Tough Night

[Molly]

Last night I had to take my 14 year old dog to the vet and have him euthanised. Old age, organ failure and arthritis finally seemed to be getting the best of him. He passed peacefully as I cradled him in my arms and he laid his head in my hand for the end.
I knew that I as well as the rest of the family were very attached to him. But, even with that knowledge I did not expect to feel the pain of his loss as strongly and deeply as I have. Can a 54 yr old man admit that he cried himself to sleep over the loss of his dog? Seems strange somehow but at the same time the natural thing. We grieve and grow stonger and move on. The memories of a long time friend live forever.
Molly

[DonnaT]

Sorry for your loss Molly, and yes, it is ok to admit you cried. I know I did when one of our dogs passed a few years ago. They are after all part of the family.

[Lorna]

Hi Molly, I'm so sorry for your loss.

And there is absolutely nothing wrong with mourning the loss of a pet at your age or at any age, because hey, pets are a part of the family. Just know that his suffering is over and he's in a better place. My thoughts are with you & your family.

*** hugs ***

~ Lorna

[Rikki]

You're not alone. I did the same not too long ago when I had to let go of our old, dear Lab. rr

[Elizabeth]

Hi Molly,

There is nothing wrong or abnormal about loving your dog. It is their survival strategy to love us. By loving us unconditionally they give us the one thing we crave and that makes us love our pets very much and take care of them. Hence thier survival.

I am so sorry about your loss, but I am sure you will find another companion who you can also love.

Love Always,
Elizabeth

[Loretta Ann]

Hi Molly,

We grieve and grow stronger and move on.

There is a hidden cost to love, a price one pays at it's termination and/or removal. We as humans are designed to want to escape that suffering, but alas it is required for personal growth. Yes it is indeed designed to make us stronger.

Good post. Healthy attitude. Leaves not much more to be said. May your pain soon be over.

[Virginia]

Sorry for your loss, Molly. It is no doubt they are an intimate part of our family and theie unconditional love is to be missed, but we always have the great memories they leave with us. Cry is great thearpy!
Love,
Virginia

[Beauty]

Hi Molly,

I'm so sorry.

I don't know what else to say that can encompass how bad my heart aches for you.

I hope you feel better soon or get a puppy to help fill some of the love your other dog left when he passed away.

[Bernice]

I am so sorry for your loss.

This may be the wrong thread to mention that I feel exactly the same way about seven cats that I have loved. One was about 18 when we decided it was time. He had cancer of the nasal system, and it was metastasizing towards his brain. He was still ambulatory, despite some arthritis. In the end, he saw the needle and put up the usual resistance. What I agonize over to this day is how nonchalantly I suppressed his resistance. It was a unanimous group decision, not arrived at lightly, and done out of a desire to spare him the grotesque agony of loss of brain function. Our magnificent veterinarian said we waited longer than almost anyone else would have. This was three years ago, and still I fight back tears whenever I remember this.

Perhaps some intellectual giant can explain to me why “right to life” does not also include “right to die” for humans? Who benefits from all the prolonged suffering?

Hugs,

Bernice

[Molly]

Thanks to you all for your understanding and compassion. I appreciate your words very much. They all help in the healing process.
Along those lines, I will share one story about my dog that perhaps you might enjoy and get a laugh.
His name is Zack, he was a mix breed. The mother was a full Lab, visiting dad was a cross between a Malamute and a Husky. Zack was quite large. He stood 32 inches at the back above his front legs. At his prime he weighed 120#, not fat! Needless to say he was quite strong. He was very gentle and loved kids. He was much to large for the kids to walk when they were small.
He loved to run and going for a "walks" was his joy.
I would get on a bicycle and and have him on his leash and he would run along side the bike. I soon learned that I did not have to pedal, I could just let him pull me along. With little effort I might add.
One day I was going to take him for a ride/run. I had his leash on him and was getting situated on the bike to start off. I still had the leash wrapped around my wrist. About the time that I started off on the bike he spotted the kids across the steet and took off running toward them. As you can imagine this created quite a predicament for me. I am on the bike, the leash wrapped around my wrist and this huge dog takes off! He pulled me, on the bike, across the yard, the sidewalk, the street, the other sidewalk and up into the neighbors yard. As we entered the neighbors yard I was trying to control the bike with one hand and trying to bring it to a stop. I had my right hand stretched out in front of me by the leash and my left hand on the handlebars. I began to apply the brake with my left hand, not remembering whether it controlled the front or back brake. You guessed it, it was the front brake, and it worked quite well!. The brake grabbed and brought the front wheel to a stop and then physics took over. The rest of the bicycle continued in motion, with me on it. Over the handlebars I went, flying through the air and hitting the ground face first, with the bike on top of me, where he continued to drag me the last 10 or so feet till he reached the kids.
Needless to say, Zack was oblivious to what was going on behind him and was thrilled to be with "his" kids. Fortunately, my most serious injury was to my pride and I soon recovered. My kids and I still laugh about that to this day.
Considering his size and strength I am thankful that he was always a gentle dog and was never a threat to others. A good friend and companion. So long old dog.
Molly

[CJ]

Hi all,

Molly,

I'm sorry about the death of your dog. As an unwavering "critter-lover," I know just how much love and passion animals can bring to our lives. They don't judge. They don't care about appearances. They care only that we love them and this makes them love us all the more.

Just know that, as with any living creature--canine or otherwise--that brings joy and laughter and love to our lives, he will go on living inside you and it's that joy and laughter and love that you must make room for inside yourself. Your dog--a member of your family with his own special place in your heart--is certainly not replaceable. Nobody is. But, once your grief has subsided (as grief inevitably does), keep in mind there's another critter out there somewhere that wants and needs to be loved in the way only you can, Molly.

I send many hugs your way.

Love,
CJ

P.S.

I just posted this not quite two minutes after your latest post. Heh. I wondered what his name was. Cool anecdote, Molly. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[LaurenD]

Molly -- Please accept our condolences for your loss. We too have experienced the loss of beloved pets and, although time has healed much of our grief, there are occasional circumstances that bring them back to our conscious thoughts. There is a poem that is well known for just such situations as these.

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. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, 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)

[Curly(SO)]

Sorry to hear of your loss, Molly. We got a puppy in August. (Pic on the forum.) He is my first puppy. I am overwhelmed by how much I love him, I never expected to feel quite so strongly. To think of him dying makes me well up already so I can fully empathise with your grief.
I loved your story about Zack, it made me smile enjoy your memories

Love,
Curly(SO)

[Anita]

Hi Molly--
I understand. I've lost lots of pets over the years, and it doesn't seem to get easier. The worst was my calico cat who was attacked in our driveway by some nocturnal animal. I came out the next day and found her. It still gets me crying even thinking about it now.

[Virginia]

Thanks to all my sisters, God I need to cry so bad and this just helped me even more. God love you all!!!!!
Virginia