What Did You Do That Helped....

[happypaws]

;)

I knew his time was nearing the end , it was amazing he went as long as he did . Jordan rallied a few times , but last night when he just stood over his full dinner bowl .. i knew it was not a good sign. He struggled to get up and inside to his bed .

I cried and cried as I told him what a good dog he had been . In the back of my mind I thought he might make it through the night , but couldn't stand the thought of waiting until the morning incase he went down hill more quickly and really began to suffer . So I went to Emergency Vet and PTS.

I was prepared the time was comming , and it was going to be hard . I wasn't prepared for how devastated I am

For those that have lost 4 paws that were dear to them , what did you do that helped . Any helpful advice appreciated .

[tara taylor]

When we made the decision to put our 14 year old Goldie to sleep, I tried to remember that having him struggle each day was only for my benefit, not his. Yes, my tears sure did flow, but felt good to know that he was at peace.

Looking through photos of him when he was young and happy, and then looking at the last photos of him with his sad dull eyes gave me comfort that we made the right decision.

Take care, thinking of you.

[jacqui835]

Oh gosh reading that brought tears to my eyes because it's obvious you are really upset. From the sounds of things though, you took the only option there was. He got to retain his dignity, and you saved him from experiencing lots of pain. He would thank you for that. Grieving is normal, so don't fight it. But know that you have done everything you could for him, and he was so lucky to have had an owner who cared about him this much.

[*Avanti*]

;)

For those that have lost 4 paws that were dear to them , what did you do that helped . Any helpful advice appreciated .

I'm sorry for your loss. I planted a Eucalyptus tree for my boy. It has grown well and is a healthy 5+ year old tree now. Somehow I find it consoling that it is his tree, I find it a peaceful place to reflect. I still have tears from time to time.

[happypaws]

Oh gosh reading that brought tears to my eyes because it's obvious you are really upset. From the sounds of things though, you took the only option there was. He got to retain his dignity, and you saved him from experiencing lots of pain. He would thank you for that. Grieving is normal, so don't fight it. But know that you have done everything you could for him, and he was so lucky to have had an owner who cared about him this much.

Thanks Jacqui835 , he ws 15 years old . I had a talk to him a few weeks prior that it was ok for him to go and he should let me know when he was ready . He was too good to suffer . I know its normal to feel grief , but i am blown away by the devastated feelings . ;)

[happypaws]

;)

For those that have lost 4 paws that were dear to them , what did you do that helped . Any helpful advice appreciated .

I'm sorry for your loss. I planted a Eucalyptus tree for my boy. It has grown well and is a healthy 5+ year old tree now. Somehow I find it consoling that it is his tree, I find it a peaceful place to reflect. I still have tears from time to time.

A great idea Labtested .. thanks for your post

[tlc]

So sorry for your loss, it is such a hard and heart breaking time. Like you we knew when it was time for our old boy Hank to go. We had him cremated and we keep his ashes in a special box with his picture embossed on the top with a plaque on the side, along with his collar and his lead in a spot in our kitchen where we can see it every day.

I looked at photos of him every day and cried everyday for a long time. It wasn't long before I got our next dog after Hank went and that helped me immensely, some people say they couldnt possibly get another dog soon after they lose one and my OH was one of them but I went ahead and got Cooper anyway and he helped us heal a lot quicker. In no way did he replace Hank, no dog could but in some way he helped us heal and move on from losing our best mate.

We always say Hank lives on in Cooper and occasionally after 4 years Cooper gets called Hank. They certainly leave a lasting impression on your lives especially when you have had them for such a long time. Hank was 16 when he left us. And that day was one of the hardest days we have had to endure!

Hope you can come to terms in your own way and look back on your boys life and think of all the fun and happy times you had together!!

[tlc]

I know its normal to feel grief , but i am blown away by the devastated feelings . ;)

I know exactly how you feel its like your heart is ripped out and a little piece of it taken away, I'd like to think that my little piece of broken heart went with my boy to his final resting place!!

