Our old was nearly 16, so it wasn't a huge surprise but was tough for how suddenly it happened. The younger golden was 9 and was pretty much my son's emotional support dog for PTSD. He had hidden being very sick for a while and suddenly his lungs just gave out. When you go to the urgent care vet and she comes from the x-ray room crying, you know it's bad. Getting the paw prints and saving some fluff really helped. We have both dogs' ashes. We are fortunate to be able to absorb those expenses at this stage in life. We did get cards from the vet and the breeders. Our daughter in law's mother made us a little thing to hang their retired collars on. I hope you find peace eventually. I have to admit that I get some emotional periods thinking about this dogs, especially Cody. Hardy came out with a song called "Dog Years" that just about guts me every time I hear it, but it does bring happy moments and fond memories of my dogs. And right now I know you're fightin' a lot of feelings, starin' at me Knowin' this time when you scratch my head, it'll probably be the last But if I could speak your language, all that I would do is thank you For the best years, though they went by seven times too fast But that was the best life I could ask for Bruises and cuts and covered in mud And feet up on the dashboard Pickin' up girls, not a worry in the world And you and me made a good team You took me in when I didn't have a prayer That was the best life I could ask for The best life I could ask for The best life I could ask for Now that I'm looking back on those dog years All those dog years

Dacoda (on the right) will at least, Nikki (on the left) on the otherhand was always the clown, lol.

question about Charlie, my Lab...is he whimpering and going to a corner of the house when the family is in another room? He knew Charlie had bad hip and back arthritis and many tumors...we quit removing them after two surgerys due to the stress on his organs. I thought about it and made the call to release him. John took him from me, put him down, and made all of the arrangements without telling me what he did or sending me a single bill...an old school bootstrap veterinary practice owner who was in the business for all of the right reasons. At John's funeral this past December the entire Church was full with overflow into the social hall watching on video. A good ole country boy who lived a life of service.

and as hard as it is, that is the ultimate and final act of love... It is losing a 4-legged family member, and it is SUPPOSED to hurt!!

He made me promise I would bury him next to my mother. His daughters (blood relation) opted instead to have him made into multiple necklaces... that was a shocker. Hardest loss I've ever faced other than losing mom was the death of my beloved Border Collie.... Sorry Hokebury, I know it hurts...

made a paw print for us without us even asking. The in-home handled the cremation, too. It's truly a loss of a family member and I think most people recognize that and the mourning process. We're going on 3 years, and still get choked up when we see memories of her pop up on FB.

was everything I wanted to be. a great send off to a great dog!