Quote: Tracy Collins

... Remember, this is not something you're taking away...it is a very great gift that you are giving to your friend. Most dogs in the world do not die with dignity and in relative comfort, with a beloved companion next to them. A pain-free death is the greatest gift we can give our dogs.

Thank you for the best phrasing ever of the way I feel about this.

CJ, "Happy Trails" to Edward; when i had to decide "when" to PTS my old guy, it was tough. really tough. but my daughter and i were both there for him, and i just kept thinking "ease on down the road", and we both held together during the trip to the vet, and the procedure.

so he had us with him, letting him know we were there and loved him, and we eased him on down the road.

frickin' dogs that die WAY too soon, anyway. and i'm NOT crying.

 Quote: connie sutherland

 Quote: tracy collins

... Remember, this is not something you're taking away...it is a very great gift that you are giving to your friend. Most dogs in the world do not die with dignity and in relative comfort, with a beloved companion next to them. A pain-free death is the greatest gift we can give our dogs.

Thank you for the best phrasing ever of the way I feel about this.

I wholeheartedly agree.

And CJ, I'm just catching up on this whole thread but I wanted to extend my sincerest sympathies to you... my family let our old man Edward go about 3 years ago... I'm getting sniffly just recalling the details, but it was absolutely the right thing to do.

Our Eddie was a 17 year old Pomeranian - his health was robust his entire life, but old age catches up with all of us, and his quality of life had just slipped too far down for any of us to be comfortable with. In the end, it was, without a doubt, the most excruciating thing I've EVER had to do, and the mix of guilt (for making the decision for him... for not making it soon enough...) and loss was wrenching. I'm not at all good at the whole "living in the moment" thing, and it's so easy to over think such a heavy decision... it took me some time to feel relief... but I'll tell you, I saw relief in Eddie's eyes immediately once that IV line (w sedative) went in. We got to hold him for a good half hour before the final dose was administered, and in the midst of 3 sobbing humans, he was so, so peaceful. It was absolutely where he wanted to go, to be set free.

I'm so sorry CJ, but I know you'll have the strength to help your Edward move on. My thoughts will be with you both.

~Natalya

Wow guys, I knew this was a supportive community but you guys are incredible.

Your words and thoughts are so comforting and confirming with us that we are doing the right thing. The tears just don’t seem to stop and I’m exhausted from the heartache. I will provide you with an update when I can get it together.

Thank you so very much, everyone.

Hi CJ,

My heart goes out to you. Some of the hardest days I have been through were the days my dogs passed.

My first loss was my wonderful and amazing GSD Sam. I was 8. My grandfather was there and he explained to me about the lessons our animal friends teach us. He also handed me a shovel and we both buried my beloved friend. I no longer live where I buried my dog, but I have his collar and tags. I also have an Oak tree grown from an acorn from the tree he is buried under.

I bury my dogs with their favorite toy. I give them a treat or a bone for the journey. For reasons that are deeply personal, I also include a St. Francis medal.

My dogs have all been allowed to sniff and say goodbye to their lost buddy. My girls have also witnessed the burials. For the last two, the girls sat in a loose circle around Paul and I watching while we dug the grave. They watched quietly while we buried them and said our prayers. Only when the burials were complete did they rise... except when Toni jumped into Mokie's grave to save the bone I had given to Mokie. The look on her face was so practical like "well, she's not gonna need it." It made us both smile. After giving me back the bone, Toni took her place back in the circle until Paul and I were finished.

Your remaining dogs will help you through your loss. Mine would not leave my side. They will do what they think will cheer you up. Let them... even if it means enduring tons of slobber. It is a means of closure for them as well. Toni is not a "kisser" but after Mokie's loss, she soaked me any chance she got. Let them see you smile and hear your laugh... it is what makes them truly happy.

Hugs to you and your pack.

--Kel

I want to say how sorry I am that you are going through this right now, but I also very much want to say thank you.

This thread has been so immensely helpful and kind in such a down to earth way.

My old girl managed to climb up in the bed with me to take a nap together this afternoon. She hasn't done that in years. I snuggled her in close and remembered that when the time comes it will be a gift for her.

CJ- I am so sorry you are going through this. My thoughts are with you, Edward, and the rest of your family.

I have been there, too, and it's not an easy decision to make. I kept a little bag of my past friend's favorite toys and collar.

 Quote: jessica pedicord

Be strong, CJ.

