Posted on 02/29/2012 10:45:05 AM PST by stillafreemind
Sometimes the sweetest blessings in life can be the the bitterest pills to swallow. That's how it is with an aging dog. If both the dog and owner are aged, it becomes a concern when it's time to put the dog to sleep. I thought putting my own dog down was hard. I found out that putting my Mom's beloved Molly to sleep was a hundred times worse.
(Excerpt) Read more at voices.yahoo.com ...
OMG - I just had to take one to the vet an hour ago for this!!!
This brings to mind something a friend sent me when I had to put down our dog Shelby. She was a great friend and a loving companion. She is still very much missed.
Here is what my friend sent me.
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...
I love dogs. At times I have more faith in the character of the canine species than of the human one.
brings tears to my eyes....we lost our beloved Copper two+ years ago and i think about her daily...first thing i did after reading this was search out the prayer request I posted on Freep just hours after I returned from the vet and they told me she was gone:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2175570/posts
its amazing how lovable these creatures are- then again I’m sure with all the unconditional love they give, God wishes humans were more like dogs at times...
IF IT SHOULD BE
If it should be that I grow weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.
You will be sad, I understand.
Don’t let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day, more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.
We’ve had so many happy years.
What is to come can hold no fears.
You’d not want me to suffer so;
The time has come — please let me go.
Take me where my need they’ll tend,
And please stay with me till the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I’ve been saved.
Please do not grieve — it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do.
We’ve been so close, we two, these years;
Don’t let your heart hold back its tears.
-— Anonymous -—
Its been 3 years since my buddy Sam died. Broke my heart to take him in, but it was time. Still think of him every day, more lately. Reading this made me realize it was in Feb that he left. Have 2 girls now and they are good dogs, but there will never be another one like Sammy....
I miss you buddy.
I have two dogs, both rescues. One is a Lab/Dalmatian mix who will be 14 in august. I’ve decided all of my dogs will be rescues and, when this one goes, I will be looking for a geriatric dog to bring home from a shelter. After that one dies,I’ll be looking for another old dog. Most dogs are way better than most people and no dog needs to die old and alone. I realize I will be having a lot (I hope) of dogs die on me but humans owe it to dogs to care for them. Old dogs especially, IMHO.
Sorry to hear that. In June 2010 I was going to take our 4 1/2 year old German Shorthair to the vet after lunch only to find him having died in his bed. I’d only let him out an hour before after returning from a morning meeting. What a lost feeling.
He’d had allergies and had been on Prednisone and Benadryl for most of his life. We suspect the Prednisone had eaten away at him. Never again will I go that route with a pet.
Now we have a 16 mos old Boston Terror (no, I didn’t misspell...) and he’s my new buddy. A lot more active than the GSP, but one of a kind for sure.
I hope all goes well for you. Pets are wonderful companions and become as large a part of family as anyone can be. Good luck...
I lost my beloved Buttons after 15 years in 2010. I still think about her nearly every day. She was truly a gift.
I had to do that with 5 of my Siamese cats. Each were about the same age. When they reached the 13-14 year mark their kidneys had started to give away. Over a period of 8 years I had to give them dialysis (sub-q flush), one at a time, not concurrently, until I had the vet put them to sleep. Very heart wrenching.
If you’re a softy heaven only knows what I am. I’ve found that I usually have no use for people that don’t like pets...especially dogs. Now I need to get a kleenex.
Watching Animal Planet’s ‘Houston Animal Cops’ and came to turn off the computer. Just had to check this thread first.
After reading FReeper posts and seeing the kindness of FRiends and their love of animals it’s difficult to understand the unconscionable acts of the monsters shown on that TV program.
Thank God for the ASPCA and their dedicated personnel.
Doggie Ping!
It is good to hold the dog, some people leave their dog alone to be put down, but i think it is important to garner the strength to be with the little angel as it slips away
You will need more than kleenex if you go here:
http://rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm
Same thing here. But, I'd say it's "all of the time".
We also have 2 rescues. We rescued them from being abandoned in our neighborhood. A Beagle and a Chihuahua. Buddy our Beagle is really getting up there and we try not to think about him passing. I don’t know how we will get along without his cheerful presence. He is so good about everything.
I have always said that there is an invisible sign in our yard that says “limp up this driveway to a life of luxury”.
Our most loved kitty Tom passed away two years ago. He was
nearly 15 and got cancer. He died in my lap on the way to
the emergency vet, since it was Sunday and our regular vet
was closed. We will miss that cat until the day we each die.
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