Our beloved Bear is not doing well. We have had to make the heart breaking decision today to put him down tomorrow morning. We had to do this 2 years ago almost to the day with our other dog, Aspen. This is the first time our family will have ever been without a dog. I don't know how the kids are going to adapt. Not only is Bear our family dog, he is a therapy of sorts for some of our children with issues. When Aspen died, they had Bear. With Bear, there is no other dog to come home to. I was wondering with others out there that have been through this, how was it for your children the next few weeks? Any thoughts on how to ease the pain? this is more than just a dog. This IS family and has been the most loyal, tolerable, loving dog anyone could have asked for. 13 years with him flew by. I have yet to tell the kids but they do know he is very bad off. They know he's going to the vet tomorrow. I'm telling them this afternoon. Any words of wisdom from other pet lovers?? thanks. Just heartbroken. Stephanie--mom to 7
While I don't have kids at home, I can relate to exactly what you're going through. After 13 years, we also had to put our beloved dog down in September - same thing - loyal, tolerable, & loving. I'm so sorry for what you're going through, but just know that you're doing the right thing for Bear and that you gave him a good life. There isn't a day yet that we don't think of ours, but the pain does get easier.
I'm SO sorry. It's such terrible pain to lose a dear pet. Have you thought about fostering? I know there is the issue of the kids getting attached, but if they understand that it's like babysitting it might work (at least it did with my 5 year old), but explain it's for dogs until they find a good home it would at least free you from the responsibility of finding a permanent family dog right away and it can be fun. You may even do like I did and fall in love with one of your fosters and they will become your new family dog! I'm not sure if this is an option for your family, but if you're interested in more information I can put you in touch with the awesome folks at JCAPL, they are who I fostered for before I adopted my Ben.
I'm sorry Stephanie :grouphug: Hugs to your kids :cry: I have no words of wisdom. I haven't been really attached to a pet since my Chow, Brandy, died when I was 15. I couldn't be consoled. I've had plenty of pets since then but none I can say I've loved that way. I'm sorry you're losing your Bear. My oldest is stuck to our cat like glue. My heart breaks just thinking about how it's going to be and he's perfectly healthy. I hate reading when anyone looses a pet. It truly is a family member. :cry:
I'm so sorry about your pups, both that you've lost in the past year! I was thinking maybe volunteering at one of the shelters, spending some time with all of the pets there, walking the dogs, playing with them ... it definitely helps with the heart ache for awhile (until you come home to an empty home again).
