Altenweg, that is absolutely adorable. Gave me a bit of a chuckle.

He was a hansome dog with a very amusing personalty from what I've seen haha.

Alty, my condolences for the loss of a family member. My thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

I don't think it can be said enough-you did the right thing.

I know at this time you would have preferred he died at home on his own, but that brings its own feelings of guilt especially if it had been one of the children who found him. This way they can remember him as he was and encourage you to remember the better days, too.

Sleeping with Little Indy sounds like a very good idea. Just because we are adults doesn't mean we can't sleep with stuffed animals. I sleep with a stuffed dog that Cats gave me for Valentine's Day/our anniversary a couple of years ago.

The pictures and stories are great. Indy was a very well loved puppy and it shows.

Love, hugs, a virtual shoulder... whatever I can give is yours. {{{{Alty}}}}

Alty, are talking about the good times helping you? If so I suggest turning this thread into a place where you can type up bunches of memories, read them again later, and type up more as you remember them. Fill this thread with happiness and pour your heart into it. If that whole garbage in garbage out is true, then Love and happiness in, love and happiness out must be.

Loving all the pictures of Indy, thank you for sharing Alty :)

I like the one with Indy and Jasper, its like Jaspers saying " Big brother Indy whats the human doing?"

And Indys reply is "just sit there and look cute, they seem to like that" :D

Indy sounds like he was a wonderful dog

Indy looks just like my Mick does! She's 10 this year.

I would love to post a picture of Mick, but don't have one. She looks ExACTLY like Indy.
Mick is short for McKinley, since we lived in Alaska near Mount McKinley. She's not quite as fluffy as Indy, but close.

Yeah, she's a mix. She's Lab and Aussie.

I seriously look at that pic and totally see Mick.

We call her Mama Dog. She has housebroken all of the other pups we have had since her. Every time she had to go out she would pick the other pups up from the scruff of the neck and take them out too until they were completely potty trained!

I'm a little late, Sorry, I've been really busy and haven't been on in a couple days.
I am sorry for the loss of your friend. I have been where you are right now.
Amazing how they can let us know when it's time. And it's only our love for them that allows us to let them go.
16 years is a good long life and I'm certain Indy was as blessed by your presence as you obviousely were by his.
As for, "Does he know we did it out of love?" Of course he does.
My Sam let me know when he was tired and ready to go and I made sure he felt my love it and saw it in my eyes, but even more than that I saw it is his.
So I think the answer is most definitely "Yes"
It will get easier to get through the days ahead, but as well as I know, you also know that his memory will evermore be a part of yours' and your familys lives.
Especially the ones that make you chuckle.
Sincerely,
LadySam

Sorry Alty I just found this thread.. My condolences on your loss. I too know the pain of wondering if you did the right thing or not.. It does get easier. You did it out of love, just like hubby and I did for Pony, so I think that makes it the right decision. At least that is what I keep telling myself. It does get less painful though you will always miss them. I still tear up when I am having a bad day but it is not as overwhelming as it was in the beginning.

Here is a link to a poem I listen to on the bad days (it is set to music).

The Rainbow Bridge

The pictures are just beautiful of Indy! I can also hear your love in your words so I know the decision was made of love and the want for the best thing for your dog.

Res in peace Indy. <3

Poor old boy... 16 is an old dog though! You did a great job raising him and keeping him healthy. Its just very unfortunate that he couldn't go on his own.

RIP Indy :(

It's hard to lose a beloved pet. People who never loved an animal often don't understand - but grief is grief.

All I have to add to what has been said is that if you love an animal right to the end you always make sure you do the best for him/her, put his/her welfare first - and that includes opening the door so they can pass through. You did what was best for Indy - at great expense to you.

You did the last and best kindness. You helped him out of his pain and confusion.

It will get better.

Hugs!

Much love to you Alty. How lucky was Indy to have such a compassionate owner and family. Here's a song that means a lot to me during moments of loss:

How very special are we
For just a moment to be
Part of life’s eternal rhyme
How very special are we
To have on our family tree
Mother Earth and Father Time
He turns the seasons around
And so she changes her gown
But they always look in their prime
They go on dancing their dance
Of every lasting romance
Mother Earth and Father Time
The summer larks return to sing
Oh what a gift they give
Then autumn days grow short and cold
Oh what a joy to live
How very special are we
For just a moment to be
Part of life’s eternal rhyme
How very special are we
To have on our family tree
Mother Earth and Father Time

-From "Charlotte's Web"

{{{{ALTY}}}}

Altenweg finds this helpful : Thank you Judy. I just hope he knows that we did it out of love. That's what's haunting me the most.


Alty, he knew you and loved you the same way you knew and loved him.

He knows. Believe me, he knows.

I'm sorry for your loss Alty. I had to put my cat to sleep a few years ago. I had him since I was 13 years old. I sat there the entire time with him. One of the hardest and saddest things I have ever done. I kept double guessing myself thinking maybe this is the wrong decision but I could see it in his eyes that he was just suffering. I have his ashes in a little urn on a shelf in my house. My two cats that I got after him are always smelling it and rubbing there faces on it. Ok now I am starting to tear up at work.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Altenweg

I miss him so very much. I always will.

Dogs lives are just to bloody short.

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Same for cats. I see Thomas and can hear him scold me indignantly and feel his forehead bumps. And it's been over two years now since his death.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Altenweg

You've said it so many times, and this is not by any means a direct quote, but "If my loved ones aren't there when I die, then I don't want to go".

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I don't care about my loved ones. I just want to see and be with Thomas again and push my fingers into his plushy fur and let him sit on my chest and lick my chin. I want a pony too.

I have said before, Alty, you're more Christian than a lot of Christians I know. And that goes to the heart of what a Christian is.