Preparing to put my best friend to sleep :(

dewalltheway · 10-09-2009, 09:26 AM

My Best Friend, Magnum, a golden retriever has been with me for the past 9 years. We rescued him from our county dog shelter. He was about 2 years old when we got him and has lived a wonderful life and has brought me much joy and comfort. Magnum about 4 months ago tore his acl in his rear leg, now I wish I would have had x-rays to be sure, but he hasn't had much use of it and puts very little pressure on it. He now has developed what I think is cancer as he has several tumors on his side. He has pretty much stopped eating and is just very weak. I am trying to prepare myself to have him put to sleep tomorrow and having a difficult time with it. This is not the first dog I have had to put to sleep but is not any easier either. I will miss him so much, and even though I know this is the right thing to do to stop his pain and hurting, I don't want to do it. I was sorta hoping that he would pass away peacefully in his sleep, because I feel by putting him to sleep I am giving up on him and he has never given up on me. This is such a hard decision and I pray that God will give me the strength I need this weekend. I would also like to ask you all for some advice. Should I have the vet send him away to be cremated and get his ashes back or should I bring him home and bury him and create a memorial garden where he is buried?

Thank you for taking time to read this. - Mark

Fuzz_Butt · 10-11-2009, 10:02 PM

Ashes. I'm real sorry for your loss.

dewalltheway · 10-11-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuzz_Butt

Ashes. I'm real sorry for your loss.

Thank you. I took my beloved Magnum Friday evening to the vet and they concured with me that it was time to have him put to sleep. It has been a difficult 2 days without him as there is a deafing silence to the house, no more toenails across the kitchen floor, or barking when some pulls in the driveway or him sitting there bagging for the crust from my pizza. The weather was very nice today and Magnum would have liked it, to just sit in the grass and soak up the sun but there is that emptiness as well. I also decided to have him cremated and will get him back in a very nice hardwood box with a nameplate like I had done with my first golden Samson.

MY Beloved Magnum
1998-2009

I miss you so much buddy!

Cracker · 10-11-2009, 11:38 PM

Ashes, I am so sorry for your loss. It's never easy, but as I mentioned in another sad thread...it is an act of bravery and love to end our beloved pets lives humanely, to end their suffering.

Indian Prayer

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I did not die
__________________

dewalltheway · 10-11-2009, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cracker

Ashes, I am so sorry for your loss. It's never easy, but as I mentioned in another sad thread...it is an act of bravery and love to end our beloved pets lives humanely, to end their suffering.

Indian Prayer

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I did not die
__________________

Thank you for the beautiful poem. It was a beautiful autumn day here in Ohio today and when I was outside I felt the warm rays of the sun as though Magnum was sending his love down to me

Thracian · 10-12-2009, 01:27 AM

I'm so sorry! What a beautiful boy. So dignified.

5 s corral · 10-12-2009, 10:24 PM

I am so sorry for your loss
he sure was a handsome guy

jamie

dewalltheway · 10-13-2009, 01:37 PM

After my last Golden I had to put to sleep in 2004, I found if I write a poem and allow myself to grieve, it gets easier everyday. When I say easier, I mean in the sense that I don't cry as much I know he loved me and I did the best I could do and all I could do for him. I wrote a poem for Samson, my first golden, the one I spoke of above and below is a poem I wrote for Magnum. These poems help me be reminded of how they touched my life everyday and that they will never be forgotten.

My Puppy Dog

There you were in a cold, dark place,
When we met, and came face to face.
So much love in your heart to give,
So we took you home, allowed to live.
You woke me in the morn with your moist, wet snout,
And brought me joy, day in, day out.
You loved to walk and play and run,
And lay beside me when the day was done.
The house you filled with the sound of your bark,
But now it is silent and seems so dark.
Each day you lived so happy and carefree,
By the love you had and gave to me.
You had to leave, it was time to go,
And in my heart, I miss you so.

To my Beloved Magnum
1998-2009

Written by his owner, Mark Briegel

ecross1983 · 10-13-2009, 02:39 PM

That is a very nice poem. I am sorry for your loss. I know how it feels to lose a dog, a friend and companion.

digits mama · 10-14-2009, 11:29 AM

So sorry for your loss.. Magnum was a beautiful boy.