I put my dog down today

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   lorlie6posted 13 years ago

   Dear God, I am so sad.  Birthday was our favorite dog for 15 years and today he lost his battle with splenetic cancer, seizures and a fused spinal column.  Poor guy, it was time.  I know I've lost a piece of my heart here.

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      manlypoetrymanposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I know you have...you lost one of your family. Sorry to hear the news

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      alternate poetposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Sorry you have lost a friend.  I have 'lost' six animals, a cat, 4 dogs and a horse that I had to 'put down'; I remember all their little character bits and little events through their lives - and I lost a few human friends also, who I don't remember half so well.

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         lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         alternate poet-I hate the euphemisms, too.  Yep, I know these creatures far better than I know many, many people.

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      LeonJaneposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Sorry to hear about your loss. We had to put our dog down, he was 10 years old, and because he was a giant breed he grew quickly and that meant he grew old too quickly as well. In the end his heart couldn't pump his blood well enough. We had a vet come around and put him down
      
      I wrote a poem about the feeling of losing a pet (in it I said I put the dog down by shooting it - but in real life I couldn't do this). The poem is called, "I shed a tear for you today".
      
      Once again, my condolences.

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      mailxpressposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Been there and feel for you.  Pets are friends, pets become family and losing a loved one is so hard.  Sorry for your loss.

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      Stevennix2001posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      hey sorry to hear about your loss lorlie.  if its any consolation, i know exactly how you feel.  i had to put my dog down too a few weeks ago, since he lost his ability to walk completely due to spinal problems, and he had severe dental problems too.  he was like 20 yrs old when i had him put down.  i know nothing i can say will make up for your loss but if it helps, i know i always take solace in that my dog is no longer suffering in pain anymore.  anyways, i hope you feel better soon.  losing a loved one is never easy, but im sure he's in a better place now.

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         lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Oh Stevennix-then it is still fresh for you, too.  Take a look at the Rainbow Bridge poem Mighty Mom and others suggested I read.  Wow.

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   Ron Montgomeryposted 13 years ago

   I'm so sorry lorlie.  We have an older dog and will soon face that same decision.  It doesn't make it any easier to know you did the right thing, but it was an act of compassion.

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   lorlie6posted 13 years ago

   Thanks Ron and mpm.  It means so much to have hubbers understand.

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   girly_girl09posted 13 years ago

   I am so sorry for your loss. We put my 18 year old kitty down last year (I had her since age 4) and it truly was like losing a family member. The pain will begin to heal overtime; I think time is one of the only things that helps when losing such a precious pet.

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      lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      You're right, girly_girl.  I know that time is what I need-today I'm in a state of shock, I guess.  Thanks for sharing about your kitty.  It is losing a family member-not even 'like.'  You know?

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   mega1posted 13 years ago

   lorlie - so sad for you, I know it hurts.  Its good to remember the love and all Birthday gave you . . . take care.  Sending positive, healing energy to you to help you through this very rough time.

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   RedElfposted 13 years ago

   My kitty died last Thanksgiving, and there is still a hole in my heart. Hugs and sympathy!

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   Aficionadaposted 13 years ago

   Love and hugs, lorlie.  I am so sorry.

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   Jane@CMposted 13 years ago

   Big hugs!  I understand.

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   rebekahELLEposted 13 years ago

   a tender hug. our pets are part of us.. isn't it amazing how much they give to us? but I know, it is never anything we are prepared for. sorry to hear.

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    rmcrayneposted 13 years ago

    So sorry for your loss lorlie.  I lost the doggie love of my life in 2004.  I always speak of her fondly:  “Miss Mocha Bean Crayne lived to the ripe old age of 15 1/2.  How marvelous is that?!”  Strive to make the joy bigger than the sorrow.

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    Beth100posted 13 years ago

    lorlie, I'm very sorry about losing your pup (they always remain pups!!).  Remember the fun times, and he'll always be alive through your loving memories.  {{HUGS}}

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    mistyhorizon2003posted 13 years ago

    Oh Lorlie, my heart goes out to you. This has happened to me twice in the last year and I am still hurting. I know it doesn't help much to know, but you offered the ultimate act of love by making this decision and you did the right thing, your dog will always be grateful for your decision. Don't feel too bad, you will be re-united one day, and if you haven't read it already look up the poem "Rainbow Bridge" online, it will make you feel loads better. Blessings to you.

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    Kidgasposted 13 years ago

    So sorry to hear about this.  I know how you feel.

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    LSKingposted 13 years ago

    I'm so sorry to hear this. We had to do the same for our cat that was only 1 1/2 years old. It was very sad. Sometimes I can still feel her at my feet as I sleep.
    
    We got two new kittens and are feeling better. I have a picture of our dearly departed cat hanging here on the wall.
    
