I never post messages but I feel the need to try to get my pain out. I had to put my 19 year old ##-A-Poo, Snuggles, to sleep on Tuesday. I think he had a stroke and his body just started shutting down. He couldn't move and he looked so sad to me. He wasn't in pain. He was just helpless and he looked like he was out of it. I wrapped him up in a blanket and sat in the grass with him before it was time to go. He even ate McDonald's before he left. I knew, because of his age, that it was getting closer. He never suffered a day in his life. Until the last day. It happened so quick. I was so numb yesterday. Today I am like a volcano. Tears are just pouring down my face. They have been all day. What I am thankful for is I know it was his time. His body was strong to last 19 years. It just stopped working yesterday. He was more loyal to me than most people I have known. I didn't know what to do with myself last night. I had this dog since I was seven years old. He went through most of my life with me and I with him. I'm thankful for the many years I had with him. I'm so thankful that he was mine. I hope that I managed to love him as much as he loved me. He did so much for me. There were some days he was my purpose for living. He was a great dog. An amazing friend. My heart is in a million pieces. He deserves tears though. I'm so thankful that I didn't have to worry about him being in pain. I hope I made his exit as easy for him as he made it for me. I know I will feel better someday. I also know I will never have another Snuggles. That will always hurt.

My thoughts are with everyone else who has lost a pet. It is nice to know other people feel the same way. That helps a lot.

Hi,
I am very, very sorry to hear about Snuggles. I'm sure that you did show Snuggles that you loved him just as much as he loved you. They know, I believe, that they were the centers of our lives, our love and our hope.

You had little Snuggles for such a long time, and I know you know how blessed you and Snuggles both were to have had each other. I'm glad he didn't suffer and, as one person here always says (but I will try to say it now -- I don't think she will mind) -- you took the pain on yourself so Snuggles wouldn't have to. You spared him and now you are the one hurting so very much.

When you feel like it, please post a picture of Snuggles. I would love to see him, and I know everyone else would too. I had a little Yorkie-Poo, Hannah, only 7 pounds. I had to have Hannah put to sleep on April 19. She would have been 16 years old this past July 22. She too was my very best friend, my little girl, and there will never, ever be another little Hannah girl.

I know your heart is breaking, and it breaks my heart too. Please keep coming back here. You'll hear soon from lots of other wonderful, caring people. If you haven't already read about it, another young person just lost their best friend whom they had since they were 7 years old also. We understand what you're going through, and we care very much.

Take good care of yourself now, and always remember Snuggles knew and still knows that you and he were best friends. He knows.
Love,
Marcia

I am truly sorry to hear about your loss. I know what you are going thru, I just had to send my precious Lady Marie to the safer and pain free pastures. She has gone to get her wings. I had to do this on Monday. Lady would have been 19 on Thanksgiving day. I hope it gets easier because I haven't slept I would take her with me everywhere.

ula!
What a wonderful owner you were to take such wonderful care of snuggles! Of course Snuggles knew you loved him through and through!
Snuggles is now at the rainbow bridge with all our pets--He is very young and full of zip! He is playing and cavorting and happy as can be! He is in 100% total bliss just waiting for the day when he will be reunited with you! Nothing on Heaven or Earth can ever truly separate those who love (and this includes animals!) Here is a big hug for you!
{{{{{{{{ULA}}}}}}}}}}}
Love,
Patti

Having lost a senior furbaby myself last Friday, I can certainly feel your pain. Like Snuggles, my 21 year old cat was never sick a day in her life. My husband and I had taken to calling her our "little eveready kitty" we felt that she just would go on forever, however like Snuggles, although her spirit was strong, her little body could not fight off the physical onslaught of sickness. I too was numb on the day it happened but the next day... I don't have to tell you about the sick feeling in the pit of the stomach as if you have been physically stabbed. I had never heard of a pet bereavement sight until this weekend but from what I have read in the last few days I think that you and I have come to the right place. I hope that Snuggles likes cats because I have a feeling that he and Miss Mew have already been introduced.
Yesterday, in a post, I quoted from D.V.M. Martin Goldstein's book and I would like to again, in the hope that it can bring some solace.
" Having lived and worked with so many dogs and cats, getting to know them as well as I have, and hearing so many accounts of their return, I beleive that animals definitely have individual spirits. Are their spirits like ours? I think they're less complex. Humans have greater intelligence; the power of the animal spirit is its simplicity. We make ourselves miserable with our fear of death, and have an almost constitutional inability to live in the moment. Our pets have no vices. They love without qualification, exhibit loyalty and courage, have no fear of death, and live every moment fully for itself. Who's purer?"
You and Snuggles are in my thoughts,
Nicole

I'm sorry to hear about your Snuggles. The fact that your little buddy was in your care for 19 years speaks volumes about your dedication and his too. It's never easy losing something that we love and has been a part of our lives for so long. Almost to the point that we take our little buddies for granted... like they will live with us for as long as we live. We know from the beginning that they aren't going to be there forever, our life spans are so vastly different. The passing of our buddies IS the most painful experience, dare I say, more painful than losing human loved ones. I think it's because of the full time taking care of, like a human baby that never grows up. We accept and love them unconditionally and they love us unconditionally.

Take care of yourself as you travel the winding path of grieving. Somedays will be unbearable and others will almost seem that everything is as it should be. Ups and downs. Time and tears will heal things.

Thank you for all the kind posts. Posting last night helped me so much. I feel so much better today. It was nice to get my pain out. Today I have been thinking about what a great dog he was. I was very lucky to have him for 19 years.

My heart goes out to everyone who also has lost a treasured furry friend. It is very painful but they deserve the tears as a thank you for the loyality and love they gave.

Thank you for the help this site and the kind people who post here have given me.

Jennifer