It was so hard to do....

[HDgirl]

Sorry to unload but I thought if I wrote it down I could start to feel better. After going back and forth about doing the right thing and putting my wonderful sheltie down. I did it yesterday. She was over 15 years old and was starting to have alot of issues. I know I did the right thing...but I miss her.

I held her while she got the needle..I couldn't just drop her off. I am having her cremated and returned in an urn. (I know some may think that's weird.) I had done it before about 8 years ago with my first sheltie..boy...it doesn't get easier. It was so hard to let her go.

Thanks for "listening".

Karen

[lindrusso]

That must have been very hard to do. I'm so sorry.

[phantomcg]

Karen:

I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope that you will find some peace and healing in the fact that you did the right thing. I know that it's hard to let go of one of your pets, especially when they have been a part of your life for so long.

Cheryl

[BlueMoose]

I'm so sorry! That's such a hard decision to have to make. I know how much you're hurting right now.

Chrisi :(

[Beth]

I had such a hard time losing both of my cats who had been my family while finishing law school, getting through the bar exam and working myself too hard as a young associate. One had been a stray and the other was a ferral cat who adopted us. We lost them just 2-3 months apart while our first son was an infant. I knew it was the right thing for each of them (both young, but the first -- the ferral-- had a bad heart and was in the midst of his second attack; the second quit eating and developed liver trouble after the first was gone and nothing was helping), but being right didn't make it easy either time. It is hard, and I'm sorry for you loss, but glad you loved her so much for so long. BIG HUG!

[SandyM]

I'm so sorry Karen....my thoughts are with you.

[SusieO]

Oh, Karen, I am so sad for you. It must have been a hard decision, but you did the right thing.

My sister-in-law kept the remains of her two Boston terriers in urns after she lost them to old age. I don't think it's wierd at all.

My thoughts are with you. She must have been a very special pup.

[Wendy w]

Karen, I'm so sorry, what I difficult decision to make. You are in my thoughts.

[Jewel]

I understand completely Karen...our white German Shepard named Rex was put down while my husband and I both held his paws and told him we loved him. He was also cremated, and his urn is with us. I even have a little white german shepard 'model' sitting on top of it. He was only 9 years old, but Pancreatic Cancer took him from us within 24 hours of symptoms and diagnosis.

Even our smaller dog was moping for a month or so, only playing with Rex's toys and sleeping in Rex's bed. It's hard when you lose a member of your family, but you'll always have your memories...along with a new Guardian Angel!

[HDgirl]

Thank you everyone for your kind words. It really helps.

Recently, a black and white photo of both shelties that my sis had taken landed back in my possession. She had it blown up and framed (for my then husband). I am so glad I have it. It's perfect.

Thanks again,

Karen

[beejayw1]

Hi, Karen -

I saw your post and had to reply.

I lost my two cats - brothers - at 17 years within a month of each other. And there were the other grand old pets - dogs and cats - who died through the years. (Aren't they supposed to live forever?)

One thing I did discover, when I got a new pet - dog or cat - is that you will catch 'echoes' of the lost one. I don't mean anything weird; more that in watching the youngster, you remember that that's just how Morgan used to hold his head, or that's just how Bart used to lie down.

But that doesn't take away the pain. You did the absolute best thing for your Sheltie (15 years old is a grand old age; you must have taken great care of her) and were there for her right to the end.

www.petco.com has a collection of information on pet loss and grieving (here's the link): http://www.petco.com/loveloss/loveloss.asp?

Hope the good memories come back quickly and you do well.

[HDgirl]

Diana,

Thank you. I had to smile at your "echoes". We have a two year old grey striped tabby. He comes into the bathroom with me every morning while I shower. When I get out he licks my feet and ankles. It's sooo strange because my first sheltie used to do the exact same thing. I swear she's (my sheltie) has been reincarnated to my cat (she was grey too).

Karen

[beejayw1]

I swear she's (my sheltie) has been reincarnated to my cat (she was grey too).

Now, that's interesting - blue merle coloring is fairly uncommon in collies and Shelties, and within a couple months I've heard of two of them, both Shelties. I hope it's becoming more common: I think it's a beautiful color.

Of course, what's not to love about Shelties, whatever the color?

(As to the 'echoes', my father's dog was killed the one and only time he got out without a leash, and after grieving for a time Dad got another - also a black lab. Imagine his surprise and happiness when Brady 'sang' as Dad played his harmonica, just as Tucker once did!)

[SusanL]

Karen,
It is better to give them up than to allow them to suffer. As difficult as it was, you did the right thing for your sheltie, she was the most important to think about!! What a lucky sheltie she was!!
Big Hugs to you!!

[aggie94]

Karen,

I'm so sorry for your loss. Even though you know you're doing the right thing, it doesn't make it any easier to deal with the loss of a pet that's been a part of your life for so long.

And I don't think it's at all "weird" to have her cremated. I wish I had been able to do that with my beagle puppy, Toby. At the time, there was no one in the city we lived in that did that, so we buried him in our yard. But we've since moved. I wish I had been able to have him cremated, like we've done with our other pets since then, so that I wouldn't have the guilt of leaving him behind.

I also definitely believe in "echoes." Nacho was the spitting image of Toby when we got him, and does things from time to time that remind me so much of Toby. I'll always miss Toby dearly, but I remind myself that were it not for him coming into my life and then leaving so abruptly, I wouldn't have Nacho.

Sending good thoughts your way...

Eva

[HDgirl]

Thank you everyone for these replies. I am touched by your words.

Diana,
My blue merle had blue eyes she was really pretty and the old lady was a tri. They made a cool pair wherever we went. Now they are back together.