    It will get better with time. I'm very sorry for your lost.

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    BennyTheWriterposted 13 years ago

    Very sorry to hear that.  I can only imagine how much of a good friend he was to you and your family.

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    ralwusposted 13 years ago

    my deepest sympathies to you Laurel. hugs

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    lorlie6posted 13 years ago

    I am so honored to have virtual friends so kind here on HubPages.  Thank you, every one of you, for your words.  I appreciate it more than I can say.

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    Diane Insideposted 13 years ago

    I know how you feel as I have been through the same thing a couple of times. Sorry for your loss. Losing a part of the family is hard whether they are human or furry, Hope you have plenty of support around you. I know you do here on hubpages. My sympathies.

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       lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks Diane Inside-I am blessed with lots of support, I think the hard part is going to be getting used to our home without him here.  Time is what I need.

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    cosetteposted 13 years ago

    our pets bring us joy and smiles and love every day, and a hole in our heart when they leave us. i'm so sorry
    
    
    "He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.) When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever - in case I need him. And I expect I will - as I always have."
    - Gene Hill

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       lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I can't thank you all enough for your words. mailxpress-It's been one difficult day, that's for sure.  cosette-I've bookmarked Gene Hill's poem in Windows for reading through later, with more care.
       You are all amazing.

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    cosetteposted 13 years ago

    oh Lorlie, i can only imagine. my bunny got sick one time and as soon as i started dialing the vet i started crying, but to lose your beloved friend and companion of so many years...
    
    he looked like such a sweetheart. i am glad he had you guys, and you guys had him.

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    Mighty Momposted 13 years ago

    Dear Lorlie,
    Thank you for sharing your loss with your Hubber friends.
    We share your grief over Birthday (great name, btw).
    Know this: Birthday is now on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. He's having a great time with all the other doggies, kitties and other pets who are there romping and playing and fetching frisbees. They gave Birthday a big warm welcome.
    And I'm sending you a big, warm hug.
    Go ahead and let all the tears out, girlfriend.
    *Here's a tissues with the hug*
    MM

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    Mike Lickteigposted 13 years ago

    That is so sad, and you have my sympathies.  Pets are truly part of the family, and their unconditional love cannot easily be replaced.  I am sorry for your loss.

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    habeeposted 13 years ago

    Oh, Laurel, I am so sorry. I was thinking about you and Birthday just today. Hugs, girlfriend!

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    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    lorlie - sorry to hear about your trouble - that would just be so painful.

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    lorlie6posted 13 years ago

    Thanks again everyone, for posting.  This thread has been very healing for me. I am going to look up the Rainbow Bridge and let it out, I imagine...thanks quartzsherry, but I already have plenty of creatures surrounding me! 
    

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    Greek Oneposted 13 years ago

    I hated my wife's 4 year old dog... i wanted to strangle the little noisy SOB every time I had to get up and walk the little stupid @$%@@# in the middle of winter.
    
    Late last year we found out that we had to put him down and that no amount of money could save him.
    
    I cried like a little pansy all the way to the vet.
    
    sorry for your loss

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    ralwusposted 13 years ago

    i must be a pansy too.

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    lorlie6posted 13 years ago

    Pansies rock!

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    mega1posted 13 years ago

    Hi Laurel - Hope things are going well, and you are doing ok, taking really good care of yourself!

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    Kangaroo_Jaseposted 13 years ago

    Ahhhhhhh geez Lorlie,
    
    Very hard to say goodbye to a dear old friend, espec when they have been around the family for so long.
    
    Givin you and your family my condolences on the loss.

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    Flightkeeperposted 13 years ago

    Sorry to hear about your dog passing, I think Rainbow Bridge looks like a great website to spend some time in.

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    PegCole17posted 13 years ago

    My deepest condolences to you lorlie6. This is such a difficult time of loss and pain. I'm so sorry for the loss of your dear friend and companion. May Birthday live on in your dreams and in your heart.

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    ahorsebackposted 13 years ago

    Sorry about losing birthday, Lorlie, Can you imagine the love this dog felt for you, No , still  feels for you!

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       Homey19posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Dear Lorlie, I am so sorry for your loss. I too am a bit numb at this time.
       We had to put our Max down May 26 2010. Max was a rottie mix, the sweetest dog any one person can ask for. I still miss my Mee Mee head.
       Max was 12 years, 4 months and 13 days old when we had to put him down. We lost his dad Boo, the May before, he was 14 years, 5 months and 13 days old when he passed. Max had been insulin dependent diabetic for the last 5 1/2 years of his life and he took it like the trooper he was. He fought to the end but, then we had to do what was humane, just as you had to do hon. My heart goes out to you and your family...I am so very sorry.

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