I am only to familiar with the loss of a dog, but not really a pet it IS a family member! As loved and close as a child. My wife and I have lost two in the last two years. Our chocolate lab Grizz was our red headed step child he would hide food and irritate the other two yellow labs as a pup. He alway vied for attention and would want to be the center of attention. He had cancer in his blood and we nursed him for almost a year. Our vet worked with us to give him as much time as possible. Now were were down to two yellow labs. Our female Babe was a rescue that was near death when we got her from the animal shelter. She had been drug behind a pickup and was in very bad shape. Because of donations from the community and the vet we were able give her several years of good life. A few months after Grizz was released from his pain Babe had a seizure and was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Babe was the other woman in my life. My wife would often say if Babe had two legs she would have to take her out.
(more…)

My 3 cats are my oldie-pie, 17 year old Chrissy, who’s pretty much a momma’s girl and only likes me, 5 year old Stephanie, who was almost dead when we rescued her, resulting in a $700 plus vet bill. She’s fat and happy now but has stunted growth ans a bent tail from the state she was in as a baby, and 2 year old Badikins, who is very sick right now with juvenile kidney failure. The vet believes it is congenital. Our rabbit is 3 year old Drako, who is so gray, he’s blue. They all get along with the 6 dogs, except Chrissy, who doesn’t like anyone but me.

My heart goes out to you…. I have always had dogs in my life… they just aren’t around long enough. Beau was a golden retriever, truly the best dog ever. He was more human than most people I know. He died in the middle of the night of a heart attack. I didn’t know how I could ever recover from this. My husband and I gave him mouth to snout cpr, he came back, only to leave forever. We had 2 other dogs, Barney and Beau’s son Rebel. Barney lived to be 13 years old when he started to stumble. He was part shepherd. Apparently, Shepherds commonly get the condition he had, where his back legs just won’t go anymore. The Vet said his front end was that of a puppy, his mind didn’t understand what was wrong, which you could see on his face… I had to carry his back around, he often couldn’t get up to go to the bathroom… I finally realized I had to let go… He deserved to go and not live in this way. I though it was hard to let Beau go, suddenly, quickly in the night when he didn’t know anything. I was wrong. I held Barney in my arms as the life drained out of him. I took him home myself. I didn’t want anyone to handle him with rough hands. I took him home, cleaned him up, and buried him in my back yard, under the trees with my shoe, his collar and his stuffed toy. Rebel, Beau’s son, had much of the same symptoms as Pepsi. He stumbled. he seemed to be dazed at times… one day we noticed the indentation in his skull. It was a tumor. Again, the decision…..

I have 3 dogs today. All of them in their later years. I dread the day… and yet I know in my heart they had a wonderful life, they were always loved and cared for, and I will be there until the end to be sure they are never alone or afraid. It’s the least I can do.

God Bless, and take comfort in the memories.

Here’s a picture of Rebel.

Jana from MN

My 73-year old Dad, Don Lookabill, was one of the greatest dog lovers ever. Over the years, we had several dogs, but for the past 13 years, he had a pug named DJ – short for Dozer Jr. And DJ loved my Dad just as much – and could always be found right by his side. They spent their years together making each other happy as their health declined. Then this past summer, the time came that we had to have DJ put to sleep. I went with my father – and it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do – to watch this strong, loving man lay his friend to rest. My Dad’s health had declined to such a point that he could barely hold DJ, so that was my job. We left the vet’s office with few words. A week or two later, he picked up DJ’s cremated remains and kept the box near him. Just a few weeks ago, my Dad and I started out on our annual trip to NC to get apples and visit family. As we drove, we talked about many things – one thing was how he missed DJ and still would pick a piece of food off of his plate to slip to him – only to remember he was gone. Later that evening, my father passed away. Needless to say, DJ was placed by my father’s side – together again forever.

Donna from MD

When I was growing up, my family & I had two dogs. The first dog, Scooter died when I was about 9 or 10 of cancer. For months he walked around with a growth hanging from his mouth. He could be very mean but also very sweet. I remember when I had the chicken pox in 2nd grade; he stayed by my side until I was able to go back to school. He would do that with anyone in our house who was sick. I was at school the day we had to put him to sleep. My mom took him to the vet to have him put to sleep and my grandfather had to pick him up because my mom was an emotional wreck. This was my parent’s first dog. They got about 6 months after they married in 1975. My grandfather picked Scooter up and buried him their back yard. Needless to say I cried when mom told me what happened.
(more…)

I am a disabled Police officer and am so lucky to have two wonderful Basset Hounds to love and cherish . I raised Lemon Drop ,my female from a puppy and she is the sweetest little girl ever. Bassets are like potato chips, you can’t have just one . I volunteer with Suncoast Basset Rescue in Florida and found my male , Buster on our web page,It was love at first site. I filed to adopt him right away and i have never been sorry. They give you unconditional love and only ask for you to care for and love them back. Too bad more people are not like that.God Bless you Mark for loving Sprite enough to put your own feelings aside and setting him free. You will see him again some day, He will be waiting for you at God’s feet.

Ken from Florida