As the title suggests, my buddy passed away this morning. Not the buddy you all might be thinking about, but my dog "Hero". She was with me for 15 years, which is quite a feat for a dog in its own right, but had to be put down this morning after a hard fought battle with kidney disease and a nasty fall down the stairs this morning which left her unable to stand or walk. She led a great life with lots of travel all across the U.S. and kept me company in my model room as I built, only leaving when I did. She was like our third child and will be sorely missed, but she died with my wife and I holding her and petting her head and I know she felt loved as she went. I feel kind of empty, and needed to get this off my chest. Thanks for taking the time to read. "Q"

Oh I am so sorry. You brought a tear to my eye.

We have 2 kids and 2 extras (the dogs) And it seems that I am the one they always come to when they hurt. So I'm sure I will be the one to be the stand up guy for them when the time comes.

I am so sorry Matthew,please take solace in that you gave her a very good life and that she knew that she was loved.
Godspeed

Our pets are really like children to us. My heart felt condolences to you and your family. I consider our pets our earth angels and thankful for all the days of happiness we receive from them.

It's hard to realize that pets are only with us for a very short time.

Sorry for your loss.


Jeff

I can only echo evetyone elses sentiments. I promised my first dog that i would be there for him at that time and petted him as he left I made the same promise to Dusty my buddy now.
It hurts i know, but evey thing is gonna be all right.

your dog is now in heaven, where there are big bones to chew on and cats and postmen to chase

May he rest in peace.

Matthew,
My sympathies. Loosing a great pet is a hard thing. Sounds like she lead the good life though.

Take care,
Jim

Very sorry to hear this Matt. We had to put down a dog earlier this year and I'm sure we'll have to put down my "best bud" Copper later this summer. We got him from a shelter so we're not sure his exact age, but it's probably close to 17 or more, very old for a Golden Retriever. He is like your Hero, always at my feet when I'm modeling. He's been the source of several near misses with me tripping over him while carrying models. I'd gladly smash my entire collection is I could have a few more years with him.

We got Copper after having another dog killed by a car many years ago. I swore I'd never get another dog, but my wife dragged me to the shelter and Copper came into my life. You might really think about getting another right away. It helped me.

We've already gotten our replacement for Copper, a puppy named Duke. I know when Copper leaves us Duke will help make it easier.

Since I don't have a digital camera right now this might be one of the last pics I have of Copper.

Hopefully this site will bring you some peace. My sympathies are with you.

Sorry to hear that Matt.

She had a good friend and was obviously loved. She was a lucky puppy.

Steve

Hey Matt,

You have my deepest sympathy, we have a dog as well, and it is hard to imagine that one day she won't be there anymore.
I know this sounds foolish, but you had 15 wonderfull years to look back at....

Hang in there....

John.

Matthew, my friend, I am so sorry you lost your friend. But there are a few consoling thoughts I will pass on to you.
1. I don't believe dogs really "die". I believe that the "spriits" of dogs pass on to newborn puppies. I could explain the reasons behind this belief, but, rest assured the dog I had as a young boy, "Angie", is here in my current dog, "Sallie". They ARE the same dog. It took another dog's lifespan to get to her, but, she's here now.
2. If you accept the above, Hero feels better now. He's probably scampering around his new mother competing for an open spot on her belly.

I hope this has helped you guys, I agree that you should go get a new puppy right away. Even better, go to a "Kill" shelter and save a dog. It's where Sallie found me again.

Feel good for Hero, I know he feels so much better not being sick anymore.

Your pals,

Murphy and Sallie

Matt, one last thing. If you've been reading the local papers the CS Human Society Shelter is closing up. It's just going to be the El Paso County shelter, like it has been all along for you and me. They are supposed to have a lot of dogs needing home. I don't know how you feel about adopting but we've gotten nearly every dog we've ever owned that way and I'll never regret it. If you want a new dog now is a good time to get there before they close Friday.

Matthew, sorry to here about your loss.
Over the pass 5 years, I've buried 3 of my cats, all died of old age. Over the last twenty years, I've buried also 2 dogs, (was a dog guys before a cat guy) It's never easy, and we all handle it in different ways. But the greving process is the same, reguardless if the loss was a human, or a beloved pet.

