Sad News

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2003
Sad News
14
Sun, 01-01-2006 - 3:54pm

I said goodbye to my beloved Caleb, my beautiful 13yo yellow lab, on Monday, December 26th. He had been steadily losing strength and control in his hind legs for at least the past year. He took a particularly nasty spill on our tile floors on the Thursday before Christmas and by Christmas Day, had barely enough strength in his legs to hold his 110 lb self up.

On that Monday, it was clear that he had given up, so I made an emergency call to the vet. After we said our goodbyes, my mom and dad (who were here visiting for the holiday) the kids and I carried him to my car right on his bed and the assistants at the vet's office rolled a gurney to my car, lifted him out and wheeled him in to the office.

I stayed with him until to the end, when he lay his big, beautiful face down on his front paws for the last time and very, very peacefully went to sleep.

Julie


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Avatar for heartsandroses2002
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: julesnalpine
Tue, 01-03-2006 - 11:57am

Awww, Jules, I'm so sorry. I had to put down our little guy a few years ago and it was devastating for all of us, especially my H and my 16dd - there were sounds coming out of her like I've never heard.

It's never easy to let go of our fur-kids. When I look at my two little doggies, I know my heart will just break one day when the time comes. I want them to outlive me!

Do you have any photos of Caleb? Perhaps you could get a nice frame and put his photo someplace special to memorialize his contribution to the family?

In the meantime, many hugs~

Avatar for suzyk2118
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-1997
In reply to: julesnalpine
Tue, 01-03-2006 - 2:32pm

Yup; same reaction here - getting back Christmas Eve and finding her toy still there got ds and me going all over again. But we also did go to Petsmart that evening and saw what now ended up our next cat, which helped a bit - got him last Monday and he's settling in fine. I tell you what, as much as some people feel the need to wait a bit (we did for our last dog), it's truly wonderful to have a new family member to care about right away, to help take your mind off things (which does NOT diminish how you felt about the last one).

Sue




Edited 1/3/2006 2:34 pm ET by suzyk2118
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-17-2005
In reply to: julesnalpine
Tue, 01-03-2006 - 3:56pm
I'm so sorry for your loss, Julie. My sister had to put her Boxer down just before Christmas. It had been a long time coming; he had been lame (hind legs) for quite sometime and she just didn't want to face what she had to do. He grew progressively worse; it's too bad she had to put him down around Christmas time, but she had waited so long. I hope you find some comfort and peace knowing he's in a better place...

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: julesnalpine
Wed, 01-04-2006 - 12:30am
I'm so sorry, Julie. It's so hard to say goodbye to your pet--they are members of our families. Lots of hugs and healing to you and your family.

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