Put Clem down last night, now what?

[whiskers]

{{{Hugs}}}

It does get better with time. When we made the decision to have Molly put to sleep, I cried and cried and cried all afternoon, and when I got home from the vet that evening, I immediately crawled into bed and cried some more until my eyes were sore and my head was pounding. I had that dog since I was 6 years old and felt like a piece of myself had died that night as well.

The sight of any of her things, the mention of her name, or having someone ask me "how are you doing?" sent me into a sobbing mess. Looking at the spot where she used to sleep killed me.

It's hard to believe now, but you will heal. I don't want to say it gets any EASIER... I still tear up whenever someone starts talking about Molly. But you will heal, the sadness will not consume you and you will be able to look back on your memories of Clem and celebrate the life he lived.

Take the time you need and grieve the way you need to grieve.

 

[srennie]

I'm so sorry!! I know exactly where you are right now....I've lost 2 boxers to brain tumors. The first one suddenly went blind one day...we had to put him down 2 weeks later when he started having seizures and resiratory distress. The 2nd one started having seizures and sever dizziness and dimentia...again we had to say goodbye 2 weeks later. I think the hardest part was looking at these dogs who were physically 'normal' and robust and strong. They 'looked' prefectly healthy! It just seemed unreal and so unfair. Here is a saying that always has helped me and given me comfort....

Don't cry because it's over...smile that it happened.

 

[Jan]

I am so sorry for your loss. Clem was way to young to die and it makes it especially difficult. It's hard to believe now, but the pain will eventually fade and the happy memories will last for ever. Remember the good times. Clem is now running pain free and healthy again at the Rainbow Bridge.

 

[Cami]

I am so very sorry for your loss of Clem. I know the pain you are feeling and also know there are no words that will alleviate your intense sadness.
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Zannie]

I'm so sorry for you and Clem it,its so hard but i'm sure you gave him a heck of a good life,be happy it was you who got to share your life with such a sweet dog ..

 

[BudH]

I'm such a wreck and I don't know what to do without my best friend, he helped me through heart ache and sickness......I just loved him more than anything....I just couldn't bear to see him in anymore pain....after the vet gave "the shot" I hugged him for a half hour, I couldn't let go of him at all......I just couldn't, I felt like I killed my dog

Sounds to me like you and your beautiful Clem bravely did exactly what needed to be done. Clem didn't want to suffer and he certainly didn't want your lasting memories to be of him at his worst. You said he helped you through heartache and sickness - well you did the same for him... You made sure he didn't die alone... He died knowing he was dearly loved...

I certainly cannot know how you are feeling right now. Each of us grieves in his or her own way. My wife & I held & kissed Ribby, our 9 1/2 year girl boxer last Monday while our trusted veteranarian gave her the injection that ended her suffering caused by stomach cancer. I've been a cop for 22 years - seen lots of sadness... This was however, the most difficult thing I've ever done. It's just so final... It was also the correct, humane, and most unselfish thing we could have done for our girl. I watched my Mom lose her battle with Emphysema this summer. Horrible & painful to watch. I felt so helpless. So happy there was a better and more humane way for Ribby.

We buried Ribby by our pool - the place the three of us spent so much time together. I surprised my wife by taking her to pick up our new boxer puppy that afternoon - some 5 days early. We'd found her a week or so earlier because we know what our house is like with no boxer living there...

A friend's wife mentioned something about a period of mourning. Well, Brenda & I were pretty much in mourning the entire month of October - although we did our best to hide that from Ribby. I told my wife that the only time Ribby was ever sad was when she knew we were sad. She would certainly have wanted us to get as happy as possible as quickly as possible. After all, Ribby never did anything slowly! She was very special - she'll be sadly missed by her several human friends. She was a terrific pal and I will never forget her. I still cannot believe she's gone - keep expecting a "Ribby Dance" greeting when I return home... Our new little boxer girl, Banshee, sure has some huge "shoes" to fill!

Ribby left behind about 30 toys. She knew them all by name and they were very important to her. She would dig around in her toybox for whichever one we named - if it wasn't in the box, she'd find it in the house. 100% accurate? No, maybe 95% - she was a boxer after all and that stubborn streak sometimes came through when she got sick of looking for the named toy. She loved her toys almost as much as she loved Brenda & me. We've closed her toybox for now but will dole a toy out periodically for Banshee to cherish & enjoy. All but Ribby's most prized, her "Bug-Eye" will go into her shadowbox / memorial to hang in our entryway.

 

[CTteach1331]

thank you....

Thank you for all of your responses...I haven't been online since. I've been trying to stay busy but the odd/weirdest times/places have me crying....reading your posts made me cry. I miss my dog, I miss my friend, my protector...he was scarey to scarey people, but the most gentle dog ever.....I just miss him, he knew when I was sad, he would jump on my bed with me and put his paw on my shoulder and put his head on my other shoulder, a real hug, some nondog people don't get it....or he would stand on his back legs and hug me at my waist....I'm heartbroken...I still think when I'm in the shower that if I peek out, he'll be laying outside of my shower...which is what he did when he missed me or wasn't feeling well....sigh....you know what bothers me too is I emailed that breeder to tell her in case she was still breeding that mom and dad, and do you know I haven't heard from her, how rude :(

Thanks again, my brother said I better never get another boxer if they're prone to get tumors, bc 4 was just too young, but I love boxers.....they have a heart that no one understands...

Robyn
Always Mommy to Clem :(

 

[BostonGeorge]

Thank you for all of your responses...I haven't been online since. I've been trying to stay busy but the odd/weirdest times/places have me crying....reading your posts made me cry. I miss my dog, I miss my friend, my protector...he was scarey to scarey people, but the most gentle dog ever.....I just miss him, he knew when I was sad, he would jump on my bed with me and put his paw on my shoulder and put his head on my other shoulder, a real hug, some nondog people don't get it....or he would stand on his back legs and hug me at my waist....I'm heartbroken...I still think when I'm in the shower that if I peek out, he'll be laying outside of my shower...which is what he did when he missed me or wasn't feeling well....sigh....you know what bothers me too is I emailed that breeder to tell her in case she was still breeding that mom and dad, and do you know I haven't heard from her, how rude :(

Thanks again, my brother said I better never get another boxer if they're prone to get tumors, bc 4 was just too young, but I love boxers.....they have a heart that no one understands...

Robyn
Always Mommy to Clem :(

Oh Robyn my heart hurts for you. Cleam sounded like such an exceptional boy! I think not everyone is blessed to feel such deep love for an animal. They truely do not know what they are missing out on! I think every different breed of animal can be more prone to certain health issues. While some boxers like your Clem were taken too early, most can live long happy healthy lives. There is was a post on BW i saw a while back that I found very touching....when I find it I'll post it hear for you to read.

Until then, I can't imagine your heart break, but cherish your wonderful memories of Clem, remember you special times together and how that wiggly boxer boy brought so much joy into your life!

I had a friend make a scrapbook of her dog after he passed. It seemed to be very theraputic and she had all her wonderful pictures and stories of her baby all in one place.

 

[CTteach1331]

quote....

Don't cry because it's over...smile that it happened.

Thank you......nice quote.

Robyn

 

[mtnjnky]

Robyn, Clem sounded awesome - just like Hoss. 4 is waaaay to young - how terrible. I'm so sorry. I hope as the days pass you'll feel better. It's been just over a week for us and I can now talk about Hoss without crying.
I've seen other posting about the same issue - wanting another Boxer but afraid of another brain tumor. I guess you never know, but if you love the Boxer you have to take that chance. I am sure we'll get another one in the next several months, but I'll always have that worry in my mind.
Take care,
Jennifer