...I'm tying to get though the fact that I had to put my very best friend down.

Nothing anyone can say wil make it any easier.

I lost three major parts of my life in the last two years. I was the one who had to decide if they died or not. I was the one who gave them the needle.

I know it was the right thing to do ... but it doesn't make it any easier.

I cried tonight more than I have any time in my life.

Go ahead ... laugh at me.

Sorry ... I did not meant to say that last line.

Mandy was my little soul mate ...

A pet becomes family, and I think everyone here agrees with that.

Country

to allow a pet to continue to suffer is hard.

i think the decision to allow a pet to end it's suffering is a harder thing to do.

you have chosen the best for the pet.

feel the loss, but have no remorse for making the correct decision.

I write this with my 19 year old cat talking to me. He used to be a fat 15lb sassy dude. He weighs approximatly 3-4 lbs now and is all skin and bones. He continues to eat, but does not gain weight. He sleeps more and more every day.

My Ralph has been my baby for many years. He was my very first pet that was just mine. He came to me when I was in my first apartment. He was with me when I got married, thru countless moves, and the birth of both of my children,(not at the hospital but keeping an eye on things while I was away).

When I finally make the dicision, I don't doubt it will rip my heart out. He does not seem like he is in pain or suffering in any way, so I have not had to make it. I don't doubt that when he goes, everyone in the family will cry like a baby. Everyone - me, the kids and Tank too. Don't be ashamed, it just means that your heart is big enough to love all of God's creatures.

God Bless,

Debbie

Slim, you are right, nothing anybody says will make it better. Only time will.

Because our first greyhound was my wife's best friend, she had to make the decision when it was time to put her down. It was hard. The pup suffered a few weeks longer than she should have. With two years now in the review mirror, she agrees.

She was a mess for about 5 or 6 weeks. She expained she'll miss the pet more than any other human becuase humans aren't as nice as pets. I guess she has a point.

Time will help, Slim. Waiting for that time to pass is the difficult part.

Slim,

I had to do the same thing to my dog right before Russ came home from Kuwait in 2002. It was my Rot and I had drove down to my home area to get some of my things and my oldest son accidently hit him. It broke his hips and he was so old that the Vet could not do anything for him. I sit on the floor crying my eyes out as he just lay there looking at me. I told him how much I loved him and he reached up and kissed me on my cheek. He turned his head and looked at the door like he was telling me to just go on he didn't want me in there. My youngest son had went with me and he stayed in the room as the Vet put him down. It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do.

Time will help Slim. Allow this time to heal.

Mrs. Hog

Thanks all ...

In my thoughts slim.

k9

Thanks K-9 ... how you doing?

Sorry to hear about your loss, Slim. My wife and I have 2 cats and a dog, and lost a 12-year old cat 2 years ago that was very close to me. I cried, too. Time helps, and I took solace in all the good memories.

I agree with Rick, a tough decision was made, and in the end, you chose the comfort of your pet over your own. It is a hard choice to make, but a very thoughtful and compassionate one, no matter how it feels right now.

-JJ

I just wish I was as 'hard and calloused' as I think I am ...

slim, just be glad you are not calloused. when you lose your feelings and emotions you lose all of the joy in life.

ricky and i have several dogs who are like children to us. ricky has a memorial tattoo of one we lost on his right shoulder.

susan

Wow ... that's pretty heavy.

Was that one of his 'partners' ?

Slim, crying doesn't make you any less of a man. Some would say it makes you more of a man because you aren't afraid to do it.

While I am not a sentimental man, per se, when it comes to pets... I have grown VERY attached to my cat Phoebe over the last few years. I rescued her from that very same needle at the local pound when she was barely over a year old. She and I have quite the bond now and i'll probably cry like a schoolgirl with skinned knees if I ever have to make that decision.

That you would make yourself so vulnerable to this pack of wolves that is the cbid forum (me included at times), speaks volumes about your character.

Keep smokin' brother.

You know ...

... I love you MAC ...

.. and I'm not gay.

Though there is nothing wrong with that ... mind you.

Slim

Love for MAC is a good thing! I have had to put down 3 dogs in the last 6 to 10 years and it is never a good nor easy thing.....and being with them is the only way, but it sure hurts when they look into your eyes with I love you look and they are all trusting of you......a hard thing to do! I have cried my eyes out as well, and it comes on every now and then when you think back about them! I loved Norma Jean, Alex, Madison and Lucille with all my heart and they will always remain in my heart and in my wife's heart as well! We have added new dogs to the family, but those will always be missed as well!

Charlie

Whoops, I meant 4 dogs, and now I am tearing up thinking about them....time to go smoke a cigar!

Charlie

Being an animal person myself , it's hard to loose a close family member , I have been there way too many times , I use to breed parrots , I had over 100 of them at one time,then within 3 years there was various viruses that killed most of them off, It was sad to watch them go, But there isn't much you can do for birds. And I have many heart breaks to come as well, I have 7 golden retrievers over 20 birds still, 1 cat , and various other creatures.

I try to treat my animals the best I can for I know someday they will be gone .

Slim what you have done was something you had to do, There was no was around it, and I respect you in being able to do it. My wife takes care of those things for me (I just can't do it). I feel for your loss at this time . Yes I cried too.....

Best Regards, Steven Drummond TUC

TUC ...

... when you say theer was no way around it, I understand.

But whenever these decisions come in my life ... I am always the on that has to make the ultimate decison.

I feel like I have the hand of God ... and it is a very lamentibal job ..

... for someone so close to a being loved so much.

I will get over it ... but I will not ever forget her.