Today was a bad day--Had to have our dog put down

Sincere condolences, I had to put my dog down last year becasue of a heart mass, it made me cry just reading this post. There is very big hole in me that I cant see being filled again. It hurts like hell but there is nothing to be done about it and you were there for her when she really needed you the most. Take comfort in the memories and that you gave each other all the love you had.
 
I sit here at 2:30 in the morning with tears running down my face reading about the lost friends, and especially Silverfox's post about Rainbow Bridge. I've been told that dogs don't go to heaven, but I can't believe that. If God loves us enough to bring us home, certainly he wouldn't begrudge us all those well loved, faithful friends from this life. To see them again would make heaven complete.

We used to have a little Cocker Spaniel we called Maggie. My wife and I got her as a pup when we were first married and had her for about sixteen years. She was such a happy, cheerful little dog and loved to play. We had a game. I'd get on the floor with her and she'd get down on both front paws like a puppy. I'd roll her over real quick to one side and she'd reset herself again in front of me, then I'd flip her over the other way, ruffle up her head and off she'd go runnung through the house, up or down the stairs and back to me again, for more. Over and over again. I still remember, as she was getting older, our last game of 'flip and run.' She must have been feeling good one day and came to me for one last game. Soon after she got very bad (kidney failure) and we had to have her put to sleep.

We've lost others over the years as well. It always hurts just as much as the one before. Like having a big hole in your soul. There's nothing in the world like having a dog who loves you. And no pain like losing such an innocent, loving friend. I can feel your pain and loss.
 
I haerd somewhere that God holds dogs in special regard because they're the protectors and loyal friends to his children.
You can take solice in the fact that your dog is in heaven and in gods loving embrace.
feel beter soon.
Matt
 
I'm very sorry. The hardest part about owning pets is knowing that some day you will have to make the decision about putting them down.
 
ADBF wrote,
I've been told that dogs don't go to heaven, but I can't believe that.
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I don't know where dogs go, but wherever they go, that's where I want to go when I die. :)
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Yit,
My deepest condolences to you. Unfortunately, I know what you're going through. It's the toughest thing ever for us dog lovers.
 
yiterp said:
our old dog Cassie(14yrs.)has been getting worse and worse and over the weekend she lost the ability to walk.this was a very hard time for the family especially my son--we got the dog when he was 5yrs. old
she was a good dog--much loved by all and gave much love in return

was the hardest thing i think i have ever done--was too hard for my son and wife to be there when it happened--last thing the dog ever saw was my face--and she seemed so happy--even gave me one final lick --i feel to say thank you for caring--at least i hope this was the case

god i will miss this old dog :( :( :(
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I had to put my Black Lab, Kip, down on 4/14/1996. He was 14 years old, ancient for a Labrador, and his hips had given out on him. I held him as they gave him the shot and he went to sleep. I cried then and I cry now. He was my best friend other than my wife and he helped us with the little girl that we adopted out of the war in El Salvador. He was her protector from her nightmares. We would frequently find her in the morning curled up arround Kip, just like she was a puppy. She was heart-broken when he died.

I put the following up on the door of my office as a testament to Kip. It helped me and perhaps it will help you.

From "Old Dog Tray", by Stephen Foster

Old dog Tray's ever faithful;
Grief cannot drive him away;
He's gentle, he is kind,
I'll never, never find
A better friend than old dog Tray.
 
Aw, man...thats horrible. I'm sure your dog had a good happy life, and is going to a better place.

I had 2 cats, had to put 1 down last year. He started going downhill. Lost sight in one eye, couldn't climb, forgot about his cat box. It was really sad to see him lose it. He never bothered too much with my son while he was alive, but near the end, he would always lay on his lap all the time. It was sad, you knew something was happening...

We just found out that our other cat has cancer in her mouth. It's the real bad kind, and too late to treat. I don't know what we're going to do, but I don't want her to suffer either...She lays around and is not eating hardly at all. They say she might make 2 more months...

Just take comfort in the fact that your dog is not suffering anymore.

Take care,
Glenn
 
I've had to do this 3 times. :(

The first time he was about 14 years old, had a hard time getting up sometimes, then just quit eating. We took him to the vet and he gave him a B12 shot, it didn't help. Some mis communication, I thought my mom was going to call to have the vet come to put him down, she thought I was. We got that sorted out and the other vet in the office came out. Said that Wilbur was having cardiac failure. I wish the first vet told us that to begin with, we would have acted sooner.

The second time was a rescue dog my wife had, she had gone through a couple of very serious surgeries to remove lumps. In one surgery the vet tried to call us in mid surgery to say she could not be saved. Couldn't get through so they went on with the surgery. She recovered but a few years later she just gave up, wouldn't eat, wouldn't move. We took her to the vet and she had another lump, we had to have her put down on Christmas day. I think she was 10 or so.

