1st time at the rainbow bridge

[CKDub]

Two days ago, my husband and I made the heart-wrenching decision to help our beloved greyhound, Wagmore Barkless (Wags), over the rainbow bridge. He fought a valiant fight against degenerative myelopathy, and now, he can finally run again.
 

We have never had to make the decision to euthanize before, and it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. He was 13.5, and had declined significantly over the last month, but steadily over the last 6 months. He had some incontinence, could no longer go on walks, and had little interest in squeaky toys anymore. We put down runners everywhere on our hardwoods, fed him in bed often since he couldn’t stand for long, carried him up and down the back stairs to go potty...  I was going back and forth about the decision since he was still eating and drinking and seemed lucid most of the time. However, the morning of our home vet appointment, I let him outside, and when he came back in, his back legs collapsed 3 separate times, and he could no longer support his weight. That was a first...  He showed me he was ready...  

How do you move through this?  I know it was the right thing, but I am just gutted. Are there online support groups for pet loss anyone is aware of?  Thank you so much for your support and understanding. This is very new to me. 😭😢💔💔💔 

[Remolacha]

I am so very sorry. It never gets any easier, but the first time you have to make that call is gut wrenching. Nearly everyone here has been through it, many of us multiple times. I can only tell you the pain does ease with time, and you will start to remember the good times. You can come here and talk as much as you need to, GT people will listen and understand.

[CKDub]

4 minutes ago, Remolacha said:

I am so very sorry. It never gets any easier, but the first time you have to make that call is gut wrenching. Nearly everyone here has been through it, many of us multiple times. I can only tell you the pain does ease with time, and you will start to remember the good times. You can come here and talk as much as you need to, GT people will listen and understand.

Thank you for your kindness. It means so much...  It’s comforting to know it will get better.  🤎

[Blaidd49]

There is a Pet Loss Support topic on the Remembrance Forum. Time will heal but the decision is never easy be it the first time, or....

Edited October 19, 2020 by Blaidd49

[Houndtime]

I am so sorry for your loss.  You were his best friend.  He looked to you to keep him pain free and comfortable.  You did that for as long as you could.  You helped him to be at peace.  He will always love you and he will remain, forever, in your heart.

[greytpups]

The most loving thing we can do is ease their pain. It’s like transferring their pain into your heart. Time doesn’t heal the pain, it just let’s you get used to life without them. To me grief is like a terrible storm. Some days it feels like a tsunami while other days you can go with the flow and survive the waves. 

[CKDub]

4 hours ago, Blaidd49 said:

There is a Pet Loss Support topic on the Remembrance Forum. Time will heal but the decision is never easy be it the first time, or....

Thank you for that resource. 🤎

[CKDub]

2 hours ago, Houndtime said:

I am so sorry for your loss.  You were his best friend.  He looked to you to keep him pain free and comfortable.  You did that for as long as you could.  You helped him to be at peace.  He will always love you and he will remain, forever, in your heart.

Thank you for your kindness during a very difficult adjustment. 🤎

[CKDub]

1 hour ago, greytpups said:

The most loving thing we can do is ease their pain. It’s like transferring their pain into your heart. Time doesn’t heal the pain, it just let’s you get used to life without them. To me grief is like a terrible storm. Some days it feels like a tsunami while other days you can go with the flow and survive the waves. 

Yes, it definitely feels like waves...  so true. Thank you. 🤎

[teri_d]

I’m so sorry - they Take a piece of your heart.  From experience and our vets advice - always better a day too early than a day too late.  You gave wags the greatest gift of love.  

[macoduck]

My heart breaks for you. Wags was a handsome boy and you did so much to help him.

After losing 13 greyhounds, plus iggies, mutts, and other breeds, it never ever gets easier to same goodbye.

A poem I wrote was published in Celebrating Greyhounds magazine years ago:

They greet me at the door,
    hopping, wagging, bright eyes smiling,
     jealous their brother went for a ride without them.

My heart aches too much to embrace them,
    I am oblivious to their love,
    my tears freshly fallen on the path home from the Rainbow Bridge.

Three dogs follow me through the routine of my day,
    a shadow from the fourth dog doesn't fade
    even when I put away the extra bowl, the extra leash.

I await my acceptance of loss, my acknowledgement that this home is totally empty,
    without that fourth dog and its fourth bowl
    His shadow now glows and opens my heart.

They greet me at the door,
    hopping, wagging, bright eyes smiling,
    excited to welcome home the new dog.

And so am I.

CKDub, I will add Wags' name to the list of Bridge Angels here on Greytalk. He will be in good company.

 

[FiveRoooooers]

Just his name alone tells us so much about your beautiful boy, what a great one  - Wagmore Barkless (Wags)! I am so sorry for your loss  You are in good company here. I lost hound #16, Bea, in July to DM, her body simply wore out. Some hounds take bigger chunks of our hearts than others   but nonetheless, it never ever gets easier to say "see you later" - they are each one a part of our families and each has their own place in our heart.  A friend once said to me that missing someone is a way of keeping them with us, even when they are not.  I hope in time that you will be able to find some comfort in that. 

