We are going to put our family dog of 16 years to sleep tomorrow......

[clarice]

Someone please tell me how to cope with this. My heart is breaking.

[applegrove]

1. There will come a day when you will think of your pooch and feel so happy for having had

them in your life. And you will laugh and wiggle both your ears as they say. Not right away. But some day. That smile will be with you forever and you can call on it at any time.

[clarice]

2. Bless you AG...it's just hard beyond description right now.

[jonno99]

3. So sorry. All I can suggest is to try to focus on the good years - the good times. I don't know

if you have movies - or just pictures, but for us when we've lost a doggie, we just try to remember and to celebrate a wondrous, and truly self-less friend.

Take care...

[clarice]

4. Every time I try to concentrate on the good times...it makes me cry even more. nt

[jonno99]

6. I know. Our dogs they give & they give and are always happy to have us - even if we're not

happy ourselves.

It's hard...I'm so sorry

[clarice]

8. smooch

[TexasBushwhacker]

5. Please take some comfort

know that you gave him/her a wonderful life, full of love for so many years. We animal lovers sign up to have our hearts broken. We will almost always outlive our pets. But after a while, you will do it again, opening your home and hearts to another furbaby.

Your local SPCA or Humane Society may have pet loss support groups. I found it very comforting to be with others who were feeling the same kind of grief as I was.

[clarice]

7. was it very hard for you? nt

[TexasBushwhacker]

14. Oh my yes! It was my cat that I got when I was 21

She lived until I was 42 - 21 years! I'd had her my entire adult life. I was so used to her waiting in the window for me when I got home from work, and being there at the door when I opened it. It took a while to get used to the fact that she wasn't there anymore. For a while, I'd cry a little every day when I got home from the disappointment. That was 16 years ago and I'm even tearing up now. By I was very lucky with her. Other than a little arthritis and hearing loss, she was quite healthy until the last 10 days or so.

[magical thyme]

9. I'm so sorry...

No words of advice. A couple years ago I had to put down the pony I'd rescued 23 years earlier. I promised him a home for life, and I did it. But letting him go was the absolute hardest thing I've ever done.

Be strong for your doggie. Just hold it together and be strong for him. Tell him how much you love him, how you always have and always will.

It is very quick and they really do just go to sleep. No suffering. You will be doing the suffering.

[clarice]

10. Thanks MT....I really mean it. nt

[oldandhappy]

11. You shared love and care. That remains.

You are allowing your dog the dignity of a pain-free passing. You are giving your dog one last gift of not suffering. None of this makes it easy. I sit in my car and cry after doing this. I also sit with the dog the night before and tell them all the good things I appreciate about them and remind them of many wonderful adventures we have shared. None of that makes it easy either. A member of your family is going on ahead of you. Not easy, but a loving choice.

Lots of hugs and a shared tear.

[clarice]

12. Thanks OH.... I could sure use all of the hugs that I can get. nt

[clarice]

13. I'm gonna try to get some sleep now. Thanks to all of you. nt

[Lochloosa]

15. Amber was14 when we had to go there

I still miss her, but with a smile now.

[2theleft]

16. So, so sorry.

I had to do the same a few years ago for my 16 year old baby. She was my first dog as an adult and I just love her so much. I did have two other dogs at the time, so the days after weren't terrible as they seemed to know I was sad and were extra gentle and loving. Hold on to the memories and sweetness that your pup gave you. Hugs to you and to your sweet pup. Will be thinking of you tomorrow and sending you a cyber hug.

[cheri010353]

17. This helps me when I'm in your situation.

I had to put my beloved cat Muffin to sleep several years ago and it took a year before I could think about her and smile instead of cry. Eventually the happy memories won't be so painful and will bring smiles. Give yourself time and let yourself grieve. I'm so sorry for you and your family.


May I Go Now?

May I go now?
Do you think the time is right?
May I say goodbye to pain filled days
and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best,
an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond
and set my spirit free?

I didn't want to go at first,
I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now
to a warm and loving light.
I want to go
I really do.
It's difficult to stay.

But I will try as best I can
to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me
and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid,
because I see your tears.