My wife cocker spanial was 17 years old, had failing health for a couple of years so we had plenty of notice. Still tough.

I have a friend that has a very old large breed malamute, she is very bad shape, can't get up can't move really, etc. He was resisting putting her to sleep.

Dogs look to us for leadership, and when the time comes we can't shirk from our duty.
 
Ren the devils trailboss said:
somepeople say dogs dont go to heaven. I dont believe them. My God loves dogs and Keesha is there waiting for me."
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If there aren't dogs in heaven, why would people want to go there?
 
Our dog Zero died last week. He was a 9 year old husky - acted like a 2 year old. My son came home from school and found him. He had fallen asleep outside and never woke up. No indication of sickness before that. It was the hardest thing I think I have ever done to bury that dog - he was a family member. My son took it the hardest - Zero was 9, and my son is 13 - he was always part of our family for him. 3 days later my son finds his gerbil (Mr. T) dead. Let's just say it's been a rough week or so.

Last night we found new tenants for Mr. T's cage - Hannible and Face.

Zero's spot will never be filled. :(
 
It's really tough to have to be without one of the only friends you have that always greets you with a smile and a wag of their tail, no matter if you aren't looking your best, or are feeling grumpy. Unconditional love isn't the easiest thing for us to find in this world, but our dogs and cats give all of themselves to us, in exchange for only food and water and whatever love we give them.

Cassie's missing you and your family as much as you're missing her. She'll be waiting beside St. Peter, to welcome all of you home, just as she's always done.

GeoThorn
 
I had the experience once. This may be a bit long winded, for that i'm sorry. My boxer Sherlock had been with me for nine years (although i believe time is not that important). To say I loved that dog was an understatment. He was with me at the times of my three children's births and first walks, cycles, trips to the river etc. Very much as someone very wisely said, like a child who never grows up. I thought as much of him as my own family, without any doubt and I am a family man.
He was ouside one day with me and my youngest daughter and walked into a wall. He had taken a heart attack and during the next few weeks he deteriorated day by day. As I own my own company for work I stayed at home with him. Eventually I had to put him down at the stage when he had gathered so much fluid from the weak heart that he couldn't walk and was going blind. I thought, crying, every day what he would die to save me the responsibility that and the horror of actually doing it. When we went to the vet's, he put him to sleep in my arms on the passanger seat of my car. That is the hardest thing i've ever done in my life. But, quite amazingly, there was an immediate feeling of having done the proper thing. I left the vet's and buried him up at my father's old home garden and went home. That was about two years ago and it's still clear memories.
I want to express my full thoughts and well wishes with you, it is very tough. My family helped me through it and I hope that yours gives the same comfort.

Mark.
 
I know what your going through, I lost my cat just over two years ago, and I dont think a day has past that I havent thought of him. They really become a big part of your life.

These posts help not only you, but all of us who have gone through this before and will again.

Keith
 
I had a cat that I had to put to sleep last year(monkey) She was wonderful.We LOVED
her SO MUCH....Had her 5 yrs.MY vet told me she had leukima(evil sickness).I had to force feed her as well.It sucked.One day I sware she looked at me as if to say,MOM I'm ready to go..(i'm tearing up)..She just wouldn'ttry anything for me.So I made the hardest desision in my life(so far).I know it was right,but that did not make it any better.I do understand,and my heart is with you.It will get easier,but will nerver leave your heart.My kids told me to tell you that God has you fur baby next to him,waiting for you.They are 10 and 12.I think that as well.best to you and your family...Kristy
 
Sorry to hear the bad news my friend.

Hang in there......................................
 
A Dogs Best Friend said:
I've been told that dogs don't go to heaven, but I can't believe that. If God loves us enough to bring us home, certainly he wouldn't begrudge us all those well loved, faithful friends from this life. To see them again would make heaven complete.
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Well, coming from a nondualist/semi-Buddhist who doesn't actually believe in "heaven" but DOES believe in God (all of us combined), I can tell you that you have nothing to worry about. If God loves us, "he" wouldn't take away our pets. (I believe that we all kind of "merge" together once we die; but that's a total other thread. ;) ) I just wanted to tell you that, well... all dogs go to heaven. :) I promise. Of this I am sure.

~laura
 
It is good to see there are so many understanding and sympathetic people here to offer support.

Yiterp,
Please accept my condolences. How very sad. I wish there was something I could say or do to ease the sadness. I am sorry

DaveH said:
Dogs look to us for leadership, and when the time comes we can't shirk from our duty.
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That is a VERY good point. Thanks for that Dave.
 
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