SurvivingInfidelity.com^®

Oh Painfulpast -

It is very sad. I understand - I said goodbye to my dear old girl last month.

It is so hard. I haven't been able to read all the other posts - because it is all still so fresh - miss her every day.

but just wanted you to know that I undersand.

the sadness of loosing her has set off a grief cycle for me - combined with a couple of other things I have really felt vulnerable.

How do I cope? I am reminding myself this is an echo of discovery. I am not there. I am not walking it. It is just a sad time.

best wishes to you.

Meg

(((PP)))

Fred sounds like quite the guy. It is so hard when the time comes. Just remember, he has had a great life, and do what he deserves, and provide him with an honorable, peaceful exit.

Stop by a fast food place, give him a few cheesburgers, and love him up really good. Then just do it. Dogs are very stoic, and will tolerate pain and discomfort beyond what we can imagine, when they show distress they are feeling it.

2 years ago I had to say good bye to 3 family members that supported and helped me through those tough days. It sucks, and it's hard and many tears were shed. But maybe there is a new man waiting to become part of your life at that wonderful shelter.

((((and strength, and peace))))

Rescues are in a special class of their own. I have a rescue that I got in November and she is my baby. Everyday she shows her appreciation and love for us. I also would be devastated if I had to put her down. However, I know that to do so under your same circumstances would be the most loving thing I would be doing for her. I am so sorry you have to make this decision. My heart goes out to you and Fred.

So so sorry that your darling Fred's life is approaching its end. One of my dogs died of an extremely fast-growing lung-cancer in 2004, the specialist vet outside Boston said we could give him six more months of a happy pain-free life if he had a lung lobe where the cancer was surgically removed. But in fact he had only a few days of that happy time; the cancer was one of the fastest this specialist vet had ever seen.I have had many pets, and quite a few have died of cancer. The vets have told me the same: cancer is very difficult to predict its outcome, it goes by its own rules, every cancer is different. Towards the end, as my boy's breathing became more troubled, the vet gave him morphine patches, Band-Aid type pads with morphine. Six weeks later, I held his head on the bed, whispering 'I love you, I love you' as the vet injected him with the very peacefully-acting medicine to euthanize him. All his 4 dog-siblings and 5 cat-siblings were with him when he died. In life, as in his death, he was surrounded by love. And love is something that not even death, powerful death, can EVER take from you or from Fred. You two will ALWAYS have your love for each other. Always.

Fred sounds blessed to have found you, and you sound blessed to have found Fred.

People say your dog-friend will tell you when it is time to let go. I have found that to be true, in a hard-to describe way.

Do you know the Rainbow Bridge story? I think everybody with pets must know it, but in case you do not, I will repeat it here for you. I hope it helps you. It's author is anonymous:

'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 and 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 or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they 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. The bright eyes are intent, the eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away 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 in 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....'

big ((HUGS))

You gave that dog so many good, happy years full of love.

Thank you all, so much.

People say your dog-friend will tell you when it is time to let go.

Fred just told me. He can't walk consistently. This just started. I came upstairs for a minute. I heard a noise. Fred had tried to follow me and had fallen back to the landing. I went down. He was shaken, but he stood up, walked to the living room, laid down and wagged his tail. this was at around 8 am.

Just now, I was in the kitchen doing dishes. Fred came over to hang out, as he always follows me around the house. He laid in the hallway, panting and staring at me. I walked over to pet his head. His eyes never left mine. His tail didn't wag. Until this moment, for nearly 6 years all I had to do was say Fred's name and his tail went. Today, just now, he just stared. He's struggling. It's selfish to let this continue. He's not happy anymore.

I called the vet. I'm bringing him in later today.

Thank you all again for all of your support.

painfulpast,

I'm so sorry. This is such a hard thing to do, but it is the right thing. You are in my thoughts.

My prayers and thoughts are with you and Fred today. I will light a candle here in my room in the UK for him.

Thinking of you today--and sending strength and hugs.

I'm sorry. Sending strength.

(((((painfulpast & Fred))))))

(((PP)))

Get him whatever his favorite treat is and be kind to yourself today.

(((and strength))))

with you

I am so sorry.

Sending you hugs and strength. Fred sounds like an awesome dog.

(((((painfulpast and Fred)))))

I do know what it is like to put down a furry family member through the midst of all of this hurt. For me, it was my husky, Isaac, who was very special to me, and one of my greatest sounding boards through many struggles for over a decade.

What you are doing is so very heart wrenching, but you are doing it out of love. It's the right thing to do for Fred.

Thinking of you and Fred today. Sending you strength.

Gotta send one more hug his way...

(((((Fred)))))

hugs painfulpast, I know this feeling.

He was a good dog, you were a good mommy to him.

I'm sorry your having to experience this.

Its wonderful you were able to give him so many years.

I am so sorry.

((((huge hugs))))

I am so sorry.

"Often in our mind,

Forever in our heart"

Gentle grace in grieving to you.

Thank you for loving him so well and so deeply.

I'm completely at a loss. Fred has rebounded. We went out, walked around, he was smelling the grass and even rolled in it. His tail is wagging, his eyes look good.

I'm dumbfounded. His appt. is in an hour. I'm thinking put it off? Or am I being selfish?

We upped his meds to see if it would work. I didn't think it did, but maybe it bought him a little time?