Can't sleep... lost my best friend of 16 years today..

[71GTX]

My condolences in the loss of your friend, Evil! As we may never again have a friend like the last, it is our duty to find another friend in which to fill the void in our lives....

[Topcat]

My condolences to your lost friend. Was a great dog i'm sure.

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Evil, I can relate...been there... twice!!            

But when your ready there's always room for more..          

[Plum6Pak]

Sorry to hear of your terrible loss. I can't say anything that will help other than what others have already said, try to remember all the great times together. I know it leaves a huge hole in your heart for a long time. Hang in there, we are thinking of you.

[70RTdroptop]

My condolences to you, it's a terrible thing to have to go through. Think of the good times that you and your buddy had together. Words are truly inadequate to express the pain that you must feel. Just know that you will be able to one day remember you best friend and be able to smile at the times you had together. Best wishes to you in your sorrow.

[EvilTwinATX]

you guys are the best... much love 

Thanks to everyone! It'll get better - just gonna take a while.

[Super Blue 72]

Are you thinking of getting another pooch?  Sometimes it helps heal the pain. 

[EvilTwinATX]

no... I dont think I will for a while. I will get another dog sometime in the future, but not now. I still haven't gotten his remains back from the vet yet.. it takes a week and a half for the cremation.

[Super Blue 72]

I understand.  I never got another dog, partly because now I know I'm allergic to them.  I might get one of the hypoallergenic dogs with hair instead of fur one day.  I know my kids really want one.  In time for me too. 

At least you can be comforted by the fact that you took care of your dog as best as you could.  No regrets. 

[tactransman]

Sorry to hear it ATX. These are my "babies" Jack and Lilly. They " kiss " every once in a while.

[528 Hemi Cuda]

Brent,
Sorry to hear of your loss.  We had a 16 year old Collie that we had to have put down about 6 months ago.  We know what you are going through.  A couple of years ago we had a 13 1/2 year old Sheltie that died and it was really hard on us.  The Sheltie made the decision and died in his sleep at the Vets.  We took him to the Vet on a Monday and by Saturday morning he had passed away.  We found out he had Cushings disease.  It is like losing a part of your family.  I can't understand how anyone can be mean to an animal.  They are always there for you no matter what.  We thought we would wait awhile before getting another dog but then we thought, there are some dogs out there that need a home.  We adopt as much as we can.  The adotped ones always seem to be grateful like they know you have rescued them.  Right now we have 2 little heathens (Shelties).  They are both female and we just love them to pieces.  Hang in there.  Remember the good times.  Your dog will meet you at The Rainbow Bridge. 
Pink Ice

[DAYLEY/CHALLENGER]

We have a little Sheltie too.  Have had to help out a couple of our other dogs in pain too.  Check out this site.  It will help .    http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

[crcarch]

I feel your pain.   Remember that death is as natural as birth. It comes to us all and most of the world believes that it leads to a better place.  I certainly do. I'm sure he had a good life and that your's was enriched by his.

I've had dogs all my life and know the experience. My Dalmation is my boon companion, being by my side every moment that I am home.  He's 14, has health issues and I know his time is drawing near. At least he'll have a buddy to play with.

[Plum6Pak]

At least he'll have a buddy to play with.

There will be many friends from this forum to play with from reading about all the other losses forum members have had. The pain doesn't completely go away although it gets bearable with time.

I started a thread about Nanook when he got sick, once he passed away a good friend posted the rainbow bridge story. It's a beautiful and thought provoking story. It's very helpful to hear such kindness from other members when something like this happens in our lives.

I'd cut off my own arm to know for sure if the rainbow bridge story will really happen sometime.

Hang in there ETATX, hopefully you will see your buddy running towards you some day, getting your face cleaned once again will be really be heaven.

Here's a picture of my buddy, this was taken about 8 months after they wanted to put him down, he was doing pretty good at this stage but passed away about 3 months later. 

[js27]

As you can tell you are not alone in you pain. We all feel for you and your loss. I made the decision a few years ago and it was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my 50 years on this earth and believe me I have done alot of hard things. Samurai was two weeks shy of his 13th birthday when his time came. My wife and I cried for weeks. This is the last photo I took of him.
JS27