Tomorrow morning I will help my Penni go to Heaven. I have always had pets. Right now I have 20. Horses, llama, pig, dogs cats. Penni 16 yrs old--IrishWolf Hound / Aerdale Cross. She was the first dog of my own I have had. She is blind and deaf and constantly wanders--I believe that she is looking "for an answer". I know that she will go peacefully and will not hurt. But my heart is still being ripped out of my chest and I do not know if I will be able to survive this emotionally. I know I sound like a basket case and that I will survive it. I have gone through this before. She is one of my soul mates and I pray that her spirit will be free and not just gone.
JL

JL...the week before we allowed Manuka to finally rest was very hard for me. I did a whole lot of soul searching and what ifs, but in the end it was the best decision we could make for her and I know she was grateful. I know now she is at peace and will be there when it is our time to see her again. I have not had as hard a time as I would have thought. When I lost Zipper and Jake, they were very young ( 1 and 2) and it was much harder. I know that doesn't make sense to some, but I grieved for the life they did not have. That was heart wrenching to me. I am still not quite recovered from the loss of Jake. But with Manuka, there was more time, and as hard as it is without her, I know she is better off because of how she was starting to fail healthwise. Iloook back on our time together with so many good memories, that I find more joy in these tears than with Jake and the other young ones. I will be thinking of you and ask Manuka to look her up and show her around! Martina.

PS your menagerie sounds very familiar to my own!

I feel so much for you, and my heart goes out to you at this time.

I face the same tomorrow, with my precious cat Shanti being set free from months of an awful illness that we dont understand which has ravaged her body and her mind. She is only 10 years old, and I, too, am completely heartbroken

Thinking of you

A

although you know that this is the best thing for penni, it is completely normal to be in so much pain. it is part of the grieving process that so many of us here are going through - we're all at different stages. the pain is unbearable when you look at your sweet pet and think, "soon you will not be here with me." that is so hard. especially for someone who barely recalls a time without the pet that they are to lose. be strong for penny and give her this one last gift of eternal peace, she will love you forever for loving her so much to give her that gift. a piece of penni is now inside of you so she will certainly not be lost.
martina is right about eventually being able to look back at memories of a lost pet and smile instead of being so sad. i'm sure that penni gave you so many wonderful memories to remember her by. i'm glad that you have so many other pets to comfort you during this difficult time. so sorry for your loss, ah

JL--
Just wanted to let you know that I feel for you and your beloved Penni. As the owner of an older dog, I'm facing something similar myself. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Thank You all for your words. I love Penni more than I can express. I know tht tonight will be our last night on this earth together. It is so sad. The really sad part is that she is so "lost" that often she cannot stand to be touched. This occurred SOOO suddenly. Last week she was still greeting me and giving me kisses. Now she just wanders--and "feels" her way around----it seems her eyesight has gone just as quickly. I have been thinking about this for awhile and KNOW that this is the time to give her my last gift. I hope that my other 2 dogs will understand. I know we will survive and that I will smile when I think about her chasing deer or rabbits when we went out with the horses. And I know that her other "friends" are waiting for her to show her "the ropes".
THANK YOU ALL--not everyone understands the pain that losing our furry friends/kids causes.
jl

My thoughts and prayers are with you. Trust your soul to know that it is time. You precious one tells you too, and it takes courage and love to honor the request. I had to do this two days ago, my beloved Risha. My heart is completely broken. But he told me it was time, and I had to love him enough to listen. You can do this, what is right. Promise your Penny that you will be okay. That promise will help you in the days to come.

Risha's mom

JL, My thoughts and prayers are with you too. I am so sorry you are losing your sweet girl. I know how hard it is when we have to give them that last gift of love. They do let us know when it is time to go. My Snookie's eyes told me everything that was in her heart. She did not want to leave me so I promised her I would be alright. She left on her own and it was so hard. I am thinking of you and your precious Penni. She will be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge when it is your time.
Ann