Saying Goodbye to my Dog (Sorry- it's a downer)

Cap'n Jewbeard · 02-06-2007, 04:28 PM

My folks back home just put my dog, Shayna, to sleep, after a good and long life (she was 15 + years old). Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, which are frankly the most adorable dogs on the planet.

She was always happy, always loving, and for an only child (me), she was really like my little sister.

She was a good dog, a good friend, and a good girl - I'll miss her, and I guess I'll see her next time around.

Thanks for listening, guys.

rdwj · 02-06-2007, 04:31 PM

That's really sad news. Sorry for your loss

ayrton · 02-06-2007, 04:32 PM

I'm sorry to hear that. I lost a dog in a similar situation back in 2003. Maybe you can name a batch after her?

**the_bird** · 02-06-2007, 04:35 PM

I'm really sorry to hear that, friend. My folks had to put down a kitten that I grew up with a few years ago - she was old enough to drink (nearly 22). We'd had her since I was in the second grade. It's not easy, they're just a part of your life, they're always there.

She sounds like she was a good dog - that'll never go away.

**Dude** · 02-06-2007, 04:36 PM

Sorry man!

I've said this before--nothing helps the pain of losing an old loved pet other than a brand new puppy!!!!!

Cap'n Jewbeard · 02-06-2007, 04:41 PM

Kind words (and good advice) all-

I will definitely make a beer in her honor, and (eventually) there will be a new puppy. I'm not really at a point where I can own my own - renting, living with roomies, etc. But eventually.

I'll have to get a different breed now, though - I don't see having a same-looking new dog running around, y'know?

**Orfy** · 02-06-2007, 04:47 PM

Nice dogs.
Sorry about the loss of a friend.

rdwj · 02-06-2007, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P funky

I'll have to get a different breed now, though - I don't see having a same-looking new dog running around, y'know?

Nah, every dog has it's own personality and it's own look. You could line up my dog with 100 of the same breed an I could pick him out in a heartbeat. I'm sure you could do the same.

Here's to Shayna

**olllllo** · 02-06-2007, 04:48 PM

Friends of mine had to put down their 9 yo Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, Elsie, 2 weeks ago.
She had a degenerative muscular disease that eventually would have left her paralyzed and unable to breath.

I found this awhile ago in Slate and I thought it was a good read. I kept it handy because I am not looking forward to the day that we have to make this decision for our dog.

http://www.slate.com/id/2090327/

My friends found it helped affirm their decision.

Two poinient quotes:

Quote:

There's no Idiot's Guide for this question, no handbook. The many points of view are strongly held. One vet I know says a dog should be euthanized "when it can no longer live the life of a dog—and only the owner knows when that really is."

To love dogs is to know death and to accept that there's never a time we are more morally obliged to speak for them than when they face the end of their lives.

15 is a good old age for that breed. I know that that is little help.
I am sorry for your loss.

Cap'n Jewbeard · 02-06-2007, 04:57 PM

Thanks man- it's a worthwhile read, and I appreciate the perspective (and the feeling that, while it sucks, it needed to be done). Besides, she got 15 years - that's a lot of years of dog-life.