Thanks so much to everyone who commented on my earlier [url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/rex-seriously-ill-your-healing-vibes-and-2p-worth-needed ]thread[/url].
We took the tough descision to set Rex free this afternoon.
I held him in my arms until I was sure he was free.
Run free forever Rex......
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You have my sympathies mate - at least he's not in pain anymore.
Dogs are ace.
😥
🙁 Having lost my dog of 10 years in the Spring it gets better. You did the right,brave,compassionate thing.Doesn't seem like it just now, but when the memories are only of him exploring/eating your socks etc it will.
The right thing was done. I just hope that if I am ever that way it will be legal for my nearest and dearest to help me in the same manner.
Go Rex Go!
Seemed to me the best decision it's awful but sadly at times necessary.
I've just looked over at mine (completely radged chocolate lab with a serious sock / knicker fetish) who knows he's not supposed to be on the sofa BUT IS, and I havent the heart to tell him to get down just now.
Wow strato. I got proper "fizzy cheeks" and something in my eye as I read this post. My sympathy and a pat on the back for such a selfless act. Rex will be bounding through meadows of all the colours of the rainbow. No anxiety, no discomfort and no pain. Enjoy the happy memories of him - of which I am sure there are many.
I've just looked over at mine (completely radged chocolate lab with a serious sock / knicker fetish) who knows he's not supposed to be on the sofa BUT IS, and I havent the heart to tell him to get down just now.
Mine too!
Very hard to put down one you love. Happy trails rex!
Dogs are Most Awesome.
Feel your sadness.
Funny that I turned around and my Border Terrier is curled up on a cushion behind me on the sofa.
He'll shift though as I'm going out in the car soon and he loves that.
Not read the other thread, but 🙁
Not looking forward to Nelson going, he's looking old 🙁
My heart goes out to you dude, I had to do this with my 10 YO Rotty in May this year.... It gets easier with time, but I don't think I can have another Dog again.
condolences 🙁
A splendid looking dog stratobiker.
From what you've written on the other thread I'd say you've done the right thing at the right time in the right way.
Aw, so sad. Lovely dog.
SB, I've followed your threads about Rex over the last months, he looked like a wonderful dog. I tried to rehome a collie, called Rex too, about 18 months ago and was compelled to make the same decision. I still hate the decision, but know that it was the correct one, and I respect you for taking the route that was right for him and not necessarily for you. It sounds like to gave him some fantastic times, I hope that your memories of these serve you well, my thoughts are with you both.
sorry.
you gave him a good life i'm sure, and the last act of kindness is the right one.
don't know you and didn't know your dog but the spaniel's under the desk and i'm finding it difficult to find the right words.
all the best.
He looked awesome! Enjoy the memories.
Awww man, feel bad for you. I wish i was at home to give my dog a hug right now 🙁
All the best
Hard decision but I always think better a day early rather than an hour too late.
Remember the good times.
Good decision.
You were his friend to the end, and making that final call is the greatest favour you could have given him.
My two annoy the hell out of me from time to time - they eat anything and everthing (no matter how implausible), cost the earth, drop hair everywhere - but none of that really matters.
For what it's worth, I think you made the right choice. I know that doesn't make it any easier though, and I am really sorry for you.
You're a good man.
I don't know what I'll do when the time comes to set my old man free. I don't think I'd have got through the cancer so far without him, and I don't know how I'll cope without. I don't think it'll be too long now, and I pray I'll make the right decision at the right time.
Well done fella.
😥
Great pic though. And that's how you'll remember him.
Sorry to hear that, a sad day. Hopefully you have loads of happy memories to reflect back on.RIP Rex.
DO NOT POST ANY POEMS OR I WILL CRY 😥
sounds like you did the right thing, well done and have a manly hug.
I AM NOT CRYING OK
It's go to to be one of the hardest things in the world to have to do... sorry for your loss mate.. It does get easier, promise.
The relatively short life span is the biggest downfall of dog ownership.
