Toughest day in a long time....

nspindel

Wow man, it hurts to read this because I'm just off the same thing myself. I had two dogs. Said goodbye to one of them just a month and a half ago, the other was last September. It is so difficult to make that decision, but as our vet said to us - your dog communicates with you. You will know that its time because your dog will let you know. At first we just thought this was hoakie advice, but it turned out to be so true. In both cases, we knew when our dogs were done. It's so hard, it makes you question all your morals, and you can't figure out what the right thing to do is. But then you see it in their eyes, they "tell" you that they've got no gas left in the tank. Then it's time for that final act of love, to protect your loved one from the suffering that would come their way if you didn't act. Your dog was there for you for so long, then it's time for you to be there for your dog, to send them on their way smothered in love and comfort. I feel your pain. You did good, you did right by your dog.

nspindel

nspindel

These were mine:

shawn474

Thanks again guys. It helps. Your dogs are beautiful and your story makes my heart ache for you too. This is a brotherhood nobody wants to be a part of but as you said it was the right thing to do. I will eventually rest well knowing that as i am sure you have found some bit of comfort in the same. It certainly doesnt take the pain away but it helps......thanks again.

nspindel

Here is something else I can share with you, I wouldn't call it "advice" because we all need to find our own way through this kind of thing. But I just wanted to tell you what I've been up to lately. When Gracie died in October, my wife and I really felt like we just had to get rid of all the "dog stuff". Too many reminders - crates, leashes, bowls, food, treats, medicines, bathing/grooming supplies, etc. But we certainly didn't want to throw the stuff away, we figured a rescue could use the stuff. So we called our vet and asked for advice on who to donate it to. Turns out one of the people who works for our vet runs a rescue, and in just over 2 years has placed over 250 dogs and cats for permanent adoption. So it was a no brainer who we were donating the stuff to. As we learned more about what she's doing, we came to find out that our vets actually do a lot of pro-bono work for her rescued dogs, and the ones who she can't at least find foster homes for get to stay at the kennel our vets run. One thing led to another, and now I'm actually working with her, just volunteering some time to hang out with dogs who could use a friend. My wife and I are not at the point where we are ready to adopt another one at this point, but I'm so happy to be spending time with these dogs who really just need someone to be a bud. Rescue dogs are generally spending most of their day locked up, so just taking them out and getting them some exercise just makes them so happy. I brought this black lab named Damon back to my house, I live on a pond. The dog ran around the yard chasing tennis balls, swam in the lake, and my wife and I took him on a three mile walk. Another time I took him to a park in town and we went on a long walk. And Tuesday I got the awesome news that he'd been adopted! I'm so happy for this dog because he is awesome and was abandoned by his family who was moving away and "couldn't take him..." Now he's got a home again and so far is thriving. Not sure if something like this is for you or not, but it's really helped me cope with my loss.

nooshinjohn

I had a couple dogs growing up that have left some big holes... Patrick was my Irish Setter(not the actual pic of him, but dam n close). He would lay on my pillow at night waiting for me to come to bed, and that is where he stayed. He passed due to being poisoned by a neighbor while I was stationed in Iwakuni, Japan.



Again, not the actual dog, but close... Barky was the first dog I ever had. I was 4 years old, and he was my best friend, sleeping under my bed and trying to attack my footie pajamas my mother made me wear. I lost him while in boot camp for the Marines.




And my current fluff ball... Niloo. an American Eskimo. She is 9 years old now, and currently curled up next to my wife, on my side of the bed....

Dogs are the best, and loosing them is tough... my sympathies to you sir, but somehow there will be another cold nose in your home soon. your heart will tell you when the time is right.

shawn474

The volunteer thing at a rescue just might be up my alley and maybe my daughters would like to join. Summer is the only time that my work schedule allows and i may need until then to be ready anyway but thanks for the advice and sharing your story.

My wife and i (somewhat in anticipation of this day) did rescue another dog, Beans, two years ago. He is a great dog too - complete opposite personality of Zoe. My ten year old named and at the time had grandiose ideas of having a pack of dogs in the house with Zoe, Beans and then getting a dachsund named Frank (she desperately wanted a "hot dog" dog named Frank so she could have "frank and beans"). Not in the cards right now and may not be for awhile but very cute nonetheless.

Beans does seem saddened and a bit confused not having Zoe around. The vet recommended to allow beans to sniff zoe after her passing but he refused to go near. He isnt the sharpest knife in the drawer but he is a very loving dog that will help us through this.

Thanks again all - i cant tell you how therapeutic it is to hear your stories and advice. If nothing else, it shows that people loved animals just as much as we did and were able to make it through, are able to talk about it eventually and still have that love present.

