On Tuesday June 03rd, I had to put down my beautiful Weimaraner, Allie.  I took her home with me when she was just 5 weeks old.  She turned 12 on May 28th.  We knew this time was coming because she was really starting to show her age, but I don't guess we were as prepared as we thought.  I took her in on Monday afternoon and the vet said that her kidneys were shutting down and she only had a few days left.  He suggested that we put her down instead of letting her suffer for those last few days.  Even thou it was the right thing to do, it was the hardest  thing I have ever done in my life.  She was part of our family and we miss her so much.  I have eleven other dogs that have all been rescues, but she was my first.  I can tell that they are grieving over her just as we are, so needless to say we have one very sad home right now.  Any suggestions on how to help me and the other dogs get over this horrible empty spot in our hearts?  Talking about it just seems to make me cry and miss her even more.  It is so hard to go home after work and her not be there.  She always met me at the door wagging her little nubby.  I am constantly looking for her to come around the corner.  Tell me what helps get you thru this horrible ordeal........

First of all sweetheart, I am so sorry for your loss...you made an incredibly unselfish and hard decision to let your beloved furbaby go. You could have kept her alive for your own sake to have more time to say good-bye but you made the most honest and loving decision to let your baby go so that they wouldn't suffer any more. My prayers are with you and the rest of your fur babies.

You will always feel that ache in your heart every time you think of your precious baby...just give it time like most things in life to let the pain subside. Just give your other furbabies tons of love, which I know you probably do and get through your grief by loving and playing with them as much as possible.

Losing my childhood dogs still aches in my heart. But I have wonderful memories of them and I like to believe that one of them is reincarnated in my cat and has come back to me. Because my cat and my childhood dog are so similiar in mannerisms and character. Silly I know and that is the first time I have ever said that out loud.

I'll be thinking and praying for you.

- KC

Thank you so much for your kind words.  I do love all my babies and they have helped ease the pain.  I take one to work with me everyday just for company.  My passion is rescuing dogs from bad places, so that is why I have so many.  I started doing foster care, but ended up falling in love too many times with the babies.  I called them my dirty dozen.  My friends all laugh and call me the crazy Chihuahua lady, because I have six of them.  They are just so loving and loyal.  I have laughed and said that maybe my Allie will come back me as a Chihuahua.

Again, thanks for the comforting words.  It is nice to talk to someone who understands.

PC

God Bless you for rescuing dogs. The more and more I read about the abuse peopel do to their animals...the sadder and angrier I get. I culdn't imagine abusing my baby cat the way some people do. It's people like you who have a no wait in line pass to heaven.

I'm here if you ever need to talk. I am usually in the chatroom. You should come into there some time. Fun group of people! We don't ALWAYS talk about our pets because we do joke around about our every day lives but it really gets your mind off of your loss. So come on in!

- K.C.

 So sorry to hear about Allie. I'm going through the same thing right now. My Collie Mandy had a stroke two weeks ago and she isn't getting any better. She did show some improvement earlier this week which gave us hope but no change since. Our vet has recommended that we put her down but it hurts my heart so bad. How did you muster the strength to make the decision about Allie. Mandy is also old, she's 13 years old and we've had her since she was 6 weeks old. Even in her old age she's still a beautiful dog. I know what has to be done for her and I guess it's selfish on my part to hang on. I have four other dogs but that doesn't make it any easier to let go of Mandy. I hope your heart is healing and my prayers are with you.