Goodbye dear friend...

[bikerchick68]

Last night when I got home, I found that my elderly Pug, Winston could no longer walk. This has been a long process to come to this point. Today he is home with "Grandma" eating roast beef and anything else she wants to give him. Tonight when I get home, after some time to say goodbye, I will be taking him for his final trip to the vets office. :(

I rescued him at 1 1/2 yrs old in April of 1995... so he is somewhere around 13 yrs old. He has been with me longer than any other man in my life. He's had a long, happy life and while this is one of the hardest decisions to make, I promised him when the time came I would do what is best for him, not me. The time is now here. His quality of life is no more. He cannot sit in the sunshine out back where he loved to sunbathe, he cannot walk to the foodbowl, his favorite past time, and he cannot even walk outside to relieve himself. I can't let him lose his dignity and I know in my very heavy heart, that this is the right thing to do now.

I hope these pictures will bring you a bit of joy today, as he has brought 12 years of true joy to me...

Goodbye dear friend. You will be missed.

[Thistle]

(((((bikerchick68)))))... this is so sad, my tears are for you. so sorry you have to say goodbye to a wonderful friend, but i know he'll be there for you after he's gone.

[bcipam]

Ooooh Bikerchick. So sad. But just know he was blessed to have you as his human mother and taking care of him, giving him a good life. Sadly our pets live such a short time and we all have to see them go at some point. Take care, think fun little thoughts of your funny little dog. And yes you are doing the right thing.

[Bikingmomof3]

((((((bikerchick))))) am crying for you. You are doing the right thing for him. It takes a lot of love. Always remember the wonderful times you too shared.

[Xrayted]

(((bikerchick68))) I'm so sorry. It takes a lot of pure love to be able to do that for our furry companions. You are doing the right thing for Winston. My thoughts are with you tonight.

[SadieKate]

I am so sorry. Your pup is so lucky to have someone who rescued him and loved him. Find solace in the happy years together and doing the right thing for him.

I'll go hug my pooch for you.

[maillotpois]

Big hugs to you. You know when it is the right time, but it is such a tough decision to make. Good for you for making the hardest choice you can with a pet.

Amazing how they can see you through so much of your life, so many changes. That's how my rottie was. She'd been with me longer than my husband, my child, seen me through bad boyfriends and good, law school and countless jobs. That was a very difficult time when I had to put her down, but I just knew when I came home the day before that it was the right time. I've got her ashes in a box on the shelf right behind me with her collar on it.

[makbike]

I'm sitting crying for I know what you are going through and what you will face. Winston is one very lucky dog to have you as his fur person for your decision to let him go to the Rainbow Bridge is your final act of love albeit the toughest decision to make, I know. Find comfort in your memories and take your time saying your good-byes. Know that someday you and your buddy will be reunited and he will wait for you at the bridge. Go in peace, Winston and know my buddies, Hondo, Cumberland, Squire, Scooter, Motor, Saw, Bones and Max will be there to greet you.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Oh, my heart is breaking for you!!!

Four years ago my sweet sweet little pug Kinky was to the point where she could barely walk as well, and had a hunchback and was getting bald and incontinent. Like you, I knew I HAD to help her out of this world too. Kinky looked JUST like your Winston.
It was so hard, taking her on her last little walk in the tall grass, letting her smell everything as much as she wanted, then going to the vet's. It's so heartbreaking. Something about pugs- they are so sweet and loving, never a bad thought in their little walnut brains all their lives. :o :o :o :o
Your little Winston was a LUCKY LUCKY puglet to have such a loving mommy as you.
Sending comforting vibes your way, may you find the strength to deal with this. xoxox

[spokewench]

So Sorry for you. You're doing the right thing but it very sad :(

[mtbdarby]

((bikerchick)) My heart is breaking for you and your furry friends. What a wonderful mom you have been and are to be with him to the end, unconditionally like he has been for you all of these years. Doggie kisses and wagging tail sympathies from me, Zeus and Xena.

[farrellcollie]

He was lucky to have found you - as you were to have found him. We do get so attached to our furry family, and the grieving process takes a while.

[Melody]

BC, I'm so sorry. :( May you always remember the good times you've had with him.

Mel

[Blueberry]

BC-

My heart is breaking for you:( :(

Just take comfort in that you're doing the right thing for Winston - he's lucky to have had such a loving home for so many years. Pets really can be the constants in our lives.

Hugs to you and your other pup!

