Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

My dog has been battling cancer for the last 3 months. It has been fast moving, taking his back left leg and now working on the right front. My wife and I made the decision today to take him in tomorrow and have him put down. He has been a part of the family for 12 years. I don't think there is anyway that I can be with him when they do it. Will I regret not being there?

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RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

ron....

I was there when we put my 9.5 yr old lab down...day after Christmas, '06. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I knew it was imminent....and I dug her gravethe day before. I took her for a ride in the truck......a good long one....on the way....and I was there when the vet administered the shot. A grown man.......crying like achild (right along with my vet).

It was peaceful......and I couldn't have NOT been there.

I don't know you from Adam.....but I hate you're having to go through this. God bless.

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

Oh man I hate this part of having a dog!! I've had to put down 2 dogs, both times I did it myself. It was one of the toughest things I've ever done. I too cried like a baby but thats what happens when you love someone or something.

You got to be there for your dog when this goes down, trust me you will regret it if your not. As I'm typing this it brings back the time when I did this very thing, it brings a tear to my eye just thinking about it. Do what you think is right I guess.

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

i had to put my golden down several years ago, seems like yesterday though[&o], but go and know your doing the right thing, very peaceful, i still remeber "dusty" looking up at me as to say thanks for all you have done and taking the suffering away, very peaceful, i still miss her, how could you not after almost 17 years, they'll never be another dog to replace her, she was unique, oh yea we have others now but she'll never be replaced, but always remembered;)


also found this that may help
DOGS DON'T HAVE SOULS, DO THEY?
I remember bringing you home. You were so small and cuddly with your tiny paws and soft fur. You bounced around the room with eyes flashing and ears flopping. Once in a while, you'd let out a little yelp just to let me know this was your territory.
Making a mess of the house and chewing on everything in sight became a passion and when I scolded you, you just put your head down and looked up at me with those innocent eyes as if to say: "I'm sorry, but I'll do it again as soon as you're not watching."
As you got older, you protected me by looking out the window and barking at everyone who walked by. When I had a tough day at work, you would be waiting for me with your tail wagging just to say, "Welcome home. I missed you." You never had a bad day and I could always count on you to be there for me.
When I sat down to read the paper and watch TV, you would hop on my lap looking for attention. You never asked for anything more than to have me pat your head so you could go to sleep with your head over my leg.
As you got older, you moved around more slowly. Then one day, old age finally took its toll, and you couldn't stand on those wobbly legs anymore. I knelt down and patted you lying there, trying to make you young again. You just looked up at me as if to say you were old and tired and that after all these years of not asking for anything, you had to ask me to do one last favor.
With tears in my eyes, I drove you one last time to the vet. One last time you were lying next to me. For some strange reason you were able to stand up in the animal hospital - perhaps it was your sense of pride.
As the vet led you away, you stopped for an instant, turned your head and looked at me as if to say: "Thank you for taking care of me."
I thought, "No - thank YOU for taking care of ME."

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

I send all of my dogs to the rainbow bridge on a river of my tears. I want them to know we will run the woods together again.





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...

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

man i also had to put my retriever down in 06. that was absolutely terrible and i dont know if i want to get another dog for that reason. he had gotten attacked by 2 rottwheilers and had been paralyzed from the ''waist'' down. im sorry you have to go through this but you will regret it if your not there

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

I agree, you need to be there.

One of the hardest things you will ever do

I've been there

Go ahead and cry

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

It certainly is tough, but not only would I be there, I would do it myself. I have put down my NewFoundland "Bear" and my lab "Chelsea". Bear was so sick that I just pet him and talked calmly to him, put the muzzle to the back of his head and ended it. Chelsea's legs gave out so I gave her a big plate of good food and as she ate it happily I ended it. It is more for the dog than for you. They know you and so you can help keep them calm before it happens.

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

I don't care if anyone thinks this is corny, or anything else....but there's aJT song that I thought of when I put Ashley down...

"Well the sun is surely sinking down
But the moon is slowly risin'
So this old world must still be spinnin' 'round
And I still love you.

So close your eyes.
You can close your eyes.
It's alright."

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

That day is approaching for my best buddy. I have two dogs, but my BIG (150#-er and he's not fat) DOG is my "baby." He's very obviously MY dog, and is the gentlest giant of a dog most people will EVER encounter, but unfortunately for him his hips are starting to go. And as he still seems QUITE HAPPY, I know there is soon coming a time when he will not be and his suffering will overcome his generally happy and loving personality. Keep in your heart all of the good memories you have of your "Best Friend," and be happy you were able to enjoy and love him, andremember, what you are doing is an act of love, to end a misery rather than prolong one.

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

You need to be there, you owe it to him. Not to give you a guilt trip but he's been there for you for twelve years. If you think about it a dogs only purpose in life is to bring happiness to you and your family and this is your chance to repay him for all thelove and loyalty that he'sgiven you. Being there is a decision you won't regret.

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

Yeah I think you will regret not being there. As hard as it seems and sounds, it will help you immensely to be there.

Soon as I saw the title of the thread I was afraid that a message like your's followed. God be with you and your family tomorrow. I'm so sorry.

