I have suffered many loses of several beloved furry member of our family. As a child, in my twenties married and as a wife and mother of a 7 years old daughter. I is never an easy thing to have to go through.

As a child we lose several family pets for various reasons, each of them in very different ways. Weather it be losing Red by a car accident. Our beautiful dam Ginger after whelping and getting bitches fever or when my mother made the decision to have our 18 year old Chi Chi put to sleep do to her failing heat and liver of old age. I was not present when they passed nor was I told of any of them until after the fact. I didn't get to say my good byes, I didn't get to say I love you one last time nor did I get to hug by long time companions and look into those big beautiful eyes to reassure them that they would not be alone for long. They were going to a better place and that there would be someone there waiting for them on the other side.

When it came time to make the heart breaking decision to have my own family pets, our 4yr old Norweigian Elkhound "Shadow" & that within three month later our 18 yr old tiger cat "Sheena" put to sleep. I was not going to let them go through it alone. They were part of our family, we had many years of companionship and loving times together and I made a point to be there as they took their last breath. I make sure that my daughter knew what was going to happen and gave her the chance to say her good byes. I held each of them in my arms as I talked to them and gave them all of my attention, they were my only concern at that very moment.  making their passing as easy and painful as possible was the only thing on my mind at the moment in life. I miss them all to this day ... 

It pains me not being given the opportunity to say my goodbye's as a child. But if I had made the choice to not be there with Shadow or Sheena as they took there last breath I would have regretted it for the rest of my life.

Rest in Peace .. :angelyork:angelyork:angelyork:angelyork:cat4:

No one can answer that question but you as for me I was faced with the exact samething and there was no way I wasn't going to be there for my dear sweet Roxee she was always there for me no matter what and I knew I had to be there for her or I would have never forgiven myself I held her in my arms as she slowly went to sleep for the last time. and now I have no regrets I know I was there for her at the end and couldn't see it anyother way

My heart hurts for you. I know that I am going to have to go through the same thing with my foster probably, within the next year. For me, I want him in my arms as he passes to the Bridge. But only you can make that decision for you. Hugs...

I'm editing and realizing this is an older thread. Still want to send hugs, though.