OT - Hard to Cry with your Mask On

Yesterday we had to put down our wonderful dog of 15 1/2 years. Very hard decision and was most certainly one of the family. My avatar is a picture taken of him in 2002. His name was Bubba.

I'm really sorry to hear that. My condolences to the family.

I am sorry for your loss. Pets are people, IMHO (well, at least DOGS are people, not sure about cats and turtles). When we lose them, it's as painful as a beloved family member.

Bless your heart. You have my sincere empathy. We went through the same thing a few months back. I still miss our dog. He was definitely a part of our family.

Let me share a poem, which I quoted to try to help express our emotions:

John Galsworthy wrote:
Memories

Not the least hard thing to bear when
they go from us, these quiet friends,
is that they carry away with them so
many years of our lives. Yet, if they
find warmth therein, who would
begrudge them those years that they
have so guarded?
And whatever they take,
be sure they have deserved.

CruzTerri wrote:Yesterday we had to put down our wonderful dog of 15 1/2 years. Very hard decision and was most certainly one of the family. My avatar is a picture taken of him in 2002. His name was Bubba.

I am so very sorry about Bubba. I posted about my own loss of the beautiful Golden Retriever in my avatar not long ago. I really do feel your pain and, in response to your post title, yes, it is hard to cry with your mask on, but it is certainly possible. I have not gone a single day without tears yet. She was certainly a member of my family and I feel your pain.

Jeanette

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 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 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 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....

Author unknown...

I feel your pain. I am so sorry for your loss. Been there. It hurts and it sucks.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Terri. So many of us can relate to the pain you're going through. Our pets definitely ARE family members (and usually the nicest ones, at that ).

I'm sure you know that the pain will lessen over time, but I know that's of little comfort right now. You certainly have our support and condolences on the loss of Bubba.

I am so grateful you have the courage to do what is best for your Bubba. It was so hard for me but I recognize that it was necessary and the kindest step to take. In the years since I keep my memories close with pictures and more. I just had a charm bracelet made with family members on it and the Tig was right there alongside all of us. We feel blessed to have had her in our lives for 19 1/2 years.

My prayers are with you and everyone's lives that Bubba touched.

I am so sorry for your loss. It shows our love for our companion animals when we are able to allow our fine pets to go on ahead of us, to wait for us at the rainbow bridge, when their bodies have failed them. It is so very hard for us humans to do, but we must remember the good times with our beloved pets. 15 1/2 years shows you were indeed a good master! She (or he) was a lucky dog to have you as her family.

Sorry to hear this...

I'm sorry that you are having to go through this very difficult transition in your life. Sometimes, the death of a beloved pet just takes away you ability to breathe-CPAP or no CPAP.

Sorry for your loss. We had to put down our last rat today; she got a whole chocolate chip cookie to enjoy on the way to the vet, which she devoured even though she could no longer walk. It's amazing how attached we can get to our pets.

" I have sent you on a journey to a land free from pain, not because I did not love you, but because I loved you too much to force you to stay."

May that thought lighten grief, even if the furchild-shaped hole in your heart will never go.

Thank you all for your kind words. Bubba was a very special dog to us. He didn't give in. He would have gone until he absolutely couldn't have gone any more. We just didn't feel right putting him through that.

Now to get used to coming home with no one there to greet me.

Time seems to heal all things, every day it will get better.