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This weekend I had to put my 13 year chocolate lab down due to a sudden illness. Although I know it was the right thing to do (She was in so much pain) my heart is crushed and broken by this experience. She was my true best friend and saw me through many horrible times in my life. I feel as though a piece of me has died and I'm feeling so lost. I should mention that I do not have any kids so she was also special to me as my furr-baby. Many tears have been shed and I don't know how to get passed this traumatic experience.  
 
Does anyone know if there is a pet loss/grieving support group in Brandon?  
 
And please Ebrandoners, I would ask that you avoid any negative comments, as my heart could not handle such. Thnx in advance.

So sorry to hear about your puppy. October 1 I had to put down my 16 year old puppy. One of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life. Many nights like yours as I see you posted this at 4am. It was a month yesterday since I last saw my boys little face but please know it does get easier. I still can't tell you how much I think of him and miss him on a daily basis but slowly and with time it does get easier.

Sorry for your loss. I'm sitting hear crying, it sounds so similar to my story. 14 year old black lab that we reached when he was almost 1. No kids either, he was my fur baby.  
It is one of the hardest things anyone has to do. We were hoping to not have to make the choice, that we would wake up one morning and he would have gone peacefully in his sleep, but that wasn't the case. You did the right thing, she shouksnt suffer and neither should you.  
I don't know about ones in Brandon but if you go on www.drlianamawer.ca she has some info on pet loss and grief. She is the vet who came out to my house when it was time for my dog.  
I found what helped me was making up a photo album on shutter fly. I got to reminisce and see him in his younger days. It really helped because I thought about what he was like then compared to his last few weeks. He wasn't the same dog and I'm sure it's the same case for you. You will get to a point where you will think of her and smile, rather than cry, it will just take time. I out the dr Seuss quote on my album cover, "don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" something for me to aspire to.

Lucky5 and AVS. I appreciate your sympathies and words of encouragement. It is somewhat comforting to know that someone truly understands what I'm going through....very validating. I have plans to make a srapbook album of her...the need to do something productive and therapeutic. Thanks again for taking the time to respond?

That was supposed to an exclamation not a question mark. Dang typos!

We recently lost our irreplaceable family/working dog of 11 years...who certainly spoiled us!  
 
What we have found is helping is having another one of the same breed (through the first dog, we learned to love the breed) to bring us joy. The new addition certainly is not the same...but is full of life and energy as our other was when young, which helps us laugh. We also talk about fond memories and the similarities that these dogs have.  
 
After our dog died, we talked about burying her in a place of honor where she could "still guard" and perhaps planting peonies where she would be buried...it would be fitting as at one time she popped/"picked" the heads off of my stand of them after watching me pick them so many years ago. Always helping...lol  
 
It will take time. Losing any pet is sad. Enjoy the good memories but do not be afraid to get another to help you move on and give you joy as well.

Nothing is going to be easy about your loss. I have only had to put down one dog in my life so far , and it's still the saddest day of my life.  
All I can say is every time you get sad, remember a certain loving memory of your dog and be happy you had that time with your K9.  
You may not be ready but some of the best therapy for what you are going through is to add a fresh member to your family. Not sure if you are ready for a puppy or not but it really helps having a new friend to train and bond with !!

Hello, I too experienced the loss of a beloved pet after 13 years. It was almost 3 years ago and I still sometimes feel the pain of missing him so bad. I think you are doing the right thing. Scrapbooking, honoring treasured memories. All those things will help you feel close to you pet while grieving. I had a tattoo done in honour of my baby. The pain of the needle felt cathartic somehow and I will always have that place of honour for him on my body. I also printed favorite photos on canvas and made a special photo album. I'm sorry for your loss.

20 years ago I had to put my childhood cat to sleep. It was the hardest decision I have ever had to make. She was my light in an otherwise dark teenage years. She was irreplaceable. Even after all this time and with the recent addition of 2 new cats that I love, I do not forget her and never will.

We had to put out cat down last Tuesday. Hurt my heart sooo much.  
I find peace looking at pictures and remembering the good. Hopefully you have a friend or family member to talk to.  
Do some internet searches to find some self help info on pet grieving. It's out there.  
I hope you can find peace

It's one of the hardest things to do for pet lovers.  
 