I'll not be far,
I promise that, and hope you'll always know
that my spirit will be close to you
wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me.
You know I love you too,
that's why it's hard to say goodbye
and end this life with you.

So hold me now just one more time
and let me hear you say,
because you care so much for me,
you'll let me go today.

- Written for a beloved pet & friend, by Susan A. Jackson

[underahedgerow]

18. It doesn't get easier... it's hard as can be, but there is a small amount of peace that comes to us

at the moment when their struggling, suffering bodies become still and calm. It's really fast and the doctor is always wonderfully compassionate.

I felt privileged to have been my Winky's keeper for all of her 10 fragile years, and honored to have given her the very best life such a wonderful little dog could have. She died in my arms after a 2 year struggle with congenital heart disease. Her vet said the sweetest thing...she said 'I would have liked to be the dog in your house'.... that helped.

I think it's a gift and an honor to have the means to know when the time is right give them a peaceful, dignified ending. I'm so sorry you're losing your friend.

[Laffy Kat]

19. Walk through the darkness.

It's the only way to get through it.

I am so, so sorry.

[nadine_mn]

20. I am so sorry...the hardest thing as a pet guardian to do is say goodbye

We had to make the decision to let our collie mix Ed cross that rainbow bridge a few years ago. My husband had rescued her as a puppy from a shelter..the whole litter was going to be put down the next day. He wanted to save one and chose the one who came up to him. She was his first dog and he nursed her back to health (she had rickets, mange, worms..you name it) while he was a broke college student. I met him and Ed 2 yrs later and she was a gorgeous, healthy happy dog.

When she was 13, she had some spine damage and was in pain every minute of everyday. The meds relieved some of it, but the spark in her eyes was gone. We knew we had to end her pain, but it didn't make it any easier. It broke our hearts.

The next year our lab mix Leinie was having severe health issues. I just remember saying to him, please pass away in your sleep...I can't go through making this decision again. He ended up having a stroke and passed away in our arms at the vet.

We have 3 older pets: a cat that is 16, a lab that is 14 and a german shepherd that is 10. We know some more goodbyes are coming sooner than later.

The only thing that helped us through those sad times, and still today, is talking about them and all the good memories we had. We mentioned them daily still, not in a sad way just remembering moments and seeing how our current pets picked up some behaviors from them. When Ed would bark outside, she did this little hop with her front legs in the air. Our lab Jazz does the same thing.

I am not going to sugar coat it, it hurts a lot. But remembering all the love and wonderful times together helps to make each day get just a little better.

[fizzgig]

60. my life is filled with senior kittehs

the brood at dad's consists of the orange tabby i brought home when i was 16 (2007) and two of the kittens we caught from her one one litter. they're all healthy but i am much more aware of the passage of time with them. my dim one is about 14 but you'd never know it.

but i know the goodbyes are coming and sooner rather than later. it just makes me cherish my time with them all the more.

[The Second Stone]

21. Life is precious and it is short, but you owe your dog this kindness

and it will break your heart. Feel it and remember. Forever faithful.

[snacker]

26. Wonderful words of wisdom

Losing a dog is heartbreaking. I've been through it three times, and it never gets easier.

A Dog's Plea

I remember bringing you home.
You were so small and cuddly
with your tiny paws and soft fur.
You bounced around the room
with your eyes flashing and ears flopping.
Once in a while you'd let out a little yelp
just to let me know this was your territory.
Making a mess of the house
and chewing on everything in sight
became a passion
and when I scolded you,
you just put your head down
and looked up at me with those innocent eyes
as if to say," I'm Sorry,
but I'll do it again as soon as you're not looking."
As you got older,
you protected me by looking out the window
and barking at everyone who walked by.
When I had a tough day at work,
you would be waiting for me
with your tail wagging just to say,
"Welcome home! I missed you!"
You never had a bad day
and I could always count on you
to be there for me.
When I sat down to watch T.V. or read the paper,
you would hop on my lap looking for attention.
You never asked for anything more
than to have me pat your head
so you could go to sleep with your head over my leg.
As you got older,
you moved around more slowly.
Then one day,
old age finally took its toll,
and you couldn't stand on those wobbly legs anymore.
I knelt down and patted you lying there,
trying to make you young again.
You just looked up at me
as if to say you were old and tired
and that after all of these years of not asking for anything,
you had to ask me to do one last favor.
With tears in my eyes,
I drove you one last time to the vet.
One last time you were lying next to me.
For some strange reason
you were able to stand up in the animal hospital.
Perhaps it was your sense of pride.
As the vet led you away,
you stopped for an instant, turned your head
and looked at me as if to say,
" Thank you for taking care of me."
And I thought, " No . . . Thank you for taking care of me."