Our first gsd ended up in the same situation as your Rex. Never a nice decision to make. Stay strong!
Sorry to hear this 🙁
bullheart - Member
You're a good man.I don't know what I'll do when the time comes to set my old man free. I don't think I'd have got through the cancer so far without him, and I don't know how I'll cope without. I don't think it'll be too long now, and I pray I'll make the right decision at the right time.
Well done fella.
That's what I always think about when I see these threads. giving a dog a compassionate nudge in the right direction at the right time seems to be a simple (but obviously emotionally difficult) choice because the relationship is simple. Man - dog - faithful frind, faithful master. There's a bond of trust about doing the right thing by each other.
My dad lost his Dad earlier this year, and wasn't happy at all about how much he suffered in the last 3 weeks. Dad's time is hopefully a long way off, but he's requested a compassionate dose of sodium pentathol at the right time, and I hope I'll be in a position to help him.
The kindest things are often the hardest. You have my sympathy.
Such a sad time but cherish your memories. 🙁
I didnt see your first post but looking back you made the right decision.
When my last girl went I didnt want another dog. However got another from the pound after a while and it was the best thing I ever did. Weigh the sadness against the good times and its a bargain IMO
Thanks everyone for your support and kind words. Much appreciated.
Right now I feel like shit, Mrs Stratobiker too.
I will remember the good times, always. Rex was a fantasic dog, and everytime I walk down his trail I know he'll be there.
Big hugs to all and your dogs from a tear stained stratobiker.
I've been there too mate. Not a nice place to be, especially after all those years together. But it does get easier with the passing of time.
You've made the right decision. Just as I had to last year with Bert.
Remember they are with you wherever you go.
Furry children rock 😉
stratobiker you did the right thing at the right time .we had to make the decion with Webster our 14 year old dog in June and it was one of the hardest thing we`ve ever done, but it was the right thing to do .
we talked about rescue dogs and puppies and after months of thinking and looking we decided to go for a puppy , which we collected today .i`ll post some pics later .
our thoughts are with you Paul & Kate
you did the right thing for sure.
One of the the most upsetting thing I've ever done, after our springer had a stroke.
lots of fond memory's though, we think about him loads and I'm sure you've got loads of them with Rex too, just remember those.
All the very best.
I just couldn't bring myself to read your earlier thread. So sorry to hear that mate. I'm just dreading that day when it's the turn of my two, both now looking quite old.
Excuse me, I think I may have something in my eye. *sniff* 😥
RIP Rex
Massive sympathies, now cheer yourself up with another STW guitar collective, a while since we've done one.
Properly welling up at work. RIP Rex.
Done the right thing mate.
Never easy.
Loved & buried 5 dogs - Rupert, Nancy & Anna, Megan & Beth. All Spaniels, 2 pairs of sisters & 1 boy..all barking as only a Spaniel can be. Thanks for reminding me of them..
Not a dry eye in the house tonight I reckon..
Be proud of yourself for making one of the most difficult decisions and pleased to have shared his life with him.
RIP Rex.
Sorry to hear he had to go stratobiker. Still remember the thread when you introduced him to STW. How we all laughed at how enormous he looked. Well done for making a tough decision. Can't have been easy but I'm sure it was the right thing to do. Run free Rex. Biggest dog in DogDevon. 🙂
Someone once said to me:
Grief is the payment you have to make for the happiness they've brought you. The more it hurts the luckier you've been.
Chris
FFS mrhoppy, you've got me at it now.
Sad story 🙁
Best wishes.
Enjoy the memories.
Rainbow Bridge poem
Rainbow Bridge Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
I feel for you man. I'm filling up here reading about Rex.
You have my deepest condolences.
D.
Cool dug!
I lost mine (Jip) when I were a nipper. Swore I'd never own another as it is a part of the family and hard when you lose them. My kids are going on about another now...
