Had to put our Pepper down today :-(

[emily_in_nc]

Our sweet almost 15-year old Boston Terrier, Pepper, had a series of severe cluster seizures over the weekend. We were faced with the toughest decision a dog owner has to make today, and with the vet's agreement, we went ahead and put her down. She had been going downhill both physically and mentally for some time, but it was still so incredibly hard as she has been our "child" all these years -- we got her during infertility treatment and were never able to have children. She's been a wonderful companion and family member and brought us such joy and lots of laughs over the years. Our hearts are broken. :(

We buried her along our wooded trail and used rocks from our property to make a grave, and I engraved "Pepper 1992-2006" on the upright rock. We can see it from our porch, through the woods.

May she rest in peace.

Emily

[margo49]

That is it - she is resting in peace now

[bikerchick68]

You've given Pepper the greatest gift you could ever give her... here is a poem that has helped me... hugs... may she rest in peace...

FROM FRIEND TO FRIEND

You're giving me a special gift,
So sorrowfully endowed,
And through these last few cherished days,
Your courage makes me proud.

But really, love is knowing
When your best friend is in pain,
And understanding earthly acts
Will only be in vain.

So looking deep into your eyes,
Beyond, into your soul,
I see in you the magic, that will
Once more make me whole.

The strength that you possess,
Is why I look to you today,
To do this thing that must be done,
For it's the only way.

That strength is why I've followed you,
And chose you as my friend,
And why I've loved you all these years...
My partner 'til the end.

Please, understand just what this gift,
You're giving, means to me,
It gives me back the strength I've lost,
And all my dignity.

You take a stand on my behalf,
For that is what friends do.
And know that what you do is right,
For I believe it too.

So one last time, I breathe your scent,
And through your hand I feel,
The courage that's within you,
To now grant me this appeal.

Cut the leash that holds me here,
Dear friend, and let me run,
Once more a strong and steady dog,
My pain and struggle done.

And don't despair my passing,
For I won't be far away,
Forever here, within your heart,
And memory I'll stay.

I'll be there watching over you,
Your ever faithful friend,
And in your memories I'll run,
...a young dog once again.

In Memory of Asta, Feb. 1997
(c) Karen Clouston
<>

[kaybee]

I'm so very sorry for your loss. You did the right thing.

KB

[Quillfred]

[[[[emily]]]]

My heart goes out to you for your loss. Our pets are some of our greatest teachers and bring so much joy. I'm glad you were able to have alot of time together.

Peace.

Quill

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Poor Emily. I'm so sorry. You gave her a long and love-filled life.

[Geonz]

{{{Emily}}}

[light_sabe_r]

Emily. I'm so sorry. But she's no longer in pain, and you have another spirit friend to watch over you know.

[ridethewind]

My condolences, Emily, on the loss of your beloved pet.

And thank you, Bikerchick68, for that lovely poem. My GF's dog has cancer. I think this poem will help her get through what lies ahead.

__________
Jean

[makbike]

Emily:

Take care of yourself these next few days and know you gave Pepper the greatest gift of love by setting her free. She is at the Rainbow Bridge waiting for you guys. I hope this poem helps you during this difficult time.


Lend Me a Puppy

I will lend to you for awhile a puppy, God said.
For you to love while she lives, and mourn when she's dead.
Maybe for twelve or fourteen years, or maybe two or three.
But will you, 'til I call her back, take care of her for me?

She'll bring you her charms to gladden you and, should her
stay be brief, you'll always have her memories as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise she will stay, since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught below I want this puppy to learn.

I've looked the whole world over in search of teacher's true.
And from the folk that crowd life's land, I have chosen you.

Now will you give her all your love, nor think the labor vain?
Nor hate me when I come to take my puppy home again?

My heart replied, "My Lord, Thy Will Be Done"
For all the joys this puppy brings the risk of grief I'll run.
We'll shelter her with tenderness, we'll love her while we may
And for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay.

But should you call her back much sooner than we planned.
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.
If, by our love we've managed your wishes to achieve,
Then in memory of her who we loved, please help us while we grieve.

When our cherished puppy departs this world of strife,
Please send yet another needing soul for us to love all their life.

- Author Unknown -
Adapted from 'Thy Will Be Done' by Edgar Guest

[bcipam]

Oh no! So sad! And so close to Christmas. There is nothing that can be said or done to replace the hole you now feel in your heart. I still have some of those holes in mine even though many wonderful animals have replaced the ones I've lost. Take care,

Pam

[TrekJeni]

Emily hugs to you from Cincinnati.

My Weimaraner, Robin, will be turning nine next week and it seems like the last few months she's really started to slow down. Took her camping this weekend.

Remember all the good times you shared.

Jeni

[Bikingmomof3]

((((((Emily))))))))

I am so sory for your loss.

[LBTC]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Emily}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

I've asked my rainbow buddy Yogi, to give Pepper a tour for ya. They'll have lots of fun together while they wait for us to one day join them. Yogi has been there for 6 years and 5 days so he know his way around. :)

Take care of yourself, and don't ever worry about what anybody else thinks. If it's time for you to cry, just cry. If that makes someone around you uncomfortable, they can leave. You need to grieve.

