Letting Her Go
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Letting her go was quite possibly the saddest day of my life.
On Wednesday, when I picked Abi up at the vet’s office, he took me aside to talk.
He told me that the most humane thing for her would be for him to come to my apartment and give Abi a shot. And not let her suffer.
With her at home, she would no longer receive the IV fluids and vitamins she’s been getting at his office. But he told me there was nothing else we could do for her.
So we decided that he would come over yesterday so I could keep her at home with me.
Just before noon, he called to say he was on his way, with one of the girls from their office to assist him.
Letting Her Go:
Abi had not left my bed all morning. I moved her to the couch to their soft dog bed. Charlie and I were next to her when he gave her the shot.
I tried to be as calm as I could for Abi’s sake. Just kept talking to her, telling her I loved her. Watching the light leave my baby’s eyes, letting her go, was one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced.
When The Light In Their Eyes Is Gone:
When the light is gone, you know they are gone too. There was no way around letting her go because she was suffering.
I was about to fall apart, so I scooped up Charlie and went out to the patio while they did whatever they do after a pet dies.
After a while, his assistant came to the patio door and told me they were leaving. In other words, taking my baby’s body away.
I nodded. There was nothing left to say. I had to let her go.
They took Abi to be cremated. At least I will have her ashes here at home with me. That gives me some degree of comfort, I suppose.
Charlie and I are consoling one another as best we can. He can’t figure out where Abi is. We are grieving.
When you try not to think about something because it hurts so much, then that’s exactly what you think about. It’s like something sitting in the middle of the road, and you can’t drive your car past it.
I want to thank all of you so much for your kind words, comments, and emails. It means a lot to me.
OMG…That is one of the hardest moments to go through with your furbabies. I did this with one of our dogs and I cried & sobbed. I was able to kiss & talk to him, but it wasn’t easy. My heart goes out to you. Please rest easy, though, she’s in God’s hands.
Goodbyes are the hardest part of this life. Thinking of you & sending love & white light for comfort.
I am so very sorry for your loss. We love our fur babies so that they take a piece of our heart when they leave. ???
Your veterinarian is a very compassionate man and his assistant coming to your home is truly kind. Abi was surrounded by mom and brother Charlie as she crosses over the Rainbow Bridge.
Hugs to you Brenda and Charlie as you learn to live without Abi.
Take care, Kathleen in Az
Even though I already sent my condolences to you, I felt that I needed to reach out to you again. I was in tears reading about your loss. Our pets have such a special place in our hearts. Thinking of you….
I’m so sorry, Brenda. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this painful time. Hugs to you and Charlie.
So hard to do, but how good of the vet and an assistant to come out to the house. Whenever I’ve had to make this decision, it meant a trip back to the vet’s office, usually scheduled at the end of the afternoon when all the other appointments were done. But oh that last ride together, forever in my memory. Please know how much we’re all thinking of you and Charlie, take care, go out into your garden, rest, and let your tears come.
Mary
My heart breaks for you. I have been in your place and it is a terrible decision to make and yet the best for our furry loves. I am sitting here reading your update and tears are rolling down my cheeks. Sending love and wishing I could take your pain and heartbreak away. I have my pups ashes too and I talk to Mollie and Lucy often. ❤️
It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do also but it was the right and loving thing to do. Prayers to you and Charlie.
Brenda, I have shed so many tears over the years for our furbabies and it actually got worse as time went on. Except for Molly, all our furbabies and other pets were all buried in the yard of our previous house. We had Molly cremated and she’s in our condo with us now. Cry as many tears as you must. Hug!
I am so sorry. I have been praying for you and little Abi all week. I lost my Maggie in Nov.
I am so sorry for your loss!
Brenda this has brought tears to my eyes today and the memory of losing our two sweet pups this year. It is never easy but because of their love, trust and devotion, our unconditional loving fur family depends on us to keep them safe , comfortable and unfortunately, make the hard decisions.
