My Loss

It had to be done. Sasha was put to sleep earlier this morning.

Allan

Sorry for your loss Allen, I do know very much how you feel My heart goes out to you. John

Dear Allan,

I'm sorry for your loss, but you must understand that you did the most humane and responsible thing that you could do.

Best Wishes,
Avalon :cry:

Oh, Allan,
I'm so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you.
Betty

Allan,

So very sorry to hear of the loss of Sasha. I can fully understand the
pain. Our terrior Bobo who has been a constant companion and source
of joy for a decade is in failing health. Our sympathy for your loss.
Warm regards, Jim

That's terrible Allan. My family and I will be thinking about you and your in the next few weeks.

With an ailing fifteen year-old dog of my own I could'nt stand to read or respond to your earlier post about Sasha. Carry the memory as I do of other dogs and will of Kauhlua. The pain you are feeling now is the price we pay for all that they give us over the span of their short lives.

Allan,

As you search your heart in the days to follow, you will know you made the right decision, no not an easy one for sure, but the right one. Sasha is no longer suffering and I know that's what you wanted to avoid.

There are so many great memories to reflect on, and years of companionship to cherish. Have you ever noticed that a dog is happiest right by your side? Even if their just sleeping next to you, their content as can be.

A dogs life is spent connected to ours, and I'm sure Sasha was happy to spend her's connected with you. You have been blessed by Sasha and she by you, intricately tangled for the happiness of both!

Whatever you do, spend a little time with Bear and Diesel, as they already know Sasha is missing and something is very different.

Helen and I will keep you and yours in our prayers, and though I already suspect you know it, you have many friends here to help lift you up and support you.

Terry

That is sad Allan. Be strong. You have done the right thing. Very sorry for your loss.


Rich

I empathize with your pain. I had to put down my hunting companion of 15+ years a few years ago...one of the hardest things I've ever done...he went to sleep in my arms. I cried like a baby.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i1...dood/Beoun.jpg


Just prior to his passing, he had a mild stroke. I knew he wouldn't be with us much longer so I cut some of his fur from him and tied a series of flies with the hair/fur I collected from him.

After we had to put him down, we had him cremated. His ashes are in a small, really nice wooden box with an engraved plaque, the picture you see above, and a shadow box with the flies I tied from his hair...kind of a memorial and tribute to him. It sits today on the mantle over my fireplace.

Think of the good times. Here is a story about my friend and companion I like to tell and I swear it is absolutely true:

Beoun was about 3 years old at the time I was going to school at LSU. We lived in an apartment and I fed him only good-quality dog food...kept him real "regular" which is important for a large dog living in the house.

I had to go out-of-town for the weekend and could not bring him so I boarded him at the local vet, not thinking about him being fed a different type of dog food.

I came back on Monday morning, picked him up at the vet (he was all excited and jumped in the back of my truck) and brought him home and went back to work. I came back about 4:30...walked in front of my apartment noticing that the front bay window was shattered. He could not get out because there were burglar bars in the window.

I went to the front door, opened it, and there sat Beoun...ears laid back with the MOST PITIFUL look you could ever see on his face.

He had to go to the bathroom SO BAD and didn't want to go in the house...he broke the front window...stuck his rear end up against the burglar bars...and POOPED OUT OF THE WINDOW!!

I patted him on the head and said "Good dog!!"

I surely do miss him but he had a wonderful life!

P.S., He saved many a duck for me including the one in the photo.

Allan, sorry to hear about the loss of your buddy. Their lives never seem long enough.

Sorry Allan,
I think we have about another week.
....lee s.

Everyone,

Thanks for your kind thoughts. I always have memories of 'my little girl'.


Lee S - If I understand what you wrote ... I'm sure you'll do what's right at the right time. Sorry.

Allan

Allan,
Our Schnauser was crippled up this weekend and I thought we were going to have to put him down today. But, it looks like he's pulling through. So, I know what is going through your heart, and my heart reaches out to you. Sympathy and comforting prayers for you my friend. :(
God Bless,

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers this evening Alan. I have been there and know your pain.

Rocky

:cry: Very sad news, Allan. My heart and prayers are with you and your family.

Allan, I'm sorry for your loss. I'm glad that you had such a wonderful companion for those years that you shared, don't forget those. I've had a number of wonderful dogs, and remember them fondly, as sad as it is to say,"Goodbye".....

Thank you all. I wrote this earlier today. WARNING: Do not read without some tissues nearby.

