wow...having dogs.

[vash]

a good friend said it best, "dogs are the best of times and the worst of times". it is a sad fact that they dont live as long as us. a few days ago, we had the hard decision of moving forward with treatment or to call it quits. my dog had heart failure, and the treatment caused kidney failure. the juggling act of treatment was just too hard on the dog. she got to the point that she didnt even know we were there visiting. i had arranged to have a vet come to the house to put her to sleep, so she could pass in a friendly enviornment (maybe licking a chocolate icecream cone), but in the end, she was just too weak to move. i only had this one for less than 3 years. i adopted her knowing about all the health issues. my goal was just to make her last years..happy. she is the dog that all other future dogs will be measured up against. she was that good. i snapped a quick photo a few hours before:

[Porsche virgin]

Miniature Schnauzer? I grew up with three.
It's always sad to see them go...
Sorry to hear about it...

[notfarnow]

My condolences. I'm sure your dog was very lucky to spend her last few years with you.

These threads break my heart. I'm going to go give my old stinky beagle a big chunk of stilton cheese.

[goat]

I feel for you cliff.
Sorry.

I lost a dog to cancer five years ago. That dog too was very special too I still miss that guy.

[dhoward]

Verry sorry to hear this.

[Jims5543]

The one huge downfall of owning pets. When they go they break your heart. My biggest heartbreak growing up was the death of our German Shepard. I swore I would never own a dog when I had kids and subject them to that heartbreak. Yeah right... We have had a choc. Lab for 7 years now.

I am sorry about your dog it sucks putting them down.

[911boost]

I feel your pain. A week ago today we had to put down our cat that we adopted almost 10 years ago. She had cancerous tumors in her mouth, and it was just time.

Try explaining to your 3 1/2 old daughter that her kitty isn't coming home after this visit to the vet. In the end it was nice knowing that the cat wasn't suffering though.

Now, if it was either one of my dogs, it would be even harder I think.

Bill

[tabs]

Losing a Cat or Dog is like losing a member of your family. I am so sorry that she had to go. I am lucky to have my girl for over 11 years now...I got her when she was 6 weeks old and now her fur has turned grey.

[nostatic]

Sorry to hear. And seems we're in sync. My ex called the vet to come to the house to put down our Boxer of 11 years. We got Lucy as an 11 week old puppy from a breeder out in the sticks near Livermore. She started in our apt in Berkeley, then moved with us to Claremont, Pasadena, the West LA. She stayed at the house when I moved out. Boxers are phenomenal dogs..."spring loaded" is how I always described her. By they time she hit 10 she was very gray and not walking well...mostly just slept. My ex got a new dog (a 6 mo old Boster Terrier) and Lucy perked up quite a bit, playing with the new dog, then sleeping hard. But evidently the last few months she got to where she couldn't get up on her own to go out to the bathroom, and when she did, she'd get stuck on the stairs up to the grass. My ex called last week and I told her I'd split the cost of the vet, and that Lucy should go at home. And Friday she did.

[Don Plumley]

I've said this before, I'll miss my dogs significantly more than a few people that I happen to be related to. We've been lucky that our Golden died on her own and we've not yet had to make the call. I can't begin to imagine how I'll maintain myself when it's Chip's turn.

Sorry for all of your losses.

[450knotOffice]

I am so sorry, Vash.

The picture just choked me up. Seeing him just makes me wish they'd live with us forever. You have my heartfelt condolences.

[targa911S]

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...

[VINMAN]

So sorry Vash. My heart goes out to you.

Vinny

[rfuerst911sc]

I know what you're going thru 4 years ago I had to make the decision to put down our 14 year old springer spaniel it was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. In the end it was the right decision to put her out of her misery but to be holding her in my arms as the vet gave her the shot and she slipped away is a feeling I'll never forget. But with time you get over the pain and if you're like me you get another or in my case we got 2 Dashunds!! Hang in there.