Losing Man's Best Friend

[encarter13]

Just wanted to vent somewhere. I had to put my best bud down. Tanner was a 13 year old Goldendoodle. While I know 13 years is a long time for a big dog, it just isn't long enough.

I was lucky enough to get Tanner while I was still in college. He was there for my graduation, three moves, and my wedding day.

Mr T enjoyed the lake, hiking, Jeep rides, ear rubs, and lounging in his big red chair.

My wife and I are devastated. We had to get his chair out of the house too. We could not look at it sitting empty any longer.

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[Dr. Robert]

My heartfelt condolences. I feel your pain, the pooch who owned me died three years ago.
Vaya con Dios good dog.


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[Chewbacca]

My condolences. We let one of ours go in June and I was in terrible shape for a week. It’ll pass. Know that you gave him a great life and he’s on another journey.

[Rebel]

We have 5 dogs throughout our family of wife and I with three grown sons. These pets are members of our family. If we have food to eat, so do they. If we have a roof over our heads, so do they. Therefore, I fully understand and feel (and have felt) your pain in this loss.

I'm a United Methodist pastor and will send up a prayer for you and your wife trusting this is acceptable to you.

[Cadi1]

Sorry for your loss.

[~JJ]

Very sorry for your loss and grief. I lost my two kids (cats) last year, my boy was 18 and my girl was 20. Not sure if timing helps, but I could barely do anything for a month, the next six months I constantly thought about them, then slowly I was able think about them without breaking down.
Just hit the 1 year mark on my boy and the last week has been tuff. Grief is a long road that only time can make better, there’s no rushing the process. My eyes filled with water writing this note. Stay strong and don’t rush into a new friend.

[MrGoat]

Nick, I send you and your family my most heartfelt condolences. It’s never easy to have to make that decision. Take comfort in knowing you gave him a great life.

On another thread Pickettt said it so eloquently.


Good luck with your grieving, he will be waiting at the Rainbow bridge for you.


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[214270Explorer]

We feel your pain, recently having to have a very old cat put down due to ongoing end stage kidney disease.
Having pets all my life <I am 70> it never gets any easier. And it probably shouldn't.
We have had more than a few pets (cat, dog) that had to be put down over the years.
Remembering the good times (and looking at old photos always helps a lot.

[mannyv11]

We lost our beloved black lab in may at the edge of 7 to cancer. She died naturally in my arms which was just awful. I truly feel your pain. I can honestly say that being there for them in the end is so painful but it truly makes them feel ok to let go knowing that they are loved the whole way.

I’m so sorry for your loss it gets better with time but the thought of them will always be there.

[swils8610]

My heart felt condolences. We have 3 dogs currently and they are all family members. I’ve had to put down 2 of my previous dogs and one passed on her own. I still miss the I’ve lost terribly.


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[BobMartian]

Cheers to your friend! All of mine have been terrible dogs but great friends.

[Old Farmer]

Animals/pets are a gift, we are blessed to have them for the time they are with us, my condolences,

[Masteryacht]

I feel the same way about animals and it can be just as bad as losing a human loved one. May Christ ease your pain.

A Dog's Prayer
Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.
Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.
When it is cold and wet, please take me inside... for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements... and I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth... though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land... for you are my god... and I am your devoted worshiper.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.
And, beloved master, should the Great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest...and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.
--Beth Norman Harris

[superdog]

So sorry brother. I got a lab/shepherd sophomore year. Lost him at 9 due to cancer. That was a long time ago. I’m still gutted.

I empathize and sympathize with you. I’m thinking about you. And your family.

[RichM]

Nick, I’m so sorry for your loss of Tanner. Maybe you can find some comfort in this little poem.

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...

[Atone]

Ah. The worst. So sorry. I think I’ve loved the dogs in my life more than most people I know. Sorry for your loss.

[DJ TT 2002]

My sympathies to you and your wife.
It’s a sad time.

This is why the universe has a Rainbow Bridge.
We will all be reunited.

[1st amg]

So sorry for your loss. Our family has been blessed with a dog now for two years. Neither my wife or I ever had dogs growing up and we cannot believe how the whole family is so attached to him. We would be devastated to say the least after only two years…..I can’t imagine 13yrs. Hang in there.


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[dannymac55]

Very sorry for your loss.

[austinp]

Man that is never easy. Condolences to your family. Golden doodles are the best dogs


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[G8RDPM]

So sorry for your loss. Our dogs are family members.

[EconTigerOrange]

Condolences to you and your wife. Never easy to lose man’s best friend. I’ve been there several times and the healing takes time. The years of memories will always be with you.


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[Tricolore66]

So sorry for your loss. I've had to do it three times in my life with my own dogs, and recently my girlfriend and I went through it with her little dog. It's the emotional price you pay for the love of possibly the most perfect animals god (or someone) ever created. Each time I've said I'll never put myself through it again, or that I could never love another dog as much. Each time I do, and I prove myself wrong. There are a lot of good books on grieving the loss of a pet. It's not much consolation, and hard for us to understand, but dogs don't worry about their mortality, they just live in the moment to please us. If people could only be more like dogs.

[Moondoggy]

So sorry to hear such a tough time I still think of my dogs from 30 years ago, beautiful souls, pickettt nailed it for me.

Devastating I know, stay strong, you will met again at the rainbow bridge.

[SemperFi]

I am so sorry for your family’s loss Nick.
Like most who have posted here, I too have experienced the heartbreak and I feel for you and your wife.

[gnuyork]

So sorry, Nick. I went through this a couple times in the past few years. It's never easy.

[4 Aussies]

My deepest condolences Nick. Nothing hits harder than losing part of your family. I've been through it too many times, remembering the joy they bring makes it easier.

If the kindest souls were rewarded with the longest lives, dogs would outlive us all!

[ltmgeller]

Sorry for your loss

[East Bay Rider]

My deepest condolences. It's heartbreaking.
We teach and train and care for every facet of their lives for their entire lives. Their welfare is always on our minds. To lose a beloved pet is gut wrenching.
I'm sorry. I wish I had effective words of comfort. Be well.

[JakeK]

So sorry for your loss. Having to make that decision is so agonizing. Saying that your pictures are a wonderful tribute to him.