Today I had to put down my Molly (my first time having to do this). Molly came to me 8 years ago from a former fiancé. She was an American Foxhound. Early on in our relationship my girlfriend at the time was afraid having any male over to her apartment. Molly was a rescued dog at one years old who she in turn picked up and had had for 8 years. Molly according to her would bite any man on sight. After a year of dating I implored her to let come over. Upon walking into her apartment Molly had her eyes fixed on me. I immediately laid on the ground flat palms down. She crawled on her belly to me and began licking my hand. We were now matched.
I discovered Molly was a very anxious dog. The tiny apartment she lived in kept her anxious. She began ripping on her carpet and door knobs while we were out. To change this behavior I asked if I could take her into my house where she could see out many windows and was quite roomy. The rest is history. Upon our split, my fiancée thought it best if Molly remained with me. Not that she thought Molly was a burden, just that she discovered Molly was happier in the setting I provided.
Last night I came home from work and Molly (now 15) did not move from the couch to provide me my daily greeting, she did not wish to go out not had she eaten for 3 days. I knew what I had to do but my heart was in full battle with my mind. This morning we woke up, I took her to the car and she got excited thinking this was a car ride! I was now torn. I drive the hard journey to the expected outcome. I sat in that parking lot loving her, cuddling her and a blubbering mess. Me a big former Marine, what the hell had come over me? After an hour and a half I decided the inevitable had come.
After consultation with the vet who provided me with services such as blood work, X-rays , ruined tests I was now even more confused than ever. What if I am mistaken? What am I doing sending this dog who trusted me, who lived me unconditionally to her death? After spending more private time with her I decided we go forward with putting her to rest. The process was extremely peaceful yet very hard to take. After saying my goodbyes I donated to the farm where they spread animal ashes and shall take my 2 daughters there to say goodbye. After hopping into my jeep the last physical reminder I have is her leash which I will carry with me and after a certain amount of mourning to the next dog.
Life is too short sometimes and I am reminded of how precious it is. It is times like this where politics are sometimes small in comparison to the live one has for Mans best friend.
Kind regards FReepers
It’s a gut-wrenching thing to have to do. But you done right by your Molly. She is thanking you now, and eagerly awaits your later arrival.
So very sorry... they work their way into our hearts and stay there forever. RIP, Molly...
Of all the possible ways to describe a dog, “Semper Fi” seems right to me.
Your story, one that I have had to face four times, always reminds me of a “Twilight Zone” episode:
Space Aliens visit Earth to “study” a species on Earth that is worthy of being ‘studied’.
The boss space alien sends out one of his subordinates to find a species worth studying.
The subordinate was gone for days. The boss alien was getting angry.
When the subordinate came back he was supposedly alone. The boss asked, “I thought that you were supposed to find a species worth studying?”
The subordinate stepped aside and said, “Yes, I have!” The camera panned down to a little puppy! ;-)
I found that episode to be quite profound.
So sorry.
So sorry. I know how you feel. Lost my beloved Sodo three weeks ago (Jan 11) very sudden and unexpected. He was only 10 1/2. Give yourself a couple months, and then get another dog. I will never go very long without another dog, no matter how much my heart gets ripped out when they go. Luckily, our other dog Mojo is still here to help, so I still have a wiggling butt at the door when I come home from work.
I am sorry for the loss of your precious pet-I lost my own much-loved Siberian Husky early this morning-she died peacefully in her sleep, but she was 17 years old, and sleeping more than she was awake, so I knew she would be gone soon-even though her appetite was good and she got around quite well, it was harder and harder to wake her up.
When he heard she was slowing down, a coworker who has excavation equipment and is a fellow pet lover brought his backhoe and dug a place under a big oak tree for her to be buried when the time came as a favor to a fellow pet lover-I buried her there this morning. MrT5 and I bought her from a recommended sled dog kennel near the border in Washington state on a trip to visit his family in Canada-she was 8 weeks old.
I believe that those of us who know that our pets are God’s creatures, and love and treat them with respect are better and happier for it-may God bless you for loving and caring for your pet...
I’m sorry
Here’s a song for Molly
Me and Lim Brick and Old Bill Brown
Takin’ a load of corn to town
My Old Jim Dog, the darned old cuss
He just naturally followed us
As we drove by Sam Johnson’s door
Passed and cursed him out the door
Jim, he’s good behind the box
And all them fellers are throwin’ rocks
Refrain:
Every time I go to town
The boys keep a-kickin’ my dog around
Makes no difference if he is a hound
You got to quit kicking my dog around
They tied a can to Old Jim’s tail
Running him around the county jail
That made us a-dead burned sore
Lim, he cussed and Bill, he swore
Me and Lim Brick and Old Bill Brown
Lost no time a-get them down
We lost them fellers on the ground
For kicking my Old Jim Dog around
Refrain: -Solo-
Jim saw his duty there and then
He tore ‘em to them gentlemen
He sure messed up the courthouse square
With the rags and meat and the hide and hair
The Sheriff came and stopped the fuss
And all them boys shook hands with us
We gathered ‘round that load of corn
And every man had a healthy horn
Refrain: -Solo-
Old Jim Dog ain’t worth much cash
But I can tell you, he ain’t no trash
He wakes me up before the break of day
And he keeps them revenue-boys away
He’s the best old dog, you ever did see
Wherever I go, he follows me
His voice is sweet, his name is Jim
He’d fight for me and I’d for him
Refrain: -Solo-
You did what was best for her. She is now young and healthy, patiently waiting outside the gates of Heaven for you to join her, many years from now. When you think of your Molly, please try to smile through your tears. When the time is right, your next furry friend/family member will find you. I hope and pray you and your family find peace in your time of mourning.
I am sorry for your loss. I think your post jumped out at me because your dog’s name was Molly. The last dog I lost was also named Molly. Lost her at age 5 to lymphoma. It is tough. Getting wrapped up in my next dog helped me move on.
Sorry to hear about your loss. We had one of our kitties die not long ago, so we’re still kind of feeling it.
At the risk of sounding like Bill Clinton, I feel your pain.
I am so very sorry for your loss.
May you be blessed by many happy memories, and know that you did the right thing.
It’s hard FRiend, know that you’re in my thoughts during your grieving the loss of a faithful friend and companion.
RIP
Samantha (beagle/terrier 14 went blind)
Gretchen (St Bernard/Great Dane 8 fall shatterd rear leg)
Hanna (St Bernard 4 Malignant Canine Lymphanoma)
&
Hans (St Bernard 6 brain injury after he T-boned a car while chasing predators)
I presently have Simon 12, 3/4 Newfoundland & 1/4 stupid dog. Wouldn't trade him. Has developed a grey beard and not looking forward to seeing him go.
The arrival of the next one will make your memories of the last more precious and make you appreciate the new one from the start even more.
You will have Phantom Dog Syndrome for awhile. It goes away after some time. Unfortunately.
I had pictures printed of my cat Valentine and put them where she was when I took them, like the window and her bed. They are a great comfort to me.
I’m sorry for your loss.
Absolutely heartbreaking, so sorry you had to say goodbye, for now, to Molly.
Definately keeps things in perspective.