Carrie Anne

[Raindrop]

I am so sorry that you have to put down your dear furry friend. I hope, in time, you can take comfort that your rescue made his life wonderful and that he had the best life possible during his time on earth.

I've been where you are and it's one of the hardest things imaginable. Give yourself time to grieve...and rejoice that you were able to have such a great companion in your life.

[colby]

I'm so sad for you and your family, bikerchick. You're doing the right thing, as hard as that may be. You have been such a wonderful friend for him, rescuing him, taking care of him, and now bringing him peace. You'll remember his cute little face forever. :(

[Trekhawk]

Sending lots of hugs your way. Thanks for posting those lovely pics. My family and I think they are gorgeous. You really are doing the best thing for your wonderful friend.

[LBTC]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{bikerchick}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Winston will be having the longest and purest doggie play date for years to come at the rainbow bridge, with my Yogi and all those other fur babies up there that got there first. I'm sorry for this difficult time. Know that you are doing the right thing for him; and know that you are not alone and have lots of other fur moms to share your feelings with here.

Do something wonderful and peaceful and hopeful to mark his passing, maybe light a candle so he can see you tonight. Something that works for you that is just enough ritual to memorialize this moment.

And do all that you must to grieve. Tears release the knot that is the lump in our throats so that we can feel the warmth in our hearts for the loved ones we have lost.

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[TrekJeni]

BC

Hang in there. Thank you for giving him so many wonderful years.

Jeni

[sbctwin]

Oh Bikerchick, I am sorry for you and sorry for Winston. He knows he had a wonderful life with you as his "guardian". I am in tears. I love animals so much. I am more of a cat person, but have had a dog, Toby, that I loved equally. Our pets love us unconditionally and we are granted the luxery of being their guardians. It is a difficult decision you make, but one made with love. God Bless You, God Bless Winston.

[emily_in_nc]

Bikerchick,

I'm so very sorry. As you know, we had to make the equally gut-wrenching decision to put our Boston Terrier Pepper down on Monday, and you posted such sensitive and lovely poem on my thread (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=12289&highlight=Pepper). Our hearts ache for her as yours will for Winston. Like you, we know we did the right thing, but that doesn't make it hurt much less.

Your posting set off torrents of tears in me yet again. This is such a difficult time of year to face a loss. :(

Wishing you peace in the knowledge that you are doing the best by Winston as you have from the start. Thanks for sharing the photos; he looks like a real treasure.

Big hugs,
Emily

[aka_kim]

What a sweet boy. I'm glad his last day was a good one. It's always so hard to make the final decision and let them go. Peace to you both.

[tprevost]

Last night when I got home, I found that my elderly Pug, Winston could no longer walk. This has been a long process to come to this point. Today he is home with "Grandma" eating roast beef and anything else she wants to give him. Tonight when I get home, after some time to say goodbye, I will be taking him for his final trip to the vets office. :(

I rescued him at 1 1/2 yrs old in April of 1995... so he is somewhere around 13 yrs old. He has been with me longer than any other man in my life. He's had a long, happy life and while this is one of the hardest decisions to make, I promised him when the time came I would do what is best for him, not me. The time is now here. His quality of life is no more. He cannot sit in the sunshine out back where he loved to sunbathe, he cannot walk to the foodbowl, his favorite past time, and he cannot even walk outside to relieve himself. I can't let him lose his dignity and I know in my very heavy heart, that this is the right thing to do now.

I hope these pictures will bring you a bit of joy today, as he has brought 12 years of true joy to me...

Goodbye dear friend. You will be missed.


oh Jen, I am soooo sorry. I can't imagine how you must feel... but know that he loved you and you gave him a wonderful home and life. ((((Hugs))))) I feel lucky to have met him and I am very sad that this day has come too soon.

tracy

[Velobambina]

BC - I'm so sorry to hear about your pup. I can't imagine what you're going through, but you are doing the right thing by ending his suffering. That is a completely unselfish, difficult, brave and loving thing to do for him. He'll always be with you. What a lucky little pug to have spent his life with such a wonderful mom. :) I'll be thinking of you. My three goldens send you big smooches to help comfort you.

