Farewell My Friend
 

This afternoon I made the decision to have my cocker spaniel, Puddin, put down. He was 12 1/2 years old. The hardest part about it was saying to the Vet, "Go ahead and do it." That was tough. I kept second guessing as to whether or not I was making the decision too early, but I really didn't have a lot of options. He had lost his sight and hearing. He had lost weight and was having trouble getting up and down. The Vet felt like it was time as well.

I am really grateful though. His passing was so peaceful. Puddin was like me... fiesty and stubborn at times, but he laid there so calm with his nose on my chest. There was no struggle. It's almost like he was saying, "I'm tired. I'm ready to go." He didn't make a sound and just slipped away peacefully.

Sorry this is so depressing, but I just wanted to get it off my chest. This is the first time I've ever had to do something like this. I handled it better than I thought I would. I guess it's because I had already been preparing myself for it over the past few weeks. I will miss him terribly though. He was a wonderful dog and a faithful friend. May he rest in peace.

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

That's tough LB. I know you've been battling this for a while.

RIP Puddin.

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

Awww I hate putting animals to sleep, such a big debate between end the suffering now or not

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

I'm sorry to hear that LB. My family had to put our dog down 2 years ago and I still hate thinking about it (even though it had to be done). We'd had the dog since I was ten and he was really a part of our family.

I'd like to think that our Billy (we always give our pets people names for some reason) is up there running around with your Puddin, smellin' butts and chewing on huge pig ears.

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

[quote=SmootSmack;357744]That's tough LB. I know you've been battling this for a while.

RIP Puddin.[/quote]
Thanks SS.

It's too quiet around here. I was so used to helping him get around, I don't quite know what to do with myself.

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

When I was younger, We had a German Sheppard named duchess for like 6 years and I loved that dog. and we had to give her away when we moved, it is weird for a while not hearing the barking or lying down with the dog. my parents kept getting new ones but they werent the same, I am sorry LB.

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;357746]I'm sorry to hear that LB. My family had to put our dog down 2 years ago and I still hate thinking about it (even though it had to be done). We'd had the dog since I was ten and he was really a part of our family.

I'd like to think that our Billy (we always give our pets people names for some reason) is up there running around with your Puddin, smellin' butts and chewing on huge pig ears.[/quote]
That's funny AMD. You always make me laugh. I needed that. ;)

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

we had to put down the first dog i ever had. lived to be almost 19. i feel your pain

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

RIP Puddin

I have had to put down more than one dog and it is never easy. While it is always tough, I comfort myself by knowing that it is someone who loves them that is making this decision for them.

The toughest for me was my 13 year old lab, Otis, from the time I got him to the time of his death, he and I slept in the same room for all but two months of his life. It happened five years ago and I still miss him.

It does get easier just b/c that is the way of things. When it gets really bad, just think of some of the dumb funny things he did - you know the ones, the things you wanted to slap him upside the head for but couldn't cause you were laughing too hard. (One of my favorite Otis memories - The time he scarfed down a plate of brownies in front of me, and then heading straigt to the "punishment room" with the look of "Oh yeah, it was worth it!" )

Soon enough that empty place in your heart where Puddin was will become filled with the comfortable furniture that his memory brings.

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

Sorry to hear about that Lady Brave. I think it's something every person with a dog in their family worries about. I know my dog is a huge part of my wife and I's life.

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

Always a tough pill to swallow.... you get to become really close to dogs...All my best

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

Sorry to hear about your loss LB.

I still miss all the pets I've had through the years, especially my cat that I swear had the soul of a dog. He would follow me all over the place and he was always happy as shit to see me.

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

Sorry to hear about your loss. I know when my dog died last year at a vet hospital I lost it. He was my first dog and I never really understood just how close people can be to their pets until I lost mine. Just remember that you gave yours a great life and, based on the mere fact that you created this thread, I am sure Puddin knew how much you loved him.

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

My Heart goes out to you.
Memories are worth more than ever now so enjoy them.
peace
mike
<><

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

LB, you know..........all dog's go to heaven?

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

Greetings LB and regrets for the passing of your friend. I often think of the positive role animals play in our lives, never asking for anything in return. They are members of the family, and sometimes, the best members. Time will help, but it does take time.
I am preparing to make the same decison with a 15 year old Yorkie that runs our house. I have been dreading, and putting it off for some time..............
Hang in there

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

LB you definitely have my sympathy. My family and myself are close to making the same choice with one of our dogs whom we've had for 12+ years. Joe is right, when your on the down side about remembering them just think of the goofy things they used to do. I know one thing that helped my grandparents through the same thing was buying one of those statues in the likeness of what your pet looked like and placing it somewhere you'd see it every day and it makes it feel like they are still there with you.

