As I sit here trying to figure out how to say hello, I'm instead reminded that I had to say good-bye. So, it's through tears that I write this.

    I recently had to have my 14 year old border collie, Sparky, put to sleep. She was very sick and the time came when we were keeping her around for us and not doing what was in her best interest. But, how do you end your best friend's life? How do you say good-bye? We all gave her tearful hugs and kisses and waved as she followed my husband to the car. The guilt I felt at not going with her was overwelming, but I didn't want her to be scared by my tears. She was always very in-tune to what I was feeling. 

     Sparky was such a good dog! She helped me raise my children. In the beginning, when she'd hear a cry through the baby monitor, she would come and tug on my sleeve as if to say, "Hurry! The baby's up! Let's go see!" As my kids grew into toddlers, they learned to walk by holding on to the hair on her back. They would fall on their bottoms with fistfuls of fur in their hands, but Sparky didn't mind. She would push them with her nose until they got back up to try again. When my kids grew into their childhoods, Sparky licked their tears away and oversaw all booboo treatments. We called her Dr. Sparky. Years went by and Sparky stopped listening. I would get so upset when she wouldn't come when I called. Standing out in the snow freezing my nose off, calling to her to finish her potty break already and come in the house, each minute would get me more worked up. By the time she came back, I would be so angry at her. It took me weeks before I realized she had gone deaf. (can we say horrible guilt?) It didn't seem to bother her. She knew hand signals and watched our faces to see what we were saying - and she would wake up when I was headed to bed - not because I woke her but because she would feel the vibrations of the floor and jump up to come and taker her place in her bed beside mine. As my kids grew into their double digits, 10 and 12, Sparky began to slow down and she would get sick a lot. We took her in to the vet and were told she had kidney disease and it wasn't a matter of "if" but "when" she would die. It was awful news. Still Sparky licked the vets hand and trotted out to the car with us.

     We always new that Sparky was a special dog, and we knew we could never replace her. Still, we hoped to have another dog someday in the future. Well, the kids talked me into getting a puppy while Sparky was still with us. "So Sparky can teach her," they said. I am happy that I listened because the puppy made Sparky feel young again. The new puppy, Gracie, and Sparky had only 6 months together, but I believe they were the best months of Sparky's life. Unfortunately, her decline was rapid and we finally had to make the call and say good-bye. It's been 3 months, but the hurt is still so fresh. I sometimes dream that she's here with us, but I wake up to an empty space beside my bed. 14 years is a long time to have your buddy next to you and then one day, she's gone forever.

     I know we all go through the grieving process when we lose our pets and I am noone special, but it's helped me to be able to tell you a little bit about Sparky - who she was. So, thank you for hanging with me through my long-winded hello. Someday, I might be able to tell you about Gracie who, well, let's just say, isn't the brightest crayon in the box. But, we love herr anyway.

     God bless,

                   Irishgirl

I must admit, your post left me with tears streaming down my face., I too had to say goodbye to my beloved Australian Shepherd., Lady Bear., She was 16 years old.,., She had a massive stroke, and the only thing she could move were her eyes., "Those ever loving , trusting eyes, that watched me, and asked,,"What is wrong with me" and also revealed how scared she was.., My son Thomas and I wrapped her in a blanket and carried her to the car., for what I already knew was her last trip to the vet., even though I prayed all the way there, for a miracle.,,hoping her lifeless body on the backseat , would suddenly jump to life so I could turn around and take her home. Once inside the vet., I couldn't control my tears, as she lay there on the table, totally immobile ,,,,with the last ounce of strength she could muster, she turned her head to look at me , one last time as if to say, "Don't cry,,,its okay., ".....then she was gone.....my best friend., my constant companion, my Lady Bear.....When I returned home and walked thru the front door, there was no happy face,,,no wagging behind.,(she didn't have a tail)....no running around the coffee table, so happy to see me, as if I had been gone for a month........I felt such a void, and so very lonely......I suddenly realized, while she was here for 16 years , she brought me so much happiness and love,,,,just by being at the door when I walked in. I miss her so much., but I know that someday, she will be waiting for me again.......and she will run around in a circle......happy to see me,....and I just might run around in a circle too......because I know I will be just as happy to see her .......:)

 This thread reminds me of my dog who passed away a couple of months...Her name is Yanky...We're buddy since I was in high school...So theres a lot of memories to keep and be remembered...I really missed her...hope she's happy now, up there...

Hi Barbi!

I'm sorry I brought on the tears, but now we're even. :)

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I know what you mean to coming home and expecting to see them waiting for you. We just went on a weekend vacation, and on the way home, just for a second, I thought, "I can't wait to see Sparky when we get home!" I kept it to myself, though, since the rest of the family was still on their 'vacation high'. And you are so right, they bring us so much happiness and love. I know someday I will see Sparky again and you will see Lady Bear. Who knows, maybe they're playing together now. :) Thanks for the reply. It's nice to know that I'm not alone.

 Take care!