Thinking of you and Charlie at this very sad time
Sue
It is never going to be easy for us . I had to do the same with my pug of 18 years. She was just not herself and would wonder around the house and wind up in places she had never gone before. I also had her cremated and have her ashes. I hope your pain eases somewhat. Hugs to you and Charlie.pam
I am so sorry for your loss. Our sweet four-legged babies are family and to lose one feels like a hole in your heart. Tough decision, but you did the right thing out of love and compassion. God Bless You and Charlie.
Been there and I know it is sooooo very hard!! Praying comfort for you today …… and for little Charlie…
So glad that you and Charlie were there to comfort her. Good for Charlie to understand. I know you heart is breaking. Hugs
Sending hugs sweetie. Bless you she sure had a good momma!
Brenda,
The kindest thing you ever did for sweet Abi was to let the vet give her the shot. I too had to do the same and I went to the vet with my Munchen. They said to take as much time and to let them know when I was ready, oddly, after I loved on Munchen and fawned on her and took come selfies with her she let me know by crawling from my arms and laying on her blanket. As they administered the shot I was crying and I told her I loved her and the vet as well as the tech told her how much she was loved, and she started to wag her tail. My pup went out of this world as did your Abi with her mom by her side knowing she was loved and that is a blessing. I am thinking of you and Charlie and know that pain is real but hope that by looking out your window at your beautiful garden that you can see something to smile about.
You and your pups are very special to those of use that follow along here and we are heartbroken for you and Abi and Charlie. I am crying as I type this.
Sending love and prayers to the two of you.
If it is necessary for us to make this decision again for any of our remaining furry family, I will most certainly follow the procedure that you have presented. What a kind, compassionate vet (and his wonderful staff) to provide this service in your home among familiar and private surroundings. What a wonderful life your Abi had.
Yes, that light going out of their eyes is what stays with you a long long time. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I’m so glad you both were at home for the end. You’ve been on my mind so much. I know how hard this is and nothing really helps for a long time, just time. It took me four months with Otis for the first memories of the day of him were about the wonderful beautiful happy times together, not the end. It will come someday, Brenda. Please take care and much love to you and to Charli.
What a kind and very caring vet to come to your house. I had an animal hospice come to do the same for my large Labrador. It was the best way of all my babies that I have lost, having her
at home when the shot was given and then taking her for cremation. I am so sorry for your loss and I know you will make a special garden on your patio for your Abi.
Hugs,
Gina
I am so sorry for your loss of Abi – I think I have been just as upset as I was when I
was losing one of ours. Reading you every day you and the pups seem like family.
Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers and do keep Charlie close as he will
be wondering where she is. Know you are loved by many people and they, as we, feel
your pain. Love and Hugs……….
As much as the pain absolutely flattens us,they’re not able to tell us they can’t do this anymore and it’s time to go…
I’m glad that you had someone else with you and that she crossed the rainbow bridge peacefully, painlessly and surrounded by love.
Now you need to take time to grieve and to heal and help Charlie also,he will miss his sister too.
Love and hugs!
Praying you receive comfort soon.
I’m so sorry for your loss, both to you and Charlie. I’ve enjoyed meeting Abi through your blog, she always made me smile! Prayers to you and Charlie as you comfort each other during this difficult time.
Thank you for doing the kind thing for Abi. She is grateful to you for caring for her as long as you could and then letting her go when it was time. She’s no longer in pain. Hugs and prayers, cousin!
I’m so very sorry. Our wonderful pets are such an integral part of our lives and you are a wonderful “pet” mom.
I’m so sorry Brenda. I’ve had to have our dog of fourteen years put down. I held his paws until he was gone. It is heart wrenching. Glad you have Charlie
❤️
Oh Brenda, I can’t imagine how difficult that was for you. I have been thinking of you and Abi and Charlie so often, my heart is truly breaking for you. Some day in the near future I will have to make that decision about my old girl, Lily, and I have been dreading it. Poor sweet Abi I know you will miss her so terribly. xoxoxo