OT-Getting over that awful feeling.

[wisnieea]

I am so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is when you must say goodbye to an old friend. I agree with the other posters, you did the right thing.

My 1 year old cats both have Feline Infectious Peretinitis which almost took the life of Garfunkel (the runt) when he was only three months old. We didnt know they had this disease when we adopted them.

Its a very complicated disease and little is known about it. The thumbnail version is that one day they might just get very sick and die. Some cats survive months and some many years. I cannot imagine losing them any they have only been a part of my life for one year.

Pets really do become a part of your family and it is never easy losing them, especially when the decision is in your hands. Rest easy knowing that your beautiful dog is resting peacefully. Try to think of how blessed you are to have had her in your life for so many years.

I wish you all the best, and to everyone else suffering from the lose of a best friend.

 

[abirdd]

The little one has grown up we surmise, she is taking on traits of Cognac. Barking at noises, patrolling the house every few hours at night or just all around more protective. Gone seems to be, my forever one year old goofy puppy. I figure she thinks she needs to step up to the next level and take over where the old girl left off. Sad to see her change but I guess that is nature.

Animals all grieve differently - but I've noticed dogs seem more sensitive to change. In our case, one of the pups usually steps up into the new role; especially if the alpha figure is the one who's gone. As sad as it sounds, Dakota is already starting to realize Cognac is not coming home; and those personality traits you love will start to resurface once she figures everything out.

 

[tone.def]

I jsut put my 19 year old cat down tonight.

 

[retiredkid]

For all of us who have lost our 'fur babies', this always makes me shed a tear, then smile. I hope it makes some feel better.


Rainbow Bridge

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....

Author unknown...

 

[rodeo65]

So sorry for your loss. I'm glad Rainbow Bridge was posted. I was going to post it myself, it helped a lot when we had to put our (my) first, before DH, kids or any other responsibilities dog down.

As far as your question about your remaining dog...we had two when we lost our first. The remaining dog was 7 when the first died and we had just had DS five weeks earlier. She became very subdued and slept a lot. Her whole life had changed going from having a best bud and people attention to having no bud and almost no attention in those first few weeks. By the time I became aware of how lethargic she was, weeks had passed and we thought she was just getting older. I really didn't think about her grief. I was so wrapped up in a colicky baby and sleep deprivation that my brain just didn't go there.

Finally when she was 9 and we had two kids that were annoying her to no end we decided it was time to get another dog to take the kid pressure off of the poor girl. From the minute we brought that puppy home she did a complete 180. She was a puppy again too. She played, she ran, she played some more. She bossed (it was her turn to be alpha), she helped train and when he outgrew her by 70 lbs, she kept on playing.

Now she is 14 closing on 15; deaf, mostly blind and does sleep quite a lot - but she still loves to hang off Dash's beard, attack his paws and play tug of war with him. He even lets her pull him a few inches in good sportsmanship. There are starting to be some bladder control issues and I know we, if lucky have her for another year or so. I think after that we will get another friend for Dash. I strongly believe in dog pairings now. Plus it's DD's turn to choose and name a puppy.

I don't know if another dog is in your plans, but it really did make a huge change in our grieving dog and gave her a much better quality of life in her advancing years. The fact that your remaining dog is so young, would make it easier for you in terms of cycles. We will have about an eight year old when Marlie has to go so maybe at that point adopting an older dog closer in age would be more appropriate.