reading about kelev and thinking of my dog.

[beccaB]

I'm gonna go spend some time with my dog.

[westtexas]

I'm gonna go spend some time with my dog.

This is always how I feel at the end of the work day. I feel so much for my clients - those with beloved pets who've lived practically forever and those sweet young ones that are going before their time. The first thing I do every day when I get home is hug and snuggle both my kitties (no dog anymore). I feel like if I can love them enough it makes up for all the hurting out there I see everyday.

[lovelygamer]

We had to put down our 11 year old boy about six months ago. I thought it would kill us both. Seriously. We spent almost two thousand dollars on blood transfusions and other medicines, procedures, etc. He was on a cocktail of eight medicines the last two weeks of his life and he wasn't eating. In the end, he just didn't have the strength or will to survive and we couldn't see him improving.

If you HAVE to make that decision, consider getting a vet to come to your house. It's a world of difference. I've been in that situation in a number of different places (Humane Society, Vets office) and nothing compares. It felt better to us to have him at home, on his blanket just like he always was but it was still so very hard.

There is nothing comparable to the affection our animals give us. Love him while you can - he knows your there and he knows how much you care. <3 Thinking of you and sending peaceful thoughts you way.

[maillotpois]

If you HAVE to make that decision, consider getting a vet to come to your house. It's a world of difference. I've been in that situation in a number of different places (Humane Society, Vets office) and nothing compares. It felt better to us to have him at home, on his blanket just like he always was but it was still so very hard.

This was what I did with my 11 year old Rottie 10 years ago. It was very peaceful.

[Veronica]

I am a horrible person. I always read the posts about losing beloved babies, but I can never seem to respond; they make me so sad. And I just don't know what to say. Words just seem so useless and trite. Then I go find my cat babies and bug them.

It just doesn't seem right that their lives are so short. Time to go bug the babies.

Veronica

[maillotpois]

I am a horrible person. I always read the posts about losing beloved babies, but I can never seem to respond; they make me so sad. And I just don't know what to say. Words just seem so useless and trite. Then I go find my cat babies and bug them.

That's usually me as well.

[Veronica]

Thinking about the pets I've lost can put me into a real funk and makes me wonder, why do I have pets because losing them is so awful. But then I just watched Tucker stalking a pair of morning doves on the fence outside. He got as far as the window over the tub and they flew away. Yes, he's inside and they're outside, but he still has to "hunt." And those wonderful little silly things are the why. I love putting my ear to Cassie's belly while she sleeps because she purrs and at night she snoozes between my legs, but won't stay in a lap during the day.

So enjoy and cherish all those moments with your "babies."

Veronica

[indysteel]

I am a horrible person. I always read the posts about losing beloved babies, but I can never seem to respond; they make me so sad. And I just don't know what to say. Words just seem so useless and trite. Then I go find my cat babies and bug them.

It just doesn't seem right that their lives are so short. Time to go bug the babies.

Veronica

I used to feel that way. Then I posted about losing my cat, Sophie, two years ago and all the virtual hugs that I received from my fellow TEers brought me so much comfort. It didn't matter what they said; the mere fact that they responded to my grief meant a lot to me. So don't worry about what you say. It truly is the thought that counts.

I'll say this, too, V. You said something kind in my thread about the stray cat that we cared for last summer that got killed by a car. I read and reread that thread multiple times when I was feeling down about him. Your words made a difference to me.

Still, when I read pet-loss threads, I invariably get in a bit of a funk about my own pets--those I've already lost and those that are likely to go sooner rather than later. It's hard not to internalize all of that grief.

[smilingcat]

We all said our good bye to Madison today. He almost made it to 15 years of age. He had a wonderful life.

[indysteel]

((((smilingcat)))). I'm so sorry. I'm sure he did have a wonderful life and a long life for a lab for sure. Hugs to you.

[Blueberry]

((((((smiling cat)))))))

Goldens are special souls, and he lived a very long life for one (though much too short compared to human years).