Well that's depressing: When your pet was dying...

Whenever a friend's pet passes, I make a donation in memory of that pet to their local SPCA/Humane Society (if it was a mixed breed) or to a rescue group that specializes in their pet's breed. My aunt and uncle's beloved lab Summer passed away suddenly this summer, so I donated $50 to a lab rescue near their town in memory of Summer. That way, you are helping save lives in memory of the life that passed.

Also, I have a framed printout of this poem with a picture of my lab/akita mix that passed several years ago:

"I Loved You Best" by Jim Willis

So this is where we part, My Friend,
and you'll run on, around the bend,
gone from sight, but not from mind,
new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on, I'll find the strength,
life measures quality, not its length.
One long embrace before you leave,
share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,
but they be they, and they aren't you.
And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,
will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,
the fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.
And as you journey to your final rest,
take with you this...I loved you best.

Whenever a friend's pet passes, I make a donation in memory of that pet to their local SPCA/Humane Society (if it was a mixed breed) or to a rescue group that specializes in their pet's breed. My aunt and uncle's beloved lab Summer passed away suddenly this summer, so I donated $50 to a lab rescue near their town in memory of Summer. That way, you are helping save lives in memory of the life that passed.

Also, I have a framed printout of this poem with a picture of my lab/akita mix that passed several years ago:

"I Loved You Best" by Jim Willis

So this is where we part, My Friend,
and you'll run on, around the bend,
gone from sight, but not from mind,
new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on, I'll find the strength,
life measures quality, not its length.
One long embrace before you leave,
share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,
but they be they, and they aren't you.
And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,
will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,
the fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.
And as you journey to your final rest,
take with you this...I loved you best.

OMG - this is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

What a thread – I’m sobbing terribly! I feel all your pain. This hits very close to home. Some of the worst pain I’ve had in my life has been associated with the death of a pet(s); a horse when I was a child – a golden retriever “Buck” when I was in my 20’s; and
... as I type this I am lucky to share my life with the best golden retriever - “Roscoe”!! He's my boy!! We have 2 other dogs; but Roscoe is my baby. He’s 14 – will be 15 on April 15th. He’s been with me through some of the worst times of my life – cheating husband/rotten end to a marriage, ugly divorce, death of my closest /most important relative, loneliness, new man and now husband. I’ve needed him every step of the way and not once had he needed anything more than a lovin’ pat and kind words... and perhaps a few treats I DREAD the day …

So, two years ago my husband (the good one) gave me a book “Old Dogs: Are the Best Dogs” (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/old-dogs-gene-weingarten/1112397975) I still haven’t been able to read the entire book; but I decided, when the time is right, I will create a similar book about Roscoe. Not to publish – just for me – to comfort me. I’ll keep it by my bedside . . . exactly where he likes to sleep.

My parents lost their dog at the end of October.... I am having a painting of him made for them for Christmas as I know they haven't many photos of him

Aww how sad for them. I agree with what someone else said, have a photo album made for them. You can to go shutterfly or walgreens and have a small one made for not much $. Or just get photos from them (steal them from FB if you can. lol ) put them in a small album and creatively write the dogs name on the front? Or use some of that scrapbooking 'stuff'.
When my old yellow lab, Hayley, died from cancer, my daughter had a Christmas ornament made for me tht has her picture on it. I loved it!
Also, when you tell them you are sorry, remind them of how pets are not just pets, they are family members and are missed as much and in many cases, even MORE than family.
<hugs> for your friend!

I lost my beloved dog on October 2nd. It seems that some people expect you to get over it in a week because it was "only a dog." It is over 2 months now, and it is very nice when friends and family still ask how I am doing. It also helps when they tell me how sweet and wonderful she was and how they loved her too. We don't have to talk about her all day, just acknowledge that she was an important part of our lives. It means so much.

My profile picture is her sister, who is still with me.

I think you are a great person to care about your friend this way.

edit to add: Agree with above poster that the WORST thing for people to do is ask if you will be getting another dog. A few people said that and it really angered me.

My dog died two weeks ago. My bff did the worst thing. She went on and on and on and on about how cute her dog is, and about the dogs training, and how it swam etc.

The best thing anyone did, was say how sorry they were, then change the subject and get me thinking of happier things. Maybe a hug too.

That was amazing rude! I also had a neighbor who told me, the day I buried my beautiful yellow lab, that she had rat terrier puppies born that same day, in case I wanted to buy one. If she only knew how much I hated her annoying, loud, uncontrolled noisemaking, dogs that she doesn't even care about! Even my lab hated her dogs and would have eaten one if she could! I wanted to punch her.

sending hugs to all those who've lost their pets.. my boyfriend went through this a couple years ago when they had to put his dog down and i found it very hard to console him, some great advice on here!

We just had to put our dog down on Tuesday. A friend on Facebook (who lost her own down a month ago) had this posted today. i thought it was so sweet.

OMG... *sob*

Now I am at work crying. :sad:

I came across this email from someone - they had found this story and I think it is very sweet. Kind of a "Pay It Forward" story - or maybe it was God - they never found out who wrote it. It comforts me immensely whenever I miss my cat Pebbles (we had to put her down this past May at the age of 15 due to renal failure).


"This is one of the kindest things I've ever experienced.
I have no way to know who sent it, but there is a kind soul working in
the dead letter office of the US postal service.

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month.

The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and
talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a
letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her.

I told her that I thought we could, so she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with
you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have
her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her.
She likes to play with balls and to swim.. I am sending a picture of
her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really
miss her.

Love, Meredith.

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith
and addressed it to God/Heaven.

We put our return address on it.
Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope
because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all
the way to heaven.

That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office.

A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told
her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front
porch addressed, "To Meredith" in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened
it. Inside was a book by Mr Rogers called, "When a Pet Dies."

Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God
in its opened envelope.

On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven.
Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.
Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me, just like it
stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need
our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture
in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to
keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping
you write it and sending it to me.What a wonderful mother you have. I
picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and
remember that I love you very much.

By the way, I am wherever there is love.

Love, God"