Sorry for your difficult loss of a dear friend and member of the family. God bless.

Also for anyone who hasn't heard of it..when I get a chance, my dog will become a "pet steps to heaven". do a search for it on-line and you'll find them. A different idea I've never heard of before. I've got mine all designed in my head, just have to get the money together and take my dogs remains. basically, they take your dogs cremated remains and mix them with cement and make a decorative stone. I thought it was a great idea when my dog died this spring.

Sorry to hear about your buddy...I have one that's 12 right now. Still gets around good and seems real happy but sure is slowing down. I am not looking forward to the day you just went through. Good luck.

"He's a good boy". Thats what I always said about my Lab Jade that we had to put to sleep this last spring. It leaves a big hole in your life thats for sure. Remember the good times and be proud to have known "HENRY". Dogs live way to short of a life thats for sure. I now have another little guy running around the house. Someday you'll be ready to get you another "good boy" as well. Sorry for your lose.

I saw this post when it first came up and couldn't even imagine how I would handle losing one of my dogs. Well tonight I had to say goodbye to a very good friend, Kota, my 7 year old chesapeake bay retriever. She was taken from me by a rare, malicious form of cancer that literally took over her in less than one week from when we first saw signs something was wrong. She started begging for food and acting hungrier about 3 weeks ago---she got worms last year and had similar simptoms. We went hunting the sat. and sun. before thanksgiving and looked good and was running around better than ever---but thinner just assuming from hunting season and worms. Monday after testing negative for worms, went in tuesday for blood work-----extremely high liver enzymes, our vet says liver cancer or liver infection/disease. She still was very active and wanted to play ball. Wednesday 11/26 went to emergency vet in eden prairie to get some more extensive tests, x-rays, and an ultrasound. Small "mass" in her liver, doctor says not sure but 85% infection 15% cancer--take amoxicillen--he was very optomistic and we had hope. Wednesday night less eating---after thursday night she never ate again. She deteriorated so fast we were afraid she wouldn't make it till monday to get some treatment. Mon she spent the night getting IV fluids and antibiotics at her regular vet. Tues. morning picked her up and she looked worse. By now her eyes, lips and skin were yellow from her failing liver and could barely walk----vet called the Uof M to get us an appointment----couldn't get in till this morning at 11am......another agonizing, helpless night. Today a biopsy was done to the mass in her liver(that had already ruptured it grew so fast and was filling her belly with blood) and was confirmed to be cancer and had spread through her body. The dr. said there was nothing to prevent this and nothing we could have done to stop it. The decision I had dreaded since the day I picked her up(choosing when her time was up) was the hardest thing I have ever had to do---the only thing that has left me any comfort was relieving her pain. Those final moments are honorable and crushing at the same time. Watching her going downhill so fast was a nightmare for me and the whole family that I hope never happens again. I truly will miss her and feel like I have been stolen of a best friend, family member, and a devoted hunting buddy all rolled into one. ----goodbye "stinker"

jeff

Wow Jeff, that's a tough one, hang in there bud, it will get better, trust me. it does take time however. thinking of you and your family.

Very sorry to hear about your loss. I know exactly what you're going through. I have ent through some tough times in my life, but last hear when I had to put my healthy,5 year old lab Buck to sleep,was by far the hardest thing I've ever done. I got him from a home that abused him,gave him some love and he turned out to be wonderful. In May 2007 he ran up to a boy riding his bike past and jumped up to play and scraped the boys waist a tiny bit,the claimed he bit him(never bit anyone,not even when playing rough), and the next thing we know,we have a claim against our homeowners insurance. Then a couple of months later the meter reader came in the yard and he bit her thumb,protecting his territory. He was then classified as a viscious dog and had to put him to sleep. Didnt want to give him to someone else in case he were to do it again. What made it even harder for me is that I went in to see him after he was put to sleep.Cried for days,mans best friend for sure. REMEMBER- All good dogs go to heaven,but whos cleaning up all that [PoorWordUsage] up there?

I feel your pain.
Had to put my dog Bud down a few years back.
My girlfriend at that time sent me this so I'm sending it to you.

The Magic Forest Story

In the magic forest
silent, dark and sweet
run the pitter-patter
of beloved dog feet

In the magic forest
there is no pain nor fear
our doggies live in joyful bliss
for God is near and here

In the magic forest
is where Henry will always be
you will see him there in your heart
running with Bud

And, in the magic forest
your heart will never break
for all the doggie love you have
no parting can ever take

So, in the magic forest
our doggies play without end
and in the magic forest,
your insides will always mend.

i had the same problem to i hadto say goodbye to my dog of 13 years ago yesterday i feel your pain righ now and hope you get through it

I had troubles with old account, so I created new one. Jeff, its ben a few weeks without Henry around and everyday gets easier. That night the vet came over was rough and each day after got easier and now when I reflect on Henry's life I just smile.My wife, kids and myself spread Henrys ashes at the point he always swam at and his life has gone full circle. Your story hurts me to read and I can tell that you did everything in your power to make Kota's life as good as you could and some day she will lick your face again. Hang in there and you too will be smiling with happy memories sooner than you might think.

Wayne

I apprerciate the kind words from everyone and am sorry for others losses as well I now know how it feels----this has been WAY harder than I thought it would be. It has been a rough week and a half. Now its just getting used to not having her around with everything in the house----her empty bed, her fovorite toy, my other chessie depressed, staring outside waiting for her to show up,....

I know another pup will be in my future, I just don't know when. I know next years hunting season is going to be hard starting this spring laying in the snow goose spread.

jeff