I know a couple months back there was a few posts (which I tried to look for but couldn't find)about some of you losing your beloved old dogs. Well, now it seems to be my turn, but I have a question. We have to put down our 13 year old cocker spaniel, "lil'miss britt". She's been urinating in the house, snapping at our children(she's bit our little girl twice now), cataracts, etc. you know the rest. I love that dog, we have been together for all of those years. Everynight I go to sleep with her laying like a pillow against my back. Well, here is my question...do I want to be in the room at the vets when they give her the shot? Part of me wants to be with her but I don't think I could handle feeling the "life" go out of her. My friend had to put her dog down and she told me she wished she had'nt been there her pup died. My husband said he would hold her while they do it. Please let me know from your experiences about this situation. You know I wish I could be like my 4 year daughter, she was telling Brit "that someday you'll be up in heaven in a special place Jesus made just for dogs where you can run and see real good and hear real good and there are bones hidden everywhere and Grandpa can play with you cause he's already up there." You know when she said there wasn't a tear in her eye and she sincerely happy and assured that everything will be alright. Here I am 37 years old and I'm boohooing for weeks now and terribly sad.

-- claudia (cooleys1995@yahoo.com), July 02, 2001

Answers

Now you have me crying! Is okay cause I understand all too well. I've said good-bye to far too many of my furry pals. Whenever we have had to take that last ride to the vet, we have always been with our pets when the life left their bodies. I spoke to them...usually nonsense...cause I wanted them to know how much I loved them. I'm not saying it is easy, cause it is terribly painful, but I've never regretted being there. You'll miss her, but you'll know that you did your best for her and,after a time goes by, get a copy of "The Rinbow Bridge" peom and you'll understand even better. God bless!

-- Ardie from WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), July 02, 2001.

I think it's best for the animal if you're in the room. When we put our cat, "ghostbuster", down, my mom didn't want to be in the room, but it seemed sad that the animal should have to die surrounded by strangers, so I went in with him. It wasn't that bad. It's not a violent death, just like he was going to sleep. I'm so sorry about your cocker. I love your daughter's vision of "doggie heaven".

-- Elizabeth (Lividia66@aol.com), July 02, 2001.

I agree with the above. Though it is terribly hard, I would rather be with my animal when he/she dies...to tell them how much I love them and to thank them for their time with me. When my cat was dying (at home..she spared me the vet visit) she made it very clear to me that she wanted me near. But each person is different too..and I have friends who could not deal with being there.

Blessings to you and your dog.

-- Cathy in MN (catcrazy@somwhere.com), July 02, 2001.

Claudia, my heart goes out to you. Perhaps Commandment #10 will help you make this decision:

1.My life is likely to last 1- to 15 years. Any separation from you will be very painful. 2.Give me time to understand what you want of me. 3.Place your trust in me -- it is crucial for my well-being. 4.Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends and your entertainment. I HAVE ONLY YOU! 5.Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice when it is speaking to me. 6.Be aware that however you treat me, I'll NEVER forget it. 7.Before you hit me, remember that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, but I choose not to bite you. 8.Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I've been out in the sun too long or my heart may be getting old and weak. 9.Take care of me when I get old. You too will grow old. 10.Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, "I can't bear to watch it", or "Let it happen in my absence". Everything is easier for ME if you are there. Remember, I love you.

-- Carole in Tx (carle@earthlink.net), July 02, 2001.

My previous post was supposed to say at the top - 10 Commandments for a Responsible Pet owner. My vet has this list laying around in the waiting room. The first time I read it, it sure did make me cry.

-- Carole in Tx (carle@earthlink.net), July 02, 2001.

I lost my best friend and companion three months ago. She died in her sleep just a few hours after I had been with her. At first I didn't want to deal with the pain I was feeling and wasn't even there to bury her. Now, I wish had been there with her. Going through that proccess might have helped bring closure to her death for me. I really regret not being able to say goodbye and tell her how much I love her. I would stay with her. When she is in doggie heaven, you will miss her a lot, but at least you'll have been able to say goodbye.

-- c.d. (his4ever@mac.com), July 02, 2001.

I agree, you will feel better knowing you were there at the end of your dog's life, even if it is difficult for you at the moment. Having been there many, many times over the years, let me offer two bits of advice. One, don't be afraid to cry while this is all going on. The vet has seen it all before, and will completely understand your emotion. It hurts much worse to hold it in. Two, be prepared for some reflex-type activity from your dog as she dies. There may be nothing, or there may be a gasp, there may even be a bit of a whimper. (Not from pain, just the vocal cords relaxing.) Ask your vet what might happen so you know what to expect. The vast majority of euthanasias go very quietly and easy for the animal. My prayers are with you today...this is the worst part of loving animals.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), July 02, 2001.

