Black Friday

[bigdog]

Well, I had to put my best friend Boo Boo down Friday morning. He had stopped eating and drinking and was having a hard time breathing. Took him in to vet. Vet said his heart and lungs seemed ok, so something else was going on. Even though we knew it was coming, it was one of the most terrible, gut wrenching things I've ever had to do. I could have spent who knows how much trying to save him, but at 14-1/2 years old, blind, partially deaf and getting weaker every day, it just seemed best to let him go, no matter how much it hurt. I held him in my arms while he passed, then I lost it and just sat there holding him for 15-20 minutes, not wanting to let him go.
Sorry to burden you guys, but even tho I haven't met most of you, I feel a friendship here that helps me.

Sorry, this should have been in the O/T section, habit I guess.

[rb]

Sorry to hear about your loss. Those 4 leg animals become a huge part of the family and it can be a very hard loss.

[coacha]

We had to put our 17 year old dog down last summer and his buddy of 12 years died last fall. I know of what you speak.

[jims]

You did the right thing for him. Went through it with a few of my own "old timer" dogs and you are right - It's just plain hard.

[Loafer]

Well, I had to put my best friend Boo Boo down Friday morning. He had stopped eating and drinking and was having a hard time breathing. Took him in to vet. Vet said his heart and lungs seemed ok, so something else was going on. Even though we knew it was coming, it was one of the most terrible, gut wrenching things I've ever had to do. I could have spent who knows how much trying to save him, but at 14-1/2 years old, blind, partially deaf and getting weaker every day, it just seemed best to let him go, no matter how much it hurt. I held him in my arms while he passed, then I lost it and just sat there holding him for 15-20 minutes, not wanting to let him go.
Sorry to burden you guys, but even tho I haven't met most of you, I feel a friendship here that helps me.

Sorry, this should have been in the O/T section, habit I guess.

Sorry to here this. I believe most of us have had a hard time letting that special friend, pass to better hunting grounds. Having them pass in your arms, is the right thing to do.

[waterman]

Sorry to hear about your loss. It's been almost 2 years since we put down our Nala and still think about her all the time. Time does heal all wounds, but some take longer.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

[cnc]

Sorry to hear this. I had to put down a good four legged Friend a number of years back and it was tough. Today we have two of them running around here, so I can relate to what you are going through. I hope you can gain comfort in the knowledge that you did the best for him and was there for him till the end.

[Bull Durham]

Big Dog,

I had to put my weiner down 1 1/2 years ago, I know it is so hard to do. I held her in my arms too. Even though it tears me up to do that, I only think it is right for the master to hold their pet while it passes, so it only knows love while it goes. Every time I have to do it, I know my pets are in the happiest place they can be, just being in my arms while it happens.

Remember, pets only live for the moment, unlike us. It was Boo Boo's time, you were gracious to know it and let him slip away. I believe Boo Boo was very happy just having you there with him.

[ringadingh]

Im very sorry for your loss, Its amazing how attached you can become to a pet, and when their time is over how much pain it can make you feel.

[glwilson]

My sympathies...

Definitely one of the toughest things anyone will ever go through... I too have been there. :'(

[pirate]

Sorry to hear. I've had to do that too many times, and it never gets any easier.

[joe3407nomad]

Been there, done that! Everyone in the family wants a dog, the only problem is when its time to put him down its your job. Ain't easy. Sorry!

[cajun2wheels]

I know exactly how you feel.I had to put two pets down and each time I say"never again".I always get another pet sooner or later.The sorrow you feel now is very small compared to the many years of pleasure you get from your buddies.I am very sorry for your loss.

[nomadbehappy]

Sorry to hear this. I had to do the same to my lab 2 years ago. She got me through my divorce when I was at my lowest. Dogs are amazing pets who quickly become such a part of our lives. It is tough to put a dog down, but it is done with love and although not easy to do or forget when it is time you have to do it. My thoughts are with you and when the time is right I am sure there is another puppy ready to take his/her place at your side.

