Today I had to have my best friend in the whole wide world put to sleep........ Emma, my beautiful rescued GSD age 12 and a half years......
My heart is broken into a million pieces tonight and this is something I will never get over.... Those of you who know me well and see me often will know how much my special girl meant to me....... She has been my constant companion for the last 7 and a half years, she was a ''mummy's girl' who loved nothing more than to be cuddled into me on the sofa, while I whispered in her ear... She knew everything about me and was there through all of my good times and bad......
Along came the aussies and with every new one, she had a little sulk and then within a week, she was showing them who was boss and they all had absolute 100% respect for her...
She was diagnosed with a heart tumour 7 weeks ago now, and fought to the end to stay alive.. her body was so weak and she had stopped eating nearly two weeks ago now. We had been getting up with her every two hours in the night and all through the day to stringe feed her, but enough was enough..... I had been in hospital all weekend and when I came through the door this morning, I knew by the look on her face that she had enough.... My vet said to bring her in and took the decision out of my hands really, she had started to suffer, and I couldn't put her throught that for my own selfish reasons, my best girl didn't deserve it....
So.... she peacefully went to sleep in my arms, and now I am left with nothing but memories and a broken heart.
Sleep peacefully Em and run free with Raffe xxxxxxxxxx
Hugs Mummy, Daddy, Layla, Gabby, Scarlett and Bubba xxxxxxxxx

Sorry to hear.  Big hugs to you.

So sorry,run free Emma .

Sheila.x

Sorry for your grief Gabrielle - run free at the bridge Emma - my Ted is waiting to introduce himself.....

{{{{hugs}}}}

So very sorry to hear about Emma, Gabrielle   I know what the pain is like because I lost my GSD dog last year within 3 months of him being diagnosed with an illness at only nearly 6 years old.  It does get better but I don't think the pain ever really leaves you, its always there and although it is 10 months since we lost him it still feels like last week and I can still cry when I get really thinking about him.  They are wonderful dogs aren't they and to lose them is one of the worst things ever, they are such faithful loving dogs.  Emma was very lucky to have such a loving owner who rescued her and gave her lots of love and a wonderful life for the rest of her years.

Take Care,

Anna

Gabrielle, how terrible it is for you to lose such a close member of your family - I'm so sorry that you are in pain. Emma is now at peace and for this she will be grateful to you. May you find healing within your heart as time progresses.

xIngrid

Gabrielle, so sorry to hear you have had to let Emma go.  You must be devastated, no matter that you did the final kindness for her in letting her go it doesn't help when she is not there cuddled up with you.  How lovely that you were there with her to say goodbye and thank you and held her in your arms she will have known your love right to the end in this life.
I know some of the heartbreak you must be going through as I lost Charlotte,my little shih tzu of 17 yrs at the start of May and I so feel for you right now.  Their going leaves such a gap especially as she was such a key part of your world.  Do celebrate her life and what she did for you and vice versa.  She really wouldn't want you to be so sad but do cry and rant and talk to her and talk to others and grieve her loss.

I found this poem and it has helped me this weekend to think how lucky I was to have had my little one for so long  and that I was there for her to the end and could do no more.  You are in my thoughts as is Emma,  and she will always be in your heart and in your home until you meet again, Clare XXXX

If it should be that I grow weak ,and pain should keep me from sleep
Then you must do what must be done, for this, last battle can't be won.

You will be sad - I understand don't let your grief then stay your hand
For this day more than all the rest your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years, so what is to come, can hold no fears
You'd not want me to suffer so and the time has come, so please let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend, and please stay with me till the end
So hold me close and cuddle me, until my eyes no longer see.

I know, in time you too will see this is a kindness that you do for me
I have been saved from suffering and pain although in this life we won't be together again.

Please don't grieve it must be you who has this painful thing to do
We've been so close through all these years don't let your heart hold any tears.

Our family chain is broken and nothing will ever be the same
But when we meet by Rainbow Bridge the chain will link again.

