I wasn't sure if I was going to post this and I doubt many people will read it, but I feel like getting it out. Yesterday, well 2 days ago i guess now, we had to put our family dog to sleep. Her official name was Sadra Lynn, but we just called her Sadie. She was born on June 6, 1996 and died on April 25, 2005 at about 9:25 a.m. A little under 9 years ago, my sister finally convinced my parents to let her get a dog. I was always a little apprehensive around dogs but this one wasn't going to be very big so it was ok. We decided on a shelty. My mom told my sister to get a brown one so it would look like Lassie, or at least a smaller version of Lassie. And she said don't get the first one you see. So my dad and sister go out and return a few hours later. They got the first one they saw, and it was mostly black. But it didn't matter, she was our dog now. She was an exuberant puppy, as most dogs are, but not much for activity once she got past that stage. We'd put a little hurdle in the middle of the carpet and tell her to jump over it and she'd just walk around it. She was never much for tricks but it was always fun to watch her try to avoid them. She barked at everyone who came over and hardly ever let strangers pet her. In high school, my friend came over every morning before we drove to school, and every morning she would bark for a few seconds after the door opened before she realized it was him, as if she hadn't seen him every morning for years at this point. But hey, at least she was protective. She loved food. She was a champion beggar. You would get a bowl of cereal and start to take it to the living room and she would race you there and already be in the begging position up on the couch. And it was so hard to say no to that face. She was cute, with showdog quality ears. She had had some kidney problems for the past few years, but nothing ever very serious. When I went home for Easter, she was just fine. Down to 20 pounds (back in the day, she got up to 35, did I mention she loved food?) but still active and would play with you and still seeming normal. And then this Friday I checked my phone and noticed I had gotten 4 calls from home in only a few hours. I knew something must be wrong. As soon as my mom stopped short, I could tell she was going to say Sadie's name, and I knew what she was about to say. I couldn't believe it. She was so young. My mom was crying and I cried a little too. This was supposed to happen years from now. And be a gradual thing. Now i barely had time to say goodbye. Apparently she had stopped eating 2 weeks ago and really wouldn't even drink water anymore. The kidney problems had gotten much worse very fast. There were options, but all with a low chance of success and all making her life not really worth living. So it was decided that we would put her to sleep monday. I went home this weekend and saw her for her last days. I made her do one last easy trick-"around" where she just walks in a small circle. She barely moved when I was home, but she did chase one last thing down the driveway and did get to see the one dog she ever got along with, our neighbor's dog, one last time. Then on Monday we took her in, and my dad even came from work to be there. It happened very fast, stick the needle in, and a few seconds later it was over. Everyone cried and after a few minutes they took her away. My mom and sister took it the hardest. It sucks so much to know that when I go home in two weeks, she won't be racing to the door to see me, ears pinned back, tail wagging, waiting for her petting. I've gotta say the Rockets winning has been a nice distraction to it all but everything has a damper on it right now. I can't believe she's gone so quick. Anyway, I just wanted to get that out there. Bye Sadie.
Sorry to hear that bro, really am. Its hard to prepare yourself for a situation like that. I have a dog that is like a family member and it would be a tough decisin to put him to sleep. Oh man, I don't want to think about it. Again, very sorry to hear that.
At least she's not suffering anymore... Try to think of it like that. I don't know what I'd do if my dogs had to be put to sleep... I couldn't handle it.
people get really attatched to dogs, they become part of the family. although i'm somewhat tipsy at the moment and unable to express my thoughts clearly and concisely as i would like, i just wanna say that i feel for you - i've lost 4 dogs, none of whom i grew as attatched to as the one i have now - so i somewhat know how you feel, but not really. i don't know how i'd react if my dog died tomorrow, but i know without a doubt that it'd be a tough day. sorry to hear man...keep your head up.
Sorry to hear that man. Sad. I have a dog that is 15yrs old (Yorksire Terrior) and she is slowly slipping away. She is in Saudi, so I usually get to see her every 6months, but this year I am not heading back for Summer.
I'm really sorry to hear that too. Had to put my almost-ten-year-old dog to sleep almost exactly a year ago and it was pretty tough. I still miss him a lot. Hope you're doin okay.
That's a terrible thing, francis 4 prez. I had a dog for 12 years that was like a brother, and I thought he died too young. People that don't understand how you can feel about a dog just never had a really good one. Everyone should at least once in their life, in my opinion.
Man, I hate reading these threads. Pets are the best. They bring so much joy to our lives. Unconditional love. I've had pet(s) in my life since birth. Too many dogs and cats to mention and I loved all of them. As I always do when I read a thread like this, I'll feed my cat some tuna tonight in Sadie's name.
That sucks dude. We have 2 Papillions that are like family and I can only imagine what your going through. Keep your chin up
Sorry to hear about your loss, f4p. We have 2 Cockers and one of them will be 9 this June. I am afraid he isn't going to be around much longer due to seizures and now arthritis. It is going to suck so bad to have to put him down. I don't even want to think about it. Try to hang in there and like you said be glad that the Rockets are doing well.
Sorry to hear this. My brother is just getting ready to have to put down his dog Shine. She has a very fast growing tumor. It's very sad. I love Shine and swear that she is the reincarnation of my boyhood dog Nellie. They have the same knuckleheaded indominitable spirit.
Sorry to hear that man. Based on some comments here, maybe my dog won't be around as long as I thought.
My condolences go out to you. I grew up with my first dog I picked out from the SPCA. I was away at school when I got the dreaded call my Mom had put the dog down because it was in pain and suffering. I had seen the dog a few weeks before but never got to say goodbye. It was very difficult for me because I didn't get to say goodbye so I still have some resentment towards my Mom for not giving me that opportunity. Our dog wasn't failing when she did it. But, I also recognize she had a difficult time doing what she did. I just felt I deserved to know in advance so I could come home from college and spend a final few days with my childhood dog. I have two dogs now that are going on 7 years old and, while in good health now, I fear what the next few years may hold in store for them and how I will handle it as they are family. Sorry for your loss. It did seem a little young for your dog to move on. Surf
Oh man... RIP Sadie I love Shelties. I'm sorry you had to go through that francis, but it was probably best. I had to do the same thing before and, even though I knew I was doing the humane thing, it absolutely killed me! Nice stories about her -- creates a picture in my head.
Sorry to here that. I had to take my mother's dead dog of 17 to the vet last year. She was so sad. It really was depressing. She was so attached and had just lost his brother (in the same litter) months earlier (my Dad took care of that one). Although, I'm sure it's not the same, try getting another pet. My mother said she never would and then did and has already grown attached. They had 2 long haired dachshunds (Wally and Schulsty) Now they have a long haired Chihuahua (Uncle Rico) and a Pomeranian (Bruiser).