[tlc]

.

Edited January 11, 2011 by tlc

[skip]

Sorry for your loss.

You have done everything you could do for him. I think the best gift you can give your pets is a loving and caring end after a life shared full of love.

Grief is normal and I remember crying nearly all weekend as I neared the end for my dear rottie. I was glad to have that time where you can say goodbye even thou it was heart breaking.

My only consolation is that all his life he was loved and cared for. Not all dogs have that joy. Be proud of the life you provided as I am sure you earned his devotion as well.

[happypaws]

Sorry for your loss.

You have done everything you could do for him. I think the best gift you can give your pets is a loving and caring end after a life shared full of love.

Grief is normal and I remember crying nearly all weekend as I neared the end for my dear rottie. I was glad to have that time where you can say goodbye even thou it was heart breaking.

My only consolation is that all his life he was loved and cared for. Not all dogs have that joy. Be proud of the life you provided as I am sure you earned his devotion as well.

Thanks Skip

[harley]

I cried everyday for months, even now (coming up to 2 years) I get teary thinking about my girl.

I have her ashes in my bedroom with one of my favourite photos of her. I talk to her sometimes.

I also planted a beautiful rose called 'best friend' in our garden which makes me think of her whenever I see and smell the flowers.

It is one of the hardest things I have ever done. I does get a little easier with time though.

I am sorry you are going through this, but it means you are a caring person. ;)

[laneka]

May last year just before his 12th birthday I had to PTS my heart dog. A dog that I adored. Mentally he was fine but physically not. He had bone cancer. He told me he was ready but that really did not make it easier. It just made me cry more.

I cried and cried, questioned what I had done but in the end I knew I had made the right decision. I looked at pictures of him. Talked to my OH and friends about him. I still feel his presence every now and then, maybe that is wishful thinking, who knows. It took a while to come to terms with him gone and every now and then I still have a cry for him.

Lots of hugs for you. Cry and remember his good days and the good times you had together. Laugh when you remember something funny he did. He will always be with you watching from above. He is part of you, a lovely part of your heart.

Edited January 11, 2011 by laneka

[persephone]

I have always been fortunate to have a replacement waiting in the wings ... it is the only way I can manage ..not always planned... but it has happened. I can not stand to see an empty bed/kennel .

You do whatever you feel is right for you... cry , stamp on the floor , write a poem... plant a tree....whatever.

Everyone is different .

I am sorry you no longer have your old boy... ;)

[happypaws]

So sorry for your loss, it is such a hard and heart breaking time. Like you we knew when it was time for our old boy Hank to go. We had him cremated and we keep his ashes in a special box with his picture embossed on the top with a plaque on the side, along with his collar and his lead in a spot in our kitchen where we can see it every day.

I looked at photos of him every day and cried everyday for a long time. It wasn't long before I got our next dog after Hank went and that helped me immensely, some people say they couldnt possibly get another dog soon after they lose one and my OH was one of them but I went ahead and got Cooper anyway and he helped us heal a lot quicker. In no way did he replace Hank, no dog could but in some way he helped us heal and move on from losing our best mate.

We always say Hank lives on in Cooper and occasionally after 4 years Cooper gets called Hank. They certainly leave a lasting impression on your lives especially when you have had them for such a long time. Hank was 16 when he left us. And that day was one of the hardest days we have had to endure!

Hope you can come to terms in your own way and look back on your boys life and think of all the fun and happy times you had together!!

TLC , I am lucky to have two remaining dogs , Jordans dear little friend - Peanut 13yr old Maltese x and Mia pure bred Lab 2yrs . I took in Mia not long ago . Knowing that Jordi was not going to be around long . I sure am happy that Mia is with me she knows I am upset and is doing her best to comfort me . Peanut is upset ... I am worried that she will stress out . She has not known life with out Jordi. We got peanut for Jordi as he had very bad separation anxiety ... from 8 wks she used to sleep on his belly . They were besties .

