Nick went to the Rainbow Bridge at approximately 845 this morning. It was peaceful, and I held his head in my lap as he went. I whispered in his ear the entire time, telling him I loved him, that he was a good dog, told him I was sorry, and that we are thankful that he spent his life with us.

Dr Snell arrived at 830, and was very kind and sweet, just as he always is. As I brought Nick out of the yard, he showed me one last act of kindness (at least that's how I want to remember it). Since he bit my friends son, he's been nothing but sweet and loveable, and I was second guessing our decision this morning. Then, as I walked Nick past Dr Snell, he lunged and snapped at him. Dr Snell narrowly missed being bitten, because I pulled Nick back and he missed. That last act reconfirmed that we made the right decision, and I'll always be grateful to Nick for that, as odd as it may sound.

Dr Snell wasn't able to administer the sedative, as every time he attempted to approach Nick he lunged and snarled at him. I injected the sedative into his hind end, and then sat with him until he fell asleep. All the while I held him and did my best to comfort him. Then, after he was asleep, Dr Snell administered the euthanasia drugs. Nick went quickly, and as I said, I held his head in my lap the entire time, holding him and telling him how much we love him.

My friends boyfriend had dug the grave yesterday, and we buried Nick in the front yard. JC arrived right after shortly after Nick was gone, and Dr Snell stayed until he arrived. As he was leaving, JC went to thank him again, and Dr Snell had tears in his eyes. He's always been a wonderful vet, and a very caring man. I will always be thankful to him for coming to our home to do this, as Nick would have been so much more stressed if I would have had to take him to the office.

JC helped me bury him, and then stayed for a while. I haven't told Katie yet. I'll tell her this afternoon after she gets home from school. I'm planning on getting some flowers for her to lay on his grave, and we set a bench out there so that we can sit and visit him. I need to get or make a marker for his grave.

Nick was a good dog, even with all of the issues he had. He was neurotic, and I'll admit not the easiest dog to keep. He had many issues, ranging from fear issues, dominance issues, housebreaking issues, not to mention allergies and other things. But he was ours, and we lived with and accepted him...quirks and neuroses (sp?) and all. I'm thankful that we could give him a good life, and that he's never known anything but us.

Sleep well Nick. We'll see you again one day when our time comes. Until then...watch over our family and home, and wait for us.

As tears fill my eyes reading this I want you to know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I know this was hard but sounds like you done the best thing. I am sorry for your loss.

I'm sorry for your loss - no matter what it hurts and for that I send big hugs your way. It's not always easy to do the best thing. At least he felt loved and was treated with respect. Rest in Peace Nick - say hi to my babies in Rainbow bridge for me and tell them I love them too.

Stacy,
I could not read what you wrote,because I'm sure it's very sad and I don't want to cry. I'm so sorry~!

Ahhh Stacy, sending you big hugs girl. I know this is never an easy thing to do, Since I recently had to do the same thing. So I hope you can take comfort in knowing you've done the right thing, in my opinion. And you may well have saved someone else from being bitten.

I'm just sorry it had to happen.

I'm so sorry Stacy. I know how hard it is to make that decision.
Nick knew you loved him.

What a sad day...Im so filled with sadness reading this.

You were very strong through a very difficult set of circumstances.

You have my deepest sympathies.

Stacy, My eyes always rain when I read sad things like this, but I know in my heart I would have done the same thing had it been one of mine. Be blessed

I'm so sorry, Stacy. Sending healing hugs your way.

I'm sorry Stacy. You've had a rough time of it lately girl. It definately sounds like you did the right thing, yet it's still so hard to do. Hugs for you.

I'm so sorry for your loss Stacy. It does sound like you made the right decision, even though it was a very difficult one.

Big Hugs to you and your family.

So sorry you had to do this. You did the only think you could do.

Oh Stacy I am so sorry. I know how hard it is. You were the last thing Nick saw, heard and felt, so he knew he was loved. And you wouldn't give up those last few minutes for anything.

I am sitting here crying as this brings back memories of the last two times I've had to do the same with my cats. But like you, mine knew they were loved right up to the end and didn't die alone and frightened.

Hugs to you in this time of grief.

