Goodbye dear friend...

[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. 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 this is so very sad.