Here is Beans, the two year old rescue supposed "jack russell/chihuahua mix" who now weighs 42 pounds!!! He is going to miss his snuggle buddy! Probably JRT / pit mix is more like it but he is a sweet boy.....

drumminman

So sorry for your loss Shawn. I've only had to put one dog down, and it was a wrenching experience. The pain will ease and her memory will bring smiles.

When my 13 yo Staffie, Prince, died (had him since 5 weeks old) I knew his health was failing. I didn't think he was so close to the end, and he died in my arms. I was devastated. My wife and I left him on his dog bed in the TV room and covered him up to his neck with a blanket so that our Jack Russell, Maggie, and our cat, Louis, would know what happened. We thought it would help them, especially Maggie, get over the loss more quickly.

For three weeks, everyday when I arrived home from work Maggie was at the backyard gate, looking for Prince. Her appetite decreased, she was lethargic, in short she seemed to be in full blown grief. After losing one dog I had to do something.

After an internet search and a trip to Virginia, we wound up with Otis, a 3 1/2 month old Staffie. Though I felt disloyal to the memory of Prince I discovered something that really surprised me. Not only did he not fade from memory, but the antics of our new puppy kept Prince at the front of my brain as I compared their similarities and differences. Reliving those memories eased the pain of his death.

Like you, I buried him in the backyard. I found a small statue of a dog with angel wings, which seemed particularly relevant as I used to say that he was an angel in a puppy suit. If you looked real close you could see the zipper under his chin that he used to take it off at night while we slept.

shawn474

Drumminman, that is a beautiful story and i can tell you loved your dog so much. He was as lucky to have you as you were to have him. I decided today to order a granite grave stone to put at her site. It will have the picture in the post above with her face in her paws etched into it with Zoe's name and the following inscription:

Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure.
You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.

And Beans and i had a long talk together about how big a pair of shoes he has to fill. He seems up to the task - i just hope that i dont end up comparing him to Zoe too much. Another dog IS in our future - but most likely our very distant future. Morgan and my wife stayed home togeter today as this hit them especially hard. They had great talks, a few cry sessions and a good bonding day together. Even in her death Zoe is having a positive influence on our family and galvanizing us.

gudnoyez

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=1094

Hear you go a nice poem for you, glad you guys are coping this poem is etched in on the side of our Madisons Urn, its a good one

gudnoyez

Hope this works I cant seem to get links to work anymore.

GlennDog

Shawn & Neil

you Dog Guys Rock!!

drumminman

Great poem

muncybob

I'm an animal person but dogs are my favorite friends. I really wish I could volunteer at the local shelters but I would be bringing every dog home with me and the 3 we have is enough to manage. Heck, I tear up just reading some of this thread.
My hat's off to anybody that can help out at shelters. I know any future 4 legged friends will always come from a shelter/rescue environment, they just seem to know they caught a break in life and reward you in their special way. One of my favorite sayings is my dogs are the best people I know.

steveinaz

Shawn, you're doing the right thing by your Zoe. It takes tons of courage and love, but she will appreciate it. Sometimes the biggest gift you can give to your dog, is to adopt another rescue pup. God bless buddy--you're doing the right thing, in my opinion.

Steve & Bev

drumminman

muncybob wrote: »

One of my favorite sayings is my dogs are the best people I know.

Another good one: I aspire to be the person my dog thinks I am.

gdb

Sorry for your loss.

nspindel

My Gracie was a rescue, she was a momma dog that a breeder didn't want any more. If you want a great rescue dog, get a retired momma dog, they make the most loving pets! They are the forgotten slave labor of the pet industry. Every time you see a cute little puppy in the pet store, somewhere there is a momma dog whose babies were taken away from her.

jflail2

muncybob wrote: »

I'm an animal person but dogs are my favorite friends. I really wish I could volunteer at the local shelters but I would be bringing every dog home with me and the 3 we have is enough to manage. Heck, I tear up just reading some of this thread.
My hat's off to anybody that can help out at shelters. I know any future 4 legged friends will always come from a shelter/rescue environment, they just seem to know they caught a break in life and reward you in their special way. One of my favorite sayings is my dogs are the best people I know.

I know man. A bit teary eyed at work catching up on this thread. my ex (super sweet girl) used to work at the local animal shelter, and brought home a total of 3 cats. I honestly couldn't stand to go see her at work b/c some of the animals there broke my heart. It is thankfully a no-kill shelter (Sissy Spacek apparently donates a LOT of money to that particular shelter), but I still end up wanting to take 1/2 a dozen animals home every time.