re: Preparing for the loss of a pet

I remember you, you're the one that hates all dogs and are in every dog thread.

This sucks man. One of the hardest things you'll ever have to go through is having one put down. I got a lab when I was 16. That dog was my best buddy. He went with me to parties and drank beer with me. He went to work with me and was always well behaved. When my wife and I got married he was there. We were having our wedding photos done and he kept running through there and messing up the shots. This was extremely out of character for him because he always was the best disciplined dog. We finally got the point, he just wanted to be a part of the picture. He was in the other half of the pictures, almost looked like he had a smile on his face. He was there when we brought our son home from the hospital. I was terrified that he would be jealous and not take to him. I was wrong, they bonded immediately like the brother he always wanted. I turned 30 and shortly after he wasn't able to stand up when it was cold due to arthritis. I took him to the vet and she said basically that it would get worse almost everyday, so I made the heart wrenching decision to have him put down. Before the procedure, I sat there and talked to him for like 30 minutes and told him how good of a dog he had been. I told him I appreciated all the memories that I had with him and I would cherish them for the rest of my life. I cried like a baby. I couldn't hardly talk to my wife about it and I almost cried again when I had to explain to my 3 year old that he wasn't coming home when he asked for him.

I said all that to say, it's tough to let them go, but the memories are well worth the short time they have with you.

I'm very sorry.

I lost my dog Jill on 4/16. I loved her very much. I don't care about OT ribbing etc, I cry, and I tear up now as I type this.

Her collar is on my rearview mirror. I had her cremated and she has a beautiful carved box with her name plate on the mantle.

Prayers