We had no idea it would end this way

[Liz]

Hugs from here too, we lost our old yellow lab girl in June.

[exile]

Never an easy time but as others have said, think of the good times and the wonderful life you gave her.

[Sparkle]

so so sorry - but you will always remember the love you both had.

[L Austin France]

Sorry to hear about your mate Headers.
It's never easy making 'that decision' but knowing when to let 'em go & helping them gently on their way shows true love & gratitude for the years of companionship they give.

[hughnique]

I tried to comment on here yesterday but I was unable to see the keyboard after 2 minutes, it really is gut wrenching having to make these decisions, we have had the same situation here first was our old adopted staffie cross, he was lovely, and got to 17 , but still terrible, then our brown dobie girl not 2 years old, we had her from 18months, she really was a character, she went under the anesthetic, next was Boycie our absolutely fabulous 50kg male dobie his heart just doubled. Lastly Florrie the cat. We still have Nyshka, our last female dobie, she was diagnosed with terminal skin cancer 1 month after Boycie went, said 2 years max, that was 4 years ago, she will be our last, we are getting too old for it and the heartache is unbearable, So we know have Lucy, Mysty and Derek the cats as well as Nysh, both Lucy and Nysh are on long term expensive medication, but they have entertained us for years, we owe it to them, that's all without the tragic human loss in the past 2 years, my heart goes out to you mate.

[Headers]

Yesterday we finally placed Dawn alongside her brother Dusk and their old buddy Tiger the cat in the Pawsoleum in the garden. The cremation service here returns the ashes in a very tasteful cardboard container along with a small heart shaped tissue Impregnated with wild flower seeds.
I am looking forward to seeing some lovely flowers in the Spring.

[Sparkle]

@Headers oh that is just so beautiful.

[A.N.Other]

Sorry for your sudden loss.

As hard as it can be head needs to rule heart in such situations and it's what's best for the pet which has to take precedence.

I well remember one particular cat we had in UK which at nearly 20 years of age developed Leukaemia, he was very ill but the vet persuaded us to keep him going with medication but a day or two later he disappeared and despite desperate searches he was absolutely nowhere to be found.

To say that we were distraught would be a complete understatement but it was as nothing compared to how we felt when a few days later he turned up in an absolutely dreadful state, soaked through, bedraggled, and barely able to stand let alone walk so where he'd been and how he manged to get home we had no idea but we had no further hesitation in taking him back to the to have him put out of his misery.

This took place the best part of 25 years ago yet to this day I haven't forgiven myself for putting him through that and it still rips me to pieces, the tears are freely flowing as I write.

[Sparkle]

@A.N.Other I understand your loss as back in 1997 we had a similar situation with our 17 yr old who also developed leukaemia fortunately we found him laying under a hedge - oh er can't say anymore.

[Spardo]

As a lover, and serial adopter, of older dogs I have been through the above experiences many times and it never gets easier. But I have always resisted cremation in favour of burial but as I get older, even with a hired mini-digger (sold mine many years ago), it is unlikely to be an option in future.

So my question is, and without wishing to cause any distress, how confident do you feel that your loved ones' ashes are being returned to you? The only dog I have had cremated was Boss, the Rottweiler (because he was simply too big and heavy to handle), and I didn't ask for his ashes because of my lack of trust. I think of him with extra sadness and guilt though, each time I pass the 6 graves in the garden and forest.

Not just dogs. I once called on the 2nd wife (who I had never met) of an older, long time friend in England to look him up after years away. She invited me up to the flat after saying that he wasn't here. She corrected that statement once sat down with a cup of tea with, 'he's there', pointing to the urn on the mantlepiece. Stunned into silence my first, private, thought was 'how do you know?'.