RIP Puddin

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

Thanks so much for the kind words guys. Especially you Joe. You have a gift for knowing just the right words to say.

I took the day off. I didn't want to risk having random episodes at work. Several times I've gotten that feeling that I need to go and check on the dog. I'm not used to the house feeling this empty. I'm good though. It's something you have to go through as a pet owner. It's funny the random memories that pop into your head. Puddin always liked for me to kiss him on top of the head when I came home. He would follow me around until I did that. Then he would look at me like, "Ok... that's all I wanted. I'm gonna go do my thing now." I'll miss that.

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

[QUOTE=Lady Brave;357850]Thanks so much for the kind words guys. Especially you Joe. You have a gift for knowing just the right words to say.
[/QUOTE]

Well, my night job is with Hallmark.

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

All dogs go to Heaven. I empathize completely. I had to put my 6 year old boxer girl down 6 months ago. It's very tough.

Cry and love again. ;)

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

I know how you feel and it does get quiet when these things happen. I had to put down a dog we had for 8yrs which we had saved from getting euthanised (spelling) from the local pound. I really missed the dog but it dawned on me this dog had 8 great years with us that he would have never seen if we had not adopted him. I decided the best thing to do was to save another dog in memory of the one we lost. It was tough at first but each day our new pet became more and more a part of our family and we are just happy to have saved another dog.

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

You did the right thing, he's in a better place now. We had to do the same thing with our family dog, she made it to 14. Now she's buried on our property at our lake cabin watching over us.

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

I'm sorry you have to go through this L.B I know what it's like. I had to put down my 2 dogs over the last 4 years. Both times it just tore me up. I didn't go to work for a few days because I was too depressed. They were like my kids. Roxy my Rott was 12 I got her when I was 17 she was the greatest dog I could have ever asked for. Ilana my Rot/Lab I saved from the pound she was only 7 which made it extremely hard to let her go because it happened so fast and was so unexpected. Roxy had cancer and Ilana had kidney failure so it needed to be done on both occasions. But that didn't make it any easier. I like to think that Roxy & Ilana are hanging out together at some dog park in the sky waiting for me to join them and one day I will.
[IMG]http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w316/redskins5605/RoxyandIlana.jpg[/IMG]


A few months after putting Ilana down I went to a pet expo and stumbled across this little Dalmatian puppy. After walking around the fair grounds for a few hours I went back and adopted him and named him Lucas.

[IMG]http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w316/redskins5605/Lucas.jpg[/IMG]

While Lucas will never replace Roxy our Ilana he has become a big part of my life and has helped me move on.
It's probably way too soon for you to think about right now. But in time you might find another dog that you can offer a good life to and maybe that will help you too.

I'm sure you gave Puddin a great life and He will always love you for that.
R.I.P Puddin

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

yea i feel your pain my aunt died today as a result of cancer.



life must go on.....

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

Hey Lady Brave, Very sorry about puddin. No matter how much you think you are prepared, you never really are.

We just went through the same nightmare two months ago, our 14 1/2 year golden, truely like throwing a light switch one day we were at the beach the next day he was deadly ill, been through alot with my boy "REBEL" and that was one of those days that I will never forget as long as I live, hauling butt to the vet to try to DO ANYTHING TO SAVE HIM. He was truely mans BEST friend! I'll cherish every moment we spent together. There is a special place in HEAVEN just for him.

Ten days ago we finally started the healing process, we bought our new golden, he won't replace "REBEL" but he sure will help fill the void that's left behind.

He's now 12 weeks old, unreal cool as most all goldens. We started thinking of names and "COOLEY" struck us as par for the course. We sure do love him and have grown attached very quickly, he's one of the family.

I hope when the time is right for you, things will work out as smoothly.

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

[QUOTE=dall-assblows;357929]yea i feel your pain my aunt died today as a result of cancer.



life must go on.....[/QUOTE]

Sorry to hear that. May she rest in peace

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

It really has helped reading the different stories and experiences you guys have had. I feel for those who may be facing the same situation. I'm not sure if I will get another dog or not. Too early to be thinking about that.

