Don't Let Your Dog Die Alone

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March 14th 2010 8:50 pm
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This was posted on one of the Forums. It made me cry.

As hard as it will be to send my beloved Willie to the Bridge someday, I will be beside him to hold him as he leaves this earth. He was my gift in life and has given me all he had to give each day. I will give him one final gift of the heart as he leaves me.

Today, I was the last thing a dog saw before it passed. It was not my dog, in fact this was the first time I had ever seen it. When Xena's owners walked her through the door, she had no idea what was to happen. She was an elderly Springer Spaniel who was incontinent, partially lame, and deaf. After a short time of conversation, her owners gave her a pat and a kiss and walked out, leaving Xena alone and afraid in a room she did not know. Several minutes passed before I was able to enter the room and sit down with her. She was whimpering and scratching at the door, despite my efforts to calm her down. I held her through her tranquilizer, and she laid across my lap for some time, fighting the drugs with muffled cries and muscle contractions. The doctor returned and we began the injection. Xena's eyes never left the doorway, and no one ever came back. In seconds the life in her eyes faded, and the doctor left me to care for the body. It took every ounce of me to fight back tears, and I continued to stroke Xena and kiss her forehead like she was my own. Till her last breath, she had waited and hoped, but no one came.

If you have not already done so, please consider staying with your pets, even until the tranquilizer has been given. No pet should have to die alone.

It was posted by Charlie 1112547

Willie's Mom

Leave A Comment | 5 people already have

Barked by: Cassie (Dogster Member)

March 15th 2010 at 6:22 am

Oh Willie and mom....this is just so true....don't let your fur baby make that journey alone or with strangers. Our mom and dad didn't know if they would have the strength to stay with my fur sister Impy when they had to make the sad decision to help her to the Bridge, but in the end, they were with her, and she went so peacefully being held in dad's arms and being cuddled by mom knowing she took their hearts and love with them. They can not imagine ever NOT being with one of us when the time comes now.

Barked by: Autumn (Dogster Member)

March 15th 2010 at 7:46 am

Our Daddy was the brave one when I made my journey, and he also stayed with Rocky. Mawmee stays through all of it except the last injection as she just can't handle that last part. However, when Calvin made his journey last October, she decided to be very brave and stay. She had to bury her head in his tummy when they gave the last injection. It is a decision that no pet owner wants to make, but it is a peaceful loving gesture that sometimes has to be made.

Barked by: Samuel Jacob (4/1/97-4/4/08) (Dogster Member)

March 15th 2010 at 9:14 am

Willie, that post about ripped my heart out... Thank you for reposting it. So many read your diary, and we pray it might change at least one mind.

Bless you, little friend.

Barked by: Sully & Socks Our Angel (Dogster Member)

March 16th 2010 at 3:00 pm

Oh, Willie, it's been almost five years since our Mom & Dad had to take that final journey with their beloved dog, "Buddy", and it was the hardest thing they EVER had to do. But, Buddy had given us everything he had to give for ten plus years and there was no way our pawrents would let him be alone at the end with strangers. They both held him and told him how much he was loved though both were ripped to shreds and in tears. He went to sleep peacefully in arms he'd known all his life and knew how dearly he was loved. He deserved nothing less and there has never been any regret that they were with him at the end. We both know we will leave in their arms...it's the least they can do for all we've given them. We don't think they'd have ever forgiven themselves if they'd left him to pass away alone.

Thank you so much for sharing this heartwrenching story for any in doubt as to whether or not to stay!

Barked by: Bee (Dogster Member)

March 28th 2010 at 11:41 pm

I've really got to stop reading this, I keep crying!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for reposting, may Xena now rest in peace.

Lots of love,

Bee, Rockie & Family xox