<p>I’m so sorry, Somemom. Your dog was very lucky to have a good life with such an obviously caring family. </p>
<p>I will give my ten year old pup extra attention and love today in memory of yours. </p>
<p>Be good to yourself.</p>
<p>I am very sorry.Tears in my eyes as I type this.Wishing peace for your broken heart.</p>
<p>So very sorry. The Kipling poem brought tears to my eyes.</p>
<p>Sorry for your loss! The poem brought tears to my eyes as well.</p>
<p>So sorry! I have to think it is a good thing that a dog/cat can make you feel so much.</p>
<p>So sorry. 
I’m glad you were “there.” I’m sure he will be missed.</p>
<p>somemom I’m sorry. I hope you are okay and that DD is handling the loss as well. When my girl was sick with cancer, I spent almost every moment with her. At the veterinary hospital there are even rooms where the owner can stay with the dog 24/7 while they get treated. I know that people thought I was crazy, but it gave me comfort to know that I was comforting someone who showed me nothing but love. How often can we say that?
The poem is beautiful. She will be alive in your memory forever.</p>
<p>My Dad died a year ago this same week and the 5 day progression to death from a turn for the worse, yet not expecting it to be death, to the actual day of death was so eerily parallel, physical & emotional changes of the one dying just mirrored each other. My Dad’s death was a surprise and I wished I had realised he would be gone so soon.</p>
<p>Despite the vet & my family’s optimism, I knew in my gut Friday night, so I spent all day Sat & Sun sitting with him by the fire (did a FAFSA!) and DD slept by the fireplace with him, then Sunday I laid with him, he did not really settle into sleep. I am grateful I did spend that time with him, he was never alone. Our only struggle was that the last morning we took him for a recheck and thought we would be putting him to sleep, but the lab work showed a slight improvement so we added the new med, but in hindsight I wish I had not done that last day. Though, of course, I could not have put him down knowing there was a chance for a real recovery. Our vet would not have suggested the new meds if there was not a possibility, he is a compassionate guy, but that middle of the night decline and run to the vet was precisely what I wished to avoid. At least I know I did all I could and was with him the entire time. I figured out I was up for 60 hours straight with a bit of drowsing on the floor!</p>
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<p>Well, that’s a LOT of heartbreak. I hope you do something nice for yourself today and get some sleep.</p>
<p>If there’s one thing I know about dogs, it’s all about us being with them. You did well. Again, so sorry.</p>
<p>somemom, I’m sorry, about your dog and about the loss of your father. </p>
<p>It sounds like you gave your beloved dog much comfort, and you did all you could do for him. Be gentle with yourself. Thank you for the poem.</p>
<p>somemom, I’ve been through this more times that I care to think about and it is always hard. Remember this: Your doggie knew he was loved.</p>
<p>Here’s something I always turn to when we lose one of our kitties (have kleenex ready):</p>
<p>[Rainbows</a> Bridge Poem](<a href=“http://rainbowsbridge.com/poem.htm]Rainbows”>The Rainbow Bridge Poem - The beautiful journey of a pet after death.)</p>
<p>so sorry to hear about your loss.</p>
<p>Hugs to you and your family. Know that your pet was comforted by your caring and love.</p>
<p>So sorry, somemom.</p>
<p>I am so sorry for you and your family. What a lucky dog he was to have been part of such a loving family.</p>
<p>Oh, Somemom, I am so sorry. Think of the love and comfort he felt from you in those last couple of days, and how lucky you were to be able to give it to him. We lost our sweet 11 year old lab in September and I can feel your pain. We were able to hold her in our arms until the end. </p>
<p>They bring such joy. And such sadness when they are gone.</p>
<p>Somemom- I am very sorry for your loss. Sounds like you really practiced good stewardship, which is what our pets deserve, for all they give us. </p>
<p>LasMas beat me to the Rainbow Bridge poem. I got enormous comfort out of it when we lost our two girl kitties, one 15 and one 21. I know what you mean about second guessing your decisions on the last day, we did plenty of that. But just remember, you did your best, which is what your buddy deserved.</p>
<p>Somemom - I am so, so sorry.</p>
<p>Me, too. :(</p>
<p>Somemom my heart goes out to you. Just 8 days ago I had to make this very decision for our 14 year old kitty. She went from happy older cat to very ill withing 2 weeks, it was a liver tumor. It’s the 4th time I’ve had to make this decision for one of our animal friends. I found the following poem year ago and carry it in my heart.</p>
<p>[The</a> Last Battle](<a href=“404 file or page not found default page”>The Last Battle)</p>
<p>May time heal your heart and allow the joyful memories of your best friend to outweigh the sorrow.</p>