It's never easy to lose a family member like that, my condolences

I'm very sorry for your loss... I lost my dog a few years ago... I picked up three more and a rabbit. That dog was the best though...She will always be in my heart.

We lost two of our old girls a year ago this past spring. Took some time to get over it.
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. Time helps, however a new friend works best.
When you are ready there are plenty of great dogs in shelters and at rescues.
It took us three months to take in another.
The soreness is gone but the memories remain.

Peace to you and yours.

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It just figures, now that I am old and wise enough to stop and smell the roses, I would lose my sense of smell.

I did not read all the posts but, I always still think of the dogs I have lost.
Ace, rottwieller...Alamo, Rottwieller and Stella a rescue rott/pit mix.

Lot's of memories, laughs, love, loyalty and love. I fostered for a while and soon will adopt another.

Point is... like everyone else here, we share and feel the pain and heartbreak.

Just remember your sweet buddy had a great life, was loved and blessed to have you and your family. RIP old faithfull friend.

I have the deepest sympathy for anyone that has lost a four legged companion.

We recently lost our 18-19 year old Pomeranian mix.

She could no longer see. She could not hear. She could no longer bark or wag her tail. She had a terrible back. All her limbs were askew, probably due to worn out joints.

One morning my wife said "You must see the dog, she is having a big problem." Her back leg was sticking out to the side and flapping back and forth as she frantically tried to run back and forth on three legs. Then she would stop and bite her foot, pulling at it vigorously.

We thought, this is it. We must get her put to sleep. I mean, she can't see or hear, she's dragging one back leg and she can no longer bark or wag her tail.

So we did. We took her to the vet thinking it was time. It would be over quick. NOT! We have been heartbroken ever since. It's just awful. And we did it.

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Buck

K3 DL1000

K5 VN1600A

I havnt made a post here in years but Id like to let you know how sorry I am and how deeply I share your feelings. I put down my beloved dog Maytag, a red wrinkly pitbull and shar-pei mix in april of 2007. She was my faithful friend for over a decade. After spending thousands trying to fight mammary chain cancer my vet finally told me we were simply not going to win the battle. She had years left in her but the cancer had other plans. I had a few weeks with her after her last batch of surgeries and then the time came to let her go. Its been five years now and it seems like yesterday. The day that my ex and I decided would be her last day was spent sharing a big steak with her( years of her begging at the grill never got her any scraps-I loved her enough to keep her off people food... but that day she got to share a big porterhouse with me...bite for bite..she was so happy!there were poodles of drool in the kitchen!) and walking her and taking her for a long car ride. she loved to go bye bye. It was hard to take her to the vets office that day because she loved going to there and was always so happy to be there and such a good patient. It was heartbreaking to see how happy she was to go to the place where her life would end. My vet let me sit on the floor with her in my lap rubbing her ears until she fell asleep. She loved having her daddy rub her ears. She fell asleep and started snoring and the vet administered the two shots that took her from me. She was the first dog I had owned in my adult life and i was simply not prepared for the pain of losing her. I felt empty and to be honest I cried like a baby. There were days it seemed the pain was unbareable. I swore id never have another dog. I would never go through this pain again. I couldnt. I was done with dogs.
About a year later a friend was going through a divorce and her husband had a beautiful brindle pitbull named Karma that he left when he moved out. Her husband had been very hard on the dog and she obviously didnt like men and could be a little aggressive. The friend told me and my ex she was afraid of Karma and was taking the dog to the pound. I told her that would be ridiculous to let such a good looking dog get put down. Our county has a no wait policy on pits-they put them down immediately. That seemed a piss poor way for a dog to go just because her owned turned his back onher and left her where she was not wanted. I offered to take her. I will never forget the day I walked Karma home. Even though I had met her a few times she could still seem a little sketchy when we would see her being walked around our block or the few times we had been to their home. She was well behaved on a walk but you could tell ifyou got to close toher she might bite you in the ass. Now that i was on the other end of her leash she acted a little different. She seemed to know I had saved her ass and we bonded quickly. First couple days were a little weird but by the end of the first week she had dropped her attitude and figured out she was finally in a kind and loving enviroment and she could drop the bad dog act.Having her in my life was the beginning of the end of my mourning. I still missed Maytag and always will...In fact her ashes are only a few feet from me and her collar still sits with her picture on my dresser. But coming home to a cold wet nose and a happy wagging tail was the only thing that made me feel complete again. Karma was about four when I got her and that was in 2008. So shes about 8 now and her jet black muzzle now has quite a bit of grey on it. I know one day my heart will be broken again but ive decided its well worth it. The unconditional love that dogs give us just isnt like the love we get from humans. Our dogs need us and they love us no matter what.
As soon as youre ready please let another dog into your life and that will heal your heart. There are so many dogs that need you and one day youll find one of them. Your new friend will fill that hole thats in your heart. Youll feel that unconditional love again. Youll never forget your loving companion but having a new one lets you look back on the happy times and forget the bad days of the end. When we as people meet our ends I beleive the creatures we have loved and taken care of will be waiting for us. Even though they went to the other side before us they are still waiting faithfully by the door to see us again. tails wagging. nose cold and wet. eyes bright and full of life.


I hope you feel better soon my friend.

Rusty

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2007 Suzuki V-Strom 1000
2006 Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa
2001 Honda VFR800 Interceptor
2000 Suzuki TL1000R
1977 Suzuki GS550

I want to thank all of you all of you for the kind words. I think it's awesome that a bunch total strangers came together to help me out. I do miss Brutus he was my best friend. When I do get another dog I will get get one a rescue dog.

You really nailed it, Rusty.....wow - got a bit choked up.

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"Side effects may include: Mild kidney explosions...Testicular cranberrying... And Rectal hallucinations."

Every day, without fail, I hug this dog and say "Thank you, God, for this gift we have named Louis. We love and appreciate him every day. He's a good dog."