I don't know why I didn't post pics of him earlier, but here he is. The first one is one of my favorites and the second one is the last picture we took of him. He had just gotten a haircut. He loved getting his hair cut and showing off.

[IMG]http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i240/riggins44/IMG_0043.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i240/riggins44/PUDDIN.jpg[/IMG]

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

[QUOTE=Lady Brave;357743]This afternoon I made the decision to have my cocker spaniel, Puddin, put down. He was 12 1/2 years old. The hardest part about it was saying to the Vet, "Go ahead and do it." That was tough. I kept second guessing as to whether or not I was making the decision too early, but I really didn't have a lot of options. He had lost his sight and hearing. He had lost weight and was having trouble getting up and down. The Vet felt like it was time as well.

I am really grateful though. His passing was so peaceful. Puddin was like me... fiesty and stubborn at times, but he laid there so calm with his nose on my chest. There was no struggle. It's almost like he was saying, "I'm tired. I'm ready to go." He didn't make a sound and just slipped away peacefully.

Sorry this is so depressing, but I just wanted to get it off my chest. This is the first time I've ever had to do something like this. I handled it better than I thought I would. I guess it's because I had already been preparing myself for it over the past few weeks. I will miss him terribly though. He was a wonderful dog and a faithful friend. May he rest in peace.[/QUOTE]

I am very sorry for your loss LB. As most of you have given me grief for, I have a deep love of animals, and it pains me to even hear such news. It's hard to lose a family member like that, and I wish you all the best and peace with your decision.

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

[quote=SmootSmack;357933]Sorry to hear that. May she rest in peace[/quote]

thanks brah

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

I understand grief for sure, and many of us take our pets as more than just that. This too has been a tough week for me, my grandfather is too ill, but there is some hope.

Let's pray for everyone.

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

[quote=dall-assblows;357929]yea i feel your pain my aunt died today as a result of cancer.



life must go on.....[/quote]

Sorry man. Cancer has hurt my family as well.

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

[QUOTE=dall-assblows;357929]yea i feel your pain my aunt died today as a result of cancer.



life must go on.....[/QUOTE]

Sorry to hear that dall-assblows my prayers go out to you. My Grandpa died of lung cancer so I know it can be really hard on a family. May your aunt R.I.P.

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

[QUOTE=Lady Brave;357743]This afternoon I made the decision to have my cocker spaniel, Puddin, put down. He was 12 1/2 years old. The hardest part about it was saying to the Vet, "Go ahead and do it." That was tough. I kept second guessing as to whether or not I was making the decision too early, but I really didn't have a lot of options. He had lost his sight and hearing. He had lost weight and was having trouble getting up and down. The Vet felt like it was time as well.

I am really grateful though. His passing was so peaceful. Puddin was like me... fiesty and stubborn at times, but he laid there so calm with his nose on my chest. There was no struggle. It's almost like he was saying, "I'm tired. I'm ready to go." He didn't make a sound and just slipped away peacefully.

Sorry this is so depressing, but I just wanted to get it off my chest. This is the first time I've ever had to do something like this. I handled it better than I thought I would. I guess it's because I had already been preparing myself for it over the past few weeks. I will miss him terribly though. He was a wonderful dog and a faithful friend. May he rest in peace.[/QUOTE]


My thoughts are with you...and Puddin. I have said many times that I much prefer the company of our family dog (or any pet for that matter) over the company of most humans. Dogs are like young children, they give you unconditional love. You come home from work, pat 'em on the head, feed them, love them, and they love you forever. Unfortunately, you can't say that about people. It's more like "what have you done for me lately?" Anyway, I've been where you're at Lady Brave and my heart goes out to you. I've had to put one down and I was a total wreck for weeks leading up to that moment. I am a man, and I'm not ashamed to say that when I came out of the vet's exam room afterward, I was balling like a little kid and could hardly write the check for their services. I cried more for that dog than I have for some family members at their funeral (I know, that's harsh :( ). Your best medicine? Hurry down to a rescue shelter or somewhere and quickly bring home another furry bundle of joy!

Re: Farewell My Friend
 

[QUOTE=dall-assblows;357929]yea i feel your pain my aunt died today as a result of cancer.



life must go on.....[/QUOTE]

Very sorry to hear of your loss d-a. That hideous thing has claimed way too many in our family as well. I wish your family a speedy recovery over their loss. :grouphug: