My ordeal begins

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Cas1979

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The appointment is booked for the Friday at 1pm.

I can't help but to count the hours, not as if I was going on holidays but to send my little baby boy Joey to heaven.

I look at him as I'm typing this, he is full of energy wanting to play with his toys but then collapsing on the floor with tangled legs.

I keep hoping I'm going to wake up and find all this has been a nightmare, but I know this isn't going to be the case.

I read the threads from others hoping will give me some comfort, but I can't stop crying and thinking will only get worse as Friday comes.

I thank you all for your lovely messages in previous thread, I never dealt with bereavement so very unsure how Im going to react, all I know is that I never loved anyone (human or animal) like I love Joey and I never thought could love that much, so Im guessing it's going to take me a while to recover!!

:(
 
I am so sorry - it is a very brave decision you have my made. My thoughts and love for you and Joey xx
 
It does eventually get better, but I would be lying if I said it happens quickly. Personally once I have made the decision I find this time of waiting almost unbearable, I have almost felt a sense of relief when they have gone, hope that doesn't sound callous. You will never forget Joey, and will always miss him, but in time you will be able to look back at all your lovely memories of him and smile.
Cherish the next 2 days, spoil him and have lots of cuddles, I am sure everyone on here will be thinking of you on Friday.
 
It's the bravest and kindest thing you can do for one you love. I wish you strength for the next few days. Obviously everyone has different beliefs but I think he'll be waiting for you at rainbow bridge, and when you see him, he will thank you for loving him enough to let him go. Best wishes, I know how hard it is.
 
I have just read your other post and I believe you are making the right decision, as much as you love him you are thinking about his quality of life and you are being a very responsible loving owner.

Dont grieve for him now, make the most of your time together and spoil him rotten, he wont know what is going to happen to him but he will pick up on your sadness. Be brave and know we are all thinking of you and Joey and we will be here to support you. x
 
Owning animals gives us so much pleasure but sometimes it's also heartbreaking. You are doing the best for him even through it's breaking your heart.

So sorry :(
 
Is it too soon to get another dog?

Most of you guys had more than 1. So perhaps is easier to recover when you concentrate your sadness and sorrow in another dog... because you have to keep strong for them.

Is just that husband was angry yesterday when I suggested to go and see some dogs over the weekend.... he said I need to deal with the loss of Joey 1st.... I won't find anything in this world that would distract me.

I've read in an article that to help dealing with bereavement, is good to take on some hobbie... but that won't fill the gap.... hobbies don't give you happiness, laughter and love....
 
Dont Rush in to anything, some people get another dog straight away, but you need to see how you feel afterwards.
 
I have always had other dogs so have never had to face the awful empty house. I think it is a very personal thing, some people take comfort in another dog straight away others cannot face it for quite a while. I think sometimes if you get another too soon you can maybe resent it, but every one is different. One thing I would say is if you do look again don't go looking for a dog that is very similar. A lady who had a pup from me many years ago had her tragically run over at around 9 months old, she searched high and low for a pup the same colour etc and got one within a week. For the next few months I had regular phone calls from this poor lady (the person who sold her the pup wasn't interested:( ) crying that the pup wasn't the same, didn't do the same things etc. Eventually she did bond with the pup but it took a long time and she did admit to me later that she should never have tried to "replace" Elsa in the way she had.
If you do decide to get another GSD (be it in a few days or not for a while) please feel free to pm me or CC and we will try and help .
 
2 years ago today I PTS my gorgeous Bosworth, I adored him, he was my world through thick and thin. The same day i lost him I rang about a bedlington pup who was on the KC website. 5 days later I brought Flodden home. Flodden will never replace Bosworth, but he gave me something to focus on, something to care for and love. And being so different from Bosworth he never had to live up to Boz. Some people called me heartless, 'getting over' Boz so fast. I didn;t and can still cry so easily when I think of him. But I did no want to dwell on the sadness of losing him, but the joy of owning him. He hated me being sad, and would do all his tricks to try and cheer me when I was down. so in a way I felt I needed to laugh and be happy so his living was not in vain.

Ignore your husband, if you need to get another then thats what you should do, I have seen so many people dwell in unhappiness about the loss of their beloved pet and I know that another would have brought such joy to their lives.

I now adore Flodden, he has filled a huge gap, but never replaced Boz, but would I be without him, NO WAY.
 
Murphysminder, thank so much for your advice and kind words.

Bosworth, that is exactly what I feel. I love GSD, they are the best breed for me, but I've considered other breeds and probably will go for a Labrador or Cocker, totally different to GSD.

There will be nothing in the world that would replace Joey, but I feel I need to distract my mind from what will be happening tomorrow and focus it into sth useful.

I agree with you and perhaps makes me feel better knowing that there is someone there that thinks like me.... thanks
 
Cas1979 said:
Murphysminder, thank so much for your advice and kind words.

Bosworth, that is exactly what I feel. I love GSD, they are the best breed for me, but I've considered other breeds and probably will go for a Labrador or Cocker, totally different to GSD.

There will be nothing in the world that would replace Joey, but I feel I need to distract my mind from what will be happening tomorrow and focus it into sth useful.

I agree with you and perhaps makes me feel better knowing that there is someone there that thinks like me.... thanks
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You will never replace Joey but please don't go & get a gundog just so it is different. They are so different that if a GSD is right for you they won't be. I would suggest a Belgian shepherd. Similar enough to easily fit with you but different enough to avoid comparisons or if you want cocker sized maybe a Norwegian buhund?
Enjoy today and remember the good times and be strong - you are doing the right thing.
 
You poor thing.

My old girl was an only dog and like I say I waited a couple of years before getting another and she was completely different (old girl was from old herding lines, tough as old boots, didn't suffer fools gladly, naturally suspicious - new one was like a big butterball, soft as anything and would go with anybody!!) and I satisfied myself walking, training, handling other peoples' dogs for a while until I was ready.

If you are going to go for another GSD I would give yourself plenty of time to find a nice well bred dog with all the health tests on the parents and get an idea of what you really want/what lines.
My mum had an awful time trying to deal with our last two as they were SO different to the Big Softy - they were a right couple of thugs when they were young - different lines, different characters.

You could also consider rescue.
 
My thoughts are with you. I had to do this for my girl a few years ago and it broke my heart. I have her buried in my garden at her favourite spot and I often go there to talk to her. You are doing the best thing. My girl had lost the use of her back legs and was so frustrated when she couldnt get around anymore. She was thirteen and had a good life once I had rescued her from a bad start. I personally waited to get another dog and to be honest really wasnt ready for the one I have now. She became mine when my son couldnt have her at his rented home. She is just as special to me as my previous dog but I am glad I got over losing Lady before she came to me.
 
my friend and i both had elderly dogs and would sometimes talk about what we would get for the next one. when i lost my girl i couldnt face the thought of getting another dog and it was only after about 4 months that i gradually came round to the idea...my original dog was a small black lurcher and i went for another lurcher but the new one is fawn and white, so completely different in colour and also couldnt be much more different in behaviour and temperament.

i had the opposite reaction with my horse, people used to say will you get another one once yours has gone and i was adamant thta i wouldnt get another.......she was put down on thursday(age 24) and i started looking that weekend......

you wont know how you feel until after friday so i would wait and see and maybe give yourself a bit of breathing space to be sure....if you do decide to get another why not just visit your local rescue and see if one catches your eye... hope all goes as well as poss on friday
 
So sorry to hear of your situation. I've just read your other thread to find out the reasons for your decision. I'll have to such difficult decisons soon for my old girl who has an inoperable thyroid tumour - i will base my decisions on certain factors - can she walk? can she eat? can she breathe easily? can she control her bodily functions? The inability to do even one of these things can seriously affect quality of life, & i, like you, will not let my little friend suffer. We owe them that.

Rest assured you are doing the bravest, most selfless thing, one last kindness you can offer your faithful lad. Be strong, enjoy your last moments with him, & let him go with dignity.

We'll all be thinking of you & Joey at 1pm tomorrow xx
 
eatmyshorts said:
So sorry to hear of your situation. I've just read your other thread to find out the reasons for your decision. I'll have to such difficult decisons soon for my old girl who has an inoperable thyroid tumour - i will base my decisions on certain factors - can she walk? can she eat? can she breathe easily? can she control her bodily functions? The inability to do even one of these things can seriously affect quality of life, & i, like you, will not let my little friend suffer. We owe them that.

Rest assured you are doing the bravest, most selfless thing, one last kindness you can offer your faithful lad. Be strong, enjoy your last moments with him, & let him go with dignity.

We'll all be thinking of you & Joey at 1pm tomorrow xx
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It's becoming harder as the minutes go pass... 4 hours and half... Im trying to be happy around him but cant help but to start crying and hug him really tight.

Looks so happy when he is laying down and wanted to play this morning in bed like he always does.... would be easier if he was very miserable....

I pry for strength to get me through this

Thanks you all for your stories, it comforts me to know that Im not the only one that has gone through this....

I hope I can reply soon like some of you have, that I was able to talk about him without crying.
 
I am so sorry to hear this. The waiting is the worse bit but remember that you are doing the best for him and being the best owner he could have wished for right till the end.

Getting another dog is an entirely personal decision. I feel solace by having other dogs, nothing will replace the dog that's gone but it does help a bit; my OH is the opposite and needs a break. Do what feels right, although it is very difficult when different people in the family have different needs.
 
Just come back from the vets...

His head rested in my arms as vet injected the stuff... few last sighs before stopped breathing.

Walking into empty house has broken my heart even more..... I know time will mend it but at this point it hurts too much.
 
My heart goes out to you Cas1979, I've been reading your posts in tears and having had one of our beautiful dogs pts I know how painful it is.

There's nothing anyone can say to ease your sorrow right now but it does get easier and in time you will be able to enjoy your memories of Joey and think what a lovely life you gave him.

Big hugs x x
 
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