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ultralite001

(2,012 posts)
Fri Aug 15, 2025, 02:30 AM Aug 15

Our elderly rescue crossed the rainbow bridge today...

She had had a rough life. Her original owner passed away a couple of years ago, so I hope they had a pleasant reunion today. The house has been so quiet… I keep expecting to hear her nails on the flooring… I haven’t picked up her dishes or bedding or folded up her crate… It’s simply too soon… I’m having trouble trying to get to sleep, so I am writing about old dog… She went from bad to worse so fast… I was glad the vet was able to see us + reassure me we were doing the right thing… Thanks for listening… I think I will be able to rest now…

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Our elderly rescue crossed the rainbow bridge today... (Original Post) ultralite001 Aug 15 OP
So sorry for your loss montanacowboy Aug 15 #1
Deepest condolences. SheltieLover Aug 15 #2
My wife and I went through this recently. We know your pain. Condolences. NNadir Aug 15 #3
... 2naSalit Aug 15 #4
I am so very sorry for your loss.They leave such large paw prints in our hearts irisblue Aug 15 #5
Paw prints... ultralite001 Aug 15 #13
Hugs Duncanpup Aug 15 #6
It's so tough. Been through it three times. The last one still breaks my heart. C Moon Aug 15 #7
You have all my sympathy, there is no pain quite like it Walleye Aug 15 #8
I'm really sorry FoxNewsSucks Aug 15 #9
🌈💐 blm Aug 15 #10
I am so sorry for your loss. HeartsCanHope Aug 15 #11
In our family, at my suggestion, we call this last loving act "liberating the spirit." 3catwoman3 Aug 15 #12
Thank you for these thoughts... ultralite001 Aug 15 #15
I am so sorry JoseBalow Aug 15 #14
My condolences ultralite001. Heartfelt. Pictured is our former dog Sandy. One day all of a sudden George McGovern Aug 15 #16
What a splendid picture, GMcG... ultralite001 Aug 15 #18
My condolences, here is a comforting poem Nigrum Cattus Aug 15 #17
OMG... NC... ultralite001 Aug 15 #19
I saw that once, years ago, and have never been able to watch it a second time. 3catwoman3 Aug 15 #20
I am so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is. MIButterfly Aug 16 #21
I washed her dishes tonight... ultralite001 Aug 16 #22
Lady of the Beasts, please take Your little one gently home in Your loving niyad Aug 16 #23
Thank you, Niyad... ultralite001 Aug 17 #24

montanacowboy

(6,566 posts)
1. So sorry for your loss
Fri Aug 15, 2025, 03:04 AM
Aug 15

it's never an easy thing to lose them but you always know at the back of your mind it will come some day. I hope she is having her best time now at the bridge.

SheltieLover

(73,061 posts)
2. Deepest condolences.
Fri Aug 15, 2025, 03:09 AM
Aug 15

So saddened to hear of your sweet rescue girl departing for the Bridge. Healing vibes on the way to you.

C Moon

(13,116 posts)
7. It's so tough. Been through it three times. The last one still breaks my heart.
Fri Aug 15, 2025, 04:55 AM
Aug 15

All the best to you!
We have a new pup, but I still miss the last girl we had.

Walleye

(42,112 posts)
8. You have all my sympathy, there is no pain quite like it
Fri Aug 15, 2025, 05:18 AM
Aug 15

I’m dreading it with my old Tiger who is now 15. All we can do is take one day at a time

HeartsCanHope

(1,256 posts)
11. I am so sorry for your loss.
Fri Aug 15, 2025, 08:14 AM
Aug 15

Thank you for taking her in and making her last days comfortable. Will be thinking of you.

3catwoman3

(27,527 posts)
12. In our family, at my suggestion, we call this last loving act "liberating the spirit."
Fri Aug 15, 2025, 10:44 AM
Aug 15

It sounds less clinical than euthanized, less harsh than "put down" (really dislike that term), and more honest than "put to sleep."

It's always hard, even when it's right.

One of our vets once said to me that we bring our animals into our lives, knowing we will outlive them, but we do so anyway because life is so much better with them in it.

ultralite001

(2,012 posts)
15. Thank you for these thoughts...
Fri Aug 15, 2025, 12:14 PM
Aug 15

I will remember this…

No dog I’ve ever known deserved liberation more… She never learned to play w/ a toy..: she had lived at the feet of her previous human all her life… It was months after we brought her home before she could go out into the back yard alone…

She had only just recently discovered she could take her treat stuffed “bone” by herself into her crate + enjoy it in her own sweet time all by herself.

The first day I saw her wag her tail, I almost passed out for joy… we really tried to help her have a good dog’s life to the end. She was goofy but so very sweet…

Liberated… I hope so… can I stop crying now???

George McGovern

(8,987 posts)
16. My condolences ultralite001. Heartfelt. Pictured is our former dog Sandy. One day all of a sudden
Fri Aug 15, 2025, 12:45 PM
Aug 15

she came out of the bedroom staggering. Her spirit was liberated later that day. She was returned to Mother Earth soon as my wife and I got home.

(Many thanks to 3catwoman3 for the concept — liberation of one's spirit.)

ultralite001

(2,012 posts)
19. OMG... NC...
Fri Aug 15, 2025, 02:22 PM
Aug 15

I'm here blubbering like an old fool... in a good way...

Thank you for sharing that video... I love that Jimmy dug out his Klennex +
Johnny reached out to comfort him w/ a pat...

Oh, my... I needed that...

MIButterfly

(1,137 posts)
21. I am so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is.
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 01:16 AM
Aug 16

Thank you for taking such good care of her and loving her in her golden years. I'm sure she loved and appreciated you as much as you did her.

Take all the time you need to grieve and I hope sweet memories of her will eventually bring you comfort and peace.

ultralite001

(2,012 posts)
22. I washed her dishes tonight...
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 01:32 AM
Aug 16

I’ll wash her bedding tomorrow… Hank, the Aussie, has been very needy today — and vocal… surprising how big the house seems without the big old Gordon to fill all the empty space… I miss the tapdance of her nails on the floor… She could do her own special happy dance…

niyad

(126,442 posts)
23. Lady of the Beasts, please take Your little one gently home in Your loving
Sat Aug 16, 2025, 09:57 PM
Aug 16

arms, and send peace and comfort to her grieving loved ones.

I am so very sorry for the loss of your precious girl.

ultralite001

(2,012 posts)
24. Thank you, Niyad...
Sun Aug 17, 2025, 11:00 AM
Aug 17

It is quite an adjustment… Or maybe it’s just because I’m soooo much older…

Today is a good day to give the Aussie extra pats…

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