I agree that having a dog around helps the healing ...

[Jed]

So sorry happypaws.

This is the down side of pet ownership

I believe they do cross the rainbow bridge, where they patiently wait for us - while playing with their friends. I think of them there sometimes, and although I miss each one so much, I am comforted by that.

Not everyone believes that. You either do or you don't, I guess.

The big issue is usually that you miss them so much .... only tincture of time fixes that. But I find knowing they left earth with no pain and that they had a great life with me does help.

Getting a pup helps me too, but we are not all the same and some people do not take to a new pup straight away.

Writing a tribute to the dog helps a lot of people too. But not everyone.

Expect to suffer, that is the price for enjoying such a lovely boy for so long. Expect to recover in time too. ;)

[halfthewords]

;) Hugs to you at this time, happypaws. It never gets easier.

We lost our beautiful girl early last year (the anniversary is coming up...can't believe it's been that long) and she was our first dog. Coping has not been easy, especially since you notice really their absence. Our 3 other dogs were confused, and nothing made sense until we got our 5th dog, a Bichon who is the spitting image of her.

What helped initially was NOT keeping any photos or videos of her laying around the house or computer. That was easier said than done as I had photos of her everywhere. I put everything in a box or folder until I was ready and that can take months. Do the same with the collar, bed, food bowls etc. Pretty much until the grieving period is over I would not be looking at memories or significant things. Of course, that can be cathartic for some people but it just made things that much more real for me and my family.

When you're ready, visit the good times. That is the best way to keep them alive in your heart.

Edited January 11, 2011 by Hanna Gibbs

[happypaws]

So sorry happypaws.

This is the down side of pet ownership

I believe they do cross the rainbow bridge, where they patiently wait for us - while playing with their friends. I think of them there sometimes, and although I miss each one so much, I am comforted by that.

Not everyone believes that. You either do or you don't, I guess.

The big issue is usually that you miss them so much .... only tincture of time fixes that. But I find knowing they left earth with no pain and that they had a great life with me does help.

Getting a pup helps me too, but we are not all the same and some people do not take to a new pup straight away.

Writing a tribute to the dog helps a lot of people too. But not everyone.

Expect to suffer, that is the price for enjoying such a lovely boy for so long. Expect to recover in time too. ;)

Thanks Jed .... I do believe he will be waiting on the other side for me.

[Erny]

I wasn't prepared for how devastated I am

Nor was I when I had to make the greatest sacrifice, so I know what you mean.

For those that have lost 4 paws that were dear to them , what did you do that helped . Any helpful advice appreciated.

Cry. Grieve. Give yourself time to wallow, to remember, to hurt. And then you need to do what Jordan did. You need to rally.

Your wounded heart is so very very raw right now. It hurts like nothing else. Although the hurt won't go away, with time it will get softer and it won't be as hard to bear. I promise.

RIP Jordan ;) .

Edited January 11, 2011 by Erny

[Starkehre]

I am so very sorry to hear about the passing of Jordan Happypaws.

It is an overwhelmingly sad time for you. ;)

One thing I always do when I decide to finally sad goodbye to one of beloved dogs is try to find strength and peace in the knowing that I did the right thing at the right time.

When my beautiful Ruby died a few years ago, I held a service for her. A friend of mine whom is a civil celebrant put together a special service for Ruby.

It was held on the foreshore of a beautiful big off leash dog park and all Ruby's 2 and 4 legged friends were there including her breeder.

There was music, candles and flowers. It was a really lovely service and I am glad we did this for Ruby and for us.

You need to do what feels right for you.

I always cry a lot when I lose one of my dogs. I cry until there is just no more cry left in me. Sometimes this is weeks. I also tend to sleep a lot when I am grieving.

Whatever you do and however you handle this difficult time with be right for you.

Take care.