[LWolf]

22. That dog

will be alive in your heart for the rest of your life.

Other than that, I've got nothing. I had to do the same last January and am still not over it; just typing this brings the tears.

[Major Nikon]

23. Get another dog

That's the best coping advice I can give. We had two dogs that died within a year of each other and both were 17 when they died. When you have a dog that old you really can't imagine yourself with another when it gets close to the end, but what really helped us was rescuing two more not long after.

As George Carlin said, life is just a series of dogs.

[benld74]

24. Their memories will always be with you, you made their life something special.

Look up Rainbow Bridge on Google that helped me.

[blogslut]

25. Loving thoughts to you.

A hug for your heart.

[Coventina]

27. I'm so sorry. I went through that this summer.

My beloved sweet girl.
I still miss her.
I will always miss her.

Just know that your dog knows s/he is loved.

[Wolf Frankula]

28. Have a memorial for the doggie

Cry. You will need to cry. Let it happen. Then, in due time, get another doggie.

Wolf

[Nac Mac Feegle]

29. Sometimes, I think that our pets train us to deal with the loss of loved ones.

The pure love of our pets is one thing that makes our lives whole.

As with everything, it must end.

Take whatever comfort you can in knowing that the pain is over for your beloved.

It hurts. It hurts a lot. But it will start to lessen.

You will remember the good times with joy.

Again; know that the pain is over.

And hold the memories dear.

[Skittles]

30. so sorry, clarice

they take a piece of our heart when they leave

Grieve not,
nor speak of me with tears,
but laugh and talk of me
as if I were beside you...
I loved you so --
'twas Heaven here with you.

by Isla Paschal Richardson

[trof]

31. If you possibly can, be there.

If you can deal with it, be there to the end.
The first time I had to do this, I just turned him over to the vet and walked away.
I've never forgiven myself.

I've been through this four times.
It never gets any easier, but the last three I stayed while the injection was given, held her paw and stroked her, and said goodbye.
The last thing she saw was the pack brother/friend she loved the most.
That's a good way to go.

It will hurt for a long time.
That's just how it is.
Sorry.

[trof]

49. Were you there?

Just wondered if you read my post.

[YvonneCa]

32. Thinking of you today..

...clarice.

[bigwillq]

33. I am so sorry.

[restorefreedom]

34. so sorry...

allow yourself to grieve
ignore anyone who diminishes your grief because it wasn't a person who died
hang on to the good memories
there are some good grief hotlines and online support groups
and remember that you gave love and life to a wonderful soul and made a difference

peace

[darkangel218]

35. :(

In so sorry, Clarice. It never gets easy, I'm still mourning my lost pets.

[roody]

36. Cry.

[Ex Lurker]

37. I had to do that three months ago

It is hard, hard, and nothing I can say will make it easier. It sent me off the deep end for a few weeks. All I can tell you is time does heal most wounds. Eventually you will be able to remember the good things and not be torn apart by grief. It's the way nature intended us to be, and your dog would want it that way.

My girl had severe arthritis that severely hindered her mobility, dementia, and the vet also suspected cancer. I was with her nearly 24/7 the last 6 weeks of her life. I did all I could for her, and I hope she thought I did right by her. Maybe she could have kept going a few more days or a week, but that would have been for my sake, not hers. Eventually, letting them go is a blessing, hard though it is.

We know going into it how the story ends. We will probably outlive our animals. We try to give them a good life-and you have. A dog doesn't make it to 16 without being well taken care of. And your pup knows that.

[clarice]

38. A note to all......it is difficult to thank everyone individually....

but a big hug to all of you for your support. It's over.....and my baby is
in doggy Heaven.

[shenmue]

39. ...

[magical thyme]

48. ...