Love the photo
Can't read that rainbow bridge poem. The last time I did I was a blubbering wreak. As I've just posted on the other post, RIP Rex 🙁
unlucky sb. i always liked the pics of your dog, he looked like a right berk - just my kind of mutt 😀
we had to make the same decision with our dog 6 years ago and we all still miss him, remember him and talk about him. like our dog, yours will always be with you.
go rex 8)
🙁
Am really saddened by this thread. You did the right thing though.
Jeezus....wife out on the razz, daughter sleeping peacefully in bed and Lara (6 mth old mini schnauzer) lying on a sofa barking and running in her sleep.
I've had a few glasses of wine, but this thread has caused more than a few thoughts of reflection and tears...
Cherrie (a wonderful black mini) reached the end almost 5 years ago...very old girl, heart problems but a great companion to the end. Still need to scatter her ashes.
Perhaps Lara and I will do so tomorrow....
Sorry for the tough decision--even when you know it's right it isn't any easier.
To quote Neil Young:
We've been through some things together
With trunks of memories still to come
We found things to do in stormy weather
Long may you run
Long may you run, long may you run
Although these changes have come
With your chrome heart shining in the sun
Long may you run
Sorry to hear that dude...doesn't make it easier, but you did the right thing by Rex.
RIP Rex. I'm sure he'll be having fun running through the clouds chasing rabbits.
You made sure he had a good innings, now he's doing the big sleep.............dogs like sleep.
Good on ya
Sorry for your loss man.
Some people will never understand the bond between man and dog
But it's amazing.
Never forget that
I feel for you, we lost our springer who was 14 in May 2010, still gutted. 🙁
I got home an hour early yesterday, packed the springer and the shusky in the van and drove to their favourite walking place. The shusky is my best mate, bar none, and is slowing down as he approaches the grand old age of 12. At some point I'll have to let him go, and when I do, I hope I do it with the same unselfishness and compassion that you've shown fella.
Some people will never understand the bond between man and dog
Amen to that.
Last one from me on this....promise.
Thank you all once again. Dogs truly are ace!
You know we only had Rex since April. His owner died and nobody wanted to take him on. It was a big ask of Rex to move to a new home and start again at 10 and a half years old. But he did it, and he was such a very very good dog. We consider ourselves lucky to have been blessed with his prescence. I loved him. We both did. Everything about him. I even loved the smell of him. I used to bury my nose in his fur to sniff him.
He's left a big hole. He was a big dog! I hope he will wait for us.
Thanks again everyone. Love your dogs. SB
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Strange thing having your dog put down I remember mixed feelings of sadness she was gone and relief that her suffering was over.
You gave Rex a great home and did the very best by him. RIP Rex.
Awww, didn't see the original thread until now but I remember when you first posted that you'd given him a home. May your memories be as large and lovely as Rex . . . I think I too have something in my eye 😥
RIP big fella.
🙁
SB - so sorry, Rex looked like a magnificent, wonderful, loyal dog. And you and your partner did a great thing in adopting him when he was an older dog - I'm sure he repaid you in spades though.
He reminds me of my old dog, who followed me home one day from the streets of inner city Leeds. 17 years later I said my goodbyes to him, and felt that I have priviledged that I was who he had chosen to be with. He was my best friend, and taught me the real meaning of unconditional love. I still miss him after 8 years.
Current dog is curled up on the sofa beside me, shoving me out of the way, and reminding me that as a stately old lady of 14 she is entitled to have the sunny spot to herself 🙂
And, yes Rex will wait for you guys. He'll probably be having some fun before you turn up, so no need to rush! But as always, he'll be there for you in the end.
I am NOT crying as I read this thread.
Feel for you, I can't imagine what it must feel like and dread the day I loose my little man.
Strato - Sorry for your loss, so sad when a loved one in the family has to leave.
😥
Well done for putting him to sleep, I've had to do it and I know how hard it is. Missy is snoring on the bed (!) next to me. I don't know how I will cope when it comes time for her to go. Have a tear-stained hug x
I'm off now with Willow, to walk in the cold fresh air.