My dog was put to sleep today :(

[VandaDarkFlame]

She was a 12yo Germany shepherd and was beautiful but unfortunately she had been struggling with her back legs and last night they gave in. The vet came this afternoon and at 3.15 she took her last breath

I feel so lost already and the house is so
quiet. This is the first time in 20+ years that I've not had a dog and it's awful.

[TwistAndShout]

That's so sad vanda. It's the hardest part of dog ownership. It's good that you managed to keep her at home until the end. Thinking of you and sending hugs.

[Slippersandacuppa]

I'm so sorry

Well done for taking such quick action and how lovely that she went at home. A ripe old age and a loving owner - lucky dog.

Doesn't make it any easier though. Big hugs

[DrElizabethPlimpton]

I'm so sorry for you. They have a special place in our hearts and are never forgotten.

[LadyofDunedin]

Hey OP . I just wanted to say I'm with you right now. I said goodbye to my beautiful cocker spaniel this morning after 15 years.

It hurts like hell but it was the right thing. Nothing feels the same; I cried walking past the pet shop tonight. That dog was everything, never put a foot out of line and got me through horrendous things.

It's funny, whenever I've been this upset he's always been here. Silently saying nothing, but here.

I didn't mean this post to be so indulgent. I'm holding your hand and hope you, like me, are the better for having these wonderful animals in our lives

[OttiliaVonBCup]

Sorry to hear about your dog.
An empty house is so sad.
Lots of hugs!

[VandaDarkFlame]

Thanks for your kind replies everyone, it means a lot. There was no way I could have held on, it wouldn't have been fair on her and I had to do what was best for her. She was such a big dog that I couldn't lift her to take her to the vets, it took 4 of us to carry her to their van, but I'm so pleased she was at home till the end.

Lady, I'm so sorry for your loss too she definitely made my life richer, she was an amazing dog. It's funny how everything goes on as normal but everything's changed, if that makes any sense.

[LadyofDunedin]

Vanda , that last sentence is exactly what I've been feeling all day.

It feels like everything's changed. My poor old boy had dementia for a while now, so the real dog... I lost a long time ago. The decision to end it was truly heartbreaking.

I loved the noise of his collar in the morning as he roused ! As much as it annoyed me at 0545!

I think we were both fortunate to have had such gems , for so long.

I'm really sorry for your loss too.

[pieinthesky123]

Just wanted to offer my sympathies to you both. Sounds like you both had amazing dogs and they clearly thought the world of you too. They didn't suffer and were loved very much. They are so much more than pets they are family members.

[villainousbroodmare]

Oh, I am so sad for both of you. :o(
Lucky dogs to be so loved.
Lucky you to have been loved by them.

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

Oh Vanda, and Lady too, so sorry for you.

We lost our old boy in December. He was eleven. Had no idea it would hit me so hard. He was such a brilliant dog. Miss him all the time.

We got our new pup four and a half months after our old boy died. We'd had three months to get used to the idea as we found the breeder just as her dog was pregnant. He's been here six weeks now and he's adorable. I still feel guilty from time to time though for my poor old boy. It never leaves you but it's so lovely to have a dog in the house and be a dog owner again.

Your time will come when you can face it again. In the mean time just let yourselves grieve. It's still such a shock.

Someone told me a new dog never replaces an old dog, but it's testament to how much you loved them that you need that in your life again.

[villainousbroodmare]

Oh dear God, I meant a sad face

[LadyofDunedin]

Thank you for the kind comments. I know I was blessed with the best tempered happy soul. He used to wonder around aimlessly wagging his tail. You could pat him while eating and he would look up adoringly, still wagging his tail.

Would do anything for a custard cream, gave the warmest snuggles and squealed in delight at the sea

Lord knows I'll miss that man!

[VandaDarkFlame]

Villainous I knew what you meant

Lady, it's the little things ill miss as much as anything else. My 2 younger boys were out playing tonight and when they knocked on the door I fully expected to hear ddog barking. And I couldn't watch TV until she settled because she made such a racket lol. SHe was police trained before we got her (she was 4yrs when we got her) so she was very obedient and had a fab nature. I think what is making it hard for me to get my head around is that she wasn't ill, it was just that one half worked and the other half didn't.

Missadorabelle, thank you for such lovely words, I know I can love another dog but like you I think I'd feel guilty

[LadyofDunedin]

I get you , Vanda. My old boys body , heart, organs- like a man half his age! The mind, the dementia - soul destroying.

It is the silly things that are playing on my mind too. My old boy developed a pacing habit as he got disorientated. Damn annoying, but comforting to hear his paws clicking away on the wooden floor.

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

I do feel guilty and then I think don't be silly, I've got a lovely little dog here who deserves a proper start in life, not living in someone else's shadow. Not that he knows that. Perhaps it was too soon, I don't know. But I needed to be a dog owner again. And I still think we were lucky to find Monty. He's lovely and he's come from good stock and he's going to be a beautiful dog when he's all grown up. He's not a replacement, he's our next dog.

Can't wait till he's trained though and I can get him to do what I'm used to Barney being able to do! God that dog was clever. He was utterly reliable. Monty is getting there but he's still full of puppy bonkerishness.

[VandaDarkFlame]

Hopefully this has worked (never added a picture before!) This is Heidi, miss her so much already

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

Aww, she's scrumptious! She looks all fluffy and cuddly.

[VandaDarkFlame]

He sounds fab!

[VandaDarkFlame]

Fluffy she was but cuddly she wasn't! Loved being petted but sadly she wouldn't let anybody cuddle her

[LadyofDunedin]

Beautiful dog, hope you're feeling better today . Here's a pic of my angel too ...

[VandaDarkFlame]

Aw lady he's beautiful, I hope you're ok too

I've been ok today, I've filled up a few times but been to work and fussed their dog, but I've just come home and the empty space hit me again...

[LadyofDunedin]

I know the feeling.. I'm beginning to see the positives today more; long , happy life. His age was a testament to that.. And your lovely dog too. We just have to keep buggaring on !

[confusedandemployed]

for you both. What beautiful dogs.

I have two 12 yr old JRTs and I am grateful for every day that they are still healthy and with me. They have been with me through some very dark days, including the death of my DP (who I got them with). Then through about 15 (yes, 15!) house moves and finally to the birth of my DD 2 years ago, who they accepted with grace and generosity.

I will be utterly, utterly bereft when they go but I hope I will be as brave as you two and put them first when the time comes. You have done the very kindest thing any pet owner can do.

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

I used to hate coming home from the school run in the morning. That was when he'd greet me at the door, I'd grab his lead and we'd head off for our walk.

Bloody hated that empty house then. It does fade with time though.

[LadyofDunedin]

Sorry for your loss confused and hope you have your lovely JRTs for many healthy, happy years.

ms sorry for yours too. I totally hear you on the welcome! Sadly my wee boy has not been in full flow as he was due to the dementia. So my dog left me long before he was PTS.. He had moments of wonder and like the old days, but they got less and less.

When he stopped even wanting a walk it broke my heart. I have had to say the letter 'w' for at least the last 14 years as he clicked on what walk meant!

They really are man (and woman's!!!) best friend.