Ducky, that is beautiful 

[ramonaghan]

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's the hardest and most loving decision you make for them. Wags was gorgeous.

This is a good listen: https://www.wnpr.org/post/emotional-impact-losing-pet

And a site you might find helpful is https://www.petloss.com/. The web design leaves something to be desired, but the message boards are full of information and stories from people going through the same thing. The community holds a candle lighting ceremony every Monday. 

Wishing you peace in the days ahead. It will get easier with time, and you'll be able to smile at the memories again.  

[Annette]

So sorry for your loss.  Believe me it does get better.

Wags will always be a memory away.

 

[GreyPoopon]

I'm so very sorry. The first time I had to make the decision was devastating even though there was absolutely no alternative. The grief does ease in time.

Godspeed Wags.

[CKDub]

11 hours ago, teri_d said:

I’m so sorry - they Take a piece of your heart.  From experience and our vets advice - always better a day too early than a day too late.  You gave wags the greatest gift of love.  

That’s a piece of advice we had in mind, too.  I think it was just on time. Thank you for your kindness. 🤎

[CKDub]

11 hours ago, macoduck said:

My heart breaks for you. Wags was a handsome boy and you did so much to help him.

After losing 13 greyhounds, plus iggies, mutts, and other breeds, it never ever gets easier to same goodbye.

A poem I wrote was published in Celebrating Greyhounds magazine years ago:

They greet me at the door,
    hopping, wagging, bright eyes smiling,
     jealous their brother went for a ride without them.

My heart aches too much to embrace them,
    I am oblivious to their love,
    my tears freshly fallen on the path home from the Rainbow Bridge.

Three dogs follow me through the routine of my day,
    a shadow from the fourth dog doesn't fade
    even when I put away the extra bowl, the extra leash.

I await my acceptance of loss, my acknowledgement that this home is totally empty,
    without that fourth dog and its fourth bowl
    His shadow now glows and opens my heart.

They greet me at the door,
    hopping, wagging, bright eyes smiling,
    excited to welcome home the new dog.

And so am I.

CKDub, I will add Wags' name to the list of Bridge Angels here on Greytalk. He will be in good company.

 

Your poem is beautiful!  Thank you for saying his name and acknowledging him. I didn’t realize how others’ saying his name would be meaningful. Thank you, again. 🤎

[CKDub]

9 hours ago, FiveRoooooers said:

Just his name alone tells us so much about your beautiful boy, what a great one  - Wagmore Barkless (Wags)! I am so sorry for your loss  You are in good company here. I lost hound #16, Bea, in July to DM, her body simply wore out. Some hounds take bigger chunks of our hearts than others   but nonetheless, it never ever gets easier to say "see you later" - they are each one a part of our families and each has their own place in our heart.  A friend once said to me that missing someone is a way of keeping them with us, even when they are not.  I hope in time that you will be able to find some comfort in that. 

Ducky, that is beautiful 

Five, I am so sorry for your loss of Bea, as well. 😢 This is a horrible disease. 
 

Wags had the best name ever, but especially for him. He was our first greyhound, and will probably set the bar. 😉🤎

[CKDub]

8 hours ago, ramonaghan said:

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's the hardest and most loving decision you make for them. Wags was gorgeous.

This is a good listen: https://www.wnpr.org/post/emotional-impact-losing-pet

And a site you might find helpful is https://www.petloss.com/. The web design leaves something to be desired, but the message boards are full of information and stories from people going through the same thing. The community holds a candle lighting ceremony every Monday. 

Wishing you peace in the days ahead. It will get easier with time, and you'll be able to smile at the memories again.  

Thank you for these wonderful resources. I appreciate them so much. 
 

Wags was a gorgeous boy. 🤎

[CKDub]

2 hours ago, Annette said:

So sorry for your loss.  Believe me it does get better.

Wags will always be a memory away.

 

Thank you so much for your kindness. 🤎

[CKDub]

1 hour ago, GreyPoopon said:

I'm so very sorry. The first time I had to make the decision was devastating even though there was absolutely no alternative. The grief does ease in time.

Godspeed Wags.

Thank you...  Yes, this feels devastating, unexpectedly. I thought I had prepared, but wow. This is so much harder than I thought it would be. 🤎

[JaimeL]

So very sorry for your loss of Wags, he is a beautiful boy. Run fast and free Sweetie.

 

[MP_the4pack]

I have 9 at the Bridge.  

Whatever you do,  do not second guess your decision or timing.  It'll only eat you up. Just remember,  you did it out of love for him.

I'm sorry for your loss.  He was very handsome.  Sweet face. You can see his love for you in his eyes. 

[ramonaghan]

@CKDub I wanted to mention that I'd be happy to edit his Greyhound Data page for you, if you'd like to add your name as his adoptive owner, add his pet name, and/or add a bereavement message for him. If I add a bereavement message, it locks his page (still visible but no longer editable), so take your time to think about it if you need. There are a few of us on the board that can edit the pages; all you have to do is ask.  

[BatterseaBrindl]

I am so sorry for the loss of your handsome Wags.

Remember all the good times....