Saying goodbye to fur babies is hard.

15 years ago

My daughter called this morning. Their old dog has been getting weaker for quite awhile....And we knew the end was coming.

I was there on Friday, picked up the kids after school. He met us at the door with his tail wagging.

I thought maybe he'd just keep going and surprise us all.

He has been loosing so much weight , not eating well. Loosing control of his "functions"

Today he barely made it outside with help and just collapsed when the got him back in. She said he wouldn't even lift his head to look at him.

The vet told them about three weeks ago it may only be a week more for him. And they would know when it was time.

Son in law said it was time. Someone had to make the decision.

I used to "babysit" him when he was a tiny pup and they both worked. That was nearly 17 years ago.

It's going to be a sad day there today for Bradley and Taylor...and mom and dad.

I think I'll take a bag of quick-set in a day or two and some half marbles and we'll make him a headstone. I think the kids would like to do that for him.

patti

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Comments (27)

nodakgal
15 years ago
Oh Patti.
Yes its hard, TERRIBLY hard I know. Is this Cedric? Or am I missing the right name? The lab?

I'm sorry Patti, it hurts to lose an old and faithful friend.
My heart aches everytime I hear of someone going thru this.

You have a wonderful idea for the headstone and the kids.
grammahony
15 years ago
Oh that is hard Patti. I think the headstone would help them a lot too. It really does make your heart hurt when you have to finally let them go.
Leslie
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I have never been to this forum before, I usually hang out in the garden areas but I needed to get some relief this morning. This post has helped me just to break down and let all that 'strength' and pain go. I do not wish to take away from the purpose of this thread but I would like to share my story with someone. It has been about a month or a little more since we lost Fred; Fred was a beagle that we adopted from a couple who left him in a crate almost 24/7; he was about 2 years old when he was sent to us.... that was 15 years ago. In that time , I have lost my two shepherd mix girls at 15 and 14 years old.... I have taken in three more pups as they passed my way in need... but Fred was special. Independent, never needing attention and so appreciative when he got it. About 6 months ago , he went blind and my husband thought it was best to help him cross over, I disagreed. I told him that if that were the case, I would know but Fred seemed to be adjusting well and he did...... most times, you could not tell he was blind to watch him. Physically , he was still pretty active, his teeth were getting pretty bad but the vet said none were in need of removal YET.... Long story short, I made the decision that the time had truly come about a month ago because it seemed that everything that moved began to startle him and he seemed to be in constant fear and that was not the purpose of adopting him; it was to give him love, freedom and a carefree life......he had that. That morning, I told him how much I loved him and we spent an hour or more just cuddling...I explained that I was ready to let him go and I knew he was ready ..... I had contacted my vet and we were to be there at 3 pm; at 1 pm, I went to get him and spend just a few more special moments and I found him in his bed; he had taken the journey on his own after receiving my permission to give up..... he now sleeps under a newly planted magnolia (in his honor) with a beautiful marble head stone that has his picture on it....and I spend some very nice quiet times there just as we did together for so many years..... Thank you all for letting me share this here and please know that your thread has helped me get through yet another day without Fred...
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I know what I need to do, I just can't bring myself to say goodbye.
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I'm so sorry. I was in your shoes this time last year. I knew our almost 13 year old German Shorthair Pointer was at the end of his life, and I was thinking I'd wait until after Christmas, but I realized that I needed to do it the right thing for him even though it was hard for me. We put him down on Dec. 17. :( I probably waited a bit too long, and I didn't realize how much stress I'd been under thinking about whether or not it was the right time until he was gone. There was almost a sense of relief. Missing him wasn't as difficult as wondering and worrying about whether or not I was doing the right thing. We all still miss him terribly, though. When the time comes, I highly recommend getting a vet to come to your house. It was so peaceful and less stressful than taking him to the office.
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caflowerluver
15 years ago
So sorry for the loss of your fur baby. It is one of the hardest things to face. I have lost 2 dogs, Gretchen 14 1/2 and Samantha 18 1/2. It was like losing a child. Wish your daughter the best.
Clare
koda04
15 years ago
patti, I am so sorry
Marilyn Sue McClintock
15 years ago
Awww, so sorry to hear that. We may be going to go through that soon. Oldest daughter's dog has cancer. He has been able to keep going longer than we were first told. She changed vets and not only is he getting meds for cancer but also herbal things and accupuncture. That has really helped him. They can really leave a hole in your heart.

Sue
pattico_gw
Original Author
15 years ago
thanks...and yes it is Cedric.
barbara3
15 years ago
Yes, it is very hard. Remy died in May and I went to the dog show in July just to kiss all the goldens between their eyes. I was bawling and blubbering like a fool but everyone understood because they had all been through it too. I'm getting misty-eyed just thinking about it and that was nearly 5 years ago.