My wish for you is for a wonderful miracle that lifts your spirits and turns the lump in your throat into the warm spot in your heart as fast as can be.

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[Thistle]

I am so sorry Emily :( I know you'll miss Pepper so much.

((((Emily))))

[spokewench]

So sorry Emily. There is no way to make it better for you, but I just wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you and your beautiful Pepper

[ClockworkOrange]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Emily}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

I've asked my rainbow buddy Yogi, to give Pepper a tour for ya. They'll have lots of fun together while they wait for us to one day join them. Yogi has been there for 6 years and 5 days so he know his way around. :)

Take care of yourself, and don't ever worry about what anybody else thinks. If it's time for you to cry, just cry. If that makes someone around you uncomfortable, they can leave. You need to grieve.

My wish for you is for a wonderful miracle that lifts your spirits and turns the lump in your throat into the warm spot in your heart as fast as can be.

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

LBTC, this is such a well thought out posting.............the tears just flowed!

Emily my heart goes out to you, I truly am so sorry about your darling Pepper.

Love and hugs.

Sally

[GLC1968]

Oh Emily - I feel your pain. I had to do the same for my beloved Tango only six months ago and seeing your post made me cry all over again.

Remember the good times, know that you did the right thing, and let the grief happen. Hang in there!!

[snapdragen]

I'm very sorry emily.

[aka_kim]

I'm so sorry Emily. Take solace in knowing you gave Pepper a wonderful, happy and long life.

[Duck on Wheels]

I'm so sorry Emily. Take solace in knowing you gave Pepper a wonderful, happy and long life.

Yes, hold that thought. You made a tough decision, but in light of all the joy you shared with Pepper before, I think you can be confident that you made the right one.

[emily_in_nc]

Thank you all for your kindness. Your words and thoughts are greatly appreciated. I'm so glad we took this holiday picture, just one week ago today, when Pepper was a lot better:

http://home.earthlink.net/~emilys7/xmas_picture.jpg

I'm also so thankful to have my wonderful DH at this difficult time. He adored Pepper, she was his girl, and he is grieving as much as I am.

So many people have been through this, and I've been through it myself before too. Just knowing that we as humans share this kinship and can empathize fully when one of us loses a beloved pet is a thought I find comforting.

Emily

[Popoki_Nui]

I'm so sorry, Emily. Please accept our heartfelt condolences.

Gentle journey, dear Pepper.


Much alofa from Sherry (and my cats).

[Melody]

I'm so sorry Emily. Losing a pet is like losing a part of your family. :( But you'll always have the good memories to cherish.

Mel

[jeannierides]

Emily, so sorry about Pepper.

[Blueberry]

Emily-

I am SO sorry to hear about Pepper - you did the right thing, but you're right, it is the most difficult decision pet owners have to make. We went through it all too recently.

Hugs to you and DH!!

Carrie Anne

[sbctwin]

I am so sorry Emily. I don't have children and so my pets become my children. I had Katrina for 19 years (brown point Siamese) and had to make the decision to let her go. She was followed by Toby, my mom's dog that I took when she could no longer take care of him. We only had him for 4 year but I had to let him go to. I still get tears thinking of them both. Now, I only have Kallie (9 yrs Tortoise Shell cat). My thoughts are with you....

[caligurl]

oh emily.... i'm so very sorry..... i know how hard it was to make the decision..... you did the right thing for pepper...

big hugz to you, sweetie.........

[7rider]

Oh, Emily.
That is such a hard decision.
I hope you know that Pepper is at peace and you made the right call.
It sux and it hurts, I know. Think fondly of your good days with Pepper and I hope that gives you some brightness.

[Deborajen]

Emily,

I'm so sorry about Pepper. You're right, that is the toughest decision you'll ever have to make for your beloved pet. Take comfort in the good memories and in all the good years you had with Pepper.

Deb

[Bad JuJu]

I'm so sorry, Emily. You did the right thing for your Pepper.

[tygab]

Emily,

Like everyone else, sending you my condolences & hugs. I have a feeling your pup is bounding thru a great big sunny field even as I type this. Just remember all the fun times you shared together and that you made Pepper's time with you the best possible.

-T

[Pedal Wench]

Oh, Emily, you've been through so much in the past year, I'm so sorry that more has been added to your shoulders. I'm facing a similar situation at some point soon, and had to do the same with my precious Mastiff just a year ago. It's tough, and I hope you get through it all.

[Brandi]

It sounds like you made the right choice. my dh and i had our Baby for 18 years. She had been with us since we met. It was a hard choice. The hardest! But I could not put her through all they wanted to do just so she would be around for a month or so. I felt we would only be doing it for us. When she went to sleep I swear she looked young again, she looked so peaceful and beutiful. Oh she was in stages of kidney failure. I don't regret it it was the best thing. We now have Aki who really needed a home I am glad ours was open for her. It was about a year later when we got Aki the timing was right. A big hug goes out to you in your time of saddness. But please don't forget to celebrate the time you did have, which sounded like a good long time.

[snowtulip]

Emily, I'm so sorry about pepper, you made a good decision and I know it's hard. I hope Pepper is hanging out with my Chili (he also was having cluster seizures when we made our decision).