Lend me your shoulders...many tears to come

[Nightingale 0]

I'm so sorry!!!!!

((((((((HUGS))))))))))))

He'll always be with you, in your heart. I know that doesn't help right now, but soon you'll start to remember all the good times you had together, and start to smile.

damn... you have me crying too!

Hugs and vibes, and blue skies to Chief.

[airann 1]

Dove, ditto.

John, I am profoundly sorry. You are not the only teared up person right now.

You did fine, John. Seriously.
It was hard, it was right & it was time.
I very much understand important he was.
Skeet & I have a very unusual bond, they tell me.

Believe it or not, every single day I have a problem that Great Danes only live for 7 to 9 years.

(Flea in pic)

~AirAnn~

[slug 1]

Sorry for your loss

Lots of tears tonight all around. We'll see your friend on the other side with his tail wagging
R.I.P.

[hooked 0]

What breed of dog was Chief? If it's any comfort to you, I imagine him 'playing' with my 'Toby' and they are both running free in paradise! Okay, tears can stop now...............

J

--------------------------------------
Sometimes we're just being Humans.....But we're always Human Beings.

[wingnut 0]

sorry to hear this dude... it has been just over a year now that my first ever dog was put to sleep after she had a stroke and couldn't function anymore at all.... my parents called me and told me.. it sucked!!!! it does get easier...... all i can say is... there are many more wonderfull animals that need homes andi'm sure you will find one just as great, never to replace but just as great as chief.....

______________________________________
"i have no reader's digest version"

[Eiley 0]

I'm so sorry.

nothing to see here

[ladyskydiver 0]

Hugs & vibes! Sorry for your loss.

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[Luv2Fall 0]

You displayed the ultimate act of love...........it's tough......my heart goes out to you. I had to do the same about three and a half years ago........I cried for days.........I still think about him.

[skybytch 273]

My heart goes out to you, John. I know I'd be devastated if I had to make that decision for my best friend.

You did the right thing, and you did it at the right time. He's not in pain anymore. He knew (and knows) how much you love him.

Hang in there.

[cocheese 0]

Hope you feel a bit better today. We know the pain. I've been voted to take my parents dog and brother's dog to the vet for the final ride .Bastards! Both times the dogs seemed fine on the way there. But the owners insisted the dog was in too much pain every day.Then the vet calls us asking how the dog is doing while were thinking it never got put to sleep. They made a follow up call mistake from hell. Dog was gone. Yep. cry some more if ya need to. Tell the peeps who said it was too early to kiss your ass.How insensitive. It had to be done bro. Sorry you had to be there. No more driving others pets to the vet for me. But this is about you and your dog. You made the right decision. It's over now. Hang in there. When you are ready, go pet another dog. Your heart will heal.For all the joy you got from the love of your dog, the sadness will be there too, but try to think about the fun times. Another dog will definately take your mind off this a bit. Take your time.

[IMGR2 0]

Bug hug and a shoulder!
Hang in there John. You got me teared up and that takes alot.
My dad is a veternarian and let me tell you I have had to watch this way too many times. Its not easy but look around, you have more friends than you probably ever thought you did.

Bryan

[vt1977 0]

I’m so sorry to hear that – we had to make that decision about my beautiful black Labrador a few years ago and I was devastated.

Dogs rock and saying goodbye to them is so hard.

(((VIBES)))

Vicki

[SkyDivaChristie 0]

I'm so sorry about your loss. Your post had me in tears.
Keep strong and know there are lots of people around the world sending you good vibes.

not jumping sux

[usedtajump 1]

You shouldn't beat yourself up over this but I know how you feel. In the span of three months, we had to put both our dogs down, one just got old and couldn't function anymore and the other had a stroke. Even though I know we did the right thing for both, there was still a certain feeling of guilt for having to do it. Two years later the guilt is gone, replaced by pleasant memories and knowing the right thing was done.

The older I get the less I care who I piss off.

[goose491 0]

I'm so sorry to hear that John.

My Golden Died last Canada day. In her last few weeks, she'd go from having real problems to being the most energetic we'd seen her in years! She had tumours in the linning of her stomach that would cause her a great deal of discomfort.

