I lost my parents a little more than a year ago. Since then, I’ve been taking care of Bailey, their golden retriever. He is almost 15. I take him for daily walks, and he’s by my side constantly when I’m home. He’s been slowing down, but he loves those walks. I’ve been out of town on business for the last 2 weeks, so during that time my roommate has been taking care of him. She has been calling, saying that he’s acting strange – not moving from his blanket, not eating, not interested in going outdoors or for his walks, not going to the bathroom. At first, we thought he was moping because I was gone, but it was getting progressively worse. She took him to the vet, who says it’s time to put him down. That’s so sad to me, but I want to do what is best for him. I plan to have him cremated and spread his ashes in the same mountain spot that my parents chose for themselves. I’m hoping to get some ideas on ways to make this easier, both for Bailey and for me. I feel like I’m losing not only a good friend but another piece of my parents. I’m flying home Friday to take him in to the vet.
Thanks to both of you. I appreciate your thoughts and ideas, and know you both understand how difficult this is as you've both been thru the heartache of loss. I appreciate you sharing your stories with me.
Thanks to both of you. I appreciate your thoughts and ideas, and know you both understand how difficult this is as you've both been thru the heartache of loss. I appreciate you sharing your stories with me.
J Lo, we've all suffered loss, that's why we're all so close. Every person has a story, we often forget that. You've just brought it home.
I too lost both of my parents, 6 1/2 months apart from eachother, back in 2001.
I hung on to things that belonged to them because I couldn't let them go. Bit by bit I've been thinning things out, because I have to, I simply don't have the space.
I've kept the things I cannot part with, and the memories I have will last a life time and live on through my children.
What you're going through is very different, because you're losing another living being, and I can't imagine how much pain it's bringing you because of that added burden.
Know that you gave their beloved dog all that you could, and you continue to give by taking away his pain, giving him peace.
My mother, near the end of her life, said to me "we are so humane to our pets. When they're terminal we can take them to the vet, give them a needle and they just go to sleep. We as human beings must suffer until the end". What you are doing for Bailey is a selfless act of love. Also, I believe that Bailey will be with your parents again.
Alty, that was really beautiful. What I love most about this site is that it is full of compassionate people who have experienced so much and have so much to give. I had another major issue recently that people on here helped me sort thru. I read the posts over and over and over, receiving comfort and new insight with each reading. You are all so wonderful.
Alty, that was really beautiful. What I love most about this site is that it is full of compassionate people who have experienced so much and have so much to give. I had another major issue recently that people on here helped me sort thru. I read the posts over and over and over, receiving comfort and new insight with each reading. You are all so wonderful.
Well, you're part of the group now, so include yourself in that wonderful group of people.
I've been on other sites and I have to say, AMHD is the best by far. The people here are truly amazing, don't know what I'd do without them. Many of them have become friends, even though we've never met. I adore them all.
We all have so much to offer, to give, we just have to be willing to do it.
Alty, that was really beautiful. What I love most about this site is that it is full of compassionate people who have experienced so much and have so much to give. I had another major issue recently that people on here helped me sort thru. I read the posts over and over and over, receiving comfort and new insight with each reading. You are all so wonderful.
I'm just sorry I can't offer you any more...
It's just so hard, when I lose a pet I just want to be alone so I struggle to find words to comfort others, again, I am sorry, I really do feel for your loss.
As others have mentioned, make sure you keep his belongings... his leash, a favourite toy or blanket.
Just tuck them away in a box until you can bear to look at them again.
My biggest regret is not keeping some of the things from my older friends, I just couldn't bear to keep them at the time, now I just wish I had a small piece of them to keep with me.
When you are ready to do something to remember him by, come back.
I have a lot of great pet memory ideas, but it's a little too early to be thinking about that yet.
Sorry about Bailey. I too know how you're feeling. I just lost my Sheba recently.Attachment 24126
She was the last of our bloodline still owned by the family. Now I'll have to go to another kennel to get a Hollyhigh Doberman back at Hollyhigh.
The attachment isn't working anymore, but it sounds like you like Dobermans. My neighbor across the street breeds and shows them. They are great looking dogs.
I am so sorry for what you are going through.I have been there and it is such an emotional experience.
My sister in law recently had to put her dog down and the vets made a plaster of paris footprint for her.She just put her little paws in there and it only took a second.
Anything would work,even tempura non toxic paint.
You would have his foot print forever.With a nice picture and a poem,it would be a loving way to keep his memory alive.
The plaster of paris sounds like a great idea. My roommate is very artsy/craftsy (unlike me), so I'll ask her if she can do that. She's going to help me with a scrapbook. I have 100's of pictures of Bailey, many with my parents, that I'd like to put into the book. We plan to start this weekend. I think it will be soothing.
Well, Bailey has been put to sleep. I'm sad, but also relieved for him. I could see the pain in his eyes, but he was so sweet and loving to the end. So now I'm here reading this site for a while to take my mind off of it - and when I calm down a little I'm going to head out to a movie for a while.
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