losing a pet

It's so pity to loose a pet moreover when it is a part of your family(

So sorry grannysyb

I know someone who is on their second Great Dane and they are lovely animals. I'm sure Abby had a wonderful life with you, and your DH did what had to be done at the right time, hard though that must have been

We lost our beloved Abby in May, our 3rd Great Dane. and 2nd rescue. She was handed in to Aberdeen dog pound early in 2006, and we drove from SW London to Glasgow to get her some 4 months after we lost our previous girl Millie. We chose her because she looked like a smaller version of Millie who was Very Big even for a Dane. They were all fantastic dogs, but Abby was amazing, she didn't know how to chase anything, loved all dogs and people, so gentle that cats would come and say hello to her. My DH is a retired vet and has put all our dogs to sleep, which was very hard for him to do. All the gcs miss her. I can't think about getting another yet, we are both getting on, and it does free one up to make last minute plans. We'll see ........

Middleagedspread - very sorry to hear about losing your collie, it's hard to imagine that one week they're running around as usual and the next, very poorly.
We have a border collie too, she's 13 now and I dread losing her. She even talks to us! not joking she has several different vocalisations. Also herds the grandchildren.
The pet dog of my friend here had to be put to sleep a few weeks ago, cancer of the throat, and she said never another dog, I'm too old. But a black lab. puppy has come their way and she's becoming attached, so I think it's permanent

Oh I'm so sorry to hear that *middleagedspread' I had a thread last year

The first day without cat in the house.

I got so many comforting posts but losing my beloved Jasper almost broke my heart because he was the last cat for me and it has remained so.
Cats live to be 16+ and we don't have that many active years ahead of us. It was the right decision. Sometimes being an animal lover is very hard.
Soon after that DD1s dog died and that was a double blow. There again their house is empty every week day and she says whe won't have dog until she is retired.

If you feel stable enough to do some dogsitting then that is a good idea as long as you give yourself time to grieve properly for your beloved collie.
all the best.....

I still shed tears for my best ever companion and protector who died four years ago. It's right to feel that way about them.

Sorry you've lost Sam, Gemmag

Gemmag so, so sorry. Don't be afraid to cry for Sam x

Gemmag sorry for your loss, but your dear chap seemed to have been a good age and to have had a wonderful life with you. I expect your other dog (A?) must miss him too.

It is so very hard when they go, but it is the price we pay for having them.

My newish boss has got a lovely (now 8 or 9 months) labrador bitch, supposedly to make it a bit easier when his elderly labrador B shuffles off this mortal coil, but I know from experience it doesn't quite work like that.

Yes, it's better to have a dog/cat than no dog/cat, but you still miss the individual

My gorgeous cuddly Border Terrier Sam died 3 weeks ago aged 13 and 11 months. One minute he was fine and then vomiting and panting. I never knew that panting in a dog can be a sign that they are in pain!.
We collected his ashes (in a casket) today and were shocked at the bill we had to pay £350. This included the excess and the cost of putting him to sleep.
Surely this can't be right as there are a lot of people who simply couldn't effort to pay this amount. I'm thinking of scattering his ashes around his favourite walks in the woods and I'm sure an awful lot of people would like to do this if they were able to have their lovely pet cremated. The actual cost of the cremation was £150. My husband thought that I would like to keep him on a shelf in the kitchen along with our other 2 pets but I'm not sure. I will wait a while and see!!.
To Anya, Sam too went deaf about a year ago and we think our other BB were his ears for him as there is a lot less barking!!.
I don't think I will ever stop crying as I miss him so much it hurts. He just loved to be stroked and I miss that even though I have A by my side right now. A is a very placid dog and will not walk in the woods without Sam his protector,Sam who was in your face all the time.

I do know what Middleaged is going through and if I were her I would get another dog if she is still fit and healthy and can take it out for walks every day and can share it with family.

Yes Charley he probably is.