Thankfully, we did not have to put her to sleep as she waited for me to get home one day and fell asleep permanantly with her head on my lap. However, I had given it much thought and had she taken a turn for the worse I was ready (gulp) to put her down.

The reason I tell you this is that you should know that you did the right thing. There is nothing that makes your best friends suffering okay. Unfortunately, pets cannot speak to us like other people can and often, you just can't help them feel any better. Stretching out their last days, though may make the owner feel a little better, really does them no service is they are suffering. The important thing is that you were there, with him as he went. The other important thing is that you carry with you the wonderful memories that he had provided you.

My condolences once again. It will get better with time.

Blues,
Nick

My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

[caress 0]

My shoulders are right here bud!I know it is difficult, but if he was hurting you did the right thing! I know that you miss him sweetie! Go ahead and cry as long as you need to. I'm giving you big hugs!!!-Caress

I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being
right.

[unlucky1 0]

I feel a little better today...only cried about 10 times. Unfortunately, i had to hide if from the patients (i work in a hospital). They don't need to see that crap. I don't think anybody saw...which is a good thing. Strange how i see patients die weekly, and it doesn't affect me nearly as much as my Chief. People were asking what kind of dog Chief was: He was part Black Lab, and part Akita. He was a big 100lb lap dog. He looked pure black lab in the summer, but in the winter he got his winter coat and he turned very soft and golden...he looked like 2 different dogs. But I knew that he was the same...he was my beloved Chief. Looking back... I gave him a great home. He was a stray and i spoiled him rotten. He loved me and i loved him. I guess that is all that matters in the end. I want to thank EVERYBODY that answered to this post. You all made me feel much better. When Chief passed last night...the only thing i thought about was crying to people that i don't even know....skydivers from around the world. YOu all lent me your time and condolences and I appreciate that more than anything ! Too all who lost their pets before...my condolences go out to you, because now i know how you felt/feel. I always said that skydiving was my 2nd reason why i am in the sport. The first reason is because of the skydivers themselves. I hate to get mushy...but thank all of you again. Blue Skies.
John
Life is not measured by the amount of breaths we take...but by the moments that take our breath away.

[Cornholio 0]

Sorry, I can't read most of these replies. Being a two-dog owner and having several in the past, I can totally feel your pain as I sit here teary eyed just reading the first dozen posts. It's a very very tough thing to have to put down your pet - someone (not thing) that you have spent so much time with and shared all your feelings with, and understood you ( or so I always thought.)

I'm sure you did the right thing - I trust my vet to the fullest and if she told me it was time, I'd believe her. Hate to say it, but if the g/f ain't a vet, tell her to take the back seat for a few days unless she's there to comfort you and not make you feel guilty.

Butthead: Whoa! Burritos for breakfast!
Beavis: Yeah! Yeah! Cool!
bellyflier on the dz.com hybrid record jump

[bkdice 0]

Oh.. I'm so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to put a beloved pet to sleep. Even when it is the right thing to do, you can be left with feelings of guilt. I know... It sucks that animals can't tell us what they want and how they feel. It makes our job so much harder. But you have to trust that you did the right thing. I am sure Chief trusted you and the choices you made for him out of love. Try not to doubt that.

[JVig 0]

I am so so sorry about your loss.

you loved him...you did the right thing

many shoulders and hugs.......................

--------------------------------------------------
Just remember.....if the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off.

[SniperCJ 0]

(((VIBES))) and ((HUGS))) John

You did a good thing for Chief. You shouldnt question yourself and your gf shouldnt question you. Vets know what theyre doing and they wont euth without good reason. Chief understands and loves you for making his life with you wonderful and letting him go with dignity.

Ive been there too and it *will* take a while, but it gets easier every day. I am, unfortunately, approaching that decision again in the next year or so with my 16 year old kitty. It will be hard, but I'll do whats best for her as you did with Chief.

Blue skies Chief! Go find Bob-cat, he's the white cat with the one blue eye and one yellow eye. He likes to play with dogs!

JC

[SniperCJ 0]

Damn guys! Now you got ME to crying!

JC