Hugs and care to you, and if you can have ashes in an urn (always to stay with you) or a burial and a memory book or memory video, it helps.  
 
A charcoal sketch or painting of your beloved pet is soothing too.  
 
I'm so sorry for the loss of your best friend. It's the silence around the home that's so damned hard to deal with as well as putting away of their dishes, toys and blankets.  
 
It's a tough one.  
 
One that pet lovers understand.  
 
Xoxo  

The first time I had to do this, I cried so much, my face was swollen for a few days. So be sad, you lived this dog.  
 
But, it will pass. For all the tears I cried for my dog, the amount of joy that dog gave me, it was worth it. I will do it over and over, can't imagine not having animals.

Loosing a pet from any way is hard. I am recently divorced and we had no real babies, but we had fur babies. She ended up with the dogs, and I really had no case to try and fight for them because after the divorce, I have had to go back working away from home a lot too so even if I had them, they would be sent to kennels way to much, but my house is very lonely now without them. They were more excited to see me than the ex was at the end! Sorry to hear about your loss.

We had to put our dog too, cause he was old and sick. I still think he's there and waiting to feed him. We had him cremated and put in an urn, and have him at home. It,s hard but will get easier.

For your contribution to this thread. As odd as it may seem, your words of condolences and encouraging suggestions are really helping me to put things in perspective.  
 
I've invested my energy in creating a memory chain that has a vial containing a my dog's hair. I'm also in the midst of collecting photos.  
 
Again, thanks everyone for all your caring thoughts and remarks.  

Our family put down our shepherd cross this past month. I have put down 3 dogs in my lifetime, and it never gets easier. The vet came right to our house this time, which seemed a bit easier to take, knowing that she was at home with us. I told my 2 sons that she gave us 17 awesome years, and we have to have one awful day, so that was a good trade. My boys are 16 and 11, and they do not know life without their dog. It really really sucks, and we miss her every day. I get mad thinking that an animal could have that effect on us, but as the saying goes, they are part of your family. Best of luck in finding comfort in this time, and doing things like you are doing (talking about it, sharing with people) can certainly help.

...that takes a lot out of you. You love your pet and feel horribly guilty about taking them to get euthanized, but it can get to a point where their health is so bad that you know that they are suffering too much. Our dog was blind and although we had a child gate, I worried that sometime when we carried up stuff and had to put it down before being able to close the gate that she would tumble down the basement stairs. Her kidneys were failing and with her age, there was no hope of recovery. She didn't wag her tail anymore, not even when we petted her. Even though the vet recommended putting her down, it was a tough thing to do.

So sorry for your loss I have 3 cats and would be the same if something ever happens to them.

My baby is nearly 16 years old. He has been the most fantastic cat one could wish for - he is more dog than cat, he even used to play fetch....  
 
I have only had to suffer through one other pet's death and I lived across the country at the time so it was my parents who dealt with my beloved dog when she died. I am not sure I will be tough enough to deal with my boy when he is ready to go.  
 
What happens? If you need to put an animal down, do the vets let you be with them? If that is the case, is that something that makes it harder or easier to deal with?

foxtrot11 said "My baby is nearly 16 years old. He has been the most fantastic cat one could wish for - he is more dog than cat, he even used to play fetch....     I have only had to suffer through one other pet's death and I lived across the country at the time so it was my parents who dealt with my beloved dog when she died. I am not sure I will be tough enough to deal with my boy when he is ready to go.     What happens? If you need to put an animal down, do the vets let you be with them? If that is the case, is that something that makes it harder or easier to deal with? "

they will ask if you want to be there or not.  
 
We stay with the pet, didn't years ago for the first ones but we have been down that road many, many times and now we stay.  
 
One week ago today around this time we said goodbye to our beloved Husky. She looked very peaceful...

