I'm very sorry to hear about your loss :( I am a fellow dog owner as well and I just can't imagine what I'd do when my dog has to go. But all I can say is stay strong and keep your head up. Time will make things better.

You did the right thing all around. It isn't easy, I've had my fair share of dogs. I have my Staffie who's 8 now and I got as a pup and I'm dreading the day. It's true, dogs are here for us and we're all they have. We have lots of other shit going on but for them we are everything. Being there is so important, there is no love more unconditional.

I hope you're feeling better and had a great Christmas with your family.

Cheers

I just came across this thread and it's just too much for me to absorb at this moment. I'm so sorry for your loss, he seemed like a terrific dog. Take solace in the fact that you'll be able to reunite with him one day.

My doberman, who was 8.5 years old yesterday, passed away in front of my eyes last night. He had cardiomyopathy which progressed into congestive heart failure about 2 weeks ago. I knew i had to do something when he showed worsening signs of his condition so I took him in to the vet and they prescribed some additional medications for him to take. I knew they were just band-aid measures for the inevitable and that his time was up soon, but I didn't think it would be so fast. In hindsight, I should've given him euthanasia, instead of having him suffer through his pain in his last minutes, days. As a friend, it was the most that I couldve done. Instead, in the last minutes of his life I had to witness him on the ground wheezing for air and finally taking his final breath. I felt like an idiot as I watched helplessly. When he passed, I stayed and laid with him on the ground for a good hour before taking him to the hospital. I couldn't stop crying and still can't. I feel as if my heart is broken into a million pieces. I miss him so much it hurts. It was and is without a doubt the toughest moment that I have ever gone through in my life. Anyone that has lost a pet before will be able to relate to this. I've lost not only a terrific companion, but my best friend. All I have now are the great memories we've had which I will hold near and dear to my heart. All I can do now is take solace in the fact that he's in a better place right now and that I'll be there to reunite with him one day. Rest in peace, buddy...rest in peace.

^sorry for your lost man.
damn these posts are so touching :,(

That absolutely sucks man, I'm very sorry for your loss.

I know in hindsight, you're thinking he suffered that much longer and you should have put him down sooner. Know this: you did everything in your power to help him. EVERYTHING! You can't second guess yourself and feel guilty. You did what you thought was best at the time because you loved him and he knew you loved him til the end - that's all that matters. He's in a better place now, healthy and happy, just hoping he can see you again (just as much as you miss him).

I'm sure you're pretty emotional right now and somewhat out of sorts. I'm still trying to sort through the loss of my dog. Each day has it's ups and downs but I'm allowing myself time to grieve and hopefully with time, the downs will lessen and I can focus more on the good memories and put my sadness behind me.

I wish you the best.

Thanks guys for all the nice and kind words. As with anything, time shall pass to heal all wounds. However, its hard to let go and sometimes with the void that he's left behind I choose not to forget...

here are some photos of him:

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/5...8355510473.jpg
http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/4...4917933565.jpg
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/8...3355510473.jpg
http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/922...3355510473.jpg

You shouldn't forget. Cherish the memories, let go of the sadness. It's just a matter of time.

flipturner, how is the yorky doing? Is he starting to eat now?

Gorgeous Dobie, leilomo... looks like a giant pussycat :) Sorry to hear about his early loss.

Dog lovers are great people!!

Thanks guys. It means a lot. He was the biggest pussycat, and that was a big reason why everybody loved him too
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im in the EXACT same boat.
hell im tearing up just thinking of my dog.

but now hes in a better place, he was suffering of cancer so its better that hes in heaven now

I'm in tears thinking about he wonderful dogs who have shared their lives with me, the amazing memories, companionship and loyalty they have given me.

Purdy, you were my first dog and I will never forget the wonderful times I shared with you, you were my most trusted companion and my best friend growing up. You lived just long enough to comfort me through my parents divorce, as if you knew I needed you...
Pongo, you were Purdy's first born and her only puppy to live, I remember you being so small you fit inside Mom's pocket and we feed you through a tube. If only you hadn't been so skilled at digging maybe we would still be together.
Jellybean, you comforted me after I lost Purdy, helped me through high school.. and then we went our separate ways. I hope your happy and healthy, I can't thank the vet enough for taking you to live on her farm, I'll never forget that act of kindness.
Driden, you were amazing, dumb, but amazing. Despite being a large doberman you ran in fear of the kittens when they first came home, but eventually you grew to love them and occasionally think you were a kitten too.

Losing a dog is one of the most difficult things anyone can experience, but the love they give you is irreplaceable and different from anything else I've ever experienced.

Prior to ChamCham being put down they had set feeding times. For the first few days we had to leave her bowl out and let her eat whenever she felt like it, just so she would eat at all. Now we're back at set times but she's still a little hesitant to eat right away but after a bit of coaxing, she'll eat.

It's pretty sad to know she's going through a mourning/adjustment period but it's at the point where we all have to move on. I'm afraid she'll have issues if we continue to compensate with her because of the loss of the other. So as far as Buster's concerned, it's back to regular life.

I can completely relate to how you felt/feel right now. Just remember, you absolutely did the right thing as ChamCham's best friend.

I realize this isn't a dog story but...

I never planned to have a pet myself due to the level of commitment required. In the summer of 2003, my neighbors left their cat, Simon, behind when they moved away. Simon came over to my yard a day later and stayed at my back door until I realized that my neighbors were done moving. I took him in and discovered how much life a pet can bring into my home.

