My dog, Peppi, died in October 2003, a month before her 9th birthday. She was a miniature German schnauzer. She weighed about 10 pounds normally but lost weight near the end because she wouldn't eat.

For about 2 years, she was sick with congestive heart failure. We took her to the vet numerous times and spent a lot of money trying to "fix" her but couldn't. She was on medicine but still didn't have a very good quality of life. She would have little seizures once in a while. She would lose urine without even realizing it. She was clearly miserable.

It got to the point where I was very stressed and hated to see her suffer but didn't want to put her down. We decided to continue her medicine but just to let the disease run its course otherwise and not take her back to the vet. We put her on moist food that we bought from the vet but she still didn't want to eat.

We watched her slowly die and knew when the end was near because she had unusual behavior the evening of her death, going away from everybody. The night she died, I had gone to bed because of having to work the next day, and then my son or husband came to get me and told me that Peppi was dying. I went to where she was (under the dining room table), and my husband, my son and I all gathered around her and cried while she died.

My husband and son buried her the next day and wanted me to attend the "funeral" but I couldn't. Instead, I worked on my computer at my at-home job and watched out my window and cried like a baby while they buried her. It took me a very long time to think about her without crying and sometimes I still do. I still miss her very much. I have two other dogs now and I love them but no dog can take the place of Peppi.

I recently came in contact with someone who has a book and a blog about holistic pet care and the grieving process when losing a pet. It's called The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood. I wish I would have had access to that when Peppi got sick. Oh, well . . .

its hard to get over a loss to-day i had to have my loved whippet called blue put to sleep i have not stoped crying since this morning i have had him for 11 years and i dont know how i will cope with not having him around.

will it get better i dont know? only i do know iam going to miss miss him like mad its good to share with outher dog lovers aroun the world how to cope when we lose our best buddy its not easy who said grown men dont cry?

I AM STILL CRYING

colin manchester united kindom

I'm sorry.

It does get better but I still occasionally cry if I think about Peppi. Right after she died, I cried a lot and very often but now it's pretty rare.

It helped to get another dog because there was an emptiness there with not having a dog around. And, of course, a new dog keeps you very busy and your mind preoccupied while you train it and play with it and care for it.

Did you check out the blog I referred to in my other post? The one about grieving after the loss of a pet? It may help.

I'm pretty sure Peppi would not want you to get so upset. Even 6years after her passing.

It's a nature cycle of life and death, perhaps try adopting another dog to heal the emptinesS?

I'm sorry, I still miss all of my babies, I have them on my screen saver also, they are with us always, in our hearts.

With the good always comes the bad... Its always hard to stop thinking about a lost pet....

Sorry for your loss.

I did get another dog - in fact, now we have two dogs - but I still miss Peppi because she had a special place in my heart. I love my other two dogs but when I see a mini German schnauzer, I smile and remember the good things about Peppi. While I'm writing this post, I see a picture in the "featured photos" above of a mini German Schnauzer - how cute!

I hope dogs really do go to heaven. Peppi sat on her knees a lot (very unusual looking) and we said she was praying when she did that, so if there are animals in heaven, I think Peppi is there.

I am sorry for your loss. It is very hard.

you are kind-hearted ! i like you. some who loves animals is not bad . that's truth .

I know the feeling, and am posting about it myself, actually.

At least you can never say you didn't care and that Peppi mattered. And you know that she had a special place to be where she was loved and cared. It took me most of the last 8 years to finally stop snuffling a little when I thought about Zaphod (my first dog!) but soon, it'll just be the funny and warm memories, at least mostly. At least everyone was there. There's a really great post over on Citizen Canine that goes like this:

A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS.........

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to
be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

Wow. The Pet's 10 Commandments made me cry. Is it hormones or am I just a softy?

[DoggieVogue]

Originally Posted by anifunk1962

Wow. The Pet's 10 Commandments made me cry. Is it hormones or am I just a softy?

That made me tear up too!! And I am definately a softy!

[chevy & karen]

Originally Posted by anifunk1962

My dog, Peppi, died in October 2003, a month before her 9th birthday. She was a miniature German schnauzer. She weighed about 10 pounds normally but lost weight near the end because she wouldn't eat.

For about 2 years, she was sick with congestive heart failure. We took her to the vet numerous times and spent a lot of money trying to "fix" her but couldn't. She was on medicine but still didn't have a very good quality of life. She would have little seizures once in a while. She would lose urine without even realizing it. She was clearly miserable.

It got to the point where I was very stressed and hated to see her suffer but didn't want to put her down. We decided to continue her medicine but just to let the disease run its course otherwise and not take her back to the vet. We put her on moist food that we bought from the vet but she still didn't want to eat.

We watched her slowly die and knew when the end was near because she had unusual behavior the evening of her death, going away from everybody. The night she died, I had gone to bed because of having to work the next day, and then my son or husband came to get me and told me that Peppi was dying. I went to where she was (under the dining room table), and my husband, my son and I all gathered around her and cried while she died.

My husband and son buried her the next day and wanted me to attend the "funeral" but I couldn't. Instead, I worked on my computer at my at-home job and watched out my window and cried like a baby while they buried her. It took me a very long time to think about her without crying and sometimes I still do. I still miss her very much. I have two other dogs now and I love them but no dog can take the place of Peppi.

I recently came in contact with someone who has a book and a blog about holistic pet care and the grieving process when losing a pet. It's called The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood. I wish I would have had access to that when Peppi got sick. Oh, well . . .

We never stop missing the one's we love, but our heart's are big enough to make room for new love and still keep that place for the one's we have lost.
Peppi is safe and is in the best hand's possible. I truly believe we will see them when it is our time to leave this earth....

Originally Posted by chevy & karen

I truly believe we will see them when it is our time to leave this earth....

I think so too.

[DoggieVogue]

Originally Posted by anifunk1962

I think so too.

i definately agree!

I am so sorry to hear about Peppi, I know the stress and heartache you went through because I am going through the same thing with my dog Oreo. She was diagnosed with congestive heart failure almost a year ago. I have had her on meds and watched her digress everyday. Because of her I started a business to honor and dedicate to her. If I can help you let me know.

My Best!