My wife and I have had several dogs in the seventeen years we've been married. everyone a member of our family. The pain of losing one is excrutiating and the feeling never goes away. However, the feeling of loss is replaced gradually with the stronger good memories of the companionship and good times. I have always had working breeds, Labs and Sheppards and there is no better life for a dog than being a companion. They live to please. I believe that everyone is allowed to have one exceptional dog in their lifetime. I have had two, I am far luckier than I ought to be.
I watch my son and his Lab now and see the same relationship I treasure. Dogs teach us in a way that no other relationship can; unwavering love, absolute understanding and forgiveness. I will never be able to lose one without losing a part of myself.
I understand exactly whatevery one of you has said and I agree with all of my being. My heart goes to you for your loss, treasure the time you had. Many people will never know that and I feel for them.
Even if I had a choice, I wouldn't choose a different path.
I still love that prayer "God, help me to be half the person my dog thinks I am."
My condolences.
Kurt

I would like to offer my condolences as well. Tough business this dieing stuff.

My Vizsla of 4 1/2, Nala, is dieing of lymphoma, she's the sweetest, most fun dog I have ever had.
The day is coming, I am dreading it. That poem was really good but made me sad.

I aslo wish we had more time.

Love them like there is no tomorrow.

MTS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkL9PoOA ... re=related

Guarantee this will bring a tear to your eye...

Gump

lancef53 wrote:Not a good day today, I watched my yellow lab take his last breath. He would have been 9 on new years, so it was a little sooner than I was expecting.

I'll miss you, Jake.

I'm sorry for your loss. I'd give away my airplane or my guns before I would give up my dogs. Remember that the reason you're hurting is because he was truly great!

I'm going to go sit on the front porch with Einstein and Potato Head right now! I'll look at the stars, pat their heads, listen to their tails thump on the porch floor, and let myself succumb to the sense of peace and calm that in recent years only then have been able to provide.

Someday when they are gone, I'll look back on those moments and I hope I will be able to relive the feelings of acceptance, trust, loyalty, and belonging. I hope you can do the same.

I've had chocolate labs for over 35 years now. As a result, I've had to put a few down. It's never easy saying goodbye to one of the family. I always try to remember the good times I had with Dee, Katie, Sam..... They become like your kids......if they could only live as long as people.but they don't. The best way to get over losing a wonderful dog is to take your time do your grieving and then, while still fondly remembering you last dog.........get another one to carry on!!!!! It works. there's nothing like a lab puppy licking your face and tearing up your socks and everything else in the house. I remember each and every one of em and can laugh and cry about each. And, yes I now have two choc labs and a bumper sticker on my truck that says, "My child sleeps on the floor and retrieves ducks!"

My condolences to you Ken. I know how you are feeling. However, in a few months go and look at some pups. You won't regret it.

pat

I lost Sam a black Belgian Shepard when I was very young 8 years old. It broke my heart and I couldn't bring myself to have another dog. Then when
my son turned 8 he wanted a dog and we got Fuzzy a Black Lab - Irish setter mix. Fuzzy had a rap sheet longer than Al Capone. He could not be confined and got busted every time he went galvanting around. He lived to be 16 years old and I was told he needed to be let go. I told the Dr. I needed the night to think it over. Fuzzy passed on that night saving me from the decision I had made to let him go.
It is difficult but remember the fun times and tell the good stories of a friends lifetime
My sincere condolences on your loss of a dear friend.

My condolences...

Condolences

Just thinking about my former black lab (sammy) makes my eyes get wet. One day I was driving back from town and saw this strange dog. I stopped and called to the dog. It came over and smelled me. With its tail wagging it jumped in my car. Keep in mind it never barked at all. So I took it home and set out a bowl of water and dog food. It ate and drank After a while it decided to bark! It was a hound. After checking with all the neighbors I took it to the pound. I know I know now it is really dumb. You must keep in mind my next door neighbor has 6 bear hounds.

Lance,

I'm very sorry for your loss. We have an Akita/Lab mix named Esther. I'm looking forward to her being my co-pilot when I get my license.

I've lost several dogs over the years. I know it is a hard thing to go through.

Blessings,

Mark

I was in my mid-teens when I was working as an intern at a vet clinic.
My Dad brought our St. Bernard in during the day, and she was gone by night. Cancer.
She lasted almost 12 years, which Doc Morrow thought was pretty darned good for her breed. Still hurt, though.

Velojym, 12 years old for a St. Bernard is terrific. We had one that was 8 and I thought that was pretty good. Had a Golden Retriever that lived to 14...that dog spoke english...you could tell him to go get a Coors Light out of a bucket full of assorted beers and he would do it every time. Got a Newfoundland now...causes an eclipse everytime she sits down in front of you.

Best Regards

I have had St Bernards for most of my life.... great dogs but the breed is only150 or so years old so genetically the heart needs 50 or so more generations to grow to the proper size for the breed. The last one got a nerve root tumor in his spine, at 5 years.... The only thing I can add is they don't live long enough....


I feel your pain brother..


ben

Dogs In Heaven?

