The Toughest Decision... (a story.)
 

This story is in a book I have, Guide To Living With a Dog.
I think it is really touching, ( and sad). Thought I'd share it with you...

Let me tell you a story, A woman about my age brought Hamish, her middle ages West highland Terrier , to my clinic because he was limping painfully and had lost his appetite. Hamish's shoulder was swollen and sensative when touched. His breathing was labored. I took shoulder and chest x-rays. Hamish's owner did not want to wait the few minutes for the results, preferring to go home where I could telephone her. I am sure that, like me she suspected something terrible. The xrays showed a devasating problem; bone cancer that had spread to the lungs. The condition took months to develop to this critical stage but Hamish, a typically tough terrier , had never complained. Now he was in pain and short of breath. With this kind of cancer, even the most heroic treatment would be futile. I telephoned his owner with the dreaded news. She had expected it, and we arranged that she would return with Hamish at the end of the day for euthanasia.
An hour after dusk, Hamish and his owner arrived, the woman was soaked with Dec. rain, soaked to the skin, but she had kept Hamish perfectly dry. We gave her a towel to dry her face, and as Maxine, one of my nurses and I prepared , I asked how she got so wet.
Every day in th 9 years of his life, she told us, the two of them walked from their home to the local park where Hamish had a set routine, walking on the mile long peripheral pathway. She felt that Hamish would , on the last day of his life, enjoy a final look at what he had always considered his turf, but his pain and difficulty breathing made this impossible. So she put a blanket in the basket of her bicycle, gently placed Hamish on it and took him for one last look. She held her umbrella over him so he would not get wet. She was letting go of Hamish with great dignity and the respect he deserved. Maxine and I found it difficult to work efficiently because of our tears. :(

I'm crying. Every dog on this planet deserves that dignity. Thankx...very sweet story.

and now I am typing through my own tears. What a touching story. Love is an awsome thing!

Loving a Pet....
 

O.K...what a touching story...

I'm off to Wally Worlds with tears in my eyes..but a beautiful story indeed~ ;)
Those of us that give love to God's beautiful animals..and have that love given back so undconditionally....are blessed~

I could not imagine my life not having these eyes to look into of my precious pets~ Losing one hurts more than words can be written...but loving another also takes on special meaning...

Pretty much a leap of faith having a little furbaby....None of us are guaranteed an amount of time with them...
But how ever long the life we have with them...I feel blessed to be the chosen one to care for that baby....
Hugs to all my Yorkie friends today! ;)

That is soo sad!!! I am just happy that Hamish had the love of such a caring owner all his short lived life!!

Thank you for that wonderful, loving story!

That was a touching story. I can't help but cry.

It is the hardest and most unselfish thing in the world to put a suffering animal to sleep. I've had to do it twice and it's only because I loved them that I could stand it. Thanks for sharing that beautiful story.

I just love that story, Everytime I have to look in that book for some info, I re-read that story,, My BF always says why do you read stuff like that, that just upsets you,, I dont know,,its just so special and heartwarming.
I knew you guys would appreciate it,and understand.
Especially, those that have experienced it.
I also believe it IS the most UNselfish thing you can do for them.
And for those, that got to be there,or hold them, when they were taken to the Rainbow Bridge it is and experience I will never forget. Total peace and neverending love.

What a beautiful story. I can't imagine life without my dogs. I would be so heartbroken. I hope that if I'm ever in that situation I'm able to be strong enough to let go. Sometimes the most loving thing you can do for your animals is the most hardest thing you will ever do in your life. My heart goes out to his owner and to other dog owners who have to make such a difficult, heartbreaking decision.

As I'm reading this story, my TV is on and a commercial for the ASPCA is running where an ASPCA officer is asking for donations to help abused animals. A badly hurt mama dog with her puppies are looking out with such sad but beautiful big eyes. Between that and this story I'm sitting here with a lump in my throat.

What a beautiful story! Thanks for sharing

THat is so sweet and OMGosh, so sad.....

RIP :littleang

i'm all teared up.. what a good story