I have worked for a vet and have put many animals down .You may want them to put the iv when you are out of the room .Some older animals are hard to find a vein .Then have them call you in .It is injected into the tube and the animal goes to sleep .No pain , no fuss .It is the most humane way to put an animal down .I would not have it any otherwAY .You are doing the right thing.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), July 02, 2001.

When we had our beautiful collie put down, we had a vet who came out to our house to do it. Kayla lay on the back porch and we sat with her for the procedure. She was in such pain at that time, that she seemed grateful we were "taking care" of her.We buried her in a special place on our property, and said a prayer of gratitude for the life she had given to us. It was very sad, but we were somewhat comforted that she didn't have to go in to a strange place to have it done. You might consider asking around whether there are any mobile vets in your area if this would seem a viable option to you. Like your daughter, I do believe there is a place in heaven for these special animals. (Allow yourself a few weeks to grieve, as you surely will, any way you do it.)

-- mary, in colorado (marylgarcia@aol.com), July 02, 2001.

I could not be in the room when we put our 16 year old "puppy" down. The vet asked me if I wanted to stay but I looked into her big brown eyes and her shaking body and knew I could not. I have her a big hug and kiss and walked out.

She was 16, deaf, had arthritis and was losing control. In the winter she could hardly put her paws down in the snow. In fact, she would pick them up and then just lay down. She could not climb the stairs, we had to carry her. One morning, after coming into the living room and finding her in a mess again on the carpet, she looked at me with those eyes and they said, I have had enough.

The hardest thing I have every had to do. I think anyone who has had to put down a pet goes through the same thing.

My youngest and I cried for 2 weeks. It has been 9 years and I still cry for her.

My youngest buried her collor, leash and some treats. We had Amy cremated but Katherine still want to to bury the items.

There are so many animal lovers here and we do understand what you are going through so know that we all feel for you and are here when you need to cry or just to talk.

-- Cordy (ckaylegian@aol.com), July 02, 2001.

Oh, Claudia, please be with your dog. I had to put a pug down and will always remember how his little body relaxed. He had been have horrible grand mal seizures, one right after another, and diabetes. He was so exhausted. Going to the vet makes a dog so nervous anyway, it's good for them to be held at the end. You can't go back and do it over so make sure you have no regrets. Yes, it will hurt like crazy but think about it. Your dog would be there for you.

-- Robin (robinatt@salpublib.org), July 02, 2001.

We had to put my companion down last year.......in fact a year ago today. 13 years she had been at my side, she thought it was her job and even with a painful spinal tumor was still trying to drag herself everywhere I would go. A good vet has no trouble finding a vein. Daisy looked in my eyes with trust and went to sleep; I would not have it any other way.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), July 02, 2001.

Claudia, there is an easy way to handle this situation, one that I have faced many times before. When this time comes to our home, I always ask the vet to give my companion _first_ a heavy dose of tranquilizer and or painkiller if needed. Then I take the animal back out to my car and we sit together, with me thanking the animal for all the good years and good times we have shared. This is a very special time, and one that I won't do without. It's easy to tell when they are completely relaxed in my arms and when that happens, we go back into the vets for the final shot. The animal doesn't fight the last injection at all and there is no final fear and terror to deal with. And there is no frantic fight to escape. As I am holding my loved one, the vet gives the final shot and with only one last deep breath, it's all over. It's a peaceful ending - for both of us. I then take the pet home for burial in a special place. Every vet I've ever asked to do this has cooperated immediately and been very, very understanding.

Arranging for an easy exit from a life that has become a burden is the final kindness I can do for my much loved pets. I feel that this is my responsibility and obligation. It's still hard - I'm sitting here crying as I type this. But at least I have the satisfaction of knowing that I helped make the final exit as gentle and kind as possible. And then, I have all those years of wonderful memories to cherish. I hope you have the same.

Carol

-- Carol Mora (carollm@rockbridge.net), July 02, 2001.

