Putting a loved one down

[birthdaybunnie]

My parents put their 13 yr old male German Shephard down today. His name was Dennis and he had the softest fur ever...I choke up even imaging doing the same with my loved pets. Dennis had gotten where he could not walk , he had severe hip dysplasiaa and he would have uncontrollable moves with his bowels or urinary tract....I talked with my mom today and she said she had been brushing him to make him look pretty........HTF can someone do this??? I have tears in my eyes thinking about it and I know that someday I may have to do the same...TEars running down my face now and in my mouth...Dennis is better off and I truely believe this...My problem is I work in heathcare and I see folks expire on a pretty regular basis...We cant put them to sleep (Is this a shame) RIP .......Dennis

[pooker]

its for the better, i know i would hope the same when i am older i dont wanna be in a condition like that. i wanna go peacefully to not in fits of pain that put me there

[Ted]

Sad to hear, BDB. :(
Yeah, it's really heartbreaking even when you know it's the right thing to do.

[countrygirl]

My prayers are with you. My lab mix is going on 11 and I dread the day I lose her.

[Guru]

RIP Dennis.
Did you call Lisa for this?

[Fishing Girl]

:cry:!! BDB I know that your parents will miss Dennis like they have lost their best friend. Hubby went through the same thing right after we got married. He had 3 Shelties (not spelled right) and over a period of 1 1/2 years all 3 had died. Hubby was down in the dumps...it was awful.

I hate it when we have to lose a pet. Your parents will be in my prayers.

[onlyme]

<TABLE cellPadding=10 width="70%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>I dread the day that we may have to make that decision. You have to do what is best for the animal and sometimes it means ending their suffering. My sympathy is with you and your parents.

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.
</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left colSpan=2>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...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Sister Golden Hair]

Sad, sad day to realize that one must "ease" the pain of a dear old companion. I wll be thinking of you and your family.

[dream member]

I'm sorry for your loss birthdaybunnie. It's never easy to put down a member of your family. I feel your pain! He is in a better place now, may Dennis rest in peace.

[Hermione]

Bless your hearts. We still miss our Sugar (age 15) and Mr. Pabs (age 18 ) so much ~

[Maggie-Doodle]

Bunnie, love and prayers go out to your mom and dad and to you. I have had to put down several of my Wires over the last few years...it was not easy...I still cry for them...as kooky as it sounds I believe with all my heart they went to heaven and watch down over me..my little peke-a-poo BooBoo is 11...I dread the thought of loosing her too. It will NEVER be easy but you all did the right thing...just remember all the good times you had with Dennis...he will continue to live in your heart!

[birthdaybunnie]

Thanks to each and all for your kind words and posts and prayers. I talked to Daddy today and he said they are doing ok and know that it was for the best. I hope that they will replace him with another love one day (they still have 2, a mut and a blue healer that is in bad health)

time will heal them as it always does, the tears will be replaced with joy and happy memories.

guru, we used to use Lisa but Sawmill helped us with this...How is Lisa??She is a distant cousin of my mom.

[Dixie Tree Slayer]

You and your parents are in my prayers as well... The love from a dog is as close to Jesus' love that we will ever know first hand... It is unconditional and will always be there. Just last year my Boxer Kujeaux (Cujo) was diagnosed with bone cancer. We never considered putting him down. We came to Hattiesburg from Picayune to Animal ER and recieved the best possible care for him. He is now three legged and still loves life. He is eight years old now and I cried like you would never believe. Practically everyday I get up and thank God for another day with him.

Time may heal a lot of pain and eventually your parents will remember him with such fondness. Until then may God bless you and your family this Christmas...

[firefly]

My Miss Weenie is almost 10 years old. I have watched her red face & front paws turn white. She is very frisky for her age, but I dread the day that I have to let her go. She is my 4 legged child. BirthdayBunnie, I extend my deepest condolences to your parents. May Dennis enjoy romping around like a frisky pup in the Garden of Eden in Heaven. That is where I believe our pets go.

