Goodbye Sam (animals, floor, wood, lost)

[CelticLady1]

My son and I had to make the difficult decision to put our dog, Sam, to sleep yesterday. My son is 21, and we got Sam as an 8 week-old pup, when my son was 7, so we had him for fourteen years. He really was an old man, (at 98, most people don't live that long), and it was an arthritic/neurological condition, (common to very old dogs), that was only going to get progressively worse, (he'd lost the use of his legs two days ago). Given the information by the vet, we made the decision to let Sam go now, rather than prolong the inveitable. My son is a very sensitive young man, and I'm not sure what was harder, to make the decison itself, or to see how torn up he was, and is. I'm very proud of him, though, because he made the decision to stay, while we put Sam to sleep, something that he originally thought he couldn't do. We sat on the floor together, with Sam's head in my son's lap, while the vet administered the shot. It was very quick, painless, and peaceful, and I know that Sam knew that we were releasing him, to once more become that young and healthy dog that he once was. We brought him home, my son dug his grave in the backyard, and we buried him, as the sun shone.

[kelly3120]

I am so sorry.
many prayers!

[Secret Samadhi]

I'm very sorry to hear this. It's never an easy decision to make, but you did what was best for Sam.

[Triplewillow]

Celtic, my heart goes out to you and your son. Like so many of us here, I feel your pain. I am sending prayers for you both that you find some comfort and time does it's job well.

TW

[LordBalfor]

Having been in that situation a few times myself, my heart goes out to you and your son. Letting a beloved pet go is a hearwrenching decision.
I think your son made the right choice being there at the end to provide some degree of comfort to your dog - rather than having him pass away in the midst of strangers.

Ken

[Pawporri]

By the edge of woods, at the foot of a hill,
is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
when their time on earth is over and done.
For here, between this world and the next,
is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.
No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
for here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.
They romp through the grass, without even a care,
until one day they start, and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.
For just at that instant, their eyes have met;
Together again, both person and pet.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past,
the time of their parting is over at last.
The sadness they felt while they were apart
has turned into joy once more in each heart.
They embrace with a love that will last forever,
and then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.

So sorry for your loss.....

Carrie

[Miss Blue]

Originally Posted by CelticLady1

My son and I had to make the difficult decision to put our dog, Sam, to sleep yesterday. My son is 21, and we got Sam as an 8 week-old pup, when my son was 7, so we had him for fourteen years. He really was an old man, (at 98, most people don't live that long), and it was an arthritic/neurological condition, (common to very old dogs), that was only going to get progressively worse, (he'd lost the use of his legs two days ago). Given the information by the vet, we made the decision to let Sam go now, rather than prolong the inveitable. My son is a very sensitive young man, and I'm not sure what was harder, to make the decison itself, or to see how torn up he was, and is. I'm very proud of him, though, because he made the decision to stay, while we put Sam to sleep, something that he originally thought he couldn't do. We sat on the floor together, with Sam's head in my son's lap, while the vet administered the shot. It was very quick, painless, and peaceful, and I know that Sam knew that we were releasing him, to once more become that young and healthy dog that he once was. We brought him home, my son dug his grave in the backyard, and we buried him, as the sun shone.

Such a beautiful , touching story of love for our pets..They are part of our family and we miss them, especially for your son, because Sam was beside him through his childhood...

[Suzanne1945]

I can feel your saddness and pain for you and your son as I have lost 4 GSDs over the years. Keep the good memories as they will far overshadow the sorrow as each day passes. Sam will be waiting for you at Rainbow Bridge. You may even get a message from him that he is okay and is waiting for you.

[CelticLady1]

Thank you all for your kind replies. I know, from past experience of losing both beloved people and pets in my life, that the sorrow will ease with time, though the pain is intensely sharp now. I think my son knows that as well, from losing his grandmother, great-grandmother, (whom he was very close to), and other pets, but this loss will take longer to get over, as he had Sam in his life longer than any other pet, or his family members, for that matter. In fact, it's actually the longest that I have had a pet myself, though I have lost many pets over the years. This is definitely the toughest pet loss. We both know, logically, that we did the right thing for Sam, at the right time, but I'm afraid our hearts have not caught up with our heads. We will simply have to allow time to do it's job.

Thinking of the Rainbow Bridge does bring a smile to my face, as I think of Sam, young and healthy again, playing with my cat, Murphy, (who had extra toes; his feet looked like catcher's mitts). He and Sam used to play together, before I lost him, about a year and a half ago, (I had to make the same decision for him, which hurt terribly). I know many people don't believe that animals last beyond death, but I don't agree with that. I am convinced that there is more to our pets, the same as ourselves, and I believe that the One who created us, will receive us all.

[PATHFINDER7255]

Celticlady.....you are a very smart lady indeed.
Thank you for believing , need I say more.