An old man and his dog were walking down this dirt road with fences on both sides, they came to a gate in the fence and looked in, it was nice grassy, woody areas, just what a 'huntin' dog and man would like, but, it had a sign saying 'no trespassing' so they walked on. They came to a beautiful gate with a person in white robes standing there. "Welcome to Heaven" he said. The old man was happy and started in with his dog following him. The gatekeeper stopped him. "Dogs aren't allowed, I'm sorry but he can't come with you."

"What kind of Heaven won't allow dogs? If he can't come in, then I will stay out with him. He's been my faithful companion all his life, I can't desert him now."

"Suit yourself, but I have to warn you, the Devil's on this road and he'll try to sweet talk you into his area, he'll promise you anything, but the dog can't go there either. If you won't leave the dog, you'll spend Eternity on this road."

So the old man and dog went on. They came to a rundown fence with a gap in it, no gate, just a hole. Another old man was inside. "S'cuse me Sir, my dog and I are getting mighty tired, mind if we come in and sit in the shade for awhile?"

"Of course, there's some cold water under that tree over there. Make yourselves comfortable"

"You're sure my dog can come in? The man down the road said dogs weren't allowed anywhere."

"Would you come in if you had to leave the dog?"

"No sir, that's why I didn't go to Heaven, he said the dog couldn't come in.
We'll be spending Eternity on this road, and a glass of cold water and some shade would be mighty fine right about now. But, I won't come in if my buddy here can't come too, and that's final."

The man smiled a big smile and said "Welcome to Heaven."

"You mean this is Heaven? Dogs ARE allowed? How come that fellow down the road said they weren't?"

"That was the Devil and he gets all the people who are willing to give up a life long companion for a comfortable place to stay. They soon find out their mistake, but then it's too late. The dogs come here, the fickle people stay there. GOD wouldn't allow dogs to be banned from Heaven. After all, HE created them to be man's companions in life, why would he separate them in death?"

Author Unknown

Thanks for all the replies, in the nine months since Jake died, we got ourselves a new dog, a golden retriever. He is 100% puppy, his feet are way to big for his body, he is not the sharpest tool in the shed, but the kids and I like him just fine. My 4 year old boy likes to pretend he is a power ranger, and he and Sammy(the dog) run around have play fights--it is quite funny to watch.

Funny how the mind works, I still think about Jake every day. We just started harvest this week, and it was his favorite time of year--the combine cab was the perfect lookout for him to spot rabbits from. I know he spent thousands of hours in the combine, as soon we would get to the shop in the morning during harvest, he would crawl up on the combine, and wait on the platform while we serviced it for the day.

Lance

Glad to hear you got a new buddy. Ridein' the combine - that ought to be great! As good as flying with him. Hope you have many years with Sammy!

I had to put my 4 year old Viszla Nala down on my Birthday last December due to complications with cancer. Hardest thing I have ever done.

My Mom sent me this. I don't know why exactly but it made me feel very happy about dogs.

**Edited**

Thought you'd find this interesting. Talk about animal intelligence and bonding with humans!
Remember that they can't do a lot of things for themselves and that they depend on you to make their life a quality life!
A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS.........

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
~Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them.
Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters

Wow, That was a powerful post. Thanks for sharing it

Mathew Sharp wrote:I had to put my 4 year old Viszla Nala down on my Birthday last December due to complications with cancer. Hardest thing I have ever done.

My Mom sent me this. I don't know why exactly but it made me feel very happy about dogs.



The K9 above is Brutus, a military K9 at McChord
.
.
..

First, it always makes me sad when people have to put their dog down.

Second, I saw the name "hoax-slayer" in the url for the image, so I looked it up. The story is reported as a hoax on all of the common sites that expose hoaxes, including, of course, hoax-slayer.com from which the image came.

So, given the image URL that you posted, I don't see how you could not know it was a hoax. I find it irritating that some people create these false stories when there are true stories that are even more compelling and fascinating. If anyone feels the need to post a hoax, please identify it as such.

lancef53 wrote:Not a good day today, I watched my yellow lab take his last breath. He would have been 9 on new years, so it was a little sooner than I was expecting.

I'll miss you, Jake.

Add my heartfelt regret and know that many of us understand your pain. Our first Lab, a black female, gave us nearly ten years of happiness. The kids named her Dolly as we were bringing her home as a 6 week old pup.

She had to be put down as she was dying of numerous tumors. I could not watch as my friend eased her from this life. Afterward I saw the friend step outside, light up a cigarette and wipe tears from his eyes.

My heart was empty for nearly a year. Then my wife gave me a baby ,yellow lab only 5 weeks old. She immedietly filled my heart with joy and has been the most wonderful friend and family member. Molly was 13 last May and has terrible arthritus. She can hardly walk and is nearly deaf but her heart is young....she still gets up to greet us, wags her tail and perks up her ears when we come into view. She loves us as she always has.

When it is her time to go.....it will be terrible. But I plan on getting a new puppy the very next day. Can't go through that terrible mourning for a year again.

We have a pet cemetary next to my garden, down in the valley. Dolly is there and our old beagle Sugar. I often think of making my final resting place next to them....by my beloved garden.

Take care my friend!

Bob

Lance I feel for you. Earlier this year I lost my black lab, Barkley. He was 12 1/2 and I had him from 8 weeks. He was my best pal and I loved him. My next door neighbors probably wonder why I pet their yellow and black labs so much. Big old lab heads are the best.