I was under the impression that he was roughly 7 at the time but as I later found out I underestimated his age by at least a few years. Anyway, fast-forward 7 completely trouble-free years, he had an infection early last year, and spent 3 days in the emergency room. This made me realize how ill-prepared I was for my aging friend. I spent a couple of hours a day there with him to make him feel as comfortable as possible, but him and I both knew how much he hated it there. When he came back, I decided to let him do whatever he wanted whenever he wanted, probably to make up for the fact that I was unable to be by my grandfather's side before he passed away, coincidentally at around the same time as when Simon entered my life.

Everyday I see him walk a little slower, jump a little lower, and sleep a little longer. It made me sad seeing him unable to go where he used to go, but it didn't stop him from roaming/terrorizing his neighborhood and catching moths in the yard. Finally on the last week of October, he showed rapid signs of aging. His appetite decreased rapidly within days to the point where he wanted to eat his favorite foods but was unable to eat it. He walked around water sources and tried to drink the water, but that was a no go either. He lost a significant amount of weight, and right before I was bringing him to the vet, he had a seizure in my arms, I lost grip, and he fell down the stairs. The slow thump, thump, thump noises he made as he rolled down the stairs still haunts me today. While he was at the emergency room for tests, I took my family and friends home and went back to the hospital myself. Simon's kidneys were failing rapidly, and blood toxin levels were out the roof. The vet explained to me my options. I would've done anything to bring back his quality of life, but the vet said that was not possible.

I brought Simon home on that dark rainy night after the vet had given him some food and extra hydration to keep him comfortable until 2 days later when I had my appointment with my regular vet to review the other test results. As expected, the test results were grim, and I knew then and there that I had to do the right thing that day. I brought him home, and walked him around the neighborhood, to his old home, and then to every corner in my house as he has literally been to every corner of my house. It was as if he knew what was coming. A lot of friends left work early to come say good bye to Simon that day. It was a very emotional moment for everyone as he always greeted our guests at the front door whenever they came to visit. The time has come, and I put Simon in his carrier. This was actually the only time he willingly entered his carrier by himself. I wasn't sure if I could be there for him, but my girlfriend convinced me that would've made all the difference to the final stage of his life. I held his head while he was laid on his side for the procedure. He didn't struggle one bit and just stared at me the whole time, until the moment his heart stopped beating. I bursted into tears like never before, and wasn't able to control my own emotions for the next hour or so.

That was the afternoon of November 1st, 2010, and I have moved on since then. He is still always with me in my mind though and traces of his hair can still be found on everything I own. I was working on my mountain bike last night, and found a piece of Simon's hair on the front tire. Moments like this constantly remind me of the years of awesomeness I shared with my special friend.

By the way, I was reading a book once with regards to your situation with multiple pets in the household. The author mentioned that it can be a good idea to bring the pet that had been put down home to let his friends investigate and finally realize that he is gone so they can move on with their lives without having to wonder what had happened.

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/24/img7115.jpg

^I cried.

Sorry for your loss.

me as well

reminds me even more bout my dog.

and i always find his fur everywhere, 4inches long, and white can't miss it

RIP MILO

Life is very different now, and I've been told that another feline friend can help ease the pain. I've looked into adopting another cat from the shelters but at the same time am worried that I might not be doing it with the proper mindset. The last thing I want is to be disappointed with the outcome and have an innocent animal lose the opportunity of having a better home as a result. How do you guys, in the long run, deal with losing your best friends?

Looking on the bright side though, I'm breathing better these days since I am actually allergic to cats...

^Cesar always says, you get the dog you NEED, not the dog you want... I think the same applies to any kids of pets. I'd say, visit the shelter now and then, and at some point, the right cat will choose you.

this thread is amazing

i have 2 dogs over in hk, they basically grew up with me until i moved away from hk to here. they're both alive and well but it tore my heart to have to leave them, especially since the two of them (brother + sister) have been with me since i was old enough to play with them without getting swallowed whole. my aunt even brought them to the airport and they were just bounding around, tails wagging, but when i went to give them a final hug, they seemed to understand and stopped bounding around and just sat there watching as i went through the gates

last time i saw them was 2 years ago, the moment i went into the apartment they were all over my legs, jumping all over and stuff. needless to say, they were my first friends, and though i know the day will come when they'll be gone, next time i go back i'll be sure to give them some extra thanks for all the great times they've been through with me, and all the terrible times too

thanks op, great thread, condolences to you, and know that your dog is in a better place, looking down and wagging his tail, happy that he was such a large part of your life

Words to live by.
My GF made a plaque with these commandments hanging on the wall of our house for all to see and live by (at least when they are in our home).
I for one am not a supporter of euthanasia but do not judge those who are my heart goes out for you and your loss.

not the right place for this video -- freakshow

Sorry to hear, sounds like he had a loving, good run. And I'm sure he knew how much you love him.

This is why I can never get dogs.. I get attached too easily. I came really close to getting a dog several times, but I just couldn't for this reason..
I have 3 turtles.. and even though they're wild and have no sense of emotion, I still love them. And I never want to lose them.

I couldn't imagine losing a canine companion.

Fuck man I just saw ChamCham last time when I came over. Really sad to hear that she seemed like a sweetheart. Given the amount of positivity she brought into your life im sure shes in a good place waitin for you.
You'll see your friend again, but not yet.
Live in the sky

This is exactly why I can't have a fucking dog. I can't take it. Just reading Soundy's post messed me up hard and I'm all emotional now at work. Keep ya' head up and focus your eyes on the sky. There's a place where thugs get in free and you gotta be a G. And at thugs mansion, even the dawgs rollin' free.