I did a hard thing today..

[ironglow]

  We,ve had a little, long..strungout dog for about 7 years now.  Mindy is a Shih Tsu/ Pekingese cross..long and overweight, her back was always a problem.  At 3 AM Christmas morning, she woke me wanting to go outdoors, so I let her out.  I don't know what she did, but shortly after coming back in she collapsed.  Soon she could do no more than bark, turn her head a little and blink her eyes.  Consulting with my veterinary friend, he checked her over and said "it's no use"..
   So, this morning my son carried much of the weight as we took Mindy down for her shot.  Doc says it was as "fast and easy" as one could possibly hope for...she went quietly and now rests beside another pet, on a little hill, under a pine tree behind our house.  Now I must comfort my wife....

[Alaska Dave]

I've been in the same situation several times. Never gets easier. Swear i'll never have another pet but you know how that is. Best wishes to you and your family.

[ironglow]

  Thanks Dave..you about hit it on the head..

[Poopers]

Let me tell you bud, I know EXACTLY how you feel. I had to put down my pup last Monday after watching her wither away for a week. I had that dog for 8 years and literally I could count the days we were apart on my fingers. I still have trouble looking at pictures of her but they say time heals all wounds.

Good luck to you

[ceadersavage2]

Sorry about the loss

[ironglow]

Thanks guys..I'm sure each of you have gone through the same situation, one way or another.  Right now, I sit here and keep expecting Mindy to come up to me and give her little bark..wanting attention...

[rockbilly]

I know the pain you feel, a few weeks ago I took my Katy to the vet for the last time, and she died in the car on the way over.  The vet said he didn’t think she suffered and had died from a heart attack.

Funny how they grow on you, I didn’t want her but my wife overruled me and brought her home, she said she could see something in the dog’s eyes.  Katy had been dropped off at the vets office to be “put down, ” she was about 5-6 years old, a skinny Schnauzer that had obviously just had a litter of pups. We learned she had come out of a puppy mill and was used only for breeding, she had experienced little human contact and it was thought that her feet had rarely touched grass.  We got her home and she quickly imprinted on me, almost like a piece of Velcro she had to be with me when every I was home and the wife said she would pace and go to the door while I was away, she knew the sound of my diesel and would perk-up when she heard me pull in the drive, she ended up being “my” dog...

Katy was with us a little over eight years and when we lost her it was like loosing a member of the family.  Gone, but not forgotten, I’ll always have good memories of the ole girl barking to go out, or doing every trick she knew for a cookie and cherish the quite times we spent with her just sitting in my lap for a nap, yes I can feel your pain.

[BUGEYE]

been there, done that.  that ache in your throat eases over time.

[Sourdough]

Iron Glow:  I feel your pain.  We had two Beagle/Springer crosses, siblings.  Sky was six when we got them, he named them Bert and Ernie.  Two years ago two days before Christmas, Bert got down and could not get up.  We made that trip to the Vets Office.  Then last year, a week before Christmas we did it all over again with Ernie.  They were with us 13 and 14 years.  Christmas is when we miss them most.  Two empty nails on the mantel, two stockings no longer there. 

When we lost our Snauczer, I said no more dogs.  That lasted three years, then here came Bert and Ernie.  When Bert left us I said "No more dogs".  Last night Michelle and Sky was talking about what kind of dog they wanted to get next.  Guess I better change my mind or I'm going to be left out of that decision. 

Even thou we say no more, never again, we end up doing it all over again anyway.

[Dee]

Butch we got in Sherman and had for 13 years. Tank was born on this place. Their buried side by side, less than 30 feet from where Tank was born. Tanks daddy is gettin old, and when he goes, that's where I'll put him also. At my age, I'll only get one more, and he may out live me. Ya just never know.
Good luck with the misses IG. My wife still has Butch's pic in her phone, and misses him.

[chefjeff]

Dee,I resemble that. Put down a 13 yr.old beagle last week.Bone cancer.Her twin sister still lives here. Born in front yard,died in back yard just like her daddy,and lies beside him now.I knew this was coming,so I got another pair, bro&sis,Bonnie and Clyde,to break in for their duties.Hope they are here awhile.

