When To Say Goodbye....

[phatkatsaudio]

When you list their favorite thing to do? And they can no longer do it.....

When they are living for you and not for themselves........

When there is no cure or hope for a full recovery........

[showgirl lola]

i too just recently made the decision to put my 10 yr old down.... hardest decision of my life...

i knew it was "time" when i looked in his eyes, i saw that he was just living for us, and i didnt want him to to have to suffer anymore... he fought the good fight, and was so happy on the way to the vet (he loved to go for rides in the car) it was the first time i saw a smile on his face in a week... the irony broke my heart, but it gave me peace to know he left us happy... its been a little over a month, and i still miss him (as the tears fall) but i am comforted to know he is now @ peace... here is a poem that i came across & has helped me to cope....

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 that had been ill and old are restored to health and to vigour. 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, someone who was 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 begins to quiver. Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass, 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…

[JonandMichelle]

When the light/life is gone in their eyes. When they no longer enjoy or can do their favorite thing. I will never allow any of my dogs to suffer unwillingly. They will leave this earth with as much grace and dignity as humanly possible. They deserve that.


To keep an animal alive to save us the pain because we as humans can't bare to see them go is the most cruel thing we can do and it so dishonest to our dogs. It's like taking a bit of their soul away every day. They deserve so much more.

[Berner1]

quality over quantity
when your bestfriend has cancer & declined quickly, is looking into your eyes and can't get up to come to you & due to a medical condition I couldn't get down to comfort her.
1/2 hr. later I let her go peacefully to the Rainbow Bridge.