SKY'S BIG DAY. The Day I Had to Put My Dog to Sleep.

To all who have lost, or face the lost of a dear fur friend, there is a book called "Goodbye, friend" that might bring some small comfort.

And to all of us, I offer a prayer said over all my beloved fur pals:
Thank you for being better than me and trying to patiently show me how to be better myself. Thank you for the love, understanding, forgiveness and joy. Thank you for making my life matter in such a personal way.

Now we part for now and you shall be missed more than we both could imagine. Go and be free of burdens old age brought. Go and be joyously free. But know there is a hole in my heart, and it is the size of you.

You all see Tucker as my avitar (love him to death) but before him was Dane. Dane was 80 lbs. of hair shedding joy. I still miss him to this day. Dogs have a way of filling up the empty spaces in our life and giving us unconditional love. Eventhough you Beloved Sky is no longer with you in life he will always be a part of your heart.

Dixie, on the right is getting older and she's starting to feel it more and more now. Dixie does not run much now----and her left rear leg is starting to drag a little when she walks. She lags behind more now, and when she tries to run, it is nothing like the tireless ground eating trot she used to have.

Yesterday, she went out with Riga and I to go on the morning walk. She just sat down and looked at me with sad eyes. I asked her, "What do you want to do?" She turned and looked back at the door----so I went and opened the door and she went back in and laid down. The first time ever in her life, this dog who has traveled the world with me, and never once did not go somewhere that I went, went back in and laid down. I think she was telling me that taking me for walks is now Riga's job.

I think the time is creeping up when Dixie will join Enka(the Weimaraner on the left in the photo) and Sky.

I know how you feel Maurice. But no matter how much everything else fails, the love never does.

When my beloved Chessie, Moses, was euthanized, I looked him straight in the eyes and said "Remember me, and keep a lookout for me. I'll meet you on the other side."

I wish you an easy a path as possible through your grief for Sky. I'm sure it is what he would want. He loved you so much.

Maybe when we get to the other side, we'll see Sky and Moses playing together! Now that lifts my heart.

...my tears fall at the loss of your beloved Sky, and the other precious ones on this thread...I know my "Sockies" will one day wait for me at the Rainbow Bridge...she saved my life in so many ways...

Personally I'm a cat person. They live two or 3 times longer than most dog breeds so you put off those inevitable tragedies a bit longer. But the sadness hits as hard in the end regardless... There's no way to avoid it. Very sorry for your loss man.

Thank you for sharing this poignant story about Sky (and Lily) and your wonderful photo tribute ....I'm sorry for your loss(es) ~ it's cathartic to share about it ~ thanks also to the other posters who have shared their stories ....

This is from my friend:
Lily passed away at 2:55 PM at the R B Veterinary Hospital.
We can take comfort knowing it truly was her time. The doctor came in to talk to us as Lily was in the other room having the catheter placed into her front arm. She reviewed Lily's records and examined her. Told us the cancer had grown to another large mass in her abdomen and to ease our sadness by telling us we did the right thing by bringing her in.
We had our crying moments as the procedure progressed but became calm and at peace as Lily look relaxed for the first time in so many weeks and I remembered what your friend Maurice wrote and stayed strong and the friend Lily needed in her last moments.
The hospital let us bring her home to bury. That was another comfort to us. She is now next to Daly under the cedar tree in the back yard.
How nice of Maurice to put Sky's story on his website in honor of Lily! He is a special person.

Humphrey lived to 13 -- with diabetes those last few years -- but right b4 we put him to sleep he wandered out into the street in front of our house and since he couldn't see or hear anymore I had to go out and get him. I decided at that moment it was kinder to put him to sleep than have him hit by a car.
His brother Angus joined him 1 year later. After the vet had given him the shot I told him to go play with Humphrey and save a place at Rainbow Bridge for Mommy and Daddy.

nice article, thanks for sharing..

Animals are part of the family!

