Promised I would be brave but am so sad

Tonight is my last night with my poor Rusty.  We take him to the vet tomorrow to have him put to sleep.  He truly is in bad shape - we realized today that he is truly blind as well as deaf.  And he has no quality left whatsoever to his life so I know that this is the right thing.  I thought I would be able to take this better but how can you manage when you have had this dear pet in your home for almost 17 years.  I should be grateful I was blessed to have him so long and that now I can give him the peace he deserves.  I guess I am finding it hard as my sons are feeling so bad. What is that saying from "Ferris Bueller," 'Between grief and nothing, I'll take grief.' Grief is the price we pay for love.  Just wanted to write to get this off my mind and hope by doing so I come to terms with this. I know so many of you have gone through this so I know you all understand. Just had to get it written down as a way to help me. Thanks for all your kind words in the past.

Heej Aurora,

I hope you will see this day in perspective, as you gave Rusty the opportunity to live a great life. Just try to think of all the good times you shared whenever you feel sadness welling up. It won't stop the tears, but it can transform them into tears of acceptance, joy, and gratitude for all the time you could spend together.

All the best on this tough day!
Erik

Hi Aurora,

I feel so sad for you. I hope that you can come to realize that you are doing the right thing for Rusty. I have a german shepard that has been fighting all of her life with yeast issues and allergies. She gets so miserable sometimes with all of the itching. I am doing everything in my power to keep her comfortable and happy. But she will be eight soon and german shepards don't always live as long as the other breeds of dogs, so I am always worried that the day will come when I will have to do the same. But I know in my heart when that time comes, I will be doing the right thing for her.

I know that this is so hard for you. But you have given Rusty a truly happy life and now is the time to let him go. You will be okay, maybe you will even get another dog, maybe a puppy. Wouldn't that be so wonderful? Just know that we are all here for you. Please post and let us know how you are doing.

Luv and hugs, Karen

Hi Aurora,

I am sorry you had to put your dog to sleep, but it was the right thing to do. He's now happy in heaven and thanking you for letting him go.

*hugs*

Hugs to you Aurora,

I too have a second dog and she took right over when I put my wonderful 1st dog I ever owned to sleep.  The two dogs have different personalities which is good.

I have enjoyed getting use to this one sleeping at the foot of my bed.  She keeps my feet warm.

Your in my prayers.

Love,
Kitt

Aurora
I so feel your sadness. We lost our beloved dog this past May. She was 15. I think of her every day as I am sure you will think of Rusty. In time I hope when you think of her you will smile remembering all the happiness he brought to you through those wonderful years.

Thinking of you
Debbie

Thanks for your kindness Deb and Ediekristen.  It helps to have so much support and from the most incredible caring people. You are right Edie about how life can be so good one moment and then be so difficult.  I have always had dogs my whole life and cats too when I was growing up. You never get used to losing them as they are truly members of the family.  I am grateful I still have my other dog, Ramone.  You are young and so it is harder for you to experience some of these things that happen, but somehow I think God gives us strength to go on and carries us when we can't.  My only family now are my 2 sons and an Aunt.  I have lost all grandparents, parents and both sisters.  It is important to take advantage of the good times and know that with help we can survive the down times.  Deb, I am truly sorry you lost your beloved pet.  It is just needing time to pass that eases the pain.  And then we have our wonderful memories.  I have a photo album devoted just to pictures of all my dogs. I will look at it when I am feeling stronger.Again thank you all for being so good to me.  I hope I can always return the support to any and all who need it.

Aurora

Dear Aurora,
I feel so sorry and sad for your loss;some insensitive people just don't get how devastating the loss of a beloved pet can be.I'm a cat lover myself,and when we got married,we got two kittens,sisters.One developed cancer aged 14---she had surgery,but the growth returned within weeks,and the vet rang to say that during surgery it was obvious that the cancer was very aggressive,and that my cat was already suffering.So I had to make that horrible journey.I spent a few minutes alone with her(she was unconscious),talking to her as I always had,and then I carried on doing the same while the terrible thing was done.Me and my husband wept for weeks,and her sister became distressed--she was mourning too.
My remaining cat is now 17,and has really come into her own(her sister had always been the dominant one)-----she is such good company(I'm very isolated),and is such a comfort;likes to be close to you,and always available for a cuddle.It's poignant though----she is pretty good physically,but obviously she's a great age,and inevitably,we'll have to deal with the loss of her eventually.
It's only in the past few months that we've been able to talk about the cat we lost,without crying.Animals are fantastic--uncomplicated affection givers,and great fun.
You will grieve at your own pace,but I hope it won't be long before you can think of Rusty without too much distress.It's a cliche,but time does heal,and to love always means living with the fear of loss.That's life,though it sucks.
You had to make a hard decision about Rusty---please believe that it was the right one,and that your love for him motivated you right up to the end---he is free from pain now,and he had a long and wonderful life with someone who looked after and loved him.If there's a Dog Heaven(I believe there is),he'll be free of pain,and having fun with the other pets you've lost.I always think of my cat as lying in the sunshine,and chasing butterflies.
I wish you peace.