The best thought we can have when we lose a loved pet is that they had 'a good life'

Anya he is gorgeous- is he head of the household?

middleagespread whether it is a cat or a dog, it is a much loved pet and the hurt never leaves.

My cat Tara like me, is knocking on a bit and I dread the day that she dies. Of course I may beat her to it but I have made arrangements if that happens but I must do it more formally so that everybody is aware of what is happening.

so cute.

My old boy (he of 'dragged under trampoline by wanton hussy' fame) has just suddenly gone stone deaf.

I'm looking forward to seeing a picture of your new love soon middle if you decide that's the right decision for you

The kind replies from strangers have helped so much. My OH finds not mentioning Rig his way of coping whilst I find comfort in sharing my memories of him. Thank all Gransnetters who have responded.

Every day gets a little easier, though he is never far from my thoughts. Keeping busy, distracted. Reading all the comments has helped so much, thank you everyone.

good thinking.

sounds like an option in due course. Early days yet.Still hurting too much.

dog sitting sounds like a great option. Thank you.

Great Phoenix- every pet owner should make advanced directives to ensure all of them are cared for 'just in case' - but it has to be by someone who will look afther them well and wants them. One of our neighbours had to adopt their father's dog on his demise, and he was tied outside in all weathers and never taken out for a walk or petted, etc. This was before we moved here, and my dad went to visit him every day with some treats- and was desperate to take him for a walk- but never dared to ask in case it was seen as a criticism. His hair got all matted and his claws too long, diforming his feet- it was horrible. I think if I had lived here I would have had a word with them or called the SPA- such a shame.

I'm sorry you've lost your lovely boy, middle.
I downsized from retrievers and collies to Cavaliers when I retired. My latest one is a rescue, middle aged and so so loving and good. But any dog is a tie and I can't go away at all because my new girl barks at night when I'm away and a family member stays here. I think my present two will be my last dogs. I'm 70 and foresee an old age with a moggy but dogs need so much more care and cost so much more to keep.

We (as in Mr P & I) have an understanding and a promise that we will take on the pet of another GN member if need be.

It is difficult to express our promise in the right way! The cat in question is a lovely and much loved girl, saying that we will be happy to take her on (which we would) would mean that the GN member in question has either popped her clogs or become unable to look after the pet! If we say that we hope it will never come to this, would mean that the dear pet ceased to be! (perhaps not very well explained, but hopefully you will know what we mean!)

Our own two boys will be gathered into the extended cat family of our neighbour, as she has currently 7 cats, she may hardly notice the difference! (Especially as Oliver Sprout seems to be very chummy with young Marvin, or it might be Gerald )

I have an elderly dog (13) and I know it's only a matter of a year or two until we lose him. I'm dreading it and I really feel for the loss of your beautiful furry friend (((hugs)))

I will get another dog after him, I couldn't be without a dog, but if anything happens to me I have the word of my children they would take on my dog, or I'll come back and haunt them.

Great ot adopt an older pet- especially one that is well trained and not a 'puller'. We intend to find another couple who likes travelling, and adopt a pair of dogs, and right from the start- look after each other's for week-ends then longer periods.

Commiserations from me, middle age, the loss of a pet leaves such a hole doesn't it. Our old rescue dog died 3 years ago and is still missed, despite the fact we still have 2 dogs. My heart goes out to you.

Would you consider rescuing an older dog? Many of the charities that support specific breeds will help with medical costs if adopters/foster carers are willing to care for an elderly dog.

Sorry about your loss .Difficult to replace a collie as they're such intelligent dogs. But, I was at a county show a few weeks ago and was chatting to a couple of people who bred Papillons, and they said a lot of people that had had dogs such as German Shepherds and other breeds that were very intelligent switched to Papillons when they got older as they were very clever dogs that will take as much exercise as you want them to, at the same time not needing a lot if it wasn't possible. I know they were biased but other people have told me the same. We thought recently that we were going to lose our dog[she was ok in the end] and agonised over what to do, but had decided to get a puppy if we lost her [we have whippets].