Claudia, my first dog that I ever owned was a stray we picked up when we were living in Puerto Rico. He was 8 or 10 years old when we got him, blind in one eye, nearly blind in the other, deaf as a post and nearly toothless from trying to eat garbage (the vet told me they get ahold of rocks and gravel and break their teeth that way). We had him for another 7 years. Not 2 weeks before I left the city for my land here in the country, he started having convulsions, falling down, couldn't control his bladder. I had to take him in and have him put down. I think it mattered to him that I was with him all the way to the end. My son was off on his summer visit to his dad and he was really hurt that Charlie didn't make it long enough for him to see him again, but he just couldn't hold on any longer.

It wasn't the first time we'd had to put a pet down. Before we left PR, we had to put Kevin's 35+ year old horse down. If we hadn't been leaving she could have gone on for awhile longer, but she had to be gently walked twice a day and medicated twice a day and nobody was going to do that for an old broke down mare you couldn't even ride but us. If we'd given her to someone else they just would have had her put down after we left anyway. It mattered to us that we be with her rather than a stranger. Kevin was only 8 or 9 then but he chose to be with her (he'd seen a horse put down before and knew what to expect). Still it was hard, but I think it was right for all of us. It was easier on her, and eventually it was easier on us because we didn't have to feel guilty that she had been alone at the end.

Its hard to be there and see them go, but at least for me it would have been harder to know I hadn't been there when my pet needed me.

-- Sojourner (notime4@summer.spam), July 02, 2001.

Well, I called our vet and she is going to try come to our house this friday, if not, we'll go to the hospital. I told her I would like to be with Brit when she passes on. All of you kindred spirits have assured me this is what I should do. As long as you all here with me so far, I guess I could ask you how much should my, almost 5 year old, daughter see?...should we show her the body or should we just keep Brit "covered"? We plan on burying her by a small stream that runs thru our property. My little girl and I were already talking about what flowers to plant, and we'll say a nice prayer. So in someways she seems okay with it, but you know I just don't know, once again, about how much she should see. The good thing is that Saturday morning the kids & I go visit my family for two weeks, and daddy will join us the second week, so hopefully that will be a nice distraction for all of us.

You know, last night I couldn't sleep so I sewed a nice, (I don't what to call it) like a burial cloth for Brit. That was somewhat theraputic for me, although I think for every stitch there was a tear drop. I thank each and every one of you for your honest and caring answers.

-- claudia (cooleys1995@yahoo.com), July 02, 2001.

hmmm. well, most often they give your dog an anesthetic first to put them to sleep, literally, and then after you leave they give them the shot that actually puts the dog down. it isn't a pretty sight, to be honest. my one vet friend's wife who used to volunteer at an animal shelter told me this harsh truth. usually when you stay there you don't see the actual death, but think you do.

the next shot usually causes the dog's muscles to convulse terrible. it is an awful site to see. when i had my old dog put down by a different vet friend, i asked to stay for BOTH shots. he tried to talk me out of it, i insisted, and kept both of my hands on her as she really died. i cried and cried before during and after, but i have no regrets and would do it the same way again. after all she gave to us, i felt i owed it to her. that is just the way i am, and not a judgment on anyone who does it differently.

i'm sorry you have to go through this, but applaud your courage in "doing what needs to be done" . so often people don't have that strength and let the dog (or cat or...) go through needless suffering...

-- marcee king (thathope@mwt.net), July 02, 2001.

As far as how much your daughter should see, I would leave it up to her. If she seems to want to be present be sure to describe to her honestly what she will see if she chooses to stay. If she changes her mind let her and make sure there is someone to stay with her if she chooses to leave the room at the last minute or during the process. Explain to her that you will be with your pet all the way through and she doesn't have to be there if she doesn't want to be, but if she seems to really want to try to be there, let her, just make sure she has an out and someone to be with her.

Many people put their own fears of death and sickness on kids when kids don't have near the fears we do unless we project them onto them.

The important thing is to let her decide for herself how much she is comfortable with and if she changes her mind let her go. Most of the "damage" I have seen done to kids over stuff like this has come from either secrecy, refusing to let them know or participate in what is going on in one way or another, or in forcing a kid to go through something like this to the end when they are not comfortable with it. If you let her decide what she is and isn't comfortable with I think it will turn out for the best.

-- Sojourner (notime4@summer.spam), July 02, 2001.

Years ago, my mom said she didn't have the strength to put our old dog down. She eventually breathed her last in my arms in the basement. I told myself then that I would find the strength when I had dogs of my own.

Years later, we had to have two put down together and took them to the vets. We stayed in the room and held them. Very, very, very hard to do. But, I'm glad we did it.

