sad day

after 12 great years my beloved ridgeback, is no longer with me :(,
i have just returned from the vet with her collar and a tear in my eye, the point of this draft is, this the second dog my daughter has had to say goodbye to and of course it is a very emotional draining experience, but i feel very strongly that kids need to learn about life with death also, dogs are so forgiving and totally uncomprimising in the affections of their owners, i gave my daughter the option to leave the room, but she stayed, same as when we said goodbye to our last old mate,

rip 'gretal'

its always hard mate.

really sorry to hear about that nedwalk 12 years is a long time

What can one say. I cried when I awoke one morning in Adelaide to find Cleo- my beloved St. Bernard- dead on the verandah.

Condolences.

Sorry to hear it, mate. Won't be happy when my Shepherd goes. Be a while yet (I hope) as he is only 5.

Sorry to hear that, been there to, and it hurts

I'm sorry for you too Ned. Best to think that She has gone to a better place and will remember you with love.

Sorry to hear that Nedwalk. I have a dog myself that I have contemplated putting down. It's pretty much blind and is constantly bumping into things. I can't go through with it though because it constantly wags its tail when it does.

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Originally Posted by nedwalk

this the second dog my daughter has had to say goodbye to and of course it is a very emotional draining experience, but i feel very strongly that kids need to learn about life with death also

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Condolences. Your approach to the daughter is right on. Part of the learning experience for us all. Nothing is permanent and death is part of life.

I lost my best mate "Buddy" two weeks ago after having him from a pup for 16 years. A man couldn't have wished for a better dog and he died in my arms. I must admit I cried like a baby and two weeks later I still expect him to come through the door. He was healthy right up to the day before he died, never had a days illness in his quite long life, but his heart gave up on him. One small blessing is that I never had to watch him suffer. I still have his ashes on the mantle and when I'm up to it I'll scatter them around the backyard. The problem is you can never really prepare yourself for the loss of a dog. Even though he was 16 he'd still go for a walk every day, chase a ball around, I can't believe he's gone.
My comiserations, I know the pain the loss of a good dog causes.

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Originally Posted by pickel

It's pretty much blind and is constantly bumping into things

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That isn't a reason to put down a dog, if you move stuff around then guide the dog yourself till it learns what you have moved, also you can get the retinas replaced so they can regain their eyesight.

Sorry to hear that Ned... Pets are heartbreakers. :(

Condolences, nedwalk.

Take comfort in the love and care you were able to give your dog.

Was it a real ridgeback or a the Thai Ridgeback?

I used to be tormented by a ridgeback at a pub I worked at when I was 18. Damn thing would hunt be whenever I went out to do the kegs or freezers. It just didn't like me. It bit a hole in my shoe and tried it's best to eat my head one day.

It would also regularly try and mount me when I was bottling up as well.

Lovely looking beast though.

^So you fancied it then :)

So sorry, Nedwalk.

Remember though, that although Gretal is gone, no-one can ever take away the thousands of happy memories you have of her. She will live forever through your memories.

RIP, Gretal & big hug for you & your daughter.

Condolences nedwalk.

I had an English Springer Spaniel and although she was absolutely nuts, i never really got over having to have her put down. I didn't want to go through that again so i swore i wouldn't have another pet after that.

Sorry to hear that Ned as NR said remember the good times

Made me cry. Sorry for your loss, Ned. Ditto, NR, hugs to you and your daughter. Never easy to lose a best friend.

Sorry.. Ned..:( They really become part of the family.. An irreplaceable part of it too.. You can get another dog but never quite the same....Good thoughts are with you...

Ned I had to put my little 14 year old cairn terrier down it was a month today to be exact.

Nursed her for 12 months with bladder cancer, then it became obvious a trip to the vets had to be done.

The only time I've seen my dad cry was after having to take the family dog to the vets for the last time.

This was my first time with a dog that is older than my daughter and I was very emotional to say the least, a heart wrenching experience.

Walk in with a dog on a lead, walk out with a lead, collar and name tag.

I know how your feeling, think of the good times.

I feel your pain mate. I just recently took my 21 year old cat to the vet to get him put down. He is the one in my avatar. Some of my earliest memories were with him, as I was only 7 or 8 when we got him.

But thats life eh

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nedwalk

after 12 great years my beloved ridgeback, is no longer with me :(,
i have just returned from the vet with her collar and a tear in my eye, the point of this draft is, this the second dog my daughter has had to say goodbye to and of course it is a very emotional draining experience, but i feel very strongly that kids need to learn about life with death also, dogs are so forgiving and totally uncomprimising in the affections of their owners, i gave my daughter the option to leave the room, but she stayed, same as when we said goodbye to our last old mate,

rip 'gretal'

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Thanks for sharing, Ned.

It hurts, to lose a dog.

I love dogs and all of the dogs I've had.

A dog will always be loyal, and never cheat us for money, or selfishness. Even when we, are less the loyal to them.

Enjoy the good times you had with "man's best friend."

Truly, man's best friend.


Peace.

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Originally Posted by meow

I feel your pain mate. I just recently took my 21 year old cat to the vet to get him put down. He is the one in my avatar. Some of my earliest memories were with him, as I was only 7 or 8 when we got him.

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21 years old. That is amazing.

This sad thread has renewed my faith in the kindness of you guys.....
Sometimes when Lucky and Sweetie are laying at my feey sound asleep. I wonder what I would do if they went to that great big park in the Sky.

Hope I go first!