My old friend Sarah died today. She had a huge tumor in her spleen - as big as a football. So we made the very, very painful decision to have her put down. My DH - God bless him - had to take me home after I almost passed out at the vet's office. But he went back and stayed with her to the end.

We could have opted for a spleenectomy, an iffy procedure in a dog 14 years old, and then chemo therapy, provided the cancer had not spread. Sarah was not in pain at this time and it was important to me that her quality of life be respected.

Best case scenario, the vet said, was probably 6 to 12 months. But the chemo has terrible side effects.

It broke my heart, but how could I have done otherwise? I owed it to Sarah to write a better, happier last chapter to her life than that.

Goodbye, Sarah - my beautiful yellow Lab and loyal friend.

Oh, I'm so sorry!

I agree with your choice, it wouldn't have been fair, IMHO, to put Sarah through all.

How Long do Dogs Live?

Not Long Enough,

But Forever in Your Heart.

You and yours will be in my thoughts and prayers. My "old woman" is 13 and a half and I can't imagine the day I have to make that kind of choice. I never want mine to hurt either. I'd give you a hug if I could reach you. It's making me cry just trying to write this. I hope God heals your heart in a hurry....

she will never really be gone....always in your heart! You did the right thing for your loyal friend. I have a spaniel/cocker mix who turned 16 last march--and i know when the time comes i will have to do the same...my heart aches for you...remember the best times and celebrate her life!!

Aw Carlene:girl_hug: , I know your pain and emptiness. Try to be comforted by your wonderful memories and that you provided a most loving home for your faithful companion. And TOM has it right, they don't live long enough.

Terri

Sarah and DH about 4 years ago. He was about 265 in this photo - eventually got up to 288....now down to about 213.

Carlene, I am so sorry for you. She was a beautiful lab. I am a lab lover too, I have a chocolate lab named Max. They are such wonderful companions. She was lucky to have lived with someone as loving and caring as you. I am sure it was a hard decision, but you made the best decision for her and it was done out of pure love.

This is a very sad time for you and your husband. My heartfelt condolences.

I had to put down my black lab Jazz 3 years ago. She too had cancer and was failing fast. She was only 10 and it was such a horrible time. I still miss her. But a friend helped to fill the void by bringing me Casey, a beautiful 2 year old yellow lab. I have never had another dog as loyal and loving as a lab and understand you pain and grief. A dear friend sent me the poem below.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.

There is plenty of food, Water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

I'm sorry for your loss, Carlene. I'm sure it was a very difficult decision but you did the right thing for your love.

I too lost my fur baby this week. I lost my 10 year old kitty, Hobbes. He had been ill and was going to be put down on sat, he spared me that decision, I found his body wed morning. I had him creamated. My family is really struggling to deal with the grief right now. He is sorely missed. He was a friend, a companion, a fur baby, and at times a counselor. I understand your pain, for I too have a huge hole in my heart right now. I have to find another cat, my other kitty has never been alone and has searched the house day and night for kitty Hobbes. We went to the shelter today, but my heart wasn't there. I'm not sure if I will ever recover from my loss. I know I will move on, but there will always be a place in my heart for my baby. I hope that you are able to cope, and move on, that is my hope for you and also my family. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. (((hugs)))~Mandy

I too lost my fur baby this week. I lost my 10 year old kitty, Hobbes. He had been ill and was going to be put down on sat, he spared me that decision, I found his body wed morning. I had him creamated. My family is really struggling to deal with the grief right now. He is sorely missed. He was a friend, a companion, a fur baby, and at times a counselor. I understand your pain, for I too have a huge hole in my heart right now. I have to find another cat, my other kitty has never been alone and has searched the house day and night for kitty Hobbes. We went to the shelter today, but my heart wasn't there. I'm not sure if I will ever recover from my loss. I know I will move on, but there will always be a place in my heart for my baby. I hope that you are able to cope, and move on, that is my hope for you and also my family. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. (((hugs)))~Mandy

Thank you, Mandy...and I am sorry for Hobbes, too. I also love kitties, as did Sarah. She nursed several motherless kittens (and one orphaned squirrel). I had a long-haired Siamese named Sue Won who lived to be 17 years old. When her health began to fail, I could not bear to put her down. I held Susie in this world way longer than I should have. We did kitty ICU and IVs and she would be better for a while, then we'd bring her home and in a couple of weeks we would have to start all over. She was almost the million dollar kitty! But it was sooooooo hard on me....and on her. I was willing to let Sarah go sooner, rather than later, as long as she could go gently and without pain (or fear).

That was the decision we had made for my Hobbes, but he and God spared me having to make that happen. I am thankful that my Hobbes didn't suffer at all and Gad allowed him to go in his sleep. My other fur babies are grieving more that I ever imagined them too. We have a Hemi mix and a Boston Terrier. I went back to the shelter that both my fur kitties came from today looking for a borther or sister for my Hemi mix (CoCo) but nothing really stole my heart. The shelter said they are expecting 15 more cats tomorrow, I am going to go back and try again. I think that they had the perfect cat, but my heart isn't ready to accept another one yet. I have to think of my other kitty, he has never been alone, and this is very stressful for him. The vet says that while he is grieving he is more likely to accept another cat, if we wait too long it will harder to introduce anything to the house. My boston will love anything I bring to the house, she even loves the garbage man, now that she understands that he isn't stealing our stuff. My daughter wanted to look at cats today, then when we got to the shelter, she announced that there would never be another Hobbes, truer words never spoken. This is the same child that when I told her Hobbes was gone, the first thing she said was "at least now he isn't sick anymore and he is being a kitty with Jesus now". If any kitty deserved a place in heaven it was my Hobbes. I have to belive both of our fur children are running and playing in endless sun and have everything they ever wanted here on Earth. I know that when my boy crossed over the bridge that he was well again, and that gives me peace. It doesn't end my sorrow but it gives me peace. I hope that your heart heals, and your sorrow is lifted, and that you have peace in your decision. I am sure that your baby is grateful to have been able to move on with diginity and your love. Peace to you, Mandy

The two hardest things I have ever had to do were to decide when to pull the plug on a Human loved one (twice)

And to hold my dog as the vet put him to sleep (3 times).

I cry as I write this.

I am sorry Carlene... she will always be with you...