My Dog Sasha

DarbyCrash · January 2008

It hurts so much to write this but it also makes me feel better to talk about it.

My husband and I are putting our 16 yr. old English Mastiff to sleep tomorrow afternoon.

After a long illness, it is time to end the pain.

Sasha has been THE best dog anyone could ever ask for.

My husband found her in Indianapolis on the side of the road after she was hit by a car. She was 9 mos old. Her owners didn't want her anymore so just tossed her out of a moving van. He took her to the vet and it was suggested she be put down immediately due to the nature of her wounds. (her hip was broken, her tail was broken and she had many cuts and bruises).

He decided to keep her and paid for the vet bills.

They have been the best of friends ever since. She is his protector and gaurdian angel.

Mastiff dogs usually live to around 6 or 8 years old...she has well surpassed that mark. Just recently she took a turn for the worse and we cannot watch her decline any further...this is best.

This afternoon, I had her on the couch, covered up with a warm blanket (it was 1 degree outside in Chicago today with a -20 wind chill). I put on Live At Benaroya Hall softly and she drifted off to sleep around Thin Air...we have always felt that Sasha LOVES to fall asleep while listening to music, she always seems more at peace than without it. I started sobbing and she sort of looked up at me, put a paw on my leg and had this expression that said "It's ok."

Just thought I would share a story about the best dog ever.

Tomorrow we take her in. It will be so hard.

Fahka · January 2008

*hugs*

Im so sorry to hear this :( I understand your pain COMPLETELY. You know you are doing the right thing, but that will not make it an easier. Sadly, our k9 family only spends a short time with us .... Love and peace to you guys tomorrow... Please feel free to talk about it ALL you want.

vedderfan10 · January 2008

I am SO sorry to hear this...losing a dog is like losing your soul, and you don't think you'll ever get it back...we put our 16-year-old terrier pooch down almost two years ago, and sometimes it feels like it was yesterday.

But take comfort (when your are able to take comfort) in the idea that you gave your dog a wonderful life, the best possible life...and she's telling you that it's time to go.

I won't kid you - it is plain AWFUL putting a dog to sleep and the pain in your heart won't go away for a long time...but you won't ever forget your Sasha....she will always be in your thoughts..and you won't get over the loss, you'll just get used to her not being around. Remember to give yourself some time to go through the grieving process...

You WILL be okay...

DarbyCrash · January 2008

Thank you, both of you. I really mean it.

Jesika537 · January 2008

So sorry to hear about this... But smile and know she will be waiting for you.

red mos · January 2008

DarbyCrash wrote:

It hurts so much to write this but it also makes me feel better to talk about it.

My husband and I are putting our 16 yr. old English Mastiff to sleep tomorrow afternoon.

After a long illness, it is time to end the pain.

Sasha has been THE best dog anyone could ever ask for.

My husband found her in Indianapolis on the side of the road after she was hit by a car. She was 9 mos old. Her owners didn't want her anymore so just tossed her out of a moving van. He took her to the vet and it was suggested she be put down immediately due to the nature of her wounds. (her hip was broken, her tail was broken and she had many cuts and bruises).

He decided to keep her and paid for the vet bills.

They have been the best of friends ever since. She is his protector and gaurdian angel.

Mastiff dogs usually live to around 6 or 8 years old...she has well surpassed that mark. Just recently she took a turn for the worse and we cannot watch her decline any further...this is best.

This afternoon, I had her on the couch, covered up with a warm blanket (it was 1 degree outside in Chicago today with a -20 wind chill). I put on Live At Benaroya Hall softly and she drifted off to sleep around Thin Air...we have always felt that Sasha LOVES to fall asleep while listening to music, she always seems more at peace than without it. I started sobbing and she sort of looked up at me, put a paw on my leg and had this expression that said "It's ok."

Just thought I would share a story about the best dog ever.

Tomorrow we take her in. It will be so hard.

I am so sorry. :( My mom made the decision to put one of the dogs to sleep right before they moved. It was so hard on me. I'm still a little pissed about it because of the way my parents just up and decided to do this, but my mom made ME be the one to take the dog in to the vet. I made the decision to stay with the dog while they put her down. So I was with her until the very end holding her in my arms. I stayed in the room for 20 minutes just thinking about the awesome times I had with that dog. I'm so glad I stayed with her as hard as it was cause I honestly felt that I may feel regret, if I didn't stay, and I am so happy I stayed with her. I have no regret at all. The dog was just so thin and frail, and couldn't get up and down the stairs, so it really was the best thing to do. She was 16 too, and just a mix that we never really found out what she was. The best way to describe her look is a Rhodesian ridge back without the ridge in the fur and a little smaller in size.