[streak]

ironglow,
Sorry to hear about your loss.
I have had that visit to the vet to many times when I was into labs, each one was a special great hunting companion and a real buddy!
My yougest son has taken a job in San Diego and I fell heir to his bloodhound! So I am back in the dog world again.
You haven`t seen anything until you see a spoiled bloodhound!! She is a good walking companion and great to have around to talk too!!

[scootrd]

IG,
I am so sorry you had to go through that , One of the Hardest things  someone who loves their companions has to do. I am deeply sorry for your loss. I too lost my yellow lab Harley a year ago CHRISTmas , and his companion Tessa just this past summer.

I still have a big 'ol hole in my heart, and this CHRISTmas was especially hard without them. 

I wish Mindy peace... and the place you set aside for her to rest sounds very very nice.

[Brett]

Ironglow,  Know that you are not alone. Many of us here have traveled down this same road.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your wife.

[OldSchoolRanger]

IG - Really sorry to hear about your loss.  After the last dog (we had 3 over the years), my wife said that was the last one.  It's been 5 years now, and I still miss her.  The only thing I can say that hopefully helps is that; "Time heals all wounds".

[DEACONLLB]

Sorry for your loss, I have been there before, also like most of the fellows had a brown Lab that someone dumped off on us took him in and we had him for years when he just fell over dead one day I said then no more dogs like loosing a member of the family, but about 4 months later someone dumped off a nice little Sheltie female, so we took her in and she is great.
 
Deaconllb

[SHOOTALL]

Sorry for your loss it is never easy .

[spikehorn]

Sorry for your loss. it's never easy to loose a pet thats part of the family. We had to put down our wonderful collie shepherd mix acouple years ago. She was 15 and her hips were completely gone. A friend of mine is a large animal vet and she came to our house to give Bella the shots.

[Spirithawk]

Sorry to hear it. My wife had a pair of Shitzus and she just recently lost the male to a form of cancer so I can relate my friend. The female then quit eating and was pining for her mate. My son bought my wife a tiny female Shitzu and the older female has now taken to her and is eating again. 

[ironglow]

Again, thanks guys;
    We figure no more dogs..we are getting tro the place where a pup may well outlive us..then what ?  I say, no more but if I happen upon an old or neglected pooch and he/she turns sad eyes on me...oohh I hate to think..
  What is it about some dogs ?  Their eyes can....reach right into your soul...

[huntswithdogs]

Not only your soul but your heart.
As the others have stated, the pain will ease, but never completely go away. They become a part of you. It seems like a lot of us have lost those members of our families that never question us,but just ask for our love.

Prayers going out for you and yours IG.

HWD

[rockbilly]

Ironglow.  I know how you feel about getting another dog, it’s a hard decision as we grow older, but let me remind you, there are lots of older dogs in shelters that can make a great companion and friend.  Most of these dogs are out of the puppy stage, may have training, some house broke and will warm up to you very quickly.  As for the old bull, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” that’s not true at all.  With a little positive reinforcement you can train/retrain any dog. And the postive thing, you don't have to worry about outliving a puppy.

I hope you find a new friend, not to replace the one you lost but to fill the void.

[IOWOLF]

 A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS.........
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
 4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
 5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
 6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
 7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
 8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
 10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

 Remember that they can't do a lot of things for themselves and that they depend on you to make their life a quality life!
Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters.
 
 
Now please pass this on to other pet owners. We do not have to wait for Heaven to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs!

[ironglow]

  Iowolf;
   I liked that, it is rather comforting..
   Again ..thanks one and all...

[smokehouserex]

 
 
  Helo ironglow:
  I am sorry for your loss of a friend. My wife had a cockapoo for around 15 yrs. and health issues took a toll. We placed him here at the back door near the chimney. My wife wanted to have a service for him and for me too officiate. I told her that I wasn't sure if it was appropiate to do that. Well you guessed it, we had a memorial service just to give thanks to God for the pleasure of one of His creatures and that satisfied her, I cried like a baby while I laid him away.  The first animal that I ever was really close to. I understand your grief. 
  I now have a big brown lab and he is the best natured dog that I have ever seen his reg. name is Big Boy Buster Brown.  She has another cockapoo and he ain't a Patch compared to Sparky, his name is Skipper,
  best to you
  HM
 
  To IOWOLF:
  A great thought
  thanks
  HM