My turn: had to bury a cherished family member

[gsxrken]

We went to emergency animal hospital at 2am after the most loyal companion I will ever have was clearly in distress. Over the past 8 months or so her heart was enlarged and her trachea had collapsed… meds bought us a little more time and she was mostly her normal self except that any exercise/activity would send her into a coughing/choking spell. Well the other night she woke us up at 1am struggling to breathe… she didn’t snap out of it and we took her out to the animal hospital. The wonderfully kind vet there put her on 40% 02 and her blood oxygen level was still only 82% and We had to make the decision right then and there to let her go to stop her suffering. She slipped away in my arms, my heart broke and it has stayed broken. I’ve openly cried at home, work, the gym… you name it.

This little Maltapoo had an inimitable personality and probably 30 or more distinct routines, tricks, barks, and expectation's. But she also glued my family together. She was the first family dog, and a wonderful part of my children’s childhood experiences. She loved them all, and as they grew older and moved away, she was often the spark for the family text thread to be reawakened… “Send puppy pictures!”. When they came home she greeted them with a comical degree of enthusiasm that looked like more like epilepsy, dropping on her back and spasming until she was picked up. For all of her 12 years on earth she chose me as her personal resting spot- when I sat in my chair she immediately pawed up at me to pick her up and place her on my lap. Her absence is deafening.

I won’t babble any further. It’s good to share with some of you that I’ve seen go through this here and know what I am going through. I will say that her service to our family, and that’s what it was, was something deeply honorable. The intensity and the purity and the consistency of her affection for her family was something I was not prepared for, and her loss is equally outsized. Some dogs are just different and we were blessed, but now the bill is due.

This little 5lb 7oz dog enriched our lives, immensely.

[masraum]

My deepest condolences. We lost our companion almost 3 years ago, and it's still felt.

[rwest]

My condolences, having to let my dog go because of aggressive stomach and blood cancer was the single hardest thing I have ever had to do. I thought about him almost daily for the longest time and even double guessing the decision.

It gets better and the fact that it hurts so much now is proof of how much love there was.

[jyl]

What a beautiful dog.

[Cajundaddy]

A hard day for sure. We have had to say goodbye to a lot of our furry friends over the years and it never gets easy. You have my condolences.

[rcooled]

So very sorry to hear of your family's loss. You did the right thing by not letting her suffer...

[Danimal16]

My Daisy has been gone for over 6 years now, it does get better. The loss is replaced with a wonderful forever love, unique to you and your little bit. Love hurts sometimes, but IMHO it is worth it for the unique love of a dog.

What is her name?

The pain is the price for having been blessed with them. I can't explain why it is that way, it just is.

[sc_rufctr]

Rest in peace little one.

[KFC911]

We know....

You do all you can for them as long as you can ... then you let them go across the bridge....

And that's what we do in return .... for them.

Best to you Ken...

[rfuerst911sc]

Time heals all wounds . It's OK to feel immense sorrow as it shows the close bond you and your family had with the dog . As it should . All of us older pet owners have unfortunately gone thru this many times . Each time it is painful but we eventually get another . Why ? Because the reward out weighs the sorrow . Hang in there and know you are not alone .

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Wonderful story, she had the best life possible, and made all of yours as well.

[billybek]

Sorry to hear of your pups passing. Hard for non dog owners to understand how much they mean to us.

[astrochex]

Sorry for your loss, Ken. Such a wonderful eulogy. You will always have those memories.

[oldE]

We know how you feel, Brother. You do your best for your loved ones.
Hugs.
Les

[Bugsinrugs]

I’m going through this right now. My girl has stomach cancer. She has gone from 45lbs to 29lbs. Her spirit is strong but her body is failing. I didn’t know I could cry this much. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Dogs are truly miracles in our lives that make our time on this earth so much better.

[Bugsinrugs]

I’m going through this right now. My girl has stomach cancer. She has gone from 45lbs to 29lbs. Her spirit is strong but her body is failing. I didn’t know I could cry this much. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Dogs are truly miracles in our lives that make our time on this earth so much better.

[Cairo94507]

My sincere, deepest condolences. We are blessed to have these wonderful animals in our lives for as long as possible. In October I had to have the vet come to our home to help my 17.5 year old mini-Dachshund, Roxanne, cross the Rainbow Bridge while she was in my arms. I never thought I would get another dog. Then almost 2 months ago we adopted Gia from a foster home. She is a 1 year old miniature Italian Greyhound. We love her so much; she is a wonderful little girl. I hope when the time is right you bring another dog into your home.

[wdfifteen]

Oh NO!
Tears and prayers for you. She is beautiful!!

[911 Rod]

RIP little friend.
My deepest condolences to you and your family Ken.

[gsxrken]

Thank you so much for the sympathies. My empathy for others that have suffered a similar loss has gone up exponentially. Delilah (I really only called her “Little Dog”) snuck into my heart and my daily routines. If I left one room, she almost reluctantly would stand up, stretch, and follow me into the other room and settle down within a few feet of me.

At least for me, and probably for many of you guys, I realize that I drew much comfort from her. In my world, I provide comfort… I don’t really get it. That sounds harsh but I don’t mean it harshly. It’s my role, it’s what I signed up for, and it’s what I do. What I didn’t realize was the degree that she “supported me” with just her presence. Sounds crazy but that’s the closest word I have for it. I lost my Dad 4 years ago and this is in the very same neighborhood of emotions.

We bought a nice dogwood tree for our backyard and buried her under it. I want her stardust to be reconstituted and nourish and take the form of this tree for years to come.

Thank you again for all the kind shares. To all of you who have gone through it, I understand. To those who sadly will go through it someday, I am here for you too.