My Charlie...and thoughts on death of an animal.

[sourland]

You did what was right for your dog. It is part of our responsibility to assure them quality of life. When that quality is no longer there, it becomes our responsibility to aid in their passing. I have had/have many dogs. Some get into your soul deeper than others. I still miss Rondy who died nearly 40 years ago. When our last golden died, my wife and I grieved for a long time. We have a new dog, and no, she has not taken Livvie's place. But she has a created a place of her own. QUITE different, and that is a good thing. I'm not certain where dogs go when they pass, but the deal is that if I predecease my wife, a lead and collar is to be included in my coffin in case I need it when I get "There." Your grieving is a measure of your love for this animal, and many hear understand.

 

[Souperchicken]

I'm bawling reading these responses, but it is comforting to hear others stories and thoughts. It is hard to lose a friend.
Team Chaos - that is how I feel but you put more eloquently....I feel like a piece of my heart is gone and I know I will never really get over him. I know that I will always think of the little things about him that made him so special.
I think I will save this thread to look on for comfort down the road.

 

[TriciaHowe]

I am so very sorry for your loss. We lost our "baby" last year at the age of 16 due to congestive heart failure. She was our first dog and we found her soon after we were married (she was a stray pup). It also took us 6 yrs to have our first child and she was totally there every where we went. It is very, very painful and we still talk about her often. She is buried in our garden under a shade tree (where she liked to lay when it was hot outside).

I totally get your sadness....you have lost a member of your family.....

 

[gritsar]

I lost my Charlie Girl a year and a half ago. It still hurts every day. I've lost many animals over the years, but that special one you will always miss.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[EmtheFishLady]

I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds funny, but I think everyone who has dogs has had that ONE REALLY special one.

Like you and that dog were meant for one another.

 

[sfw2]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I agree with Katy - this is something that you did for Charlie, not to him. And I also believe that we see our beloved pets again, when we pass. It wouldn't be "heaven" without them.

 

[BayouPoules]

Quote:
Amen,..
It takes real love to do what you've done for him.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I am so sorry for your loss. Some animals just touch a special place in our hearts. Reading your response was like going back to my junior year in high school when my horse had to be put down after a freak accident. She had been my best animal friend for many years and was my first horse. She was the one who listened to me when I was down and I always had a friend in her. I cried a lot of tears into her mane over the years. Heck, I'm teary eyed just sitting here thinking about her. I don't think the hurt ever goes away but eventually you will find a new animal friend. They don't ever take the place of your others, but it does help. I've lost family members before, but no one particularly close. My horse was the closest thing to my heart that I have ever lost.

It's all normal though. The grieving takes a long time, but eventually it will get easier and you will be able to move on to a certain degree. It definitely helps to think of all the goods times though. Pictures, while sometimes sad, do make me smile.

Best wishes to you though. Losing a pet is always so hard. It's one of the downsides of owning them. But take comfort in knowing he had a good life while he was on this earth.

 

[Souperchicken]

Here's a picture of Charlie!

 

[TriciaHowe]

Quote:

ETA My husbands best friend has a chihuahua/poodle mix. He calls her a cheese doodle LOL! (chidoodle)