Quote: Debbie Martin

This is so fresh for me. I just had Sierra PTS on October 26. I didn't have a chance to do the many things I would have done if I would have had a little more time.

I had bought one of those kid things were you put your child's hand into clay and then frame it along with a picture. I had bought one fully expecting Sierra to come home from the hospital but she never did. I had her cremated and she's in a lovely cedar box that's sitting on an small table by the window of my living room.

If I would have had one more day with my girl, I would have taken her to the park to watch the squirrels. She loved to do that. I would have fried up some liver for her which was her most favourite meal in the whole wide world and then followed it with an ice cream cone and raspberry yogurt. I would have allowed her up on the couch to cuddle and slept with her on her bed. Sorry, done now. Can't see through the tears.

*****HUGS******

I can't add much to what has already been posted about dealing with the emotional aspects of this very sad topic (but one we will all face as dog owners).

Kelly, you're right, Connie's friend should know about the Rainbow Bridge. Here is a link to a very beautiful rendition of the story. It's got audio, too, so put your speakers or headphones on.

http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html

Kelly Byrd, thank you for your explanation of why heavy sedation is a good idea. I lost my dog of a lifetime about two and a half years ago, and I still can't put that day out of my mind. All this time I have been concerned that the vet sedated her too heavily because I spent a long time laying on the floor with her before I could say "Go ahead," and I felt she was so out of it she may not have even known I was there. But if that was what was needed to help her make the journey, then I'm grateful.

Connie, thank you for saying that you have never regretted making the decision too early, but would regret doing it too late. That was another thing I have agonized about, whether I was too hasty and perhaps could have prolonged her life a few more months. But the logical part of me knows that that would have served only me and not her.

One suggestion I would like to make for Connie's friend and anyone else going through this is to make a written "Memorial" for the dog you lost. Write some kind of journal, reminding yourself of all the silly, endearing or unusual things your dog did, anything you will especially want to remember in the years to come. I did this because I treasured all the memories so much and didn't want to forget a single thing.

Connie,

I send my sympathy to your online friend. I lost my wonderful GSD Dillon very suddenly last August to hemangiosarcoma. He went from fine - no symptoms - to dead in less than 36 hours when an atrial tumor ruptured. He was only 6 and I still miss him terribly.

Someone said to me once that when a much-loved dog dies, from wherever they go they send you the next one to be part of your life. That has helped me through more than one loss, and in a funny kind of way I believe it to be true. I have a new GSD puppy - he's not Dillon, but sometimes I see Dillon in him. Maybe that thought will help your friend further down the road.

Thank you SO MUCH, everyone. I just copied and pasted every message.

Now I'm a basket case too.




You guys are the best.

Before I took our first Rott in, I drove around with him in the back of my truck. I gave him a tennis ball to hold and took him around to different places we used to go. On that day he couldnt stand up, but he could see everything and I could see him. I remember that a lot clearer then arriving at the vets. I hope your friend has the same chance for that one more memory too.

Our beloved German Shepherd Kelly was suffering from cancer and we made the decision to put her to sleep. She was also our therapy dog who we took to the local nursing home, twice a week.

The first time we were there without her, we told the residents what had happened and why. We also said that she was too good a dog to let her suffer. With that, several women said to me, "We are kinder to our animals than we are to people."

She posted in part (in reply to these copied posts):

thank you for your enormous generousity of Spirit, I am taking my time reading through the incredible wealth of caring, important, timely messages and information you have passed on ... I am somewhat comforted by the words of many who have travelled the path I now must take during such a difficult time.

I am especially thankful for your advise about not waiting too
long, plus all the very specific medical information regarding PTS ---
these procedural details I had not considered before and I know they
will be extremely helpful when the time comes ...

I'm glad we could help. It's a terrible thing to go through, and it never completely heals (in my mind) That dog will be a part of who you are forever.

Lynne and I have a neighbor that has the timing problem with her dog. She refuses to put him down even though he needs and deserves it. He cannot see, barely walk, & tends to pee and poop on himself (she has to carry him outside to use the bathroom and will hold a towel under him to keep him up). They even bought a baby stroller so they could take hime on "walks". We have tried in all of the nicest possible ways to tell her that it is his time to go...but she still thinks his quality of life is there (where?!?!?!?!?) . I feel so sorry for the por dog.

I know with my previous dogs it was always hard saying goodbye, especially when I was really young, but my family would always go out and have that heart to heart and just spend quality time with them. It allows for the closer that we all so deeply will need.

Connie, may your friend find peace and comfort during this difficult time and I hope for an easy passing for her beloved friend. We all know it is never easy but it seems that sometimes in life the best choices are usually the toughest.

Actually CJ, You got ALOt of great advice in that thread you
started on here awhile ago, when you also had to make that hard decision.

Connie, i bet if you dig that thread up, there's alot of good advice in that thread alone.