The Rainbow Bridge
 

Someone, don't remember who, posted that poem when Tonys dog Rosie, actually Kathys dog, passed away. Been thinking about it lately as we're faced with having to put our Annie down. She turned 14 in August and is failing fast. She's had dementia issues for over a year. We've spent a small fortune on drugs, one to improve brain function and one to calm her down and one for pain. They did help and she was doing pretty good until the last month or so.

Now her hind quarters are failing, she has trouble getting up and falls on the stairs. I put a rug down by her food bowl, all 4 legs were sliding out from under her when she tried to eat. I have to push her hind quarters to get her up the stairs and hold her collar going down.

She's wagged her tail non-stop for 14 years but now it's stopped. Her tail is down between her legs. She's obviously not happy, maybe she's telling us she's had enough. We can't watch her stumble and struggle to stand any longer so we'll say goodbye tomorrow.

So sorry to hear. That was one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make. Our thoughts are with you and your family.

When Annie's at the point she is now, its in her best to do what you have to do so she wont suffer anymore.

Judy and I had to put down "Lucky" a great cat that she had for 17 years. It tore us both up to watch the Vet put the needle in his leg and the look of nothing but love for us in his eyes and we believe there was also a thank you in his eyes too. So go ahead Hank and do what you have to do, Annie will always love you for it.

Sorry Hank, it is a very hard thing to do as I know they are just like our children.

Hank ,Annie has had a long and happy life with you guys but you know when the time is right .

I hard to say good bye to a family member. Sorry to hear about Annie.

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That's a heartbreaker for sure Hank. I feel bad for you guys. She has had a good, long run. You will be sad for a while. I speak from much experience. Every time I read the poem, it makes my eyes leak. I so hope it's true.

Tony, your not the only one with leaking eyes. I also hope its true, because I sure miss my Tama Sue, Buster, Buddy and Lucky.

Ditto, it is one of the hardest thing we will do and I hope it is true as well.

I vacuumed the family room and main floor a little while ago. When I was done I took off the canister to empty it. I held it up and looked at the clump of dog fur in it. I said to Lynda "This is all we have left of our Annie." Actually we'll probably be vacuuming up dog fur for months but you know what I mean.

She was just a dog but damn that was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. It was time though and it can be hard to know when the time is right. As I said her tail was always wagging, just walking through the house or out in the yard. Not recently though, just tucked down between her hind legs. That's what convinced me the time was right. That wasn't our Annie and we needed to let her go.

Hank my friend, it's going to be a long night. Be secure in knowing that you did the right thing for your dog. The memories will last a lifetime, the grief not so much. I send my sincere condolences to you, Lynda, and Henry.

I still have some tears for the last dog we lost. Got sick and was gone in less then 24 hours.

I'm really sorry to hear about your dog, but I think you did the best thing for your dog. It's going to be hard for a few a while, but just know she's in a better place and not suffering anymore. I know I can't read that poem without getting leaky eyes. Last December my dog that I had for 17 years (since I was 14) passed away very quickly. Every day I come home from work she used to be at the top of my driveway bouncing up and down wagging her tail so happy I was home........Man, I sure do miss her :(

I am so sorry Hank. You know you did the right thing for her. And when you head to those pearly gates, Annie will be there waiting for you with her tail wagging.

Thanks, sounds like many of you have been here before. It's harder than I imagined, like I said she's was just a dog, but she was also our baby for 14 years. Like a child they love you, look up to you and depend on you.

I think the hardest was the last few days she had. I would sit on the floor and stroke her head and pet her. She just looked up with those sad brown eyes. It was like she was saying "Hey dad, the deal was I love you unconditionally and you take care of me. Well something is terribly wrong so please make it better."

Of course I couldn't make it better and couldn't explain it to her. All we could do was let her know we loved her. She had a good life and her time was up. That's how it works. I'm sad, but happy we had her for so may years.