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My sweet sweet almost-17-year-old Little Girl is about to pass. She has been the love of my life...
She was born with a heart defect, has been on medication for years, and has already outlived her life expectancy.
I have been terrified of this moment for years, as she has been the love of my life. I've never experienced a love like this. How will I live without her?
She has been going downhill for 15 days. She is peaceful and relaxed. But if she does live through this next night, I will be taking her to the doctor in the morning. She has absolutely no quality of life left, and I'm afraid that shortly she will be suffering.
Thank you everyone for your prayers.
-Little Girl's Mommy, Kathy

you are in my prayers.... to answer your question of How will I live? You simply WILL. It will hurt more than I can describe and more than you think it will. But you MUST remember one thing - this too shall pass. If you truly love her, you will live FOR her - enjoying every sunny moment, every rainy one, every meal you eat, every hug you get from your family or friends... just like she would.

You OWE her that. As a tribute to her - not to her memory but to HER. And as she watches over you, proud of how you live your life, she will wait patiently for you to join her after a long, full life of your own.

I am so sorry this is happening. Life can be very difficult, no matter how much we steady ourselves, but know that my heart breaks with yours and my tears are only for you. She goes on to a much more beautiful place and I'll pray for my boys to watch over her until you get there.

I am so sorry to hear about Little Girl! My heart aches for you as I know the pain you live with while looking at her. I kept saying to my self, "He's dying, and he doesn't even know it." Now that I look back on it, I am glad that he didn't even know it! You have had many wonderful years with her! More than you expected. I'm glad that you came here, we all understand here. It will be difficult for you the first few days, but you will have support here! My first few days I didn't want to do anything. It's so hard when they leave us. I couldn't handle the lonely house, and the feeling that my beloved Zip was not here. I know your pain. But you need to be happy with the life that you had together, you need to let the memories in those first few days. I found solace in making little memorials for my dog. I made a key chain with his name on it, and put his tags on it. My friend made a special copy of the rainbow bridge in a frame for me. It now sits on a special shelf in my curio cabinet with Zip's collar, and his hair, and his cremains. (Yes I had Zip cremated.) I have also purchased and dedicated 2 concrete plaques in my front rock garden to my Zip. And I find days are better when I come in here and talk. Helping others, or receiving help from others. Whatever decision you make, please keep in your heart that you have only the best intentions for Little Girl. Yes, she will understand your decisions, even tho you may not think so right now. Please come back in and post here, we are here for you.........Zippers Momma

Oh Kathy,

I am so sorry to hear about your little girl. I know the pain is so bad you don't know how you will possibly survive this, but you will... as we all have. The next few days are going to be the worst days of your life and we are all here to help you through them together. Unfortunately we all know exactly what your going through and what is yet to come and we truly care about you and little girl.

Please try to focus on all the wonderful years you and little girl shared together and let those memories guide you through your grief. There is no easy way to let go, but in your heart you will know what is best for your little girl and she will whisper to you as well... so listen carefully.

It's been 2 weeks since my Dusty passed away and I wish I could tell you the tears have stopped but they haven't and wont for a long time. We miss our babies sharing our day to day lives and are lost without them when they leave us. Please, know we're always here and you can come and talk about all the great times you and little girl shared... we will laugh and cry with you and help ease your pain as much as we can, so come back... it really does helps.

I will pray that St. Francis is there to greet her at the Bridge when it's her time to cross over.

God Bless you and Little Girl
DustyLove

Kathy,

I was in your shoes almost 2 weeks ago and am hurting right along with you. I just lost my 18 year old baby girl, and I watched her light diminish every day, bit by bit, as you are witnessing with your little girl. She hung on for me. I know that now. Your little girl is probably doing the same thing. Have you talked to her and told her that you'll be ok? That it's ok for her to go to God? I know it sounds strange to speak to your pet as you would a person, but really - they ARE little people. But Kathy, I'm here to tell you that they DO understand what we are saying. My Vernie girl waited for me to come home and say those words to her. I KNOW this because 3 breaths later, she was gone. I held her for quite some time before saying getting the courage to say those words, and only after I did ... she listened.

Our little furbabies love us UNCONDITIONALLY. That means that they will be there for us no matter what is going on with them. She isn't leaving because she doesn't want to leave you until she is sure you will be ok. And you WILL be ok in time. I'm not ok yet, but I'm getting better. Everyone here has helped so much. I still cry every day, but that's because I'm so used to seeing my little girl every other minute for 18 years. It's so hard. We hurt because we love our babies. But honestly, as time passes, we find a way to live our lives with the memories and knowledge that we will be reunited with them someday. Eventually that is what he grab hold of and hang onto for the rest of our lives.

When you do end up saying goodbye, please come back. We all need you as much as you will need us.

Dear Little Girl's Mommy:

I am so saddened to hear your news; my heart is with you at this time.

I must say to you what someone said to me, after it was time to put our lil' Ernestine to sleep on 2/7/2004.
"You took on her pain, so that she could be without pain".

I have had to hang on to those words, and I truly believe in them.

You are truly very, very courageous to understand that Little Girl's quality of life , is going downhill. It will be the hardest thing that you will ever, ever have to do; but, it is the most loving thing you could do....

We are ALL HERE FOR YOU, ALWAYS....Please always know in your heart that we are a family here....

I know I prayed that the Dear Lord would take my Ernie in her sleep; but, that was not to be... The selfless decision would have to be made by Ben & I. Our furbabies are our beloved "family members"...They give us sooo much love; and they never ask for much...

I will say a prayer to my Ernie today that she meet your beloved "Little Girl" at Rainbow's Bridge when it is her time to pass over...

Dear Kathy, please come back here whenever you want, as we will all ALWAYS BE HERE FOR YOU...

God Bless you Always,
Love, Denise

I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I had to watch my Megan go down hill (and she went fast) it was so hard to do and then I couldn't do it anymore...not to myself or more importantly to her. She was in so much pain and the sparkle had gone out of her eye. The days that followed her death were some of the hardest I've ever had. I thought that I'd never make it through them. I wanted to be strong for my kids and I have several people in my life that are not animal lovers so they simply did not understand. In fact my co-worker (who is also a farmer) could not believe that I'd spend $200 to put my dog to sleep when a bullet only cost 25 cents. Thank God I found this site and the wonderful people here who have helped me through it all. On April 8th it'll have been 3 months since I lost Meg. I still cry but not as often and I can also remember with a smile now.

Try and focus on your love for Little Girl, and know that you are doing this BECAUSE you love her. It is your love for her that will get you through this.

If she makes it until tomorrow, don't rush things, make sure you hold her and tell her how much you love her. When Meg was put down it was peaceful and I took all the time I needed to say goodbye. And I have absolutely no regrets, I knew that if I loved her that I had to let her go.

Please come back and post here. We are here for you, I know it has helped me more than I could have ever imagined.

Tracey