"A man's dog stands by him in prosperity, in health, and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground where the wintery winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only to be near his master's side. He will lick the wounds and sores that result from the encounters with the roughness of the world. When all others desert, he remains. When riches take wing and reputation falls to pieces, he is in his love as constant as the sun in it's journey through the heavens."

Rest in peace Nacoma. From Buddy and Little Jack, all of us here too.

Tougher to lose a friend like that than most humans I know.

Sorry for your loss. And like others have said, focus on memories of the good times.

Yes...these threads of pet loss sadden us all...because we've all felt the grief. Losing a pet isn't like losing a member of the family. It IS losing a member of the family. :(

Unfortunately the sorrow is our price to pay for the years of companionship. My favorite version of heaven is the one where all our lost pets are waiting for us when we arrive.

16 years was a good run- he looked very happy.

I can feel your pain. We lost our 6 year old yellow lab a couple weeks ago. It took a few days to get past tearing up at any thought of her and I feel a tear welling up as I think of her and the pain you're going through. I know this doesn't help, but in a week or too the pain won't be so bad. :(

Our Abby playing in some shaved ice:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1246487718.jpg

Sorry about your loss Vinny, I know it is rough.. I think I'll go pet my dog now..

Rip.

+1

Thanks for all the kind words. You guys are great.

Today has been hell. Everytime I look over where his bed is, I lose it. I cant believe hes not here.

Vinny,

I'm sorry man, it really hurts, hell I teared up just reading your post. I like my dogs way better than most people. No judgement, just unconditional love. Nothing like climbing back in the saddle, as soon as you can, get yourself a new pup.

blessings

I know the pain. Been there done that.

Sorry for your loss.

It sounds harsh, but get a puppy. Fall in love again.

The sorrow you have now is part of the joy he brought you these past sixteen years. I'm very sorry for your loss, and grateful for your joy.

If dogs dont go to heaven when they die, when I die I want to go where they go.

Sorry to hear it Vinny but as others have said, you gave that dog a great life. You kept him safe and alive for 16 years, think of how many dogs in the world have it that good. I went through the same thing in '08 with my dog who went way before his time, (only 8 years old), it's tough w/o him but in the end I had to put the dog before myself and my own feelings.

The only thing wrong w/ dogs is that they don't live as long as us. When you get a puppy, you're signing up for this day.

Still, it's brutal. The fact that you cared for and feel so deeply about this animal shows you to be a kind and gentle man. I so look forward to meeting you some time when I make it to the NYC area next. Take care and go ahead and feel the grief...

I've had to do this before and I have to do it again soon to the sweetest dog I ever had. I got her from the pound and she was beaten by a prevous owner. Took about a year for her to stop flinching when I pet her. She always doted over all the other animals or kids.
I'm going to miss her.:(

That was a very handsome, natural-looking dog. He looks like a good boy. Sorry for your loss.

Dog ownership is like emotional suicide when you know you're going to lose them in 10-15 years. Still, they so enrich our lives that we ignore that fact and put up with the inevitable heartache. Which is why you should get another.

Here's my advice on how to handle losing your best friend:

Have your wife or girlfriend remove all major traces of the dog, including his bed, food dishes, toys, and hair. Give the house a good vacuuming. The wife is better at this because she probably wasn't as attached to the dog as you were, and can handle the task less emotionally. While she's doing it, you go out and drink a beer and smoke a cigarette/cigar in his honor. Keep his collar, tags, and leash hanging from a nail in the garage so it's accessible but not always in direct view. You can take a whiff of the collar from time to time to remember him when you're stronger.

Wait two or three weeks until you're clear-headed enough to make a decision on what kind of new dog you want. Don't be impulsive, take your time to pick one that may not have the bad habits or potential health issues of your previous buddy (though yours lived to a ripe old age). Don't read novels or watch movies about dogs during this time, it'll open your wounds (Marley and Me, Art of Racing in the Rain, etc.).

Know that whatever new little buddy you bring home will not be the same dog as the one you lost. He may be equally goofy, charming and loveable, but will be so in a different way because of his own distinct personality, even within the same breed. But if you're the kind of stable and level-headed master that raised a well-adjusted superstar of a dog, chances are you'll do the same or better with the next guy.

Good luck.

To paraphrase one of my favorite quotes: There's nothing so good for the inside of a man as the outside of a dog...

Once again guys, thanks for all the encouragement. You may not believe me, but your words really mean a lot to me.

It's rough, I guess I'm taking it a lot harder than I expected. I tried to prepare myself but it didnt work. Just way too many memories and reminders around.
Nader, yesterday when we got home my wife went around, gathered up all his stuff, and put it away. I did'nt want her to at first, but she couldnt take seeing everything there, especially his bed which was always in view. His dish with the food I gave him yesterday morning was still there untouched. That was the first thing to go. It was a good idea I guess.
Last night at dinner (which I couldnt even touch) was the first time in 16 yrs that his head wasnt resting on my leg waiting for a bite to eat. That killed me.

He was the last dog for me. Never again. No way I can ever put myself through this again.

Dennis, look forward to meeting you too.,next time either one of us is around. Thank you

man, this stuff tears me up. i talked to a mentor yesterday, and his dog got ran over by his next door neighbor. he was just as effed up. he was so mad that the neighbor acted without concern. he just rolled into his garage, watched him load the dying dog up for the rush to the vet.

i took this picture right when we decided my little dog had lost her fight. in many ways, i wish us humans had the option to exit quietly. i was crying and shaking. this is the only image that came out clear. i love dogs.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1246551515.jpg