A good tear jerker! thanks for the post ML

Sitting here trying to type with tears in my eyes isn't that easy.My niece breeds Peekapoos.She told me I needed one because I live alone. NO!! too much trouble.She bought me one down,got up in my lap and such licking and showing such love.Hard as I tried,couldn't resist.Smart dogs.When he'd be in the yard he'd stand up and bark at other dogs like he was inviting them in.I told my niece,she said I needed another one so Adam,first born,could have company.When Adams mother had her third litter,my niece bought me another, Deuce,couldn't think of anything for 2 or second so Deuce.Full of energy,beautiful,instant love again for me,I think Adam felt less excited than me,Deuce was fringeing on is territory.Eventually the adjustment was made.Adam did something and I put him in his cage for a timeout.Deuce laid there beside him then would come and look at me. Finally he took his paw and tried to open the door.Amazing how bright and super loyal.Deuce enjoyed either annoying me or as Shelly said he wanted to smell good,he rolled around in my flowers.Deuce died almost two weeks ago,a kidney problem.I'm thankful for the love he bought to me and Adam.Adam's mourning also,looking for him at the spots they frequented,then gets in my lap.i've never had a dog that died,it's painful.Shelly wants me to take another one,I can't you get so attached.I know this too will pass but I'm still in the mourniing mode so is Adam.People are devious by nature,dogs aren't.Shelly buried him with some of his favorite toys.Dog lovers understand,rather animal lovers.Condolences to all who've lost a pet,four legged family member..Thanks for the posting.Maurice. Feel a little better now since talking about my honey.

Very touching post that brought tears to my eye's. My brother had to put down his two Labs at the same time almost 2 years ago, Lucy my Dog still looks for them when we go see my brother. They are our companions for only so long, many are healers in their own marvelous ways. Thanks for posting! :(

Thank you so much for this post and everyone else for sharing. If it weren't for the my first dog, I wouldn't be here today. She saved my parents and me from being accidentally gassed, when we went to bed and the pilot light was out and the gas kept flowing. When woke us up baking incessantly.

Thanks for sharing your story. Being 56 and an animal lover, I have walked several of my friends into heaven. They were good friends indeed. They were like family.

I am sorry for your loss.

Aww.... paws of thanks for this great post.

Dogs are so easy to love. They bring us so much joy because they're so loyal and unconditional.

The link is great; I enjoyed the wonderful photo memories of you and your precious Sky very much.

{{hugs}} to those who lose their best friend(s) like Sky.

Misty-eyed Tanz.♥

I just went thru this with my own dog. Sara...was her name...Sara..anything but plain and tall. She wasn't the brightest..but she was the best. I had to have her stretchered into the vets...I knew that it was bad..but, I didn't let myself think the worst. It was the last time she would be home. Her gianormous heart gave out...I will miss her. She wasn't pedigree'd. She wasn't anything but a good and loyal friend..and that's A LOT.

Thanks for sharing your story, Maurice. Truly wonderful to read this in the middle of all the shit going on in the world. I don't have a pet currently, our apt. is no pets allowed. But I grew up with dogs and so did my husband. They are such good companions. I love animals in general. They are better than most people. I love the pic of your dog. Beautiful.

For 18 years, my twin kitties would head for the bedroom - stopping to ask me if I was following. I always told them "I'll be right there." When I had to help them leave this world I held each and kept telling them that I'll be right there. I'm sorry for your loss - our furry friends become very special to us.

I've been through this a couple of times. I appreciate the "no cry" suggestion. Like you, in our house this is called "special bye bye." When my son was about 4, we had to put down a favored dog, Ranger. The child was told that Ranger left to go to "college in France," which has now became a family euphamism for death.

A very touching and beautiful story. I have had Dog friends most of my life. My 7 yr old Nikka is the light of my eyes, the entire family is deeply involved with her. She is healthy , and vibrant, every so often I think what it will be like when she goes. Thank you for posting this story. +^d

I am so moved by your story of the last day with your friend. It reminds me of the last day with a dear friend of mine (I fed him filet mignon the night before) and the coming in the near future last day (that I am not prepared for) with my 14 year old border collie. I am not sure who was luckier, Sky or you. A double Scooby snack for your Sky!

I posted this in all the groups because there are pet owners across all strata on Current. it is a story that every pet owner needs to hear. Setting comedy aside, I learned a very important lesson that day and I wish to share it with all pet owners who love their animals.