Then two years ago we had to have another dog put down and we elected to stay out of the room. It was a little less traumatic, but no easier. Especially, when the vet came out crying himself. I've told myself that when any of our other dogs have to be put to sleep, I will be in the room with them.

Hope this helps. I hope my tears don't ruin my keyboard.

-- Steve in WI (alpine1@prodigy.net), July 02, 2001.

I hope this doesn't come too late for you to see it. Please INSIST the animal be given a tranquilizer BEFORE the lethal injection AND that they wait the required amount of time for the tranquilizer to take effect.

I've seen animals go peacefully, as if falling asleep, with JUST the lethal drug. I've also seen them go VERY, VERY HARD. Just one year ago, my cat buddy had to be euthanized, and it was BAD. The vets claimed he felt no pain. That may be true. But he experienced TERROR. I knew this animal extremely well, and I saw his face and I saw the way her reacted. He died in terror. I will NEVER, NEVER again allow them to convince me that the prior tranquilizer is not needed. The necessity of his euthanasia was unexpected, and I wasn't thinking as clearly as I might have been if I'd had time to see him aging and to prepare. His death has haunted me all year (partially because no one knows why his kidneys and then his heart failed -- he was only 10).

It was horrible, but even if I knew it was going to be horrible, I'd be there with the animal, for whatever comfort my presence would give.

BTW, after the fact, a friend told me that sometimes the drug stops the heart while the animal is still aware, which is why they experience panic and terror. Get the tranquilizer! If you have Bach's Rescue Remedy, administer it to the animal and yourself prior to the euthanasia, and yourself afterwards. And anyone else who is suffering this trauma.

-- Joy F [in So. Wisconsin] (CatFlunky@excite.com), July 02, 2001.

I'm sure our vet gave the tranquilizer first, and we waited a few minutes. I assumed everyone did it the same. We have six children. Some of them were there; some preferred not to be. I don't think you should push it either way. Five is awfully young. I lean toward protecting them from anything unneccesary at that age, but as she is aware of the situation, you should talk it over with her and let her desires and your heart be your guide.

-- mary, in colorado (marylgarcia@aol.com), July 02, 2001.

We had our dog put down about a year ago I laid a large blanket in the back of our truck and the vet put him down right there, he loved riding in the truck he just relaxed and fell asleep. we drove to our property and wrapped him in the blanket and buried him. sad but we had waited too long to do this so it was best for the dog. ronda

-- ronda (thejohnsons@localaccess.com), July 02, 2001.

We had tranquilized our Amy before I took her to the vet and she still shook. From reading these other posts, I feel bad that I did not stay in with her, even though it would be very hard. It would have been the right thing to do.

She was always there for us. I should have been there for her. But you know what they say about hindsight.

Claudia, as I said in my earlier post, after nine years I still cry for Amy and I am almost 60. I also feel her presense and I still talk to her so I think she understands about me not being in the room with her.....I hope she does.

-- Cordy (ckaylegian@aol.com), July 02, 2001.

I'd recommend staying with your dog. My vet makes sure that the animal's "person" is the last thing they see before they go. Your dog will be gone before the they are even done giving the injection. The one thing I would add is expect the dog to move in spasms a little after she is gone. That scared me the first time I went through it, but it is normal and your dog is already gone and feeling nothing.

Check out the Rainbow Bridge animal memorial website. It has a very comforting poem and you can put a picture of your dog there as well as finding comfort from others who have been through the same thing. I'll be thinking of you.

-- debra in ks (solid-dkn@msn.com), July 02, 2001.

wow..... I can't remember ever crying over a post as much as this one. My heart aches for everyone who has lost a beloved pet. It is nice to know that i am not alone in my grief. I had to put my best friend and companion down before we moved here, my Alpine goat, Ziegen-Mensch Jackie or "Zaqeee" as she preferred. I loved that goat so much, just cried buckets, still cry. I miss her so much I can't describe it and there is a void in my life that will never be filled despite she left me with 3 children, 2 does and a buck.