GOODBYE SASHA

We sat on the floor of the examination room and I held her in my arms for what would be the last time, ever. Two veterinary assistants placed and secured a catheter in the vein of her left front leg and walked out of the room. I used the precious little time we had left together to say good-bye, telling her that I hoped she had a good life and that I?d hoped I was as good an owner as she was a good pet and friend. Her eyes were round and clear. She seemed to understand what I?d said and as if to answer although I was unable to know what she was thinking. I gently petted her head, all skin and bones because of the toll taken by the disease that was rampant throughout her body. The tears that had started welling up since I first placed her to in the car began to flow. Doctor Cook came into the room and sat down with us on the floor. He held a syringe. I guess I was looking for assurance when I mentioned the black stools and her not being able to eat or drink. In a low tone he told me I was doing the right thing. I held up Sasha?s head and placed my cheek to it whispering what a good dog she was, how much I loved her and would miss her. (my tears are starting to well-up again as I write this). The doctor asked me if I was ready and I guess I nodded. He inserted the needle and pushed in the lethal fluid. Sasha let out a small whimper and I just kept holding her close feeling her faint breathing. Then it stopped. The doctor checked her heartbeat. There was none and said, ?It?s over.? He saw my reaction, handed me a box of tissues, said to take whatever time I needed, and left the room. As my tears kept coming I held Sasha for another few minutes petting her head and sides while talking to her. I slipped her collar off and lifted her off the floor and placed her on the examination table. Stroking her head some more I said good-bye and slowly walked out of the room turning around a last time to look at her and choke down some more tears.

That?ll be the last time I see Sasha for awhile. After cremation her remains will be returned in about 1 to 2 weeks and we?ll place them in the backyard.

We have dealt with the lives and deaths of 4 dogs and 4 cats. Bear, Diesel and Rusty[c] are still with us and hopefully it?ll be years before we have to deal with this situation again. I know that each of our dogs had and has an individual and special place in our hearts. I know Sasha was very special, in different ways, then the others and even from Bear who we got at the same time. We?ve been continuous dog ?owners?, maybe the correct word should be ?keepers?, for just about 35 years. You can never ?replace? a dog. You shouldn?t really try. Each dog should be wanted, cared for and loved on its own. Will I ever get another dog? I don?t know.

We found the best dog ever last year, she was already 4 or 5 years old...
I don't know how well I would recover from what you have just done.
My condolences to you from my heart.
Later,
Peter

That was a truly touching post Allen. The feelings you had for your dog shine through clearly. I have no doubt that Sasha was a well loved, and very happy, companion. We would all be saints if doing the right thing was always just doing the easy thing.

- Jeff

Allan, I cant imagine...I have a little lassapoo myself and cant imagine what your goign through ,but I hope you feel better and understand that it was the right thing to do, and Im sure your dog is thankful.
Ian

Allen... Your story really hits my heart and mirrors my experience in 2004 on the loss of my fishing buddy of 12 years, Jefe. I take great satisfaction in he had a great life and I was there to say "good by my old friend"...

http://home.comcast.net/~splitcane2/sw5_Jefe.jpg

I too was torn on getting a new buddy but one year later Miss Snicker Doodle Hopper came into my life and I knew it was right and worth the emotional cost. It was then I realized, I had not loss but gained a richer life...

http://home.comcast.net/~splitcane/A...eWebSite_P.jpg

I have Ben's ( my first fishing buddy, a golden retriver ) and Jefe's ashes and will have them beside me when it comes time to meet again...

This is an old one but worth a look again. I'm not sure the author.

God summoned a beast from the field, and He said,
?Behold man is created in My image. Therefore adore him. You shall protect him in the wilderness, shepherd his flocks, watch over his children, accompany him wherever he may go-even into civilization. You shall be his companion, his ally, and his slave.
?To do these things, I endow you with the instincts uncommon to other beasts: Faithfulness, Devotion, and Understanding, surpassing those of man himself. Lest it impair your courage, you shall never foresee your death. Lest it impair your loyalty, you shall be blind to the faults of man. Lest it impair your understanding, you are denied the power of words. Speak to your master only with your mind and through your honest eyes.
?Walk by his side; sleep in his doorway; ward off his enemies; carry his burden; share his affections; love and comfort him. And in return for this, man will fulfill your needs and wants-which shall be only food, shelter, and affection.
?So be silent and be a friend of man. Guide him through the perils along the way to this land I have promised him. This shall be your destiny and your immortality?
The dog heard and was content.

:cry: Allan, just saw your post about Sasha. My deepest condolences for the loss of your friend .

Sorry to hear that Allan, you are in Didi's and my thoughts.

wireguy

Allan,
We are so sorry to hear about this. I know there's nothing we can say or do to make the pain go away. You can take a small amount of comfort in knowing you took very good care of Sasha for so many years, and you did the right thing at the end. You were brave enough to end the pain. The battle is won.

Diane and family

Hey there Allan,
I was reluctant to post because my own pain still lingers. I too had to put my pet/pal/ to sleep. It was three months ago but I guess not enough water has yet flowed under that bridge .
I know what you're going through. The pain won't go away soon and in fact shouldn't. It shows how much you loved your pal. But eventually it will lessen and be repalced by fond memories of the good times you were able to share over the years.
My pet/pal was "merely" a cat, Harley and I must have really loved him............

Mark