Thanks again everyone,

Karen

[luv2cook]

Karen, I feel for you and I am very sorry. I had to do that on Nov. 15, 1999. I still cannot think of Cassie and that day without tears welling up in my eyes. I still miss her. She was very special to me so I know your pain. She was like a little person - knew my moods, spoke to me and would always seek me out in the house to be with me. She was only 4 lbs. and would sleep on my neck each and every night. When I turned, she turned with me.

At least they're at the Rainbow Bridge. I'd direct you to the link, but don't know it. You can do a search if you've never read it or perhaps someone else can post it. It's very nice.

I'm glad you decided to cremate him. I wish I had done that instead of burying her in my yard.

[beejayw1]

Here's the piece.


The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

They live and frolic all down the long, soft summer days, content and happy - except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

But the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

[BosunsWife]

OMG, that poem makes me feel so much better.

My thoughts are with you regarding the decision you had to make.

I've gone through it twice now and neither time was easy.

The last time was last summer. We had purchased a full bred female German Shepard from a breeder in Rhode Island about three years ago. We had some initial problems with her, but thought, well with training we can over come them. It didn't happen. We tried to avoid what the vet had been telling us all along. Finally, after she basically attacked my parents when they came to visit us, we had to have her put down. Hardest thing we have ever had to do. DH cried for days. We will have another dog, but will probably go for a pound mutt and it will definitely be after we stop our nomadic lifestyle.

[SueK]

Karen- I am really sorry to hear about your loss. I have two dogs which are getting older, and that thought crosses my mind frequently, and I just cannot fathom it.

My mother has two shelties and just loves them to death. One is getting very old, and I dread the thought of her having to go through this.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sue

[Jasmine-Rose]

Karen,

My heart goes out to you. A few years ago I went through the same thing with my Casey - a beagle I'd had for 14 years and who had seen me through some tough times. I did just what you did, held her when she was given the shot and brought her ashes home. The vet had told me in Sep that she only had a few weeks but she held out until just after the new year - and I watched her carefully for any signs that she was in pain. The first sign I saw prompted the call to the vet and I brought her there that evening. To keep her alive while in pain would have been selfish and she deserved better. Within a few weeks I had a new dog. Many would say not to do that so quickly, but in my mind it was a tribute to my relationship with Casey. The new one is a basenji, though, and there are no "echoes"; the breeds are completely different.

And Karen, as soon as I saw the first line of that poem my eyes filled with tears - couldn't even try to read the rest. But it did help me when I first lost Casey. I still miss her after four years and I still think of her.

[beejayw1]

Originally posted by BosunsWife
We had some initial problems with her, but thought, well with training we can over come them. It didn't happen. We tried to avoid what the vet had been telling us all along. Finally, after she basically attacked my parents when they came to visit us, we had to have her put down. Hardest thing we have ever had to do. DH cried for days. We will have another dog, but will probably go for a pound mutt and it will definitely be after we stop our nomadic lifestyle.

Did she have fear-aggression? That happened with one of my family's dogs, a lovely yellow Lab named Tanner. He was a good dog, but wired wrong (it's a recessive genetic trait), and putting him down was the hardest thing my father had to do. If you go for another purebred, hunt around for a breeder who guarantees the disposition and breeds for it.

Pound puppies are great, too - we had 2 that lived to age 14 and 12, respectively.

[luv2cook]

I always vote for pound puppies because they *usually* don't come with hereditary problems like hip dysplasia, disposition issues, etc. AND I swear to god that unwanted animals are much more greatful to have a home than the purebreds. My Ragdoll thinks she owns the place and my Persian is a snob but my mixed breeds are fabulous.

But I will say that my SIL and I found a puppy outside of a Texaco station seven years ago. He had puppy mange, staph, ear infection - was the ugliest thing you've ever seen. You didn't want to touch him! Well, now he's the most gorgeous dog and such a nice disposition. The only problem is he had to have a knee replacement.

The vets think he was part of a breeding program gone awry because it's pretty unusual for mutts to have these kind of issues like his. He now has trouble walking and can't jump. Poor baby. AND he's being picked on by her other dogs so she has to keep them separated. She desperately wants to find a home for him so he doesn't have to live in isolation because she feels her other dog that bullies him is not adoptable but Loki is...

[aggie94]

Originally posted by Jasmine-Rose
Karen,

My heart goes out to you. A few years ago I went through the same thing with my Casey - a beagle I'd had for 14 years and who had seen me through some tough times.

Jasmine-Rose,

I also have a beagle named Casey. She is my DH's "little girl," and even though she's only 8, we know she won't live forever. Still, the thought that she won't be with us one day is heartbreaking. It seems like just yesterday that we brought her home as a puppy. The time really flies. It's amazing how these little guys can grab onto your hearts and affect your lives forever just by loving you.

I like to think that my Toby and your Casey are playing together at the Rainbow Bridge. He and my Casey were best friends for the 6 months that they knew each other, and I'm sure that Casey missed him a lot after he was gone. She's come to adore our other 2 beagles, Nacho & Abbey, but I've never seen her play with either of them the way she did with Toby.

[BosunsWife]

beejayw1 that is exactly what the vet and the trainer that we took her to told us it was called. She was such a loving animal with DD, DH and myself, but wouldn't let anyone else near us. When my inlaws or my friends and their kids would come to the house, I had to put her in her kennel and put her in the garage. She had also started to occasionally snarl at me when I was around DD and the vet told DH that she would eventually "come after" me too. The only person she would answer to was DH - because he was her "master" (he took her to the training classes). I was becoming afraid that she might attack DD (who was one at the time).

The vet said it may also have been a case of just a little too much interbreeding within the line.