Daisy was born with a congenital liver defect that was supposed to cause her death before she was three or four. Somehow she lived, happily, until she was almost 12. Since she had this condition, I thought a lot about her death, even when she was young, and certainly after she passed away on April 1, 2006. I wanted to share some thoughts with those of you who have been so helpful.

- Losing a beloved pet is one of the most painful experiences of life, and anyone who says "it's just a cat or just a dog" is missing something in their soul.

- There are some things that I did that made it more bearable when it happened.
- I tried to make every day a happy one for Daisy;
- I told her and showed her how much I loved her every day;
- When her life was over, I did not let her suffer just so I could be with her for a another day or two.
- I was with her when the vet helped her leave this world. This was the worst experience of my life, but from friends who had gone through similar experiences, I knew that this was the last gift I could give Daisy - to let her leave in my arms, hearing me say I love you, rather than alone with a stranger.
- When it was over, I tried to remember that the end is only a small part of an entire life, and I will see my beloved pet/friend/child again when my time comes.
- I also try to remember also that the length of her life was beyond my control, but the quality of her life was not.

These thoughts help me, although I feel waves of terrible grief at various intervals. This site has been a Godsend. I don't know how I would have gotten through this at all without all of you.


Thank you,

Daisy's Mommy

What you say is so true. It is heartbreaking when we lose our babies. I've never had children so my furkids are my babies and losing Emily was devastating.

You my friend, were so blessed to have Dasiy longer than you thought possible.I think that was a sign from above right there. It hurts so bad when we lose them and although we don't see it at the time the pain does lessen a little day by day.

I'm on week 8 of losing Emily and although it still hurts the tears haven't stopped completely, they don't seem to make a daily appearance anymore, and although the pain and the hurt is still there I think I am finally coming to a strange sense of peace at this point in time.


I too held Emily in my arms when she took her last breath and although it hurt to send her away I know that she is not feeling any pain and we will be together again someday.

I have said this before and I will say it again. This site was a Godsend for me. Everyone here has been just great and that includes your words of wisdom also, Daisy's Mommy.

It is a terrible loss that everyone here goes thru and I am forever greatful for this site and everyone's kind words.


Thank you,
Emily's Mom

Thanks you Daisy's Mom what you said

"- I also try to remember also that the length of her life was beyond my control, but the quality of her life was not."

Is so true. I guess that is how I Look at my senior rescues. People think I am crazy for taking in an old dog. " IT could die tomorrow" " why would you spend that kind of money on an old dog"

I look at it this way, if I can give that dog a wonderful week, six months, 2 years, Only God knows, it was worth it. I wouldn't want an old dog to die alone in a shelter after being discarded by it's owner. So I rescue old dogs. Yes the pain hurts, losing a dog I have known even a short time isn't easy, but I know they had a great quality of life.

Do what you can to make them happy and comfortable, leave the rest to God.