Had to put my dog to sleep :(

My little Shih-Tzu, Tisha, died in my lap a few weeks ago. We took her to the vet three times the last week she was alive and no one could figure out or help her it didn't seem. After some research on the web I found something called syncope, a heart problem, and that fit her symptoms she was having.

She would fall over and just let out this horrible yell not yelp but yell and it would just tear my soul apart to hear it. The last I went to the vet I finally had enough and told them either they do something or we are going someplace else. They made us an appointment to the University of Tennessee Veterinary School of Medicine on a Tuesday. I have been told they can rival the best hospitals for people there for your animals and pets.

She died at home but I didn't want to give up on her so we rushed her to the emergency clinic. They got her heart started again but the Vet said that if she lives she would have an incredibly hard life ahead of her. So I made the decision to let her go. I am not ashamed to say I cried like I lost a member of my family because as far as I am concerned I did.

She was 13 years old and had her since she was 4 weeks old. She was so small when we first got her she crawled into a McDonalds medium drink cup and went to sleep. It is amazing how pets can creep their way into your heart that you can't imagine life before them or after them.

My vet gave me a poem called 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 who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; 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, who had to be 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 quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him 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....

Sorry to hear about your dog. I lost my Husky mix a month ago. It was/is tough, but she lived a long time (10 years) and had a pretty good life. Don't think of "replacing" your dog because they can't be replaced. Each dog (or pet) is different. I'm sure you know that.

Death is the worst part of life and causes us a gut-check. My dog died a week after my grandfather passed (99 years old). Death pisses me off. You feel like you've been robbed when you lose a pet, or someone close to you.

Try to focus on the good times you had and be happy for those . Your dog is definitely in a better place.

Life sucks sometimes but we have to concentrate on the things that make life worth living!