Mathew,

I would like to offer my sincere condolences on your loss. I never knew how close you could get to an animal until my wife bought our daughter, Josie, a Jack Russel terrier. She is sitting at my feet right now, listening to the Grateful Dead with me wondering when I am going down in the basement to work on what I am sure she thinks is "really stinky and stupid stuff." Pretty much like the wife.

In any case, I am sorry for your loss. I never thought I would ever get this close to an animal and dread the day when the family loses our "daughter."

Shaun

I'm sorry for your loss. It's a year since Gertie my 12 year old doberman died. We miss her and our other dog, Elsa, a jack russell misses her too and she remembers I know because of the way she behaves whenever we see another Dobie. Dogs and other pets add an immeasurable quality of joy to our lives so it is only right that we grive when they go.
Take it easy

Losing a friend is never easy. I'm sorry for your loss.

To all who have responded. Thank you. I know Hero would like you guys if she were still around. I paid a whopping $10 for her and who knows how much after that keeping her healthy. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Best dog Ihave ever had and I have had lots of dogs growing up as a kid, but none like her. We have another dog that we adopted from the shelter, (I'm with ya' here Rodger), who's name is Blue, that doesn't know what to do yet since his buddy isn't around. We plan on adopting another dog once we get moved into our new house in a few months. I really do appreciate the support you guys have shown. I knew the time would come, but damn, does it hurt. I feel better knowing that she isn't suffering any more and can chase all the tennis balls she wants to now.

Cuhail- I'll keep this in mind. Thanks.

Thanks again for all of your support. "Q"

Matthew.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I am typing this in my model room, in the 3rd floor attic of our house. One of my dogs is here with me all the time, but she is getting older. When she can't get up these steep stairs, I'm not sure I'll be able to spend much time here. Our other dog now stays on the 1st floor and is getting older and weaker. I know the day will come when he will need our help, and I know how much it will hurt, but he will have the same loving attention as Hero.

God bless you and your family. It is so good to see the number of animal lovers we have here. One more thing that binds us together.

Chuck

As with everyone before me, you have my thoughts and sympathy. Over the years we have had many wonderful dogs (3) and cats (7). Most have lived into their late teens and a few into their mid twenties. All have been family and are dearly missed when they pass. Each time I swear it's the last 'pet' I will ever own but something always happens and one way or another we we end up with 'just one more'
I wouldn't trade the time I've had with any of them. Fifteen years is a good life for a medium sized dog. I'm sure at the end she was aware of all the love you and your family have given. Time heals.
C.

Howdy Matt,

Tread here....just got in from a loooooooong hot day at work here in colourful Colorado {it officially reached 105 degree's} and just stopped by to check new posts and came across the posted loss of your friend "Hero"....

I have had the unfortunate 'honour' of putting down several dogs in my life. Some for me, some for other's. I'm not really sure why I have had this duty but I have done it because I cared about the last and final treatment of entities which have given nothing but unmeasured love to us no matter what has transpired that particular day.....heat, uncooperative clients, traffic congestion, etc, etc, etc.....they just simply want to be around us irregardless of previous or future 'issues'. A trait that is more noble than we as harried humans could probably comprehend.......

I am moved by the fact that so many members have taken the time to try to ease your greif....but I am mostly affected by both Halfyank's and Cuhail's posts. Take the advice of such caring individuals and possibly take a stroll through a shelter with an open heart..........you may be surprised at what you wind up feeling for some of the 'inmates'.................

The very best of luck with finding another hero in your life...

warm regards,

Tread.

Matt....I am soo sorry to hear of your loss. Its always hard to lose one of the family, no matter it be the two or four legged kind. I hope that you and your family find some comfort in knowing that you were with Hero at her passing. I'm sure Hero will always be with you in your hearts as the days progress, and also, im sure shes keeping her eye on you wherever she is..

Matthew,

I feel for you bud..."Man's best friend"- that is so true. Mayer (purebred mutt) came into our family 18 months ago...he's the 3rd kid now. Never moody, always ready to be your pal...

I am truly sorry for you!

Jim