After 13.5 years together; Thor and my journey came to an end late Friday night. He bloated and his stomach was twisted when we arrived at the emergency vets. I opted to have him euthanized.

As prepared as I was for his end of life, that decision was heart wrenching and I question it. Yes, he was elderly and his health was failing but his spirit still embraced life. Limping, going blind and deaf never touched him. He remained engaged, active and most of all happy!

There are no words to describe the role my "heart" dog played in my life and I know, no one reading this needs them to understand the loss.

My husband and I were with him at the end. When we entered the room; his face lit up and he went to get up and greet us. I sat down on the ground with him and he covered my hand with his paw and laid his head down. I would like to think this was his signal he was ready to go, but it wasn't.

It is however; how I've come to terms with his passing. Thor gave himself over to my decision, I couldn't make a wrong one because of his trust. I provided the consistency and decisiveness he needed and he trusted I would take care of him in the end.

As much as I question and run through the "what ifs" Thor let me know, I did not let him down; by literally putting himself in my hands. He passed very peacefully with his paw over my hand and his head on top.

My heart and house feel so empty; I'm looking forward to receiving his ashes. A big thank you to Anne Jones for encouraging keeping the ashes vs scattering.

I have an obnoxious shrine set up which would make him happy. You can take the dog out of the show but you can't take the show line genetics out of the dog; my boy loved being in the spotlight and I'll make sure he stays there until we meet again at the bridge.

Oh, Sheila, Thor was fortunate and blessed beyond words that he had you to make that
decision ... it's so painful for ourselves but such a gift for the suffering friend.

You blessed his life just as he blessed yours.

This is what true pack leaders do, Sheila; they set aside their own anguish and decide based entirely on the friend's needs.




"There are no words to describe the role my "heart" dog played in my life and I know, no one reading this needs them to understand the loss."

You are so right. You were always there to make the right decisions for him, and this was no exception.




My heart aches for you.

Run free, Thor. You are so loved.

Sheila, if you feel like it, or when you feel like it, I know that MANY people here would love to be linked to pictures of Thor.

I feel that I knew him.

The loss of my own heart dog 2 months ago is still so fresh in my mind. I don't think it's a loss you ever get over. But it does get easier.

Bless you for having the strength to give him this final gift. You have my deepest sympathy.

I'm so very sorry, Sheila. I wish there were words that could ease your pain. I understand what you mean when you say you are running through the "what ifs." I went through that for a long time when I had to send my dog of a lifetime to the Bridge several years ago. It's just so difficult when what we know is the right decision is the one that we know will cause us the most heartache and sadness.

You gave Thor a wonderful life, and I know he'll be waiting to greet you again one day.

I'm so very sorry for your painful loss of your Thor Sheila, to have had him in your lives for so long, and to have given him sweet release when he was ready to go, is a terribly bitter sweet thing.

He knew you were with him on his final journey, and will be waiting for you, tail wagging and eyes bright when you meet him again at the Bridge.

Rest peacefully until that time Thor.

You did the right thing.
I can only feel sorry for those people in the world that will never understand the connections we make with our dogs both past and present.
Our memories are never to be forgotten. They are just added to those from the past that fill us with the joy they truly gave us.

Sheila, I'm so very sorry to hear about your loss. God bless you, though, for your strength in stepping up and doing the right thing.

Run free, Thor.

My sympathies go to you. I have had to make that decision but not like that. He was blessed to have such caring people in his life, and I'm sure returned every ounce of that care back to you.

Sheila I have been filled with sorrow for your loss, since you called me on Saturday. Thor was a very special boy for sure.

He is at peace now.....but knowing him...I am sure that he is sharing his sense of humor with those around him.

I know that he will be looking forward to that car ride, my friend.

RIP Thor. You are a one of a kind! (The big white show line dog with lots & lots of drive & a big personality to match)You will always be so very loved & missed.