Johnbisonbear said "    foxtrot11 said "My baby is nearly 16 years old. He has been the most fantastic cat one could wish for - he is more dog than cat, he even used to play fetch....     I have only had to suffer through one other pet's death and I lived across the country at the time so it was my parents who dealt with my beloved dog when she died. I am not sure I will be tough enough to deal with my boy when he is ready to go.     What happens? If you need to put an animal down, do the vets let you be with them? If that is the case, is that something that makes it harder or easier to deal with? " they will ask if you want to be there or not.     We stay with the pet, didn't years ago for the first ones but we have been down that road many, many times and now we stay.     One week ago today around this time we said goodbye to our beloved Husky. She looked very peaceful... "

I am not sure I could handle being with the pet. Heck, my eyes are tearing up now just thinking about it. Hubby has offered to take care of things when the time comes.  
 
You almost think it would be easier to have them die peacefully in their sleep.....

We had the Mobile veterinary van come to our house. Cost 75$ for the house call, but it was well worth it to have our family there and not have to walk into the vet.

foxtrot11 said "    Johnbisonbear said "    foxtrot11 said "My baby is nearly 16 years old. He has been the most fantastic cat one could wish for - he is more dog than cat, he even used to play fetch....     I have only had to suffer through one other pet's death and I lived across the country at the time so it was my parents who dealt with my beloved dog when she died. I am not sure I will be tough enough to deal with my boy when he is ready to go.     What happens? If you need to put an animal down, do the vets let you be with them? If that is the case, is that something that makes it harder or easier to deal with? " they will ask if you want to be there or not.     We stay with the pet, didn't years ago for the first ones but we have been down that road many, many times and now we stay.     One week ago today around this time we said goodbye to our beloved Husky. She looked very peaceful... " I am not sure I could handle being with the pet. Heck, my eyes are tearing up now just thinking about it. Hubby has offered to take care of things when the time comes.     You almost think it would be easier to have them die peacefully in their sleep..... "

be easier for an animal to go in their sleep but in all the pets we have had it's never happened  
 
I pm'ed you

I too had this experience many years ago and grieved the loss as I had lost my best friend - I spoke to a counsellor about my experience as not too many people understood at the time - this was a regular counsellor who understood grief and losses - whether it is a person , a pet, loss of job, etc - there is a grieving process - not sure if you have coverage for counselling but I would look into it -  
This experience and others made me become a counsellor myself -.but I have no coverage and right now I do phone sessions with clients from all walks of life and even in Ireland - I accept etransfers for payment and am looking at a building a website . Good luck - remember that grieving is a process and takes time to heal. Colette  

Followed this discussion from the start.wonderful to read the stories from all the pet lovers.I also lost a wonderful pet and it brings tears to remember those sad days.It will get easier Alley each day.

Oaklakebatman said "We had the Mobile veterinary van come to our house. Cost 75$ for the house call, but it was well worth it to have our family there and not have to walk into the vet. "

My boy has always hated going into the vets office - something about the place, the smell, the atmosphere - he gets so worked up.  
 
Do you keep the pet's body with this service, or is that extra? I have heard some stories of all the upselling of cremation services, extra fees for disposal, expensive urns, etc.  
 
Just curious, every pet we had growing up was buried in our back yard.

I used the services of Dr. Liana Mawer: she is the owner/operator of the mobile unit. She was very professional and compassionate through this whole ordeal. She offered cremation/urn services but I already had plans to bury my dog out at my sister's farm.  
 
I would highly recommend Dr. Liana, especially for putting an animal down as it was more comforting doing it in your own familiar surroundings.  
 
Thanks everyone for all your support and caring remarks. Thankfully I have my other dog to dote on and my cat is being extremely attentive and cuddly. Sigh, animals are so amazing!

https://www.facebook.com/Petloss/?fref=ts  

My deepest sympathies to you. I understand what you are going thru. I have experienced this last year when I had to put my best friend down of 15 years.. It was THE hardest thing I've had to do.. I loved that dog like no other. He came everywhere with me. I haven't in my heart to get another yet as it still pains me and he can't be replaced. I still cry to this day and think about him every day as I pass the walking paths we used to walk. In the end he was ill and I knew it was the right thing to do to end his pain but my heart wasn't in the same place. I remember that day like it was yesterday. Not many people truely understand how I feel but I find comfort in talking to the ones that do, and remembering the wonderful times we had together every day!