I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my Springer Spaniel Spanky to cancer four years ago. He was only six, a beautiful, loyal, and loving companion. We were especially close since I live alone in a very remote area and often see no one for a week.

It was a very calming and peaceful process watching him go to sleep, yet I cried like a baby and am not ashamed of that. The ladies at the vet sent me a sympathy card with the Rainbow Bridge story in it...how I hope it's true.

For me, I couldn't stand the loneliness and had a new companion, Herbie, within 10 days. Got him from a rescue center at 6 mo. old. It was the right thing for me to do. We are now just as close as Spanky and I were. I still miss Spanky and always will, but the feeling is the same now for Herbie.

A new companion may be what you need right away. In a way, it's a tribute to all the good in the relationship with Winston to want another dog immediately. Give it some thought and do what your heart feels is right.

My condolences,
Bob

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Gridlock,

I have read all of the wonderful responses and it makes me very happy to be part of such a great group.
The best part of being a human being is being capable of real love. Dogs teach us unselfish love that we don't often see. That bond fortunately doesn't end when the body is gone. Over the years I have collected the collars of all of my departed buddies and they hang on my music room wall.
Life is good and you have good memories.
Smile

With that said - I understand your pain.

gridlok- it's hard to lose a pet- someone who loves you no matter what.

i too have lost many pets over the years. every time it gets near the end i swear i'll never have another, but back again i go.

i hope you find your way thru- all my sympathies

Grid,
My wife and I are so very sorry for your loss. We have a beautiful yellow Lab who since we can not have children is our child. Holly is also a therapy dog for me from my last tour in Iraq. Please know that I am thinking about you and praying for you. If you need to talk please contact me and I will give you my number so you can just vent and get it out. Stay strong my friend we are here for you!
Eric

have to say, cambo and phreddy touched on it, but i have to elaborate having two golden retrievers... and that is, unconditional love. when my wife first expressed an interest in having a dog, i told her, "if we're going to have a dog, i want a "dog" dog... and that is a golden retriever."... now i have two, and it tears at my heart knowing that sometime in the future i'll have to face what you're going through, and then again about a year and a half later.

one thing about memories... they last a lot longer than events, people, and pets... sounds like you've got some good ones so hang on to them.

love and prayers going your way.
frank

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I'm so sorry, it's terrible to lose a dog. People who don't have dogs just don't understand that they end up being one of your best friends. I'll be praying for you.

We had to put down one of our dogs when I was four years old, and I still remember it very vividly. And I remember the dog when he was alive very vividly too. And we had another dog who lived to be 18, but she died when I was 10. I cried about it for weeks, and I'm actually getting choked up typing this. It was really hard to even think about a new dog for about a month afterward, but for Christmas that year we got a couple of puppies who are still with us now. I can't believe they're already 7 (about 40 in dog years). And I know it's going to be really hard to deal with when they pass away. But they bring so much joy to us that it makes the pain of losing them a little easier to bear.

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Just finished reading the latest posts, and now that I have dried my eyes (once again) wanted to thank you all. Ceri, it's true that it's all just cyberspace but the feelings are real. ABS, Mike, Russian and all the rest of you, I really appreciate your heartfelt responses. I wish I could thank you all in person.

36 hours in and holding my own, (mostly).

Gridlok

[img][img]http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk16/gridloktu/IMG_2208.jpg[/img][/img]

Im very sorry for your loss. We always must do whats best for our best freinds. I had to do the same with my springer a couple years ago and I still miss him but time moves on and another will come into your life not to take his place but for you to take care of. We Love Our Dogs.

I understand my friend, and sorry to hear about your loss. I had to re-home my dog a few weeks back after having him for 6 years and with me when I found him in S America. He is in a better place now, but I still can't really accept the fact that he is gone and it has been a painful experience.

Sending some positive vibes and prayers your way.

_________________
Blues with a feeling.

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Grid,

I don't know what to say buddy I know how much Winston meant to you. Time can be a good healer, but it took me ten years to get another springer after I lost my first one. Try and remember the good times you had with your boy, and know one thing for sure. Winston is now at the Rainbow Bridge, healthy and happy again

I hope the words on this link help bro, I firmly believe my ole Smokey boy is there.

http://www.rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm

You're both in my thoughts and prayers Grid, you have my sincere condolences bro.

You have my thoughts and sympathy. It's been a bit over a year since I had to put down my sweet Dina, a lab/shepherd mix. She had stomach cancer. I think of her just about every day and still miss her presence and comfort.
Take the time to grieve; after all they are family.

_________________
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Gridlok, I am sorry I missed this, I am not around the computer much lately.

I feel for you. It is not inappropriate to feel such deep loss for a beloved pet.
They really are family members, and moreover they are rock solid family members who will never have any real or lasting strife.

4 years ago I also had to put down a pet who was suffering from cancer.
He was the litter mate to the cat i still have.(He was Desmond, she's Molly, from the Beatles 'Obla Di Obla Da' I still miss him, but when i think of him now it is only with fond memories, and the sadness is really gone. Now I remember the joy and love that a pet brings into your life, and i am glad of the time I had with him.

My condolences on your loss, and remember 'all dogs go to heaven'

_________________
I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

hey grid, it's me again. i wanted to wait just a bit before i mentioned this to you. there is a book called "rescuing sprite" that i read awhile back. the author talks about the grief he felt when he put his dog to sleep. the author is a sometimes harsh radio talk show host that i listen to often. despite your feelings for the author, it is a good read. i had my wife read it to somewhat help her prepare for the inevitable. i believe she handled our loss pretty good.
the folks on this forum are the best you can find. i think you probably know that already.

Thanks, Jeebus. I'll look into that. I feel like I'm wading through jello.

Gridlok

So sorry Grid mate.

CC

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