Sad day for the family.(pet)

Huge sympathy, Nanawind. It's horrible for everyone. Your poor Gdcs.

It took me ages to get over it when both our dog and cat that we'd had for over 14 years, had to be PTS within 6 weeks of each other. The house felt so empty and sad.

We lost our own dogs nearly 5 years ago. One had dropped dead when I was getting into the bath. His brother died a few weeks later. I think of a broken heart. They were from the same litter and had never been separated. It brought on such deep depression in my husband we've never had another. That's why we look after the Dgdogs.

It's awful when you lose a pet and it takes a while to get over too because you're so used to it being around. When I lost my cat in 2011 at 20years +, it felt as though half my life had gone with her.
They are replaceable but their characters aren't.

Also my faithful pal a GSD years before was PTS at 12.

I'm so sorry for your loss of a " friend " and the sadness it has brought to all. x

You have all my sympathy. How old are the children?
When our cat died, I found him stretched out, looking as if he was running off on a new great adventure. I hope he was. Perhaps the thought could cheer you all up, just a little.

Dgs is 14 on Thursday and Dgd is 11.
I hope he's now chasing a ball in the place he's gone to.

Sorry to hear that Nanawind. Pets weave their way into our lives and our hearts and we often only realise that when they are gone.

My daughter and her family lost their 14 yr old Labrador a couple of weeks before. They have a young dog left but the old girl was the one the kids went to when they were upset.

She left a big gap in their lives that for sure.

Sorry for your loss. We lost our beautiful black labs. recently aged 17. They leave such a big gap in the family. ?

Oh no. ???

So sorry Nanawind I agree with Jane10 our pets find a special place in our hearts.
Your grandchildren are old enough to understand now, another sad fact of life they have to learn. I sympathise with all of you.

So sad for you all Nanawind. When we had to have our adored mongrel pts at the age of 17 many years ago we said we would never have another as we were so upset when she died.

However we now, many years later, have a lovely little rescue dog. We had forgotten how much joy a pet brings and we now can't think why we waited so long.

My grandchildren's lovely retriever is now 8 years old. They are aged 14 and 11, just like your dgc. I dread the day when this happens to their family. The children can hardly remember a time without him. My heartfelt sympathy, especially to your dgc.

Isn't it awful, though, when non-doggy people say, 'Well, you can always get another,' as if you'd had the TV nicked or something.

After our last dog died, (my little black shadow, she was so attached to me) I kept one of her dishes in the kitchen in case her little ghost thought I'd forgotten her. ?
It's still there many years later - handy for any visiting pooches.

I had one of mine put to sleep yesterday too he was 13 and until a few weeks ago was full of the joys of spring. They leave a huge hole when they go and no matter how many times you go through it, it doesn't get any easier.

My daughter’s beautiful rescue dog was killed when he got out recently. He was only two.
Poor daughter, she was made redundant a fortnight before Christmas, has now got a boring job which doesn’t pay the bills and her husband works for Honda.
We never stop worrying about our grown up children and share their griefs.

Witzend

Ow my lovely I do so understand. Xxx

Unless you love animals you can’t understand. They are family members.

I have never been without a dog or two from since I first married at 20 years old. So many beloved 'friends' have passed away.
A few years ago my precious German Shepherd died at 15 and I was heartbroken. My friend gave me this poem.

RAINBOW BRIDGE
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 are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and time 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 for 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..........

It may help your Gc Nana. If you think so, you can Google Rainbow Bridge and print it out for them.

Yes, yes! "They are family members" . mycatisahacker that is so true.

They give love and are loved, they bring precious things into our lives and very rarely cause the arguments and upsets humans do. Dogs especially love unconditionally.

Nanawind it's such a sad time for you all and my heart aches for you and the family.

Buffybee

Yes Anja, it always makes me cry reading the Rainbow Bridge.
It would be wonderful to be met by all my lovely girls.

You have my sympathy. I've had numerous pets over the years, but their deaths are always difficult to come to terms with.

Sorry to hear your news. We have friends whose 14 year old dog we look after when they are on holiday. We met her the first day they rescued her. I'm dreading her going. They touch our lives.

So sorry Flexiblefriend, he will leave such a gap in your life after 13 years.

Our pets are much-loved family members. So sorry to all who have recently had to say goodbye to a pet. I've been there myself not so long ago and it's heartbreaking. Each one has a special place in our heart and we will always remember them.
to all of you.

I wonder whether anyone would like to hear a doggy ghost story? Scoffers need not read on!

Close friends of ours lived in a semi detached stone barn with very thick walls. They always had dogs, including two flatcoat retrievers. Next door always had dogs, too, including a previous Weimaraner.
One of the flatcoats, a really lovely dog, was on his very last legs when this happened - the vet was coming next day to,let him go.
Next door's son had popped in with his girlfriend and had gone upstairs to check his emails - this was in the days before smartphones.
His girlfriend went with him, and was startled when he suddenly said, 'Did you see that?'
'What?'
'That dog!'
'What dog? He's downstairs.' (Their current dog, a Dalmatian.)
'Not him!'
What he'd glimpsed, while his mind was on other things, was their Weimaraner, who'd died some years previously.

He and the dying flatcoat had always been friends, so it was thought that he'd come to keep the other company on his way.
The (incidentally very level headed) son was spooked enough to take himself off to the village pub for a restorative pint or two.