Farewell old friend

Oh man, I’m sorry Steve.

Oh man that's hard. But you did the right thing. 

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....

I'm so sorry for your loss, Steve.

Sorry to hear, Steve.

Sorry to hear that MC....I know how it feels, have lost a few like that over the years.

GM....here's hoping that's true, and not only for our animal friends.

You have my deepest sympathies for the loss of this best friend. I have been through it as well, and know the feelings. They are family, not by blood, but by love. Unconditional and pure.

I know exactly how you feel Steve, I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s so darn hard when one looses a family member.

I lost my pal Buddy about 7 years ago to cancer. He was a rescue from the Humane Society and grew up along with both our kids. My wife, son, daughter and myself cried like little kids when we had to put Buddy down. We have his ashes.

Thank you my friends.

I, like all of you, have been through it before, you know it will happen one day, you prepare as the years, months and weeks go by and the days approach. But when it comes, no matter how much you prepared, you forgot just how much it hurts.

A family member lost is the most difficult time in our lives.  You have my condolence.  Stay strong my friend, I’ve been through two lost pet members.

Your friend, Toshi

stikpusher

They are family, not by blood, but by love. Unconditional and pure.

Well said Stikpusher

Steve,

I am truely sorry you were unable to make it home to say good bye to your best buddy. He was a good lookin' fella. 

Steve-- What a great pal you had. You did the right thing to end his suffering. I am deeply sorry because I know how painful this is.

We celebrate you, Dallas. 

Steve, you have my deepest sympathies.

G. Morrison, you made me cry.

My condolences also my friend 

   May he always live in your memory Steve. The right thing is always hard, he will forgive you.

 I am really sorry to hear that Steve. My thoughts go out to you. I think most of us know how you feel. It's a tough one for sure.

I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. They are like your children. I will be praying for you.

That's sad news, Steve.  A dog is something that is faithful and loving.  In that regard, I'll leave you with my favorite dog song, "Old Dog Tray" by Stephen Foster.  Rebecca Luker does a wonderful version.

Take care!

Gary

So sorry for your loss Steve. Have been there a few times. Someone gave me a copy of "The Rainbow Bridge" and it was very helpful when we lost our two cats within a month of each other. Hope that it helps you too.

Very sorry to hear about your loss, Steve.  It's so hard to lose the best buddy.  Take care.

Sorry to hear.  Had to put down one of my dogs a year or so ago.  It's real pain and grief, so give it time.  Good looking dog.  Man we love our pets.

I know the feeling and am so sorry for your loss, MC.

This past January 8th, we had to put down our 9 year old Blue point Ragdoll cat, Chloe due to a blood clot - a condition that's common in cats that cannot be treated, even if caught early. That night, after I had just gotten out of the shower, she came upstairs meowing and noticed her rear leg was limp. I thought "What the hell? Did she fall and landed funny?" You see, cats land on their feet but this was unusual. Long story short, we took her to the vet late at night and was told there was nothing they could do. I forget what the condition was called but it comes on unexpectedly without warning. Basically my "baby girl" suffered a stroke. She showed no signs of illness and was her normal self all day. My wife and I stayed with her when they euthanized her.

It was very heartbreaking for us because she was my "baby girl" and our "Queen". She loved us as much as we loved her -  unconditionally. I will admit, I did bawled my eyes out. We did get her ashes and paw print and it's now on the top shelf on my workbench.

Coincidently, the very next night as I was watching TV late at night laying on the floor, I felt something similar to whiskers or a kitty sniffing my cheek. I didn't think much of it until the next morning while I was working. I then realized it was my Chloe in spirit letting me know she's home. I told my wife about it over dinner one night and she told me she thought what she heard was meowing one night in our bedroom. I told her that was Chloe letting you know she's here in spirit at home.

A couple days later in the garage when I got home from work, as I was taking my boots of, I heard a meow as well. I blurted out, 'I know hold on a minute.'

Here is Chloe on my son's bed last fall with our King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, Hopper. Chloe would have turned 10 a couple weeks ago. Hopper turned 9 yrs old around that time frame.

Thank you for the suppoet guys. It is very much appreciated. I feel worse for my wife. The poor thing took him to the vet, I know he was ecxited to go for a ride. He apperenty couldn't get out of the car and the vet had to carry him inside on a gurney, and my wife heald his head and peted his ears until he passed. She said he snored during the process, which he hadn't done in several months, possably due to the pain, so that ment he wasn't feeling any. A short time later he was gone. My wife came home to an empty house with just one small dog, which was crying and yelping while he was leaving and our 3 year old cat who addored Dallas. Now she is missing another family member and has got to be terribly lonely. The good news is I'll be back in 2 1/2 months and get life back on track.

Thank you for the story BlackSheep. I do wonder if we will see them again and I wouldn't mine in the least bit to hear his bark on occasion.

So sorry to hear this Steve. They truly do make our lives better and are a real part of the family. Like Stik said...they give an unconditional love that most of us humans can't match and could learn a lot from.

We had to make this decision with my Jack Russell a few years ago. She had a hard time getting outside and had really bad arthritis, very low quality of life. She was just too stubborn to go on her own. Anyone who has had a Jack Russell knows what I'm talking about As you said...it gets to a point were it's not fair to them for us to keep them. We know they would struggle on just to see us smile and pet them one more time.

I truly hope there is a big dog park up there where they are all playing together and just waiting for us to call there name again.

Sorry to hear of the loss of a loyal friend.

Sorry to hear. They say dogs are your best friends for a reason.

I'm terribly sorry for your loss, Steve.  I know your pain.  They are family.