RIP Willow

Willow

After having her as our family member for 11 years, yesterday afternoon we decided to put our 16 year old American Eskimo down. She had been hacking for the past 2 months constantly, then about 3 days ago it got worse to the point it sounded like a kid with whooping cough. At her last visit we knew we only had so much time left, she had started down the road of poor oral health. Treatment was not an option as she may not have survived the surgery. When I brought her in, I knew in the back of my mind that maybe today was the day. With talking with the vet, she offered options like xrays blood tests and so on, but she did say that even if they found something and we're to treat it she could pass any time after and that due to her bad oral condition she would not make it to 2014. At that point I called my wife and we decided not to prolong the inevitable and make sure she no longer suffered and that we could end her degrading life before it got any worse.
One of the most difficult things I have done. I chose to stay in the room and hold her while she took her last breath.
Good bye my little Willow, we miss you and thank you for enriching our lives and family.
RIP Willow

JF

decal

Condolences. We have a 13 y.o. mini Doxie and a 6 y.o. Cairn Terrier and I dread the day they leave us.

tonyb

Oh man, that sucks. Sorry to hear about your loss. Having lost a few myself and being a huge dog lover I can relate to what your going threw. Dogs sure do "enrich" your life, good choice of words. I'm sure the pup was probably in some pain too with her oral problems. May Willow rest well with no more pain.

11tsteve

reading this brought tears to my eyes. i had to say good bye to my 14 year old black lab Ellie a year and a half ago, and even though my wife and I have been raising a new pup, i still have days where i miss my Ellie something terrible.

condolences to you and your family.

helipilotdoug

11tsteve wrote: »

reading this brought tears to my eyes.

Same here. It's not easy when a family member passes. Condolences to you and your family.

NotaSuv

Sorry to hear this...........RIP Willow..................

Willow

Thanks guys. I was tearing while writing it. It has been a bitter sweet two weeks. The birth of our daughter and the passing of Willow. What makes it even more difficult is that our 19 month old son and her were finally getting along and he had and looked forward to his chore of feeding her when I brought him home from daycare. I knew this time was fast approaching just didn't realize it was to be yesterday. I remember when I was off work for a year, lying down all day doped up on narcs for my herniated disks waiting for surgery she never left my side. I had an air mattress on the floor in the family room where I spent my days while my wife was at work and there sleeping beside me all day was Willow, never asking to play or go for walks or bathroom. So loyal, I sure hope she felt we gave her the best life possible.

11tsteve

if she never left your side for a year, you did it right and she loved her family. i feel it is an honor to be a part of such a life as a dogs for all they give and how little they ask.

Jimbo18

We have a 10 1/2 year old Dachshund and she's been coughing more and more lately and we are concerned about her. She's like a child to us. I know it's silly to love an animal more than most people, but as 11steve said, they give so much and ask so little.

My wife never runs to the door and wags her tail so hard that her butt wags too. Lucy, our "Dash hound" is the second dog that I have owned, the first was a Weimaraner that I got as a child around 1960 and I still miss him, so I know how hard it will be when we lose Lucy.

So, I understand your pain and sympathize. RIP Willow.

11tsteve

huh. our new pup is a dachshund mix named Lucy.

amulford

My condolences. It bites when you lose a friend, but try to remember what you did for her...

thsmith

Sorry for your loss.

deronb1

Sorry for your loss. My mom lost her "Golden" a couple of weeks ago. 12 yrs of unconditional love. She got a rescue dog a few days ago.

EndersShadow

Dog's are not pets, they are family members. I dont know how I am going to handle when my Corgi and Terrier pass on. I may need a couple days to compose myself.

drumminman

Sorry for your loss, but it was such a good thing to stay with her as she left this world. I did the same with my last two dogs that passed. Incredibly difficult, but so important for you and for them. Thinking about it even now puts a lump in my throat.

disneyjoe7

RIP Willow, sorry for your loss.

George Grand

Why is it so much easier to say farewell to human friends?

Bye-bye good friend.

gudnoyez

http://rainbowsbridge.com/poem.htm

Hope this poem cheers you up its on the side of the urn of one of our lost dogs, sorry to hear of your loss, the suffering is over and she will be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge.

cfrizz

My deepest condolences to your family JF. I've been where you are and you did the right thing. Time will make the loss a bit better, and you will always have your good memories of her.

Take care.
Cathy

shawn474

RIP Willow.....and so sorry for your loss. My wife and i got our dog, Zoe (a 14 yr old jack russell) the day after we got married. She is our dog-ter as we like to call her (instead of daughter). Calling her a dog or animal doesnt do her justice to the absolute joy am unconditional love ahe gives to us and our kids every single day. She has torn her acl and cannot get surgery due to complications with anaesthesia. It is heartbreaking to even think about a minute without her, but we know the time is coming. Nww rescued a
Jack russell mix last year in the hopes that it would ease lthe eventual loss for the kids.
It must have been very hard for you but hopefully you and willow were appreciative that you could be there for each other from beginning to end. A best friend in every sense of the word.

Msabot1

Been there and feel for you! There is nothing harder in this life than holding one you care for and seeing their last breath! Just remember all the good years,and you will smile at that and have warmth in your soul! Peace!

danz1906

Sorry for your loss.

dee1949

...16 years is a long Life....of course NEVER long enough. RIP

nooshinjohn

I too have an American Eskimo, and they are among the smartest and most fiercely loyal dog breeds out there. My Niloo would put herself in harms way in a nanosecond just to protect my wife and I, but she loves "her people" passionately, devoting all affections to them.

I am saddened for your loss. Eskies aren't just dogs. They are high-spirited, always happy and devoted family members eager to give their all each and every time their name is called. From your posts, it seems that Willow could have not asked for a better master, and you could not have had a better friend...

God bless willow and your family.

John

Oldfatdogs

Im truly sorry for your loss,its hard they are such a part of the family.
Dan

gdb

Very sorry for your loss.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


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...

headrott

I too am sorry to hear about you losing your family dog. They are such an important part of our lives. Remember the time you spent together (as I'm sure you are).

SCompRacer

Sorry to hear about your loss. We sure get attached to our pets. The wife and I have had to put down three wonderful dogs in our time together.

PolkieMan

Sorry to hear of your loss. Pets are innocent like children the reason it hurts so much, I think.

scottyboy76

Sorry to hear of your dog passing.

Reminds me of deb and i losing "Droopy", a chow and golden lab mix.

he looked like a chow so people were a little wary when he would run up barking, but he was all lab inside.

It really does hurt, hope that passes soon for you.

cfrizz

Heres to you Willow.

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