The toughest decision one has to make...

[GoldenRivet]

heartbreaking.

very sad.

I dread the day that something like this happens to my dog.

he is a family member, personality in a fur coat, closest thing to a kid i presently have.

[frau kaleun]

Sounds like she had a good life with your family.

I always figure that when we take these critters into our homes, in some ways we've assumed some the power of life and death that Nature would once have had over their lives had they been left to their own devices.

This is all well and good when it comes to giving them the best food and shelter and care that we can provide, but it gets hard when the time comes where the other type of decision has to be made. Without us in the picture, nature would just take its course and no one would be the wiser... but there might be pain and suffering and if we can shorten or prevent that, I feel it's our duty to do so because it's part of the responsibility we assumed when we decided not to let "nature" take its course at the outset when they needed a home and had none.

It's never an easy decision and when they have become an integral and beloved part of your family, it's never "just" a dog or any other kind of animal, it's a living being you knew and loved. My condolences to you all of you on your loss, but just remember how much better a life she had because you were there for her when she needed you - right up to the end.

[Oberon]

Got a touch of the 'Hayfever' myself reading through that. Next to my desk here on the wall is a picture of Max, our old Lab cross Collie, he had skin cancer as well as a lot of internal problems. We tried everything we could to keep him with us, and damn he was so strong and stoic, but it was a battle that could not be won. We lost him just under a year ago, and there's still a big hole but the pain gets easier to live with day by day, but he is never forgotten and never will be, nor will Moo. Like the poem you posted says "Forever here, within your heart, And memory I'll stay."

So please, give her a big hug from me, and you spoil her rotten tonight. You'll be in my thoughts, all of you.

God bless.

[Takeda Shingen]

This was a heartwrenching read. My thoughts with you and your loved ones.

[Tchocky]

Who's been chopping onions in GT

My sympathies, AVG, you are doing the right thing

[AVGWarhawk]

Thanks all. Today at 1115 our Moo was put to rest. Her struggles to breath and just get up are over. Quick, painless and dignified. She was faithful to the end. It was the one best thing we could have done for our family member in need.

She was dropped at the funeral home for cremation. We selected a nice urn. She can be picked up tomorrow. My girls did not want to leave Moo behind if we ever sell this house.

We carry on.....

[Jimbuna]

Give them two girls a friendly cuddle from old Uncle Buna Chris

[joea]

I have nothing to say except she was lucky lucky lucky to have you as a master.

[Buddahaid]

I loath losing pets. It seems to hurt more than losing people you know for me. I really feel your pain, take care.

[Tinman764]

Very sad. The only thing to do is love them back as much as they love you.

[Armistead]

It's tough, I tried to save my dog, small Yorkie oversize heart and her lungs filled with fluid. The meds made her better, but she got worse and even with more meds she died. I regret I didn't put her down and she suffered more for a week, so it's a hard decision that you made correctly.

[momo55]

You are powerless in such situations and you have given everything possible , respect .
10 years ago I lost my dog and it still hurts .

My sympathies AVG and family .

RIP Moo

[sharkbit]

Damn these onions.....they're making it hard to type.

You have my sympathies as well. Cherish the memories.

I don't know if this this is the time or place but I'd like to share this:
I had a dream about two mnonths after we put our dog down in 2005. My family and me were playing with her in the back yard. It seemed so real, not like a dream at all. At the end of the dream, our dog was sitting at the top of the steps like she always used to and I had the strangest feeling that it was time for her to go. I sat down with her, put my arms around her and told her that I sure missed her and then I woke up.

It seemed so real and it seemed that she just wanted to come back one more time for a romp with us and to say goodbye.

Dream brought on by just missing her alot or something else? I don't know. I will always remember it though.

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by Tchocky

Who's been chopping onions in GT

Originally Posted by sharkbit

Damn these onions.....they're making it hard to type.

Strange, I seem to have something in my eye tool

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Armistead

It's tough, I tried to save my dog, small Yorkie oversize heart and her lungs filled with fluid. The meds made her better, but she got worse and even with more meds she died. I regret I didn't put her down and she suffered more for a week, so it's a hard decision that you made correctly.

It is a very hard decision. My wife stated 9 weeks ago, "Are we doing this for her or we doing this for us?" Meaning at the time she was diagosed with mast cells gone wild was she in any pain at that time and are we hanging on for us. At that time she was oxgenating very well. Pink gums and tongue. Still had spunk in her step. The predisone worked miracles. The cough stopped. Her allergy that made her lick her feet constantly was completely eliminated. She was finally comforable from the incessent licking of her feet. In hindsight it was a good decision to use the pills and provide her 6 weeks of good times and good eats. At 9 weeks in a matter of 2 days she had grown a mast cell in her mouth. Very large. Her breathing labored. It was every indication that life for her was getting unpleasant. The decision was easy at that point. Either way we has humans want to hang on. When she went limp in my arms after administering the desired amount I knew she was finally free. I felt much relief but still very down and miss her much.