Jessica, when I saw this, every instinct I had was telling me to go curl up in a corner and not come out until the pain was gone. These two words gave me the strength to grab a sack of treats and go play with my healthy boys. I could have cared less weather they did anything right, I was so tired; but I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Not one bit of apprehension, every command to a T, in unison. They were so alive and so eager to please. Thank you.

 Quote: barbara schuler

... it will be a sweet memory for a long, long time. Thinking of you guys.

Thank you Barbara, I will never forget it. He was so beautiful and strong in his communication. It was almost like, “CJ, I’ve listened to you all these years, now it’s time you listen to what I have to say”.

 Quote: wendy lefebvre

Letting go is sometimes the hardest thing to do.

This is that hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. Thank you again Wendy for the words that made it so real.

 Quote: tracy collins

Remember, this is not something you're taking away...it is a very great gift that you are giving to your friend.

Connie and Tracy, this is such a beautiful thought and I’m still trying to come to terms with it. Because I so do not want to give him up to anything that does not include me, it has to be the largest gift ever - the most unselfish thing a person can ever be expected to do. I have yet to find the gift in the giving here but I’m truly working on it. I know that Edward will be receiving the most precious thing that I can give up – him.

 Quote: lynne barrows

CJ, that's a beautiful picture of you two. ...

Thank you Lynne, hubby caught us enjoying the peaceful time together. I will cherish it always.

 Quote: meredith hamilton

Please know how much I respect each and every one of you for talking about this so openly, frankly, and warmly.

Meredith, I’m with you. To have this discussion with all these incredibly remarkable people, helping us through what is proving to be the most difficult decision we’ve ever had to face has us feeling grateful and so humbled. Thank you for saying it so wonderfully.

 Quote: ann freier

CJ, "Happy Trails" to Edward;

Ann, I can’t get this out of my head. We have a long drive to town… Bob is looking for the CD. Who sings this anyway? “Frickin’ dogs” is right and it doesn’t help that us emotional wing nuts come into heat once a month either.

 Quote: Natalya Zahn

... my family let our old man Edward go about 3 years ago. I saw relief in Eddie's eyes immediately once that IV line (w sedative) went in.

~Natalya

Edward was human aggressive when we took him, taking two men to unload this muzzled, writhing bear and his name was originally Joey. Every time I mentioned his name I just knew that he associated something bad with it. Bob came up with Edward, saying he had the shiftiness of a “Fast Eddy”, the astuteness of an Edward and displayed the committed friendship of an Ed.

He has also lived an incredible life. For the last five years he’s been doing hospice work at one of our supervised living homes. One of his many stories that I just love was with an elderly lady in a wheelchair. She hadn’t spoken a word in months. Her daughter was with her when we came walking in. As we got closer, the old lady’s face lit up and she said “Lucy”. The daughter quickly rushed to us and asked if we could bring him over. Again with the border collie - apparently she had one and I guess his markings reminded her of her dear friend. While we chatted with the daughter for the next five minutes, Edward licked her face and hands and let her stroke his fur. Unfortunately we couldn’t make it there every Sunday but apparently she often waits and asks if anyone has seen Lucy today. So much for a name…

I hope my boy will also feel the relief and joy that he has provided so many others. Thank you Natalya.

 Quote: Kelly At Leerburg

Hi CJ,

Let them see you smile and hear your laugh... it is what makes them truly happy.
--Kel

Kelly… that is such a wonderful story. If we let the boys out at the burial (which sounds like it might not be a bad idea) I will keep my eyes on the after world treasures. I can just see my young one thinking “he doesn’t play with that anymore anyway”.

The boys know that something is not quite right and I’m seeing some goofy behavior. I keep remembering your words and I’m trying to smile as much as I can. It truly does settle them. Thank you for this.

 Quote: Jennifer Lee

I snuggled her in close and remembered that when the time comes it will be a gift for her.

Jennifer, I slept with Edward last night and could only wish that I had many more nights to snuggle up with my soft, gentle teddy bear. Please don’t let a day go by that you don’t cherish them. I have only hours left that are ticking away at the speed of light.

Everyone, please… never take one minute for granted.

Ed Frawley is so right - they just don’t live long enough. Damn dogs anyway… Ann.

I kept a little bag of my past friend's favorite toys and collar.

 Quote: CJ Barrett

God give me strength.

He will.

I'm so sorry C.J., but it is only hard because of the amount of love you have for the big guy. Love is what makes it so hard and love is what will see you through. Hang in there.

CJ--it's roy rogers!!

take care, be as gentle as you can with yourself.