Jackie had arthritis really bad, and osterioperosis (sp?) and was going downhill gradually. When the vet came to do the health checks before we moved he got out of the truck with his papers on his clipboard as usual, but as we were standing there talking I noticed him scanning the herd.... looking for something. I just shrugged it off, didn't pay much attention. then when we got to the last of the herd he asked about Jackie.... he said he was looking for her because she always came running up to him, would snatch his papers in her mouth and rip off a tasty mouthful. I told him that Jackie was still around, she was resting which she was increasingly doing more of. He examined her and suggested i let her go over the Rainbow Bridge as she was deteriorating and in pain. i looked at him with tears in my eyes and agreed to do it. I spent the last few moments with her before I had to leave for work the morning hubby took her. We shared a cup of coffee, i still drink from that mug. I hugged and kissed her, I wasn't able to go with her for the end because i had to work, we were 2 days before the move.

I remember hubby said she fell asleep peacefully, but since i wasn't there i have no way of knowing for sure. i know our vet loved her too, she is buried at his farm back in VA., but after reading about giving tranquilzers before the shot I cried... that upsets me to think that she may have experienced terror before she passed. An odd coincidence... i did a memorial to Jackie and she passed over on the day she was born, 5/9/93-5/9/01. She is with me, i can somehow fee her presence...I just know, can't explain it. I still weep for her and always will. She was my heart. I will never have another Jackie.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), July 02, 2001.

Holding my beautiful Golden Retriever for the injection when all life left her was the most difficult thing I have ever done. The only thing I can imagine making losing her worse would have been not being there for her.

My thoughts will be with you. I hope this helps.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), July 02, 2001.

Claudia, if you are still considering suggestions of whether or not to have little daughter present, I want to change my vote to no. You know, she's the same age as my little daughter, and I can't help believing it would add to the trauma for her. Maybe you could have someone stay in the house with her, or perhaps have her visit someone. Children understand death in a vague way, but I think the grief will be less for her, and probably much more manageable if she does not see it. She would also ask you so many questions, or bring it up so often, that it might make the whole thing more traumatic for you as well. Again, our hearts are with you in making these difficult choices.

-- athome (athome@home.com), July 02, 2001.

Unfortunately, the price of loving your pet is that you are most likely to outlive them. I always have a hard time when one of my animals has to be euthanized, even when I recognize that it is time to end the animal's suffering as the last loving act of being a caring owner. It is the measure of that love to have to make these difficult decisions.

I will second what Joy said about making sure that your animal is given a sedative anaesthetic before the fatal injection. I noted that she was including several of my animals in her equation. My old horse was one who went very quickly and easily with just the lethal injection, but she was already deeply in shock at the time,and could as easily have gone frantic as not.

I have held one of my dogs who kissed my face as we euthanized him, but he should have been anaethatized previous to the injection as he cried and tried to rip the tube out of his leg when they administered it. He felt pain from the injection, and although it was inevitable with his condition that it was the only kind thing to do, there was no need for him to have suffered this further. It was the same facility where Joy's cat had the very bad euthanasia experience as well.

On the other hand, this spring my 16 year old finally went into renal failure that we had been managing and monitoring for years. I had discussed this THOROUGHLY with my local vet previous to the event so that he would know my exact wishes. I don't know what he used to sedate her, it was a shot given IM very quickly, something that he uses pre-operative to calm a dog down. She became very sleepy and groggy, and was able to lick hands and be comfortable before the vet administered the lethal injection, then she just drifted off to sleep, breathed less and less, and gradually passed.

I've got to say that the small additional cost for this was worth every penny in allowing her a peaceful and loving transition that is a memory FAR preferable to what the other dog suffered. I will always be present for my animals at their death whenever possible in the case that it will make any difference to their peace at the time, even if it causes bad memories for me of the physical act. I was not at home at the time the last dog had to be euthanized, my mother was and had to take her in, but stayed with her the whole while. It bothers me more to have NOT been there for her than having a bad memory does, so I guess that is what is right for me. I know that the dog was just as comfortable to have her 'Grandma' present, but it would have helped my peace of mind.

-- julie f. (rumplefrogskin@excite.com), July 03, 2001.

Five is old enough to be given the choice. Your daughter is already aware of the situation. Children understand both more and less about death than we give them credit for.

When my son was 5 his stepmother (my ex's 2nd wife) committed suicide. For 3 days my ex refused to tell him what had happened. Kevin knew something was wrong but nobody would tell him what and he finally decided that his father must be sick and dying and nobody would tell him. When I found this out I about hit the ceiling and called my ex and told him either he would tell Kevin while I was present or I would do it on my own, I wasn't going to wait around for this any longer. My ex was all worked up about Kevin asking questions - basically he was concerned for HIS comfort level and not his son's.

