R.I.P. beloved bike guardian, euthanasia...

[ladyicon]

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

I hope this helps Miranda. Sorry for your loss .

[crazycanuck]

((((Miranda & family)))

Your furry friend still loves you for your kindness . You're a good human

[KnottedYet]

(((((Miranda and family)))))

You did the right thing at the right time and with love.

[Miranda]

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

I hope this helps Miranda. Sorry for your loss .

I was teary eyed reading all of these supportive responses, but this poem made me just sob. Especially when it got to the part about the doggies running. That helped seal the euthanasia decision. My baby could not have her quality of life she loved. I told DD about exactly this as we cried and hugged... "our doggie is running like a wild thing right now up in the sky, saying look out... here comes the big sweetie!". I have never seen this poem before. I am printing it to keep. Thank You.

[tc1]

Aw, only 5 years old. I am sorry she had to go so soon. I know you did the best you could. Take care.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Thank you for your story Miranda. I have tears now after reading it. You did very right by your doggie, loved her right to the end.
I've been through this several times- it's always so hard.
Feel better soon.

[wolfak]

I know everyone has probably said it already, but many hugs. Take some time with the family and pictures and do your best to know your special gal is no longer hurting. The sadness will lessen with time.

In Feb,my DH and I put down a cat that we had since the start of our relationship (7+yrs) and it was heart-wrenching for both of us. Take care!

[aly]

My thoughts are with you. It is so obvious from your post that she was treasured. I have no doubt she knew that. She sounds like a really special girl.

[Trek420]

(((Miranda and family)))) I am so sorry

[Pedal Wench]

We've all shared our stories about losing our precious pets, but for some reason, yours truly touched my heart. What a loving tribute.

PW

[Wahine]

Miranda - what a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings. It's never easy to put a loved pet to sleep but you did a good job when you needed to do it. I like your idea of taking the ashes to the swimming hole. Very special.

[Zen]

We've all shared our stories about losing our precious pets, but for some reason, yours truly touched my heart. What a loving tribute.

PW

Indeed.

[Miranda]

Thank you ladies so much for all of your kinds words, support, and sharing of your own lost beloveds. Not everyone in my real life world is so understanding. Your posts mean a lot to me. Also, it helps to know that I am not alone in my feelings.

It took me a bit to get back to the pc to respond. I have discovered that it is hard to be home, especially alone. DH took the children out to do some special activities they enjoy. Normally, this is my special home time with my furbaby. She liked to lay right by my feet at the computer chair. Wherever I went in the house, she was there. Now, she is no where. Physically of course. Her memories are thick. I stayed gone to get some long over due errands done. Even trying to find some receipts in my junk filing cabinet of a purse, there were the vet receipts for her care. Bleah.

I know the grieving process will take time. It's interesting when I have commented to people that I just had my dog put down in my saddened disposition. There are three camps: 1) get a new dog soon, it helps to fill the house empty void, even though there's no replacement for the one of kind personality of the lost dog; 2) wait until you fully grieve (not sure what they mean exactly) and then get a new dog, too soon causes more pain, and 3) never get a new dog to avoid going through this pain again.

Well, I can respect each individual position. Very personal choice. On #3, my GF that's a ca survivor says, "to chance is to live... you can't feel the pain of loss, without first having the blessing of love". That makes sense. I think it's worth it. #1 and #2 I'm mixed.

I do still have the contact information of the breeder we got her from. I also feel compeled to try and contact her to inform her of my furbaby's short life span. I don't know if her condition could be hereditary in any way. I'm thinking it was just her for whatever reason. But, I might call anyway. I'm not even sure if she still breeds. We had to travel to get my baby. Not a hasty decision.

I will take your words of wisdom in my heart as I try to heal.

Miranda

[Blueberry]

Miranda -

I think you'll know when the time is right to consider another furbaby. I would call the breeder when you feel able - she should know. It may help you to talk to her about other litters, but I wouldn't rush in. You'll know when the time is right. Fully done with grieving - no. I still cry sometimes. But I'm starting to remember the happy times more than the sad, and I'm starting to think of another baby. For me, it will be a different breed. I saw a pup in the mall in someone's lap last week who looked just like my Cricket, and just about broke down. Trust yourself, and don't rush into it. Your heart will tell you.

CA

[sundial]

Wherever I went in the house, she was there. Now, she is no where. Her memories are thick. I know the grieving process will take time. I do still have the contact information of the breeder we got her from.

When I lost my beloved Ana, I contacted her breeder and chatted with her that very day. The breeder was so moved by my loss that she checked with another breeder friend to see if there was a female german shepherd available. We drove 13 hours in one day to get Kali. I was so nervous thinking about how I would react to a puppy. But as soon as we saw Kali, there was simply no comparison and she immediately lifted my spirits.

I know that getting another dog just days after we lost our first gsd was the right thing to do. It was hard seeing an empty bed, an empty bowl, and her medicine sitting on the counter. As I let the dogs out each morning, I kept waiting for the second one to come back in. We were already into a routine of caring for a feeble senior dog and getting into a puppy routine was a natural transition for us. So we added our funny little girl to the pack. She and I would go visit Ana's grave every day and I'd tell Ana what silly things the puppy did that day. As the days passed, our visits grew infrequent. By the third month, I rarely visited the site where the dogwood was planted over her grave. Kali simply mended a broken heart.

You will know when the time is right. For some, it may be a week, a month or even years. For others, the pain of losing one so special is too great that they choose to never be hurt again by another pet. I have felt that there is only one really bad day, and it is outweighed by the many wonderful moments spent with my little friend.

Perhaps as a tribute you can plant a dogwood or a beautiful rose bush in the garden. Every spring it will serve as a reminder of rebirth and renewal and the promise of hope.