Her name was Ricky, she was a few months off being 17years old in human years. At approx. 13.20pm Australian time on the 28/05/2011 she drew her last breathe. She had been unwell for some time, a combination of pancreatitis, dementia and a variety of other illnessess, but kept on rallying each time, drawing stength from her other 4 legged pack members (her regular vet check ups saying she was not in pain) Unfortuatly the last week her back legs no longer strong enough to keep her upright, ment she was no longer able to walk correctly and kept falling, and the decision was made that it was time. It was quick and painless, her last act ...pee all over the vets table With lots of tears we buried her in the back yard, her other 4 legged pack members are as lost as her two legged ones, we go to feed alll three and remember we only have two, we bring them inside and and wonder were she is, the remaining two ..well you can see it in their eyes, they are off their food and are not playing as much, constantly searching us out if we are not in their sight.. I hope somewere the angels are looking affter her and she is in doggy heaven, chewing things, barking, taking over the bed and generaly getting up to as much mischief as she did here on earth....and with all the other animals that have passed laughing about their human pack

My condolences

My sympathies ... :hugs:

I'm sorry to hear that, littlewolf. That said, it was time and her quality of life was not there. The hardest thing we can do is to make that decision, because it involves putting our own hearts to one side. And you know, that she will be there, waiting, when it is your time. And when other packmates need to go, she will be there waiting.

Sorry to hear of your loss, LW. But as you say it was her time, you knew it and did the right thing.

So sorry, LW...this hits home with me...my 12 year old Golden Retriever is not doing well...

My deepest sympathies and condolences go out to you, Littlewolf. It is always very hard to say goodbye to a loved one, no matter the age or circumstances.

Big hugs to all her two- and four-legged family.

LW, so sorry to hear this. We had to put down our dog this year and it was so hard. I still look for her sometimes, still forget that she's no longer with us. Was Ricky a painter? I love that picture and what a nice piece of art to have to remember her by.

We give them a home, they give us their hearts. We give them food, they give us their souls. We share our world with them, they make us their world. To share our lives with an animal is to know unconditional love... And to know when to give that up is one of life's hardest decisions. LW, my sympathies are with you and the other members of your pack. Ricky will be missed, but never forgotten - just as she will never forget her packmates.

Littlewolf my heart goes out to you. You did the right thing. They give us love and we can help them. I was a wreck for a while when I had to just give up my Dachshund. I raised him from a 5 week old. Had to give him up after a year. I wasn't home enough to properly take care of him.

So sorry for your loss, LW. I too have had to make that hardest of calls. That's a wonderful picture of Ricky -was she the artist of those paintings? And the canine commandments, those are so very true.

I'm so sorry, LW! I can imagine, and know well, what you and the rest of your family are going through this moment! On the other hand, you were so fortunate to enjoy Ricky's company, and unconditional love for so long! At least, you can rest your mind that your dog isn't suffering! Ricky will always have a special place in your hearts!

LW - I feel very deeply for your loss. We only let go of Dutchess in March and I still feel her loss. My daughter convinced me to open up our hearts to a new family member 6 wks later. I drug my feet knowing she would not be anything like Dutchess and she wasn't. She was very skittish at first and needed our love just as much as we needed hers. She is now finally coming around to our other cat and enjoying being in our home. She needed a home and someone to love, and we needed a little somethihng to put in the giant hole loosing Dutchie left. At times I think I was too hasty to get another cat so soon after letting Dutch go, but then she'll jump up in my lap and purr, or just kneed my arm while purring. It helps with the loss, but I still miss Dutch. But now my heart grows a little bigger with love for Bailey. Sending you and prayers to you and your pack

Thanks all, I needed those extra hugs The paintings are Ricky's we did several of them (on saturday morning), by herself and with the others, (non-toxic paints) with the help of treats to get them to walk over the paint and canvases We have them hanging in the lounge room, Time will make ease the hurt and knowing she is not suffering, the other dogs hopefully will settle in time, if not we will get a dog whisper in to help establish a new pack order Thanks