GraySaturday · January 2008

oh my goodness...

my heart goes out to you. What a lucky girl she is to have lived her life with you guys... you sound like you are wonderful to her. 16 years is amazing for a dog. It will be extremely hard. I went through it with my 18 year old family cat. But think of the good times.

Best of luck to you. Just remember you are doing it all for the right reasons.

::::hugs::::

Kilgore_Trout · January 2008

im so sorry... it wasnt long ago i had to do the same with my dog... i cant think of a harder thing in the world... it gets easier tho... just stay strong and remember all the good times you had together

fanforlife · January 2008

so sad and so sorry; just had to make the same decision a few months ago, and I lost the greatest love of my life. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.

DarbyCrash · January 2008

Wow, thanks you guys...just reading these and knowing others have gone through it makes me feel a ton better.

She is at my feet right now, looking up at me. : )

keyinmyhand · January 2008

I am so sorry for your loss. Many people don't understand that losing a pet equates to losing a child for some people. May you always have wonderful memories of your angel.

Smellyman2 · January 2008

Had to put one of my dogs down 2 years ago and it still hurts. 16 years is quite old for a dog and you gave her a great life. At the same time she enriched your lives greatly.

My other dog is 11 and I know the day will come when she too passes and I will be just as hurt as I was two years ago.

If they could live forever that would be ideal, but it is still better to have those wonderful years w/ them.

Don't listen to Light Years or Come Back for a while. It still makes me cry.

Cropdust Captain · January 2008

It's shit. Especially on the "last night". You can't bear the thought of what's to come. The last time I had to do it was 10 years ago, and I held her while the vet did it. One of the hardest days of my life.
You can take comfort that she won't suffer anymore, but you can also be proud of your dog, as she did real good and made it to an age that most dogs don't make it to -- in spite of abandonment, injuries, and breed lifespan. Congrats to you for a job well done and giving your dog a good life.
Best wishes to you. Pat your dog for us.

DarbyCrash · January 2008

A photo of Sasha:

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e222/danajohnson/905007535_l.jpg

vedderfan10 · January 2008

Smellyman wrote:

Don't listen to Light Years or Come Back for a while. It still makes me cry.

I couldn't listen to "Black" for the longest time...the aching loss in that song echoed my own heartache...and actually, I still avoid the studio version sometimes because of the pain it evokes...

Anyway, yeah...Jango is right on the money - be proud of your pooch for overcoming adversity and that she was capable of trusting and loving people again...

Oh my gosh! Look at that photo...she looks like such a sweetheart....and now I'm bawling for you and for her... That hit me where it hurts most....

DarbyCrash · January 2008

Yeah, Come Back was almost played on my iTunes just now and I immediately skipped over it. Thanks for the reminder.

DarbyCrash · January 2008

Vedderfan10 wrote:

I couldn't listen to "Black" for the longest time...the aching loss in that song echoed my own heartache...and actually, I still avoid the studio version sometimes because of the pain it evokes...

Anyway, yeah...Jango is right on the money - be proud of your pooch for overcoming adversity and that she was capable of trusting and loving people again...

Oh my gosh! Look at that photo...she looks like such a sweetheart....and now I'm bawling for you and for her... That hit me where it hurts most....

You brought up a good point...My husband always pointed out that he was proud of her for that too (trusting and loving people again).

gobrowns19 · January 2008

I felt really sad reading this entire thread and made me want to hug my dog, but the picture made my eyes water a little. Best of luck to both of you.

slightofjeff · January 2008

This just sucks. I hate to hear it. I'm dreading the day I might have to make The Drive with one of my dogs.

I honestly don't think I could do it.

a heartfelt good luck to you.

Jeanie · January 2008

Darby, I'm so sorry.

Sasha looks and sounds like the best of creatures. I'll be thinking of you all.

ardy · January 2008

i was in your shoes about 7 years ago. we ended our golden retriever's pain from cancer when she was only 5 years old. the hardest decision to make - but the right decision. when we took her in, i made sure that i held her head in my hands and was nose-to-nose with her, talking to her, the whole time, because the last face i wanted her to see was the one who loved her so very much. i felt it was the least i could do for all the love she had given me.

you will always remember this, but i swear dogs know that you're grieving and you're hurting and as hard as this is, they know it's right.

i'll have a special thought for you tomorrow.

My Dog Sasha

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