Good Bye Lacey

[usmcjsy]

I had to put my best friend down on Monday 10/22. She could hardly walk and it was tough for her to even try and squat to do her thing. I know I had to put her down. I must say this is the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life. I was hoping that day never would have come. Yet I feel guilt and sadness. Is this normal..? To be honest I thought about canceling the appt several times. I had even thought of driving right by the vet at the time. However I managed to go through with it and was with her through the whole ordeal. She was still of sound mind and cant help feeling I somehow betrayed her. The vet of course assured me I was doing the right thing, but it still hurts to watch as they give your fatihfull companion for many years a lethal dose. Then to watch her eyes grow heavy and her body go limp. The toughest part was when the vet checked the heartbeat and said Lacey has passed on. Anyway I just had to get this off my chest. Then to tell the kids she had passed away was not any easier. Well Im not sure if I can ever get another dog as I never wanna go through it again. I added a picture of her favorite spot in the fish house which was the bottom bunk.

[Hoey]

jsy,

Yes it is normal. I took my dog in and the vet told me I was not ready for it. So I brought her home. My wife was crying. So I made another appointment for the procedure. D*mn dog was, as always, dry humping her blue blanket in the back of my station-wagon, funny as h*ll, people behind me were watching, laughing, and even honked.

So I went in with her for the procedure. Vet asked if I wanted to stay and watch. Yes!!! Twelve years with me, through all kinds of stuff, five more minutes with her is an honor I explained. Meds administred, she just lay down licking her lips, and I cried like nothing before. Man five more minutes I was finally no longer choking up and sobing. Grabbed my composure, her leash, her collar, and walked out of the vet room, just to see others there with their dogs. Man I had to walk back into the room one last time, sobing again. Unbelieveable.

Long story short, I got home cried some more and told my wife that was the toughest thing I have ever experienced. I apologized to her that I cried harder and longer over this than when our chidern were born.

The dog's eyes, her tail wag, her licks, her barks, etc... great memories. It is normal.

[LABS4ME]

The selfish act would have been to make Lacy endure more of her decline.

Though no one looks forward to that day, we owe it to our dogs to not make them suffer. We all experience the same feelings when we make the appointment, but we need to mUster the courage to see it through and to be there to say goodbye as they drift off. You did right by Lacey and I m sure she said she was ready in her own way. Rest well knowing you did the right thing. Do not write off getting another friend. Let the grief subside and let a new friend find its way into your heart. Yes that day will come again, but not before a dozen more years of memories!

Godspeed Lacy!

Ken

[Ryan_V]

Any dog I've had put down has been on my lap. After all they do for me, that is the least I can do and I feel I owe it to them. There is no doubt you absolutely did the right thing. Sometimes emotions get the best of us and we confuse what is best for them and what is best for us. Always remember what is best for them.

[Ufatz]

Just lost Annie. Broke my heart, and I have had Labs for fifty years. It does NOT get any easier. She was my friend and my hunting companion, fishing buddy and hiking pal. She slept next to my bed, on the couch and on the back seat of the truck when she was tired from a day of chasing those big birds she loved got snoop out.

The saddest part is I am too old now to get another puppy. I look back through all the years and all the pals, Mike and Jake and Sam and Ollie and Bart and Lucky and Lady and ......they have been probably amond the best things in my life.

Remember, your pal is not gone...he is still in your heart, just like all my friends-they are not gone, just waiting for me.

I am not a religious man. But I hope there is a place where I can see them all again, have them lick my face and let me caress those big old bkack heads.

I love my black dogs.

[usmcjsy]

Thanks Guys, Lacey was MY 1st dog and the only one I have had to put down. I had a dog when I was kid but did not pick it out nor did I have to put it down. I adopted Lacey when she was 2 and had her for almost 10 yrs (she was 12). I could not sleep for cr@p all last week and not at all this last weekend. I was a wreck on Monday. You guys are right and I appreciate the support. I had to do what was best for her. It is quite around the house now and when I first woke up this morning it hit me almost instantly Lacey was not gonna be here today or ever again. Which was sad. I know I will never forget her. On a good note I did get us Texas Road House on Saturday. She had a 18oz T Bone and a small portion of my sirloin. That last week I let her eat whatever she wanted.

[MuleShack]

I know it is never easy, we lost two of our labs with in 6 months of each other (3 years ago) by having to put them down. It is a terrible experience, but yet somewhat comforting at the same time to know that your best friend is not longer in pain. To simply be there for them when the time comes is something they deserve. It is a lot easier to remember the good times with them, but I will never forget the last moments spent with my "Friends".

Take your time and grieve for your lost friend, there is no hurry to get over her. In due time you will find the need to have another companion. They will never take Lacey's place, but they will fill another special spot in your heart.

[nofishfisherman]

Sorry guys I'm going to have to excuse myself, I think I need to go hug my dog.

No question you did the right thing. My dog is coming up on 4 years this winter and I'm already dreading that decision. He's also my first dog and he's 100% devoted to me. Its still years and years away (hopefully) but I can already see how incredibly difficult its going to be.

[usmcjsy]

Yes I urge you all to go hug your dogs. Dont take one moment for granted. Also when your dog comes and drops the ball by your feet give him/her a few throws no matter what your doing. You will regret it later if you dont. Yes this indeed has been the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Thanks for the support. I wish you all many more happy years with your pals, and yes I would not have missed being there for Lacey in her last moments for anything. I know that the last thing she saw was my wife and I by her side when she went.