Mans best friend...

[Nozza]

Can't believe our dog is on her last legs.

Arthritis in the rear legs has caused swelling of the joints. She can't walk without crying. Had her 17 years, so she is one of the family. Dunno how long she has left.

Am I sad, or do most people feel like this when a treasured pet dies?

[americantrotter]

Our dog died just over 10 years ago at the age of 14. I'll never forget her, and all dogs are measured with her as the standard. I have cats now, but its not the same. You never truly get over the loss of a pet, but that's what made them so special when they were here.

[TANGODANCER]

I'll join the softies brigade here. Had a cat for fifteen years that was a real character. Took a couple of years to stop looking around for her when she died. Still remember that animal with nothing but affection.

[warthog]

Dogs make themselves part of your family - that's just the way they are, so it's right that you should mourn for them in just the same way as anyone else.

My last dog died nearly three years ago and it broke my heart, even though I knew that she'd had a good and long life. I won't have any more as I get too attached to them, but I wouldn't swap my memories for anything.

Rest in peace old girl

[americantrotter]

I'll join the softies brigade here. Had a cat for fifteen years that was a real character. Took a couple of years to stop looking around for her when she died. Still remember that animal with nothing but affection.

When I go home to my parent's house even now I still go looking to let the dog out.

[Daxter]

I've had cats all my life. Love them to bits. Doesn't bear thinking about when you lose them.

[Batman]

Just get another one.

[Daxter]

Just get another one.

Feck off. What a horrible attitude.

[David Lee's Hair]

Ah my old Dog Sam, absolute joy he was, little Jack Russel, personality of his own, was 15 when he popped it 10 years ago now, was an absolute star! I still think fondly of him now.

We got a new one shortly after Nigel, from the destitute animal shelter, and he's a good dog, but a bit psycho in the fact that he only likes one man in the world (me) after being beaten. But bless him he's about 14/15 now and on the way out.

[Daxter]

You get so attached to your pets. They become members of the family and each have their own individual personality.

[Gertie]

My parents GSD was put to sleep last year as she had tumours and was finding it hard to walk, she was only 11 and was the sweetest kindest dog in the world. It was the hardest thing to do but in the end she was starting to suffer and unable to get around it was the best thing for her, the vet came to the house and she was able to stay peaceful and quiet. It was horrible to lose her, but it was wonderful having her around

Shortly before my parents got a new puppy, another GSD and she is lovely, nutty and daft. Puppy and Clio.

[James B]

practically welling up reading this thread

i get so attached to dogs, horrible when you lose them or they're in pain

[keveh]

We've never had a dog in our family, well, we did until I was about 2 but I can't remember that.

We did have a cat, and he died almost three years ago. When I go back to my parents and nobody else is in the house, I expect to hear him running down the stairs when I walk in the door.

It must be harder for dog owners as dogs are much more affectionate than cats, and they really do become more like family as they have a much stronger personality than cats. I hated it when our cat died, so god knows what i'd be like with a dog.

Man, making me sad typing this stuff

[Fat Stelios]

I had a dog called Jen. She died 10 years ago. I came downstairs to get a drink of water at about 2am and she wouldn't let me leave the room. In the morning I was woken by my mum saying she had died. Still think about her almost every day

[InsaneApache]

I had my 15 year old dog put down last September. I called him George after a character in a Stanley Kubrik film. I miss him a lot, especially if I walk my other dogs in the park. He went with us everywhere. He was chased by a sheepy in Wales about 10 years ago, a big soft get but I loved him.

[Moral Eclipse]

My cat died two and a half years ago from cancer and that sucked so much. I'd only had her 3 years and had moved house 3 times with her so I think she was a bit stressed out from all that as well. We'd just moved into a new house after lodging with my uncle (where she'd spent the whole time stuck in my bedroom - we were only there 3 weeks and my uncle had two vicious cats downstairs), when she died.

[InsaneApache]

My cat died two and a half years ago from cancer and that sucked so much. I'd only had her 3 years and had moved house 3 times with her so I think she was a bit stressed out from all that as well. We'd just moved into a new house after lodging with my uncle (where she'd spent the whole time stuck in my bedroom - we were only there 3 weeks and my uncle had two vicious cats downstairs), when she died.

I feel for you, I really do. As I do for all the others here who have lost pets.

Hoolio I know it won't be much consolation but try to think about the time when your dog was a healthy young dog. Then look at her now. Sometimes it's just time to let go mate, as hard as it is. I stayed with George right to the bitter end....as he would have done with me. It was only right and proper.

[communistworkethic]

We've never had a dog in our family, well, we did until I was about 2 but I can't remember that.

We did have a cat, and he died almost three years ago. When I go back to my parents and nobody else is in the house, I expect to hear him running down the stairs when I walk in the door.

It must be harder for dog owners as dogs are much more affectionate than cats, and they really do become more like family as they have a much stronger personality than cats. I hated it when our cat died, so god knows what i'd be like with a dog.

Man, making me sad typing this stuff

don't be so sure.

I have two cats...

Kira, age 7


and Squidgy (that's the sensation when you stand on her)age 10


now both of these little ladies answer to their name, come when called, obey commands and are extremely affectionate. Squidge insists on sitting on me or next to me, even now, and Kira, who has the character of a puppy- she will fetch, insists on sleeping on my bed at night and wakes me in the morning by licking my face. Both are very good judges of women, they know immediately which are psycho hose-beasts and steer clear. And they also know when I'm not well, they don't tend to spend time together, unless in a screeming ball of fuzz, and won't normally both sit on me at the same time but if I'm not too good suddenly the pair of them will be round me fussing and stomping their little claws in to my belly. I'd be gutted if anything happpened to either of them.


PS don't anyone for a second think I'm soft or anything, right!!

[Gravedigger]

Just had our GSD put to sleep. Arthritis also. They seem to recover for a little while but the inevitable will happen. Know what you're going through but remember the good times, the good home the dog had, and once over it get another. All the best, mate.

[Batman]