[irisblue]

40. I am so sorry. I cried so hard every time

[GreatGazoo]

41. So sorry for your loss

Grief is a biological as well as emotional process. As uncontrollable as puberty. You cannot stop it but a better understanding of it may help you cope. I was greatly aided by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross's last book "On Death and Dying."

Please take care of yourself and your physical needs. Sleep when you are sleepy, eat when you are hungry. Stay healthy. Don't feel obligated to "cheer up" when others cannot deal with your grief. Give yourself the time and space you need for the process of grief. Your dearly departed dog would want no less for you.

[Xyzse]

42. I'm still sad about the two cat brothers my best friend put down early this year.

She's had them since I've known her, which is since 2001.

I have no idea how to cope.

I am just so sorry to hear that.

[Matrosov]

43. One of my dogs passed this weekend

She was also the second to pass away in just over a year. Both were rescued from puppy mills and had health issues all their lives, but at least were very happy dogs and were +10 years old when they passed.

As someone who has always had a dog and usually more than one, I have also had to deal with many dogs passing.

All I can say is that the initial pain is never easy. It always feels like a close friend or member of the family passed away.

One thing I try to remember is that my sadness is not for them but for me. The dogs are not suffering in any way, physically or emotionally. I have no reason to be sad for them therefore, and I'm sad because I miss them and their personality.

I also try to adhere to my daily routine as much as possible. It's easy to want to sit around and not do anything, yet that often only fuels the sadness. Normalcy and routine are important then. If you have other dogs, feed them, walk them, and play with them, like you usually would.

Eventually there does come a point when you can look back at all the happy times you've had with your dog, and instead of becoming sad again, you'll smile and be thankful for those good times.

[clarice]

45. So sweet, thank you. I am finding that cleaning the house (of all things) seems to help.nt

[Matrosov]

50. How are things?

The two-week anniversary is coming up and there are still some difficult moments. Even though I've gone through this several times before, and I've figured out a few ways to cope a little better, it's like I said.. the initial pain doesn't get any easier. It really is almost like mourning the loss of a friend or family member that passed.

Anyway, I hope things are going better for you

[clarice]

51. Yes...i guess maybe time does heal all (or some) wounds. Thanks so much. nt

[shenmue]

52. I sry

[Tipperary]

44. I know how you feel.

[clarice]

46. sucks, doesn't it ? nt

[Tipperary]

47. Yes, it does.

I unfortunately never had one of my fur friends just die. I always have to make that decision that you are dealing with.

Gosh, please feel my sympathy and empathy for you. All I can say is that I think our beloved animals stay close when they're gone. Hugs to you again.

[Sanity Claws]

53. My sincere condolences on your loss

I had to put my 15 year old cat to sleep in August. He had been with me since he was a 4 month old kitten.
I was sad but I knew it relieved his suffering.

Amazing how strong the ties we form with pets are.

[sarge43]

54. Give yourself time

You will grieve. However, one day you'll have a flash of memory and it won't hurt anymore; in fact you'll smile, even laugh. One day your love will take away the pain.

Peaceful passage for your sweet friend.

[lovemydog]

55. I'm so sorry clarice.

Just know that you gave your family dog a wonderful life. Maybe talk with others who have done the same.

[alphafemale]

56. A heart can't grow unless it is broken.

I'm posting a link to a beautiful picture story that you may have seen called

"I Died Today." by Duke Roberts It is a story about a dog's last day told from the PPV of the dog.

It is wrenching and wonderful all at once.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/alanwhite/this-story-of-a-dogs-last-day-on-earth-is-beautiful-and-hear#.xi0NE3rDj

[snacker]

61. What a lovely sentiment...

and the link is heartwarming. Thank you.

[Snobblevitch]

57. Like all grief,

the only thing that really helps is time.

One of the hardest things I ever had to do was to put down the family cat. We got the cat when I was seven and I brought him to the vet to be put to sleep when I was almost 28.

[redwitch]

58. I am so sad for you.

I understand your heartbreak clarice and my heart hurts for you. It is hard to say goodbye.

[UTUSN]

59. I am so horribly sorry. I've (had to) put 2 down over my 60 yrs & still blame myself. n/t