OT-Lost my furry friend Sunday

Sunday afternoon at 5:15 p.m., our family lost our black lab Lucky. She was 11 1/2 years old......... I found Lucky as a puppy, or I should say, she found me. She was a scrawny, malnourished little pup. I took her home and kept her. By the time she was 2, our vet said she had a severe case of hip dyplasia (loose hips) and he didn't think she make it past 8 years old. She always sat on one hip or the other, she never sat on her rear end. She was wide thru the shoulders but very narrow thru the hips. Sometime Saturday night/early Sunday morning, her hips gave out. She couldn't get up, it was like she was paralized from mid-back down. She was crying. I got in the dog run with her and somehow, she pulled herself into my lap. She looked up at me with those big brown eyes and said "Mom, I'm in pain, help me. It's time" We called our vet and at 5:15 p.m. she passed away in my arms.

I'm so sorry to read this, Sue. I know how you feel. I lost my little girl some time ago to cancer, she was a yellow Lab named Goldie . She was 10 and I had her since she was a pup. It took me 5 years before I could even consider getting another dog. when I felt ready, I adopted my shepherd mix, Amber, back in '99 and have been very happy since. It's going to be hard initially - maybe even for years - but it gets better. Hugs, Tracy

Any one who shares in loving a pet understands your loss. Just reading your story brings me to tears, as I have been in the same spot when the "time" arrived with pets of my own. You are in my thoughts.

Aw, Sue, I'm so sorry... I know how hard it is to have to go through that. My first dog, Pippy, lived until she was 14. The year I moved out and then my mom died, she just got so lonely and heartbroken she quit eating. Went from 15 pounds to 8, and we finally decided to let her go. I have two big dogs now (Rotts) and they both have hip displasia, as well. So far, they have many more good days than bad but we know some day we'll have to make some decisions, too. You're in my thoughts.

Thank you for all your well wishes during this time, it's hard to come home after work and not see Lucky waiting for me. We've been looking back over the last 11 1/2 years and remembering all the nutty things Lucky used to do. She was quite a character. We went through all the pictures we have of her and you can really see how much she aged over the years. But, even in the young pictures of her, you can see that her hips were bad. She always walked and ran different. She never stood to eat, she would lay down. As she got older and the hip dyplasia got worse, she NEVER let it show that she was in pain. Our 2 year old grand-daughter could walk right up to her and give her a big hug and Lucky would sit still for her. We have another lab who's 6 years old named Baby. So right now, we've just been spoiling the heck out of her. She's mourning also. She goes outside and looks in the doghouse for Lucky, then she'll walk around the backyard looking for her. She's been mopey all week and is just now starting to eat again. Baby always took care of Lucky. She'd clean her, lay by her. At night, even though there were 2 dogs houses, they always slept together in one. Now, Baby's taken to sleeping with my 13 year old daughter!

Sue, Reading this brought tears to my eyes. I'm so sorry. I'm the mother of 9 feline fur children. They are all old...breaks my heart to think I'm going to start losing them. Big Hugs, Lori

Sue, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I lost a dog about 6 years ago, and I know how difficult it can be. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Hugs, Wanda

Dear Sue, Lucky was exactly that.... Lucky.... I know it's hard to contemplate now, but please consider saving another "lucky animal" from your local pound/shelter. I adopted a pound puppy almost two years ago and I can't image our lives without him. Kudo's to you for knowing when to let go. I know it's one of lifes major decisions and the hurt and pain are hard to overcome, but you did the right thing by ending Lucky's pain. Now she can run and play where-ever our furry friends go when they pass-on. I know nothing can take Lucky's place in your heart. Maybe in time, there will be a little room for another cold nose and warm heart... Kate Z

She was indeed a "lucky" dog I told my kids that when you decide to get a pet, you make a promise in your heart to keep that pet it's entire lifetime. I have always told them that it's not easy when their time comes, but it's cruel and selfish to keep your pet alive because you can't face the fact that it's time. It was hard to stay with Lucky as she was put to sleep, but I didn't want her to be scared. I wanted her to know I was there for her just like I've always been, and for her to know that I loved her enough to let her go. She's free of her crippled body now and I bet she's running with our chocolate lab Cocoa who passed away 4 years ago.