[burly]

Sorry to hear about your loss.

I've been through this several times, and it never gets any easier. Boo Boo is in a better place with no more pain...waiting for you. Waterman's poem says it very eloquently...

[wheelie]

Sorry to hear about your friend. He was a handsome dog. May you find peace in the memories of the good times you had together.

[dale55]

Sorry to hear about your little buddy. We lost our Beagle last year to cancer. Pretty broken up about it, but several monthes later we got a new little corgi Lucy. She helped alot healing the pain. Hang in...........

Dale

No burden at all, Bigdog. I feel your pain. Had to bury two within one year. Both were up in age, but still it was hard to lose two good friends.

[dakota7557]

So sorry to hear of your loss...I'm glad you loved Boo Boo enough to do the right thing...Our pets count on us to be there until the end...I have a feeling he couldn't have found a better home or master...Best Regards...Jody

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Sorry to hear of your loss. It never is easy letting them go.

[ken]

I feel your pain as I too had to have my wiener dog put down a few years ago and I too held her in my arms til the last moments.

I have often thought that losing a pet is training for losing a loved one, an event we all most go through at one time or another. No matter what, the pain exists and we carry it for a long time before it starts to fade. Memories are one of the elements of life that keeps us going.

The little story posted by Waterman is really nice. I'm going to copy that and keep it.

Just my thoughts.

[bigdog]

Thank you all so very, very much.
I am an old farm boy and have had to go through this many times before, but this one is tearing me apart and that in itself is troubling. It's now been several days and all I can see when I close my eyes is him cradled in my arms at the vet. I should be able to deal with this better, I'm not a 10 year old kid for Petes' sake.
Anyway, thanks again.

[boomerang2120]

Having been through it myself I know that gut wrenching feeling that you know you're doing the right thing but it still hurts like hell. Very sorry for your loss.

[unwind2]

Oh so sorry. As others have said it is very difficult. We still think about our little 'buddy' who died last year at age 13. It does help to think about the good life they had with you as there are so many of God's four-legged creatures that need a good home.
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb11/Unwind2/pickwick01jpg07.jpg
Buddy-gone to the Rainbow Bridge

[mobandy78]

I know exactly how you feel. I've had to put down a couple of dear friends over the years, and it is not an easy thing to do. My fiance and I have 2 dogs now that are more like children than pets. It will be hard on me when it's their time to go, but I can't imagine how hard it will be on my fiance.

[taranis]

It never is easy to determine when the best time is to let go of a pet. It's a horrible, gut-wrenching feeling, but at the same time, it's something of yourself you sacrifice for the love of your friend.

You did good. He was where he wanted to be, above anywhere else, when the last moment came. No doubt you will see each other again.

I have three large-breed dogs - two Great Pyrenees and a wolf/husky. I dread the day when we have to make this decision. It's never easy.

Take care, and may God ease your grief.

Jim & Ann

[schoeney]

My thoughts are with you.

The timing is uncanny as our Shih Tzu is 14+, deaf, and losing sight. I had to put my 16-1/2 yr old lab/sheperd down a few years ago- painful. This one won't be any easier.

I called the lab my dog and the Shih Tzu her dog but I think we all know it didn't matter.....they are all part of the family.

At some point the pain of death will leave and the fond memories will take over.

[cyclecat]

Ah man, I know what your feeling. We had to put our 13 year old pit bull, Teko, to sleep 9 days ago. We keep telling each other she's better where she is now because she was so crippled with arthritis and in so much pain she could barely walk but it was really tough to make the decision to do what was right for Teko. We still have our Jack Russell, Pheobe, but she too is old, 14; she is deaf and is going blind so it's only a matter of time. Stay strong, it will get easier.

[bigdog]

Once again, Thanks everybody

Rhett

[gatabout]

The worst thing ever to have to put those we love down, I'm sorry Man