[LipsofanAngel]

We just had to put down a loved one (Golden Retriever) 2 weeks ago... Birthdaybunnie, I know it's so very hard to lose part of the family....

[big john]

I have always loved this
"Beau"

by Jimmy Stewart


He never came to me when I would call
Unless I had a tennis ball,
Or he felt like it,
But mostly he didn't come at all. When he was young
He never learned to heel
Or sit or stay,
He did things his way.
Discipline was not his bag
But when you were with him things sure didn't drag.
He'd dig up a rosebush just to spite me,
And when I'd grab him, he'd turn and bite me.
He bit lots of folks from day to day,
The delivery boy was his favorite prey.
The gas man wouldn't read our meter,
He said we owned a real man-eater.
He set the house on fire
But the story's long to tell.
Suffice it to say that he survived
And the house survived as well.
On the evening walks, and Gloria took him,
He was always first out the door.
The Old One and I brought up the rear
Because our bones were sore.
He would charge up the street with Mom hanging on,
What a beautiful pair they were!
And if it was still light and the tourists were out,
They created a bit of a stir.
But every once in a while, he would stop in his tracks
And with a frown on his face look around.
It was just to make sure that the Old One was there
And would follow him where he was bound.
We are early-to-bedders at our house--
I guess I'm the first to retire.
And as I'd leave the room he'd look at me
And get up from his place by the fire.
He knew where the tennis balls were upstairs,
And I'd give him one for a while.
He would push it under the bed with his nose
And I'd fish it out with a smile.
And before very long
He'd tire of the ball
And be asleep in his corner
In no time at all.
And there were nights when I'd feel him
Climb upon our bed
And lie between us,
And I'd pat his head.
And there were nights when I'd feel this stare
And I'd wake up and he'd be sitting there
And I reach out my hand and stroke his hair.
And sometimes I'd feel him sigh
and I think I know the reason why.
He would wake up at night
And he would have this fear
Of the dark, of life, of lots of things,
And he'd be glad to have me near.
And now he's dead.
And there are nights when I think I feel him
Climb upon our bed and lie between us,
And I pat his head.
And there are nights when I think
I feel that stare
And I reach out my hand to stroke his hair,
But he's not there.
Oh, how I wish that wasn't so,
I'll always love a dog named Beau.

[birthdaybunnie]

You guys are wonderful!!! I am lucky, I can stay up late and roam because I am off from work tomorrow. A few years ago, Lips, our golden just died.........we adopted another one from the rescue league and she is gorgeous!! I hated to see my Cooper laying there dead but I honestly was not surprised. I can not imagine taking the decision in my hands and ending their life, because I have never had to do it. My kitty is old and I am sure he will be my 1st........thank yall so dang much!!! I am a good hearted person and if you love animals....by god .....I love U~~~~~~~~~~~~!!! :smt023

[birthdaybunnie]

My Miss Weenie is almost 10 years old. I have watched her red face & front paws turn white. She is very frisky for her age, but I dread the day that I have to let her go. She is my 4 legged child. BirthdayBunnie, I extend my deepest condolences to your parents. May Dennis enjoy romping around like a frisky pup in the Garden of Eden in Heaven. That is where I believe our pets go.

that is very sweet of you!! I look at my kitty everyday and dread what will eventually happen. My old avatar, Frodo, now he will certainl break our hearts.....he is so full of life now, I can not imagine him not being...
:smt023

[birthdaybunnie]

