Yolky Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 I am so sorry to hear about your doggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 So sorry to hear about your dog. I am dreading this with our cat who is also a much-loved ex-stray - her health has started to deteriorate and I dread having to explain the situation to my sons who are 9 and 6. I hope your little boy feels better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 So very sorry, had to do this with our boxer Katie and it breaks your heart. Hugs Buffie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treekeeper Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Sorry it always hurts to say Bye to them but when you have to take them it's somehow worse. The only solution though is to go and rescue another one.........or two it will put the back on your face dealing with them and remembering their predecessor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 I'm so sorry to hear the sad news about Sally. We lost our Sally (who was 15 1/2 - we'd had her 12 1/2 years) two Christmases ago, my then 8 year old and 18 year old came with us to say goodbye as she had been at the vets since Boxing Day. They were in tears as the vet was talking about putting Sally to sleep and didn't want to stay, they went out to the car crying their eyes out. I stayed and held Sally whilst she went. I took her collar off her and when we got home my 8 year old asked to have the collar so that he could smell Sally every now and then. He has it still in his 'special' box. We've had a piece of slate for a couple of years and he has just etched Sally's name and age on it and placed it where we buried her ashes. He was very upset for a while but kids do bounce back quickly. He loves Cookie but still says that he prefers Sally and will always love her more. We have little chats about her all the time and have her photo in a nice frame. Perhaps your DS can do something like Jack did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Marple Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 I was sorry to hear of your loss. Your post brought back memories of losses we have had. Two cats and a dog - all mourned and still missed. Alfie , the dog,missed most of all and still talked about now. My boys were 5 and 9 at the time. We had a special ceremony and buried him with both boys playing 'Danny Boy' on their violins. We planted a beautiful silver birch tree over him and put a special solar lamp there too. Then later that day we went out to John Lewis for pancakes. THe boys still mention it now and it was 11 years ago. Both cats later joined him under tha same tree. We moved house last year, they were both fine about it, being 15 and 19 whereas I was very sad to leave them all behind. I still miss that spot as we had made it very special. I guess where I was going when I started this, was, to say that making a special occasion of it helped them both to remember positively, although it was very sad at the time. When we went to the vet (it all happened so fast as well) I made them stay outside with their dad and I went in and hugged Alfie whilst he quietly ebbed away. In hindsight, I probably should have let the boys come too as they were very, very sad about this and have often reminded me over the years that I made a wrong choice in their eyes. I did what I thought was right at the time to protect them but hey................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clur Posted July 24, 2008 Author Share Posted July 24, 2008 Thanks for all your advice. We had a bad night the first night with not much sleep and lots of tears from DS, but took your advice and got some photos of Sally that he could look at, and promised we'll go and buy an apple tree or similar that he can help plant in her memory. He has asked for a new dog, but I don't think it'll be fair as both me and DH work full time. When we got Sally DH worked shifts and she was only on her own for a max 4 hours a day. If it was looking like it would be longer than that, she would come into work with me...I don't think they'd like that where I work now. Any dog now would be left from 9.00-3.30 and I think that's too long? Off work for a week from next week, so planning lots of TLC and fun things to try and take DS's mind (and mine) off of things. I've had people say 'it was only a dog...' but they really do become a part of the family, like any pet. Thanks all for your kind words, really appreciate your replies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Marple Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 It took us 10.5 years to get another dog as you can tell from my post- and then we ended up with TWO!! I am lucky in that my mum and dad live close and were willing to help to start off with. When we got our first, like you , my husband worked an oldstyle fire fighter shift, which meant he would be home during the day for up to 6 days. That was why we stalled for so long. Ours now manage from 7.30am until 5pm - which is not perfect I know but they have each other for company. I am also a teacher which means I am off for long spells like now. Good luck with whatever you choose to do. What about his own special chicken? or a rabbit? or a cat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treekeeper Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 Clur, good excuse to get 2 dogs then they can keep each other company when you are at work If you are fated to get another you will when we lost our last 2 Toby 14 and Sam 18 we said we wouldn't have another, but fate intervened as my Wife went to the vets to pick up Sams ashes she was stopped by a vet nurse who asked her if we were looking for another dog as her sister had a border collie that was going to be put down because they 'thought' she couldn't be trusted with their baby!! (Completely wrong as Jess is the best dog in the world with kids and small animals) Anyway she said yes unaware that I had made an appointment at Animal care to see rescue dogs. We went up and the kids fell in love with Charlie a 1 yr old Springer who we brought home, we then took him to meet Jess to see if they would get on, we think they are doing allright as they have been with us for 9 years now, despite a vet telling us Charlie wouldn't live for 6 months!! Any hoo 25K later thanks to Petplan he is still with us and coming up to 10!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 so sorry for your loss. I know how upsetting it can be, I've never really got over the loss of our other 2 dogs, its just hard to say goodbye to loving loyal friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nutmeg Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 So sorry to hear your news. It is heartbreaking to lose your beloved pet and my thoughts go out to you and your son. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 Clur im so so sorry. I dont really know what else to say, such a sad loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