Gabrielle, I am so sorry to hear your news, you have been so kind to me about my Goldie, Abby, I know Emma was a special friend to you and it's so sad when we have to say goodbye.  You did the the right thing and now Emma is pain free and able to run free at Rainbow Bridge. I send all my love and hugs to you at this time, I know your heart is in pieces now and all sorts of little things will start the tears but it will get better - eventually!
Jan and Abby

You know I'm thinking of you {{{HUGS}}}

Margot

Run free Emma xx

So sorry to hear about your beloved Emma. She was pts the same day as my brother's border collie, Tess, so it's nice to think of them skipping across the bridge together holding paws.
Thinking of you
xx

So sorry to hear about Emma, run free girl She sounded very special

Lucy
xx

Thank you all for your kind words, e-mails and Pm's.........
I am still in shock....... Even though I had come to expect it, it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do.
The house is so empty without her...... the car doesn't look the same without her in it and feeding three dogs instead of four is heartbreaking.......
One of my bitches who was very close to her is really stressed and missing her like crazy. She had become her constant companion and buddy over the last 7 weeks and now she looks miserable and is obviously pining.......
I am constantly thinking if I did the right thing......... I didn't want her to suffer, but neither did I want her to think I didn't want her any more..... She was my best friend, always there and I just don't seem to be coping without her......
We have them for such a short time, but their impact on us lasts a lifetime..........
Miss you sweet girl so very very much,
Gabrielle xxxxxxxxxxx

So sorry Gabrielle, only just seen the post,
My thoughts are with you.
Kay

so sorry to here your news atleast shes out of pain now,she had a good long life.rip little 1.
take care sarah and meg x

Shock will turn into grief. It will take time, however much time doesn't matter so long as you talk about how you feel

Lucy
xx

Gabrielle
I am so sorry to hear your news. I want to say that my thoughts are with you at this terrible time. You were a great support to me when my Barnie died in March that if there is anything I can do, I am here for you. I hope that they are playing together as they could be the best of friends.
All my love
Sarah

Gabrielle,

I am sorry for you, there is nothing anyone can say, but Emma had the best life a dog could live, and that was down to you, you should be very proud.

She will be crossing the Rainbow Bridge and looking back at you saying thank you, I will forever be yours.

Run free Emma.

Nat

Really sorry to hear about your loss.  It the hardest decision to make, I had to do it 25th May 2004, when i had to have my little peke, Thomas put to sleep, there is somat about them that tells you it is best for them, and the worst thing for you.  Its been 12 months, and not a day goes by when i dont think of thomas, he is buried at my moms I have a special plant and plaque for him,  I often sit and talk to him.  The pain does not get better you just learn to live with it.   Run free little ones.  lots of hugs your way. 

Thanks once again to everyone for their kind words........ I have had so many e-mails and cards, it just shows me what an impact Emma made, not just on me, but on other people too........ and I have to be thankful for that...
I got her ashes back today and she is now with her best buddy Raffe......
My other bitch is still lost and unsettled, but she has been checked by our vet and she seems to be doing ok...... It will just take time for her to adjust.......
Miss you always sweet girl.........

Gabrielle x

Hi Gabrielle
So sorry for you, it is so awful. I lost my shepherd girl in December 2002, and I remember her always with such tenderness. The grief was overwhelming for a while, but as I say, now I think of her with less grief, often a smile, but still an overwhelming love, even though I now have 2 'new' shepherds, who I love to pieces!

Remember her always, and she'll always be with you

Kat

Thanks Kat, for your kind words......
I remember her every day, and am so so thankful for the years I got with her, but you always want that ''little bit more''.......
I have so many memories and I took stacks of photos in her last few weeks doing all the things she loved. Not a day has gone by yet, when I haven't looked at them on the computer, and shed tears.......
I have toyed with the idea of getting a new GSD but it is too painful to think about......... the way I feel at the minute, I won't ever get another dog..... Losing them is much much too painful......
Enjoy your shepherds, they are a wonderful breed.....

Gabrielle xxxxxxxxx