The thing is that even at five Kevin knew that his father could not be trusted to give him a straight answer. He never asked his father a single question, but over a period of about a year he would occassionally bring the subject up with me. There was no bombardment. He would ask a couple of questions, then think about what he had been told for awhile. Eventually he would ask another question and think about that for awhile. The trick is not to overburden the child with more than they can handle, and you do that by answering their questions as simply and directly as possible without going overboard.

My ex didn't want my son at the funeral, but Kevin wanted to go. I fought him over that. Kevin had just been getting attached to this woman and my ex basically wanted to pretend she had never existed. He had intended, without my intervention, to just tell Kevin that she had gone back to India. Funerals are part of the process of telling our loved ones goodbye and I would not allow Kevin to be cut off from that when he wanted (and needed) to be a part of it.

So he did go. I told him what to expect. When we got there we sat in a waiting room where there was a large fish tank until Kevin decided he was ready to go in. He watched the fish until he felt ready. We went in, he viewed the body. We stayed through part of the service. When he was ready to go he gave me a prearranged signal and we just got up and quietly left. There was no trauma. There was no tearful, fearful scene. Kevin knew he was in control the entire time and had nothing to get upset over (above and beyond the normal grieving process).

Your 5 year old is old enough and knows enough about what is going on to be allowed to have some say in this. Obviously you have no intention of forcing her to be present; by the same token, don't forbid it. She probably will have questions later, but she will likely ask them even if you bar her from being there. She will, in fact, likely have more. That is of course assuming she knows the lines of communication are open. Children are a lot more capable than we give them credit for. At 5 Kevin knew he could talk to me but not his father. (Which is still, almost 12 years later, true, unfortunately)

Be open to the possibility that your daughter very likely has a better idea of what she can and can't handle than you do. If she wants to be there, tell her what is going to happen. If she still wants to be there, let her, but be sure she can leave (preferably with a friend or relative) when she wants to. You could always suggest that she be present for the sedative but not the actual euthanasia.

Children need the chance to say goodbye, to be there, too.

-- Sojourner (notime4@summer.spam), July 03, 2001.

I would definitely be there. When we put our fourteen year old dog (my very first dog) we were lucky because we had a housecall vet (still do) and she came to our house to put him down. Hubby and I held him lovingly on the couch where he always loved to sleep and talked to him and said our goodbyes and then the vet administered the shot. Both hubby and I were crying along with our female vet. It was a very moving experience for us and I wouldn't have wanted him to go without our loving arms around him. It is very hard to do but when you know it is putting him out of his pain, you can do it with love. I would feel like I was abandoning him if I just sent him off to the vet without loving arms to hold him at the last.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), July 03, 2001.

Well, if some of you are still here with me, the appointment is made for 3 o'clock this Friday. A good friend suggested that we do something before we go to the vet...like take Brit for a swim or let her dig for carrots in our carrot patch (she loves carrots)or just a nice walk. I will be with Britt, holding her, as takes her walk over the Rainbow Bridge. I mentioned about the sedative to the Vet and she said of course. Our children will be at home waiting for us to return. We'll go to the spot we've picked out, lay some carrots, her chewman and gently put Brit down it. Tell Brit what a wonderful part of our/my life she was and then thank God for blessing us with such a beautiful animal who enriched all of our lives. I want to thank everyone who responded to my pleas for help, you can't imagine how much each one of your answers helped me. When you're a stay-at-home mom, you don't get out much and you certainly don't get to talk to other adults that much...so this forum has been a real blessing for me. Whether I asked about my soupy strawberry jam or answered other postings, it's just real nice to know "you" are all out there. Again thank you.

-- claudia (cooleys1995@yahoo.com), July 03, 2001.

What a Good Girl you were. How sweet when you were here, when you licked my face, while I sat crying. You knew my every mood. We played. and did I not chase you with a broom because you still insisted on breaking out a man instilled screen room? What a sight that was. I must have looked like a mad woman, me with broom in hand, chasing you around and around a round pool. You won that day Bridgett. And Bridgett, how about all the folklore about feeding chocolate to dogs? You went spastic, I never laughted so much in my life on you going nuts about chocolate. It was Fun! However, you stealing the ham off the stove, was a different matter.

-- ODE TO BRIDGETT (story@sticking.com), July 04, 2001.

Claudia, I thought about you today. Hope everything went ok. Iam sorry for your loss.

-- kathy h (ckhart55@earthlink.net), July 06, 2001.