My dog died today

[dylbert]

Sorry for your loss, our household has empathy for you and your family. We had our 13-1/2 YO Catahoula Cur dog, Muffin, euthanized last Monday. She had fought off several problems in last year. However, Cushing's Syndrome, mild strokes, and brain cancer had taken their collective toll on her body and soul.

It is giant adjustment when you lose member of your family. I drove by place where we found her in summer of 1996 and smiled. Unfortunately, someone had turned her out when they dropped off their trash in dumpster at my wife's then-place of business. She lived under delivery van for several days until she came home with us. It was wonderful 13-1/2 years, too. Sweetest, kindest dog I ever owned.

Also, you must deal with grief of surviving dog. Our 2-1/2 YO Australian Cattle Dog (aka Blue Heeler) has been lost without her friend and mentor. She has been keeping watch by entry door to our house. Some extra attention and a new chew toy have eased her pain.

RIP Tippy and RIP Muffin

[cabvmd]

sorry Spyder, I lost my heart dog Duncan 2 years ago, he was 12yo and cancer as well. The dog on my avatar is his nephew, not the same, but a good guy too. As a veterinarian I am called upon my duty to relieve suffering and it is always hard. When it is one of my own pets, that is event tougher, but we can not let our friends that give un-conditional love to us all their lives ever live longer than they should if it means they are in pain that they can not tunderstand.

Best to you , remember the fun times with this dog and remember all animals go to a good place because they are not mean or vengeful or have any of these "human '" traits that are not so since.

[somerfrost]

So sorry for your loss! I lost my long-time friend, Skippy, on April 10th this year. Still think about him every day...went to the shelter and adopted Harley that same day, not as a replacement but as company.
Blessed be!

[ddthetide]

sorry spydee hang in there. we went through it a couple years ago. you don't realize how attached you get to your pets until you have to make a decision like that. it gets better with time and something will happen that triggers a memory that will make you smile about your lost friend.

[pgiaco]

Sorry for your loss Spyder. Always very difficult to lose a friend after so many years. Dogs seem like they are around forever, but they are gone way too soon. Hang in there, it does get better.

[ninetoone]

Sorry for your loss.

[Unstable]

Scott,

Sorry for your loss.

I think that everyone who has written has experienced some similar loss and can share your feelings in some small way.

It probably doesn't make much difference right now.

Dogs, more than any other pets, help reflect our better selves. When we lose them, we lose a little of our knowledge of who we are. We can recover, but there will always be that small scar of loss. I can now remember the ones I have lost with pleasure and gratitude, but there is always that little ache, too.

Take care.

[TheSpyder]

Thanks to all for your kind words. What started as an exercise in therapy to write that note, turned into an outpouring of great support from the friends on this site. Some of you I have met, many I have not. Still, it's time like these that make the usefulness of Derby Trail, and the web in general, so remarkable.

Thank you very much,

Scott

[2MinsToPost]

When I picked Duke up and layed him on that table it was a hard, hard goodbye. But, with time as it has been sayed, it heals those wounds you know doubt suffer.

Cherish the good memories and as each day comes and goes it gets easier. So tough to make the call, I understand.