Recently we had to put our chihuahua Savannah to sleep. SHe was 15 years old and we had her for about 13 years. She was very special to us. Its been hard and my mother as well as I are still grieving over her. We took her to the vet last Tuesday and the vet said there was nothing that could be done. Her problems were due to aging. She has had seizures in the past and the vet seemed to think that she was having neurological problems also because we had taken her to the doctor because her legs were drawing up and she couldn't walk when these events would occur. She had a bad hip which she has always had because a previous owner had dropped her. She is very special to us and we just hope that we made the right decision to have her euthanized. She barked constantly as if she was in pain and she was very skinny. She had not been eating well and would just pick up her food and hide it. She had a fowl odor that could not be gotten rid of no matter how many times we bathed her. It was so hard to give her a bath because she was so skinny and she looked pitiful. The morning of the day she was put down, she was leaning to her right side as if she had no control of her body. It was so hard to see. She was deaf and blind in one eye. She lived a long life. I think we would just really like to have closure and know that this was the best thing for her. She was family.

I have been there. I have cried and mourned and suffered. Most of us have. It's difficult to believe that other people suffered the same way you are, but they have.

She had a good life and she died in the company of people who loved her. What can be better than that? Of course you made the right decision - she was old and sick and suffering. Letting her go was the biggest kindness you ever did for her. Really.

I wish I had something better to say to you other than how sorry I am, how you are in my thoughts. Did you ever read this?

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...
She is today running free, no pain, no suffering. You made the biggest sacrifice. You let her go and now you are learning what it's like to live without her.

I have seen that quote before. Its hard to deal with everything. I just remember how long she was with us and didn't really do anything but sleep. She became very inactive and wasn't the same as when she was younger. We are thinking that it may have been dragged out too long and she may have been hurting for a while. It's so hard to know that we did the best thing.

The vet that we took her actually sent a card today that had that poem in it. It was sad and made us upset but the vet saw how bad she was. It doesn't make it any easier though.

Sadly only time can heal these wounds. By the sounds of it, things were for the best. It's never easy letting go, but it sounds like you gave your dog a great life, and I'm sure she was very thankful for that.

jsu41 :)
You did the right thing, it is so hard, but you did the right thing. Your baby is OK now.

I hope so. It has been and is still very hard. We knew it would be hard. I just hope that she is happy somewhere... wherever she is. All we have left is the memories of her and her things. It was hard when we took one of her sweaters out of her room. It was unbearable.

It is always hard when you lose a loved one.
You did the right thing, don't think for a minute that you didn't.

Time heals all wounds, I know it seems pretty silly saying it at the moment but it is true.
Hold on to her things... even if you put them in a box out of sight as one day you will want to see them again and remember her.

I recently made a scrap book of all my animals, past and present, it was a lovely way to remember them.

You did the right thing - you loved her and when her life was no longer enjoyable, you let her go on without you.

Never easy, always painful, but she died loved. That's all any person can ask for. For dogs - it's a joy.

Soon you will be having fun with those memories. :) I have been devastated a couple times:(, but now I have a great time with remembering. They are all so important to us! It's actually great to remember the funny stuff.:D

I smiled as I read this - I've had a lot of dogs but several have owned my heart. My yellow Lab's favorite toy is sitting on my desk; my black Lab's puppy collar hangs from my desk lamp.

I forgot about them because they've been here for years and I see them and remember the dogs every day but now I am remembering them and smiling.

You did the right thing it sounds as though her life was winding down and she was ready to go. Our little guy (cat) died at home his last moments were horrible to witness and sometimes we wish we had had the courage to let him go as you did... it is hard to watch an animal die... our thoughts are with you