I have always loved this
"Beau"

by Jimmy Stewart


He never came to me when I would call
Unless I had a tennis ball,
Or he felt like it,
But mostly he didn't come at all. When he was young
He never learned to heel
Or sit or stay,
He did things his way.
Discipline was not his bag
But when you were with him things sure didn't drag.
He'd dig up a rosebush just to spite me,
And when I'd grab him, he'd turn and bite me.
He bit lots of folks from day to day,
The delivery boy was his favorite prey.
The gas man wouldn't read our meter,
He said we owned a real man-eater.
He set the house on fire
But the story's long to tell.
Suffice it to say that he survived
And the house survived as well.
On the evening walks, and Gloria took him,
He was always first out the door.
The Old One and I brought up the rear
Because our bones were sore.
He would charge up the street with Mom hanging on,
What a beautiful pair they were!
And if it was still light and the tourists were out,
They created a bit of a stir.
But every once in a while, he would stop in his tracks
And with a frown on his face look around.
It was just to make sure that the Old One was there
And would follow him where he was bound.
We are early-to-bedders at our house--
I guess I'm the first to retire.
And as I'd leave the room he'd look at me
And get up from his place by the fire.
He knew where the tennis balls were upstairs,
And I'd give him one for a while.
He would push it under the bed with his nose
And I'd fish it out with a smile.
And before very long
He'd tire of the ball
And be asleep in his corner
In no time at all.
And there were nights when I'd feel him
Climb upon our bed
And lie between us,
And I'd pat his head.
And there were nights when I'd feel this stare
And I'd wake up and he'd be sitting there
And I reach out my hand and stroke his hair.
And sometimes I'd feel him sigh
and I think I know the reason why.
He would wake up at night
And he would have this fear
Of the dark, of life, of lots of things,
And he'd be glad to have me near.
And now he's dead.
And there are nights when I think I feel him
Climb upon our bed and lie between us,
And I pat his head.
And there are nights when I think
I feel that stare
And I reach out my hand to stroke his hair,
But he's not there.
Oh, how I wish that wasn't so,
I'll always love a dog named Beau.

What a poignant poem!!! thanks big john....tears are good, just the angels washing their wings!!

[Maggie-Doodle]

I have always loved this
"Beau"

by Jimmy Stewart


He never came to me when I would call
Unless I had a tennis ball,
Or he felt like it,
But mostly he didn't come at all. When he was young
He never learned to heel
Or sit or stay,
He did things his way.
Discipline was not his bag
But when you were with him things sure didn't drag.
He'd dig up a rosebush just to spite me,
And when I'd grab him, he'd turn and bite me.
He bit lots of folks from day to day,
The delivery boy was his favorite prey.
The gas man wouldn't read our meter,
He said we owned a real man-eater.
He set the house on fire
But the story's long to tell.
Suffice it to say that he survived
And the house survived as well.
On the evening walks, and Gloria took him,
He was always first out the door.
The Old One and I brought up the rear
Because our bones were sore.
He would charge up the street with Mom hanging on,
What a beautiful pair they were!
And if it was still light and the tourists were out,
They created a bit of a stir.
But every once in a while, he would stop in his tracks
And with a frown on his face look around.
It was just to make sure that the Old One was there
And would follow him where he was bound.
We are early-to-bedders at our house--
I guess I'm the first to retire.
And as I'd leave the room he'd look at me
And get up from his place by the fire.
He knew where the tennis balls were upstairs,
And I'd give him one for a while.
He would push it under the bed with his nose
And I'd fish it out with a smile.
And before very long
He'd tire of the ball
And be asleep in his corner
In no time at all.
And there were nights when I'd feel him
Climb upon our bed
And lie between us,
And I'd pat his head.
And there were nights when I'd feel this stare
And I'd wake up and he'd be sitting there
And I reach out my hand and stroke his hair.
And sometimes I'd feel him sigh
and I think I know the reason why.
He would wake up at night
And he would have this fear
Of the dark, of life, of lots of things,
And he'd be glad to have me near.
And now he's dead.
And there are nights when I think I feel him
Climb upon our bed and lie between us,
And I pat his head.
And there are nights when I think
I feel that stare
And I reach out my hand to stroke his hair,
But he's not there.
Oh, how I wish that wasn't so,
I'll always love a dog named Beau.


I saw Jimmy Stewart one time on Johnny Carson...he was talking about his dog who had just died....he started crying and so did I! He broke down so he had to leave the stage...THAT is a real man! He has been one of my favorite actors since.