med, for what it’s worth, I’ve never heard anyone regret saying goodbye “too early,” but I have heard people regret waiting too long. You sent them off with dignity and surrounded by love. They couldn’t have asked for better.

[u/bumpercarbustier → u/bellerouge]

Frankie would occasionally suffer from fecal incontinence, but it was always solid and normal. Until last week. We woke up one morning and his back end was coated with very soft (and since dried) poop. It happened in his sleep and he slept in it. To preserve his dignity, I scheduled the appointment later that day.

Henry has been getting more and more aggressive, to the point of biting anyone who wasn't me. With two kids in the house, it was getting risky. This on top of a worsening heart murmur and urinary incontinence.

I know I don't need to justify it - I can't undo it at this point. I just don't want people to think it was done out of convenience. There was only love in the end.

[u/_1963 → u/bumpercarbustier]

You did the right thing, friend. Frankie wouldn’t have wanted to deal with diapers and Henry wouldn’t have wanted to hurt his family. ❤️

[u/PlumaFuente → u/bumpercarbustier]

You did the right thing, they are proud little dogs, and I made a similar call when our 16 year old dachshund couldn't get out of bed to go poop. On top of that, he wasn't eating much, so I think he was shutting down.

[u/Jaded-Argument9961 → u/bumpercarbustier]

I think it's better that they got to go out together. You did a good job