My collie was put to sleep today

[Purplehonesty]

She was 14 and had got very stiff and had trouble getting up in the mornings. She would eat her breakfast and then immediately poo while she lay there.
We've been thinking about it for a while as she didn't go out much anymore and if she did she would lie down in the cold.
Well this morning she didn't come back in after breakfast and when I went to look for her I found her stuck in the stream. She was freezing cold and couldn't walk. We wrapped her in towels and laid her in front of the fire and called the vet.
They saw her straightaway and put her to sleep. Said it was for the best.
Now I have to tell my 5yo ds when I fetch him from school and I can't stop crying.
I keep thinking about her as a pup and then the day we got her a puppy and she was so proud like a mother dog!
I've been so busy the last few years with my young family and feel guilty I didn't spend more time with her.
Anyway. Just needed to write that down.

[LaurieFairyCake]

I'm so sorry for your loss

I've got the same happening this evening, my lovely 14 year old is off to the vets. Also pooing while eating and has cancer.

Just like you today I'm thinking about when he was young and bouncy and full of energy and I'm so sad at how quickly he's aged.

It's just so heartbreaking. You were with her while she went, she went in front of the fire surrounded by love - it's just the best death possible.

Be kind to yourself today - I'm just going to cry all day and drink tea.

[AlphaBravoHenryFoxtons]

Aww. I'm so sorry.

It sounds as though she had a long and very happy life as a much loved member of your family. You shouldn't feel guilty about not spending time with her as your family expanded she benefitted from the attention from your children.

I hope your 5 yr old will be OK.

[Purplehonesty]

Oh Laurie. Hope it goes ok tonight i'm sorry for you.
Maybe they will meet up tonight for a game of chase
I'm sat in the car waiting for ds from school and I can't stop crying. I think I will have to get one of the other mums to go get him!

[AlphaBravoHenryFoxtons]

Laurie Sorry about your dog too.

[Tootyfilou]

So sorry for you both x

[JoffreyBaratheon]

Sorry to both of you losing your dogs today. xxx

Lost my 14 year old in September - it is beyond awful but still... a price worth paying for all the love and happiness our beautiful, old doggies brought us and our families.

[Purplehonesty]

Well my children have cried and asked questions. Ds fetched one of his teddies for our other dog (who is miserable) and cuddled him. I heard him explaining that ddog had gone to heaven and that he was sad too. Very sweet.
I have cried a whole bucket of tears despite promising I wouldn't cry in front of the dc!

[frostyfingers]

I'm so sorry - I've just lost my pony so know exactly how you feel. Not much advice really except don't feel "silly" about crying, and be kind to yourselves - it's very hard, especially at the beginning.

[brunette123]

So sorry for you both sending you love and hugs - lost one of my dogs last year and the second this year and I cried buckets - even get choked at times now but do have another dog. It is natural to grieve - they are not just pets they are part of the family. Remember what a good life you gave them and how loved they were and that letting them go is the hardest but most real sign of being such a responsible owner. Take care of yourselves.

[atonofwashing]

I am sorry too.
It's a hellish time for everyone.
(((Hugs))).
Take care of yourselves. We are 3 weeks in with no doggy, so I know how u feel.
Xx

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

Me too.

Almost three weeks for us.

We've got to go and collect his ashes tomorrow. I was in tears trying to tell dh, I'll probably sob at the vets too.

Go easy on yourself. Grieving takes time.

(((hugs)))

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

No, two weeks, not three weeks. God I can't even type tonight.

[Purplehonesty]

Oh I'm sorry. I hope you will be ok going to fetch him.
Dd (2) was very upset today as our other dog went to get a haircut and wash and she thought he wasn't coming back either. She sobbed until he came home!

[wickedlazy]

Didn't want to read and run, sorry for your loss. Loosing a pet is devastating, on par with loosing a family member.

[atonofwashing]

Ms adoraelle, I just collected ddogs ashes this afternoon. I had a little cry, especially when I opened up the sympathy card from the company who cremated her. Her ashes have been placed in a lovely bag and I asked for a wooden box with a picture frame on the lid so we can put a lovely pic of her on it. It took 3 weeks. Is that a long time, do u think? Still, it's nice to have her back for Christmas.

Do u get the chance to get a small box or something for ddogs ashes?


Purplehonesty, hope u are all starting to feel a bit better.

And, yes it is on par with losing a family member, as an animal lover. Think I've cried more over rabbits, cats,dogs and the odd horse, more than any human!

[flyinghogfish]

I am so sorry to hear that, I my collie was pts exactly a week ago, he was 16, crippled with arthritis, almost blind and deaf. Funnily enough he was the same as your dear dog, wanted to be outside all the time, it must be a collie thing I guess.
It is a massive shock saying goodbye to your dear and loyal friend, but please take comfort in the fact that the suffering has ended. Colllies love to run and play and do tricks for treats. We suddenly realised our dog hadn't done that for a while, so we decided it was time to go :(
This past week has been bloody hard, I won't deny it! And we got a call from the vet today to tell us his ashes were back, my husband went to pick them up, and he is now tucked up in his bed and blanket waiting for the perfect day to scatter his ashes in his favourite spot. It may sound daft but now we all know he is home where he should be it has made it feel a bit better. We all had to pop out earlier, so I told him in a cheery voice to guard the house (we always used to say this to him) and instead of tears all round it was misty eyes and little smiles
Sorry to ramble on, but I totally understand how you are feeling and am here if you need to talk xx

[flyinghogfish]

Laurie - sending a hug xx

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

Well we've tucked old boys ashes in a drawer beside our bed. They are in a lovely woven pouch. He's upstairs, out of the way of the kids, tucked up in the corner of the room like he always used to be. He's home.

Laurie, Purple, will you have ashes or will your pooches be buried at home?

flying, atonofwashing, still thinking of you.