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

My prayers go out to you and your family. I am so sorry to hear about the bad news. It would be really hard to be there for me as well but as like everyone else has said already you owe it to him. He has been there for you through your good and bad times and he really needs you there now cause he will be scared without you.

As I am reading your post and other posts it brings tears in my eyes and I don't want that day to come for me.

Just remember all the good times you had with him and how happy he made you and happy you made him.

I hope all goes well in this hard time!

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

Sorry to hear that. We had to put one of ours down last Winter because of cancer, she was a wonderful dog. She also had Lymes and Arthritis, and a broken hip becasue of the arthritis. It seemd as soon as she got Lymes it was all down hill from there. It was a very sad time for all of us sinc eshe was in the family for 13 years. They are part of the family, they arent just pets. I will send out a little prayer for your dog, and family. I wish you the best.

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

Tough day.

Hang in there.

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

I Feel for you because I've been there, done that. I'd want to be there if I were you.

I don't think you would regret it in the long run.

Dan

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

I feel for you. It will be a tough one. Hang in there though, I'm sure you are doing the right thing.

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

I'd try to be there. Your his best friend and his leader. He'd tell you to be there if dogs could speak English

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

Never easy to loose a family member, 4 legged or 2. We get really attached to our furry friends. I have been there.

You need to be there for the actual event. You will regret it later if you weren't. It will bring things to a close for you.

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

It's a very tough thing to go thru, there is nothing easy about it.
I feel your pain.:(

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

I love dogs. No matter how bad your day is going he is always there to greet you. Tail wagging, with tons of wet sloppy kisses. Dogs never have a bad day. they are just one big ball of furry love. He guards your house and family. He's your best hunting partner.

My dog had cancer as well. We had him put down by the vet. I was not able to be there. I had mixed feelings about it.

I feel your pain and understand your loss. I know words can't make it better. Anyone of us that ever had a dog will share your pain. Focus on all those good memories and you will smile.

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

I am sorry that you are dealing with this!Ourdogs are definitely a big part of our family.

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

My heart goes out to you. One of the hardest things you will ever have to do.
If you can, you should be there. I wasn't for one of our dogs and I have regretted it, I just wasn't strong enough to see it.

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

Tough stuff for sure. I had to put a family friend down once with cancer in his sinus cavities and nose. He was the greatest of pets and friend. I felt like I had stabbed him in the heart when I had to tell the vet to do it. Just broke my heart. I still talk about ole Frank and so does my son. If my wife were still alive she'd tell you the same thing. Frank was special. Probably not to the world, but to his family he was. I'm sorry for what you have to do. Life just really sucks sometimes. My wifes cat, the cat of all cats died this past winter. She was 18. It just broke my heart. I have one more of my wife's cats, but it never like her, it became mine. When it's gone, I'm never having another pet. This one is 16. I'm not having one because of maybe loosing it, it's that I don't want to die and put the damn pet through trama with me gone if the thing outlives me. Now how sick is that.[&:]

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

I wanted to say thank you to all that responded. After reading them, I decided to take the day off and with my wife, we went and I am glad I did. It was hard and even though I tried to stay strong, I cried like a baby. Again thank you all for your responses and support.

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

Don't feel like the lone ranger, Ron. They bring us all to our knees.

I'm glad you made the right decision FOR YOU. Anyone with this much love to give to an animal......needs to think about giving that to another one. I'm sure, in time, you'll want to.

Just remember, though....;)

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

My heart goes out to you. I have been in that situation and it was devestating to our family. In my household and my parents household the pets have been and always will be part of the family. They are just such loving and loyal creatures and I have always a tremendous soft spot when it comes to the family pets, so I wish the best to you and your family!!!

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

My deepest sympathy. We lost our Lab a month ago of 9 years. I did not think we were ready for another but im telling you, our new pup has helped with the greeving tremendsly. highly recomended ;)It cant take the ones place you have now but sure helps dealing with it. Good luck to your family ;)

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

Ron, I'm glad that you went, you wont regret it. My heart goes out to you and your family.

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

I am glad you decided to be there. As I read this thread my eyes welled up. I lost my lab of 11 years this past Dec. I am 51 years old and still cried like a baby. Still to this day when I come home and he's not at the door waiting to fetchI feel an emptiness. So far I am refusing to get another so I don't have to go through that again.

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

Ron,

Sorry foryour loss. Ive been there and its not easy.

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

Nothing wrong when a grown man cries for his best freind. I'd want to be there.

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

brother, im fighting back crying now, never is an easy thing but it was what needed to be done. Ive been there myself, who would think that something like this could break a 6ft3 240# tattooed roughneck but it does. Hang in there tim will heal

RE: Tomorrow will be a hard, sad day
 

I'd be a liar if I said my eyes weren't watering right now. My Australian Shepard / Lab mix (Casey) isn't even 3 years old yet and there are days I get choked up and shed a tear just thinking about the day that he isn't here. As others have said, I have seen my fair share of human death and it just gets shoved aside as part of life with a little mourning. When it comes to dogs though there's just no holding back the tears.

My deepest symapthies and condolences are with you and yours my friend!!!!