Had to put down one of our dogs today...

[CHCB]

The Power of the Dog
by
Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passsion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart to a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair--
But ... you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-term loan is as bad as a long--
So why in--Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

[Bravo57]

Sorry for your loss. Losing a friend like that sucks

[Nomad]

CHCB,

Someone just talked to me about their dog being put down yesterday and asked me how I would deal with it when the time comes for Zeus. Told her I don't even want to think of that yet. We just got him and I'm going to enjoy every minute of his life with him that I can.

Already I can tell that he's my velcro-dog. I would be really upset.

So with all that said, I'm sorry for your loss. Dog's truly are man's best friend.

[Looon]

I had to put down my dog over a year ago. He was getting way too aggressive by attacking my other dogs for no reason. During the last instance, while trying to break them up, my wife and I were bitten pretty good by him.

It fucked me up having to do that. He was part of my family and slept in my bed.

Im sorry for your loss.

[Oto-Man]

Sorry to hear that stud.

Awesome tribute you found. Kinda sums it up.

Funny how a dog can just "getcha". I only saw my dad cry twice. Once, when his best friend died, and once when he had to put down MacDougal--Bouvier de Flander, Irish Wolfhound mix.

Mine have taken the place of the kids. They can't go til I do!!!

Truely a mans best friend.

[panthersix]

I had to put down a cat that I've had for 16 years today. May not be the same as a dog, but she was a cool cat. She lived outside for a long time killing small things but I retired her into the house about 10 years ago. She was great.

[RRDTm3]

dogs make our lives liveable

[panthersix]

dogs make our lives liveable

True, after I buried the old cat, I hung out on my porch smoking stogies with Leonidas (Leon) our 1.5 y/o lab/hound mix. He's great! :D

[BadMuther]

I put my best friend down in January. Cried like a baby for weeks. They truly are man's best friend.

I'm sorry for your loss brother.

[Steadfast]

CHCB, Sorry for you & your family's loss.

Dogs are surely peoples/kids best friend.

[Nomad]

Sorry for your loss. Put our only dog, Luna, down on May 16th after she occupied our lives for 16 years.

Could only handle a household without a pet for two weeks before we got a rescue Bull Terrier. Made life OK again as we got to know our new family member........................

Your new addition, Betty, is an awesome dog. While you lost one, you gave another one a great life.

[another damn texan]

Sorry to hear that, brother. We had to put one of ours down several months ago. It sucks no doubt about it.