Hi Lyka,

I'm sorry to hear about Yanky. It sounds like you have the right attitude, cherish the memories. Our pets give us so many wonderful ones. Do you think you'll get another dog? We can never replace the ones we lost, but every dog is special and there are so many that need homes. My screwball puppy is a rescue dog and she chases away some of the grief - and gives me more of a different kind with some of her antics! :)

Thanks for your post!

Hello Irishgirl,

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your story about what a wonderful relationship you had with your beloved Sparky.

I truly understand your loss as I've lost four of my dogs.  My precious Shih-Tzu, Maddy was with me TWENTY-ONE years.  Her sister Sugar was with me sixteen years.  My precious Rottweiler, Rainbear was with me nine years until bone cancer took her over Rainbow's Bridge.  There is no doubt in my mind that we will meet again.

babygrand3

Hi babygrand!

 Thanks for sharing with me. I am sorry for your loss. I, too, have lost two previous dogs before Sparky. This time was the hardest, because I was the Mom. When I was young, my parents bought the dogs, took them to the vet and ultimately made the decision to help them at the end. This time, it was me. My husband and I bought Sparky just one year after we were married. She was our first baby! As Mommy, I had such a hard time making the decision that needed to be made. I knew that it had to be done but that didn't make it easier. And now, I ask myself if there was something more I could have done or something I could have done differently to prevent the kidney disease. The vets assure me there was nothing I could have done and we know Sparky had a wonderful life. She was always so happy. I just miss her. I have to say, though, having all of you share your stories with me, has truly made me feel better. :)

 Thank you!

bless your heart dear lady!!!!    It is so hard to let a pet go on to doggie Heaven.   My heart is with you and I cried reading your letter.

Thank you so much. Your dog is beautiful! She looks very loved. :)

 I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers:(

As I was drifting off to sleep one night, I asked God to let me visit Heaven so I could see my beloved Father again.  Was it just a dream?  I can't guarantee it was or wasn't, but I did visit Heaven that night!

I found my beloved Father sitting under a huge Tree with long outstretched limbs covered with beautiful green leaves.  He was churning home made ice cream  with one hand, and reading a newspaper with the other. This had been one of his favorite things to do here on Earth.  Next to the Ice Cream Churn were dozens of plates waiting for those who waited patiently to enjoy the delicious fruits of my Father's labor.  He looked up at me and smiled his beautiful loving smile, and his great blue eyes made me forget that he had passed on.  "Grab a plate," he said, "It's almost ready!"  "So many plates?" I thought.  Yes, of course, because sprawled about on the green lawn at my Father's feet was every single beloved Cat and Dog we ever owned who had passed on!  They were all smiling and so happy to see me again, and they all came up to me to say hello! 

My Father was a great humanitarian and loved his animals.  He taught me so much about life, death, and explained that our animals teach us all about God's great plan for everyone.  He once told me, as I was trying to prepare myself to have my wonderful English Setter, Luther, put down, that the greatest single act of love and devotion is when God grants us the blessing of being able to help our loved ones cross over into the next World with love and grace when their time comes.  When Luther's time came I held his head in my hands and gazed into his big beautiful brown eyes telling him how much I loved him as he was being injected.  I knew, at least, that the last feelings he had were of loving and being loved.

Whatever happens in my life here on Earth, I know with all my inner being that someday I will be blessed when I am able at long last to join my dear Father and all our beloved Cats and Dogs under that great Tree in Heaven!  After all, it wouldn't be Heaven without all our loving and devoted furry friends.  I'll save some plates for you and Sparky, okay?

Has anyone noticed the shipping cost discrepancy with pettags.com?? I am a new customer and ordered one tag. It said shipping was $2.99. Thought it was a bit high, but whatever, what can you do, right? I thought it would come in a box or something. Well, I get the tag today and it's in a regular envelope marked $0.42. What happened to my other $2.57? Doesn't sound like a big deal, but if they are in the business of doing this to every customer....that's a lot of extra cash in their pockets.

If anyone  has any input, it would be greatly appreciated. I feel a little ripped off right now.

Thanks.

Those are shipping and handling costs.  There are handling costs involved and it tells you that these are fees charged before you submit your order.  Additionally,  in todays environment with the prices of plastic and metal,  which the tags and collars are made of it seems like a real bargain to be able to receive an item that lasts years and could svae the family pets as well and all for under $10.00.  Seems like a real bargain to me.  Don't you think so too?

Just my perception and thousands of others too.

Thank you for your response. I completely understand the need for shipping and handling. That wasn't really my point, though. On the submit order form it simply said shipping. That's why I wondered how the extra money came in when it only cost the standard $.42 to send. Plastic isn't terribly expensive these days as it is, but companies can get away with charging $10 or so a pop. It is a good thing they last so long.

Just to let you know that I have been buying my tags and collars from pettags.com.  I shop a lot online.  They have the best products,  great customer services and fast delivery.  Other online stores are frustrating and don't compare in vcustomer service when you need them.  pettags.com S&H fees are well worth it, as are their prices, since they are there when you need them.

 I once had a tag go lost in the mail and called pettags 800 number and 3 days later I had a tag and all I did was tell them my name and ordeer # and they resent it for me.

Thought you should know this..