It will be a very hard day for your family for sure. I'm thinking about you all.
declansmom
15 years ago
I just wanted to send my heartfelt sympathies to you and to the family.
Losing a beloved pet is so difficult.
The headstone idea is so sweet.
tinainky
15 years ago
I know exactly how you feel. We lost both our elderly cats in the past 3 months. I still miss them terribly and cry over them almost daily.

Creating a memorial for a lost pet is wonderful. We are creating a birdbath-fountain flower garden for our little girls.

My heart goes out to you and your family.
matti5
15 years ago
Patti I am so sorry. My prayers are with you and your family. The memorial stone is a beautiful idea.

My lab Cosmo is 13 and I think this will be his last year with us. I'm crying as I type this, it is so hard to watch him rapidly decline. He still has the mind of a happy puppy, which makes it so much harder to deal with and accept.

Hugs to you!
zeetera
15 years ago
It's hard just reading about it. That is nice of you to think about the children and to help them build a headstone.
dotmom
15 years ago
Patti, my heart goes out to you and your family. It is so very hard to say goodbye to a loving pet. I lost my furbaby in December and miss her so much. I love the idea of a hand made memorial. ((((((Hugs)))))) to you all. Dottie
lydia1959
15 years ago
Yes, that is very hard. The headstone is a wonderful idea Patti.
organic_donna
15 years ago
I'm so sorry for your family. Our pets are our children and their passing is a real heartbreaker.
Donna
lynn_d
15 years ago
Oh Pattico, I am typing with tears in my eyes. It is so very hard to say good-bye to them. They are such huge parts of our lives and are here so briefly. I think making a headstone will be great therapy for all involved. Bless your sweet heart.
minnie_tx
15 years ago
It is hard. I'm grateful that the last pets went in my arms except for my Sammy he just went on a pillow in the other room. DS said he didn't want to bother me. They are all still in my heart
Linda Wayman
15 years ago
Patti I am so sorry. My prayers are with you and your family. I'm sure your grand kids will love the memorial stone.

Linda
angela_nor_calif
15 years ago
That is always such a hard decision. I think the headstone is a great idea. My heart goes out to all of you. Such a sad day. (((())))
samkaren
15 years ago
Patti
I also know what you are feeling. We put our cat EKO down 3 years ago and I still miss him. He was 19 when he left us. DH and I got a medium size stone and I painted his name on it for his marker. We buried him in our garden in the spot where he loved to lay and sun himself. Yes...when we move to our new home this weekend we are bringing him with us.

Cherish the memories and the photos of your furbaby and remember..they are always with us.

SamKaren
your resident DJ
ont_gal
15 years ago
Patti, my heart goes out to you and your family--My Bud passed last May 3...I know all too well what you are all going thru..Hugs.
littlebit_gw
15 years ago
I can hardly see thru the tears.I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers, I know how hard it is going to be..

Two weeks ago today, we walked our Bear to the bridge. We found out he had bone cancer on Jan the 30th. It has been so hard on all of us..

DH found a perfect footprint in the back yard..and made me a garden stone with his footprint and his name. Of course we brought him home to be with us..

Hugs
littlebit
irishdancersgram
15 years ago
I'm also typing with tears in my eyes...I think this has to be one of the toughest times in our lives...
Just yesterday, when I got to the Meals on Wheels kitchen, the gal that lives right next door told me, Charley, her brown lab was dying....We've known Charley wasn't well, but you just don't want to think of the end...Every morning, Charley and his momma would be walking in the parking lot and we always had treats for him...If we happen not to be out when he had his walk, we put the treats on the back bumper and if he didn't see one of us, he go straight to the car....Life can be so hard but remember all those good times...We know Charley will be in doggie heaven getting his treats every day.....
Thinking about you, Patti
jannie
15 years ago
I know how bad it hurts. I've said goodbye to a number of dogs and cats. Do you know the story of Rainbow Bridge? It's very comforting.
marilyn_c
15 years ago
I think making the headstone is a wonderful idea. Yes, it is hard to put a pet down, and of course, hard for the children, even more so, but it is a blessing and the last kindness you can do for a beloved pet. It is sad but it always gives me a sense of peace to know that I have made it easier for them. We never know how much a pet can be suffering. They often bear their pain so stoically. We have to be ready to let them go.
pekemom
15 years ago
I'm so sorry for you Patti. I know the pain of having to make that decision. We had to put down our sweet peke in Nov of 2006 and it still hurts even though we have another peke we love.
alisande
15 years ago
Yes, it's terribly hard. And never gets any easier, no matter how many times we have to face it. My own fingers are crossed for my two elderly dogs. But even when the worst happens I do know that one day we will be reunited with them.

(((Patti)))
glenda_al
15 years ago
Big hugs for the loss!

Saying goodbye to fur babies is hard.

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Saying goodbye to fur babies is hard.

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