Thanks everyone. Being with Nick at the end really wasn't even up for debate. I couldn't even have fathomed leaving him at the vet or not being there with him in his final moments. I'm the one that cared for him his entire life, I'm the one that babied him when he was ill...leaving him when he needed me most wasn't even an option in my mind.

Katie took it about as I expected. I told her after she got home from school. We sat on the front porch, and as soon as I told her I had taken Nick to the vet she asked if he had been put down. We decided telling her he was ill was the best way to handle it. We didn't want her feeling resentment towards my friends son or towards Nick. I want her to remember him as her friend, her buddy...the one that was always here. We cried together, and then cut some roses from the garden to lay on his grave. Then we came in and reminisced about old times with Nick. How he used to love to chase bottle rockets, and would practically do back flips in the air trying to catch them as they flew by. He would get so wound up, practically foaming at the mouth from barking and running. As soon as he saw the bucket of bottle rockets come out the shed, he'd start prancing and whining in anticipation.

We laughed at how he would irritate the krap out of Tim. He wouldn't give Tim a minutes peace, nudging him, bumping and leaning on him, smacking him with his paw, and slobbering on him. He was Tim's shadow, much to Tim's chagrin. LOL Tim loved him, but Nick was a pest about it...try walking around the house with a 140 lb dog glued to your side 24/7.

I'm just glad Katie didn't ask for a puppy.

Reading your post, I cried like Nick was my dog. Stacy I'm so sorry that you had to go through that. I can't imagine what you are feeling right now.
Remember the good times with Nick.

Love & Hugs
Kate

Crying here too once again I will say I HATE this forum and my heart leaps to my throat each time I see a new post ..
Sometimes I think I am overly sensitive/emotional..and sometimes I wait days before I come to read the new post because I know I will get upset ..
Sending you big hugs from across the miles I know your heart must surely be breaking right now ....

I am so very sorry not only for the loss you are suffering but that you had to make this decision at all. Sometimes the right decision is the hardest decision to make. My heart goes out to you and your whole family on your loss.

My heart is with you Stacy. Hugs across the miles.

Jeff

Stacey I am sorry for the loss of Nick..I know how you feel..we had to put 2 of our dogs to sleep due to medical issues and I tell you waht I cried a river...I held both the dogs while the vet administrated the meds and they slowly and peacefully went to the Rainbow Bridge while I held them..and they know I was there ..man I have to stop this is making me cry thinking of my 2 dogs...

Im sorry Stacey.........


R.I.P.~~~~~~~~~~~~NICK
R.I.P.~~~~~~~~~~~~SEBRINA
R.I.P.~~~~~~~~~~~~SANDRA DEE

Hugs to you and your daughter! You made the best decision and I wish you peace with it.

As another one who had to make that decision my heart is breaking for you. After my Chow suddenly attacked my niece and she had 17 stitched in her head, arms, fingers there is now way you can take the risk of it not happening again. Thankfully you have such a wonderful vet to help you out in that way....sending you and Katie tons of hugs and love.

Im so sorry!!

im so sorry you had to put nick to sleep, you did the right thing even though right now its hard to understand why these things happen. You have him lots of love and was there for him when it was his time.. Hugs to you!

Stacy, I'm terribly sorry you and your family had to bid farewell to dear Nick. Its nice to see that he was still such a big part of the family, even in the end.
My family has a mutt that sounds alot like Nick. He can be hard to predict, and has bit his share of people. I hope he never gets to the point that he causes someone to have stitches.. but if -hopefully not- but if he does, I hope I will have as much strength as you have had in this time.

Good vibes headed your way.

Stacy, I am so glad that Nick let you know this was right for him. A dog that bites and is as large as Nick is a scarey thing. I would have made the same decision, and I have one of those gentle giants, too.

You made the right decision Stacy. Thank you for thinking of what was best for everyone, including Nick. At least he got to cross the rainbow bridge knowing he was loved and cared for.

Hugs to you and Katie... hopefully your new little guy satisfies the need for a puppy for a while. I hope all is going well with the rest of the pups

My condolences to you and your family, losing a beloved pet is never easy, and it's even harder making the right decisions. Hang in there.

It is sad to lose a close friend like Nick. No matter how wacked out our friend may seem at times, we miss them when they are gone. I am sorry that you had to make the choice you did and know that Nick loves you still. Your kindness and love for him will live on until you meet again.