I had to put my English Pointer to sleep last September. Her name was Belle and she was just 1 week shy of her 13th birthday. Even though I have another Pointer, Abraham, its been very sad and lonely without her. I volunteer at the local animal shelter, and have been watching an Australian shepherd mix for the last few weeks. I finally broke down and brought him home for a weekend sleepover. Of course it only took 24 hours to decide to keep him, so everyone, meet Isaac.....

(The second collage is Belle...still miss my sweet girl)

My dearest buddy while I was a stay at home mom was a huge and very handsome orange striped cat. He lived with us for 13 years and gave us so much joy and tender memories. We used to joke that he and my daughter were twins because we adopted him about the same time she was born. A part of me died when we had to put him to sleep after he was diagnosed with liver cancer. We've had three cats since him, but it's never been the same. I swear, when I cross to the other side that cat will be there to greet me at heaven's door.

Ugh it's so hard. I joke that it's easier to loose family. I had to put down my gelding 2 years ago at 35. I had him since I was 4 years old. I had to take some time off work I was so sad. Now my toy Aussie Tamales kidneys are failing he's 15. And I keep promising to put him down and not let him suffer... But im a big ol chicken. Bock Bock

We lost our magnificent, beautiful sweetheart doggie unexpectedly a month ago. I still can't talk about it.

It's brutal.

I'm sorry for your loss. They mean so much to us.

My dearest buddy while I was a stay at home mom was a huge and very handsome orange striped cat. He lived with us for 13 years and gave us so much joy and tender memories. We used to joke that he and my daughter were twins because we adopted him about the same time she was born. A part of me died when we had to put him to sleep after he was diagnosed with liver cancer. We've had three cats since him, but it's never been the same. I swear, when I cross to the other side that cat will be there to greet me at heaven's door.

I'm sorry for you loss. I'm sure he's at heaven's door waiting.

Ugh it's so hard. I joke that it's easier to loose family. I had to put down my gelding 2 years ago at 35. I had him since I was 4 years old. I had to take some time off work I was so sad. Now my toy Aussie Tamales kidneys are failing he's 15. And I keep promising to put him down and not let him suffer... But im a big ol chicken. Bock Bock

I wish they could all live as long as us but their fire burns fast and bright. You'll know when the time is right.

Ugh it's so hard. I joke that it's easier to loose family. I had to put down my gelding 2 years ago at 35. I had him since I was 4 years old. I had to take some time off work I was so sad. Now my toy Aussie Tamales kidneys are failing he's 15. And I keep promising to put him down and not let him suffer... But im a big ol chicken. Bock Bock

Oh boy, putting a horse down is a whole other story. It's hard to explain if you don't have horses, but it's a different kind of relationship than with our dogs and cats. Perhaps it's because we literally trust them with our own lives every time we ride.

And I'm sorry about your Aussie. Kidney failure is awful and not something that can be "fixed". But 15...that's great!

I'm so sorry for your loss, but happy you rescued another to love. He's adorable! He's lucky to have you This is my Basset Hound, Daisy. We have 3 Bassets actually, and I love them all to the moon and back, but Daisy is really special to me because my husband had gotten her for me as a pup because he felt I needed something to occupy my time because I had just lost my mom and was taking it really hard. Taking care of a new puppy was just what I needed! Now she's all grown up, and as naughty as ever!

And for all of you who believe we'll see our dear babies in heaven, we are another day closer to seeing them! Always look forward!

All beautiful dogs! So sorry for your loss.....it's never easy. I love my pets like that, too. They are family. I still miss my little Shih Tzu Rosie, who has been gone almost 8 years. I agree, we'll see them in heaven.

This is a sad thread...but also an uplifting one!! I love seeing all the fur babies!!!

I lost my kitty Cat of 15 years in September, and that was not easy they spend so much time with us. We remember her every day, and right after she passed we rescued 3 dogs! two pups and their Mamma to add to our collection of 2 other adopted kitty Cats.

Here are a few photo's

I love this thread! Keep your pics of your beloved babies coming!

To all you I'm so sorry for your losses. I dread the day when my fur babies are old and can no longer continue. I have 2 little dogs, (1 adopted) and 2 adopted cats. My Zsa-Zsa is a Havanoodle--1/2 Havanese and 1/2 Poodle. My Shadow is a Pohuahua--1/2 Pomeranian and 1/2 Chihuahua. I have two adopted kitties, soon to be 1 year old. Sonnie is a white/orange Tabby and Misty is a beautiful tan, brown and light brown, blue-eyed all American mix.

My sister in law had to bury her horse in the back pasture when it got so old she had to put it down. They used a back hoe to dig the grave. I have a little pet cemetery for the ones I've loved and lost. It's under a very large pecan tree. I have angel statues and solar crosses that light up and change colors. I can sit on my back porch and look at the ones who will meet me on the rainbow bridge when I go (hopefully) to heaven.

I hope you all find comfort in your memories of the good times you had with your critters.

My Zsa-Zsa is a Havanoodle--1/2 Havanese and 1/2 Poodle.

My mom had a Havanoodle! His name was Tuffy. I inherited him after she passed. He was 13 at the time of her passing, so I only had him a year after she passed. Almost a year to the day, I had him put to sleep because of his failing health. That was a rough day, but I knew she would be happy to see him again

@@Kindle

I'm actually going to apply to volunteer at our local animal shelter. It was one of my New Years resolutions

Babbs,

So sorry for your loss. Havanese are happy, clownish dogs. Zsa-Zsa is a happy little girl. I've had to start giving her pills for her arthritis. I can always tell when she's hurting because she doesn't move much and just lays on her pillow.

She has one specific type of toy and that is the ONLY one she will play with. She's my cuddle bunny and Shadow is just that--my husband's shadow. He was named Benny when we adopted him but since we're good friends with our next door neighbors and his name is Ben and his son's name is Ben--we changed his name to Shadow. Shadow was a natural fit because he is always very near my husband. When I have been home and my hubby, (Lewis) is away, you would think I'm a piece of furniture. Shadow and Zsa-Zsa both are apprehensive until Lewis is home. When my husband has VSG on Monday, January 12th, I won't be getting much sleep that night because the dogs will run outside at every noise. We have a "doggy" door for them and Lewis has a wheelchair ramp for his power chair. They don't settle down until he's home and then they sleep very deeply. I sometimes think that pets can be more devoted to someone than a human can. They provide such unconditional love and they don't care what you look like, how much money you make or what kind of car you drive.

Kathleen