Painful experiences

when you get them. You know they won't last but you will treasure the time you have. And at my age, there are no guarantees I'll out last them!

I think of that when my cat is bugging me to brush him. I spend all the time he wants on it.

First time in 30 years we haven't had a dog in the house.
We're going to try and do some traveling and it will be a while before we get another furbaby.
The grand pups are going to have to come over often.

We open the door and just walk in now. We always felt more safe with a giant dog around.

You did all you could for her. I sucks that we outlive them!

We tried. I'm grateful she didn't suffer but I don't know how she must have felt when her body was shutting down at the end.

that dreaded period of loss again. The last time I spent nearly 18 months missing her so much that I'd go on the long hikes/walks we used to do at "off hours" listening to headphones and able to cry or scream if I needed to with no one around. If there were any lurking wildlife, I surely scared them off too.

Eighteen months and then the shelter let me know they had several herding dog mixes--which can sometimes be too energetic and overly "ingenious"/ intelligent for those not accustomed to them--so they often come back. I got my Sophie that way and she's been great (if stubborn as heck... LOL ) But, I was glad they called. This time, I don't know. That hole is hard to fill but even worse to "leave open..." So, I am giving it some thought.

to all who love their pets. The pain of loss is worth the pleasure they bring--we all know--but damn does it hurt.

But still miss them.
Even the howling.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/c9QAmsoAsTW9aTid8

Mine didn't howl but in her later years she sounded like she was going to EAT anyone who came to the door. I thought it was her vision but she was kinda the anxious type

and I know this will get easier. We've had pets for so many years and we had reasons for waiting in between but now we have the time and space to bring some others in so we won't wait too long.

With these last two, we gave them a good home and I told them I loved them every day!

We've been with the same vet for 20+ years. I'm pretty sure we put his daughter through college.

It is THE WORST! Especially those last wags of the tail!

I felt bad leaving her but the doctor said visits were good for them.

feeling you have is the surest sign of how much she was loved and what a happy life you gave her. I hope having your son home will bring some comfort. So sorry.

also, no one to keep the kitchen floor clean, ha ha

It's just the strangest feeling to have them and then bam, not

the floors crumb free. My kids called it barkkuming It does feel so strange that they are just gone. It really hurts. ☹️

that's a cute way of putting it

What a good life your dog must have had with such loving owners as you. May you all have peace and comfort as you cherish the memories. 🍖 🐕 🥎 🏞

They had health issues when we first rescued them but they were such good dogs and absolutely healthy until this year!

Thank you. I know this forum understands!

SO hard to loose a beloved fur family member. So hard. Dogs have such an impact on us personally and on the family unit as a whole. Sweet memories.

I check the animal rescue pages, too, because I miss my Zeus so much. Not ready …. yet.

I took the loss earlier this year pretty hard (he was my shadow) but we still had our other dog to spoil.

Sorry for your loss too!

A friend once said God is cruel when he decided owners should outlive their fur children

even my neighbor's dog that I took care of when they went out of town passed this year and she had lived through a couple sets of our dogs! Someone has been greedy with the losses this year

My heart hurts but my head knows this is the way it is, and I will have dogs to love again. And I am grateful for all the ones I've had and lost.

It's gut-wrenching. We lost so far, two of our 18-year doggies and the third one is on the way out too. So we are spoiling her as much as we can, knowing that that day is coming. The pain is everyday w/ us, watching our 3rd baby go down slowly. But we are trying our best to keep her happy, feed her treats, etc.

It's hard. It's going to take a while too for us to get another friend (or friends) for the house. But I think (maybe) that if we run across another strays (that's what our 3 were), we will adopt them too, can't bear to see animals in stress.

For now, we're just bearing the pain for now, and trying to keep our 3rd baby happy. I think that that would be what our 3 babies would want.

I know you are making a good life for her!

she was a sweetie in a fierce looking fur coat

Sorry for your loss. You gave her a good life and you have the memories to keep. In the end that's all there is.

So many pictures!

After the holidays, I'm going to work on a photo book of her and her brother when I can look with happiness and not sadness

...we will outlive them, but we do it anyway because life is so much better with them than without them.

The joy outweighs the sadness for sure

I never understood how they can be so happy all the time, happy to see us, happy to roll over and demand belly rubs, happy to climb into your lap when you are on the couch

and send peace and comfort to her grieving loved ones.


I am so very sorry for the loss of your precious girl.

It helps to know people understand

Nothing hurts as when our beloved companions depart for the Rainbow Bridge.

Peace and healing to you & your family.

I'm a pretty happy person in general (election & politics/healthcare aside) so this terrible gut pain is not the norm for me. But I have loved and lost dogs before and I will again.