[suzieqtwa]

I gave one of my furkids an extra year and a 1/2 of quality life using sub Q fluids ,and making her food from scratch when I found out she had kidney failure. When the time came for me to put her down ,I knew I had to make that decision ,because she couldn't make it herself. It was the hardest thing I had to do ,but it was better for her not to be in pain. Like you said ,they need to go with some dignity She had 14 years of wonderful life with me. I just looked her in the eyes ,and told her I loved her ,and I was sorry. You did the best thing for him by rescuing him..think of what his life would have been like without you.(((((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))) Think of the wonderful 13 years of life you gave to him. What a sweet boy ,and you will always have the memories ,and pictures. I think it took me about 2 weeks before I was able to put a picture up on the wall. You need to cry ,and grieve ,and talk about it.
I will light a candle in remembrance of him tonight.
Tears, Suzie

[eclectic]

I too am shedding tears for you. Winston is now frolicing, and playing gleefully. I am sitting here crying like a baby.
{{{{a big big hug}}}}}} from me and a comforting nuzzle from my "Tank" (a golden lab/over the fence cross)

[suzieqtwa]

So this is where we part, My Friend,
> and you'll run on, around the bend,
> gone from sight, but not from mind,
> new pleasures there you'll surely find.
>
> I will go on, I'll find the strength,
> life measures quality, not its length.
> One long embrace before you leave,
> share one last look, before I grieve.
>
> There are others, that much is true,
> but they be they, and they aren't you.
> And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,
> will remember well all you've taught.
>
> Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,
> the fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.
> And as you journey to your final rest,
> take with you this...I loved you best.
>
>
>
>
> Author Jim Willis
>

I always thought this poem said so much....((((tears))))

[Tri Girl]

bikerchick, I'm so very sorry for your loss. I can't stop crying just thinking of you and Winston. You know that if he could talk he would thank you endlessly for taking such good care of him and rescuing him from a life of many unknowns. You gave him a wonderful home, loved and cared for him, and in return he gave you many years of love and joy.
He had a great life thanks to you, and even at it's end you gave him love and dignity. You are a wonderful mom. He'll always be with you!
Thinking of you both...:(

[margo49]

Sad, sad, sad
but the only thing to do

[Trek420]

hugs :o this is so very sad.

[Bad JuJu]

I'm SO SO sorry for you and Winston, and for your other puglet who will probably miss Winston, too. I know exactly how hard this is, and my eyes are full of tears and my heart full of compassion for you. Doing the right thing can be so hard, but it's still the right thing. Thinking of you both.

[bikerchick68]

Thank you all for your kind hearts. I typically respond to each person individually, but please forgive me in this instance for not doing so. Typing is difficult while crying. Each and every post here has touched me and I thank you so much for that. I know you all understand what I am experiencing... and I know there is no way to "fix it"... but the caring words do help.

Winston will be buried here at home tomorrow, under a tree where he can lie in the shade on our warm summer days. I have ordered a memory stone for him and will plant forget-me-nots around the stone.

I know I will rescue another dog sometime soon. It's clear his brother, Magnus, is at something of a loss today without Winston here. A few months ago Winston and I "talked" about me rescuing another dog and I know it is something he would want for Magnus and me.

I will print out your responses and put them in Winston's rescue file as they will always hold a place in my heart where Winston now lives.

Hugs... bikerchick

[tygab]

I am very sorry for your loss. Our pets bring so much to our lives, but I have to believe they understand when it is time for them to go, and they can go peacefully with us by their sides...

(((((hug from me)))

You will have many days to talk and visit with Winston yet, do not be too sad.

-T

[Running Mommy]

It's such a hard decision to make, but you made the right one. Poor Windston depended on you to take care of him, and as sad as it is to say goodbye, you made the right decsion. I love pugs, in fact I dote on my neighbors all the time.
My heart is just breaking for you. Man o man!!!
When Abigail my great dane goes it's going to crush me. She's nearly 10, so prolly near the end of her life span so I think about it alot. Just like Winston, my abby is always there for me.
Sigh.... I am so sorry!! I wish I could reach out and give you a hug right now.
Take care and remember that she is much happier now because she's no longer in pain...
If the stars are out tonight go find the brightest one. That is Winston shining down on you.
Denise

[crazycanuck]

BIkerchick...I don't have a dog(yet) but understand what you mean.

Take care & i'm sending you a big (((hug)))) and warmth from (not so warm) NZ..

c

[caligurl]

oh bc.... i'm so so so sorry..... i know how you feel... and you are so brave to do what winston needs..... still... it doesn't stop the hurt..... we all feel it with you.... {{{{{HUGZ}}}}

take your time and go through the grieving process.... he WAS a member of your family and we know how important he was to you...... and think about winston running and playing... happy and painfree at rainbow bridge......

again..... {{{{{HUGZ}}}}}