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.
Brenda, I am just reading this and am so sorry for your loss. It’s the hardest thing to go through ever! I hope the hurt lessens a bit each day.
I just caught up with you. My sympathy and love to you and Charlie, too. We lost 4 dear pets through the years. The sadness becomes less but it takes time. My dogs all were elderly and had pain. Our vets were so loving and kind, they said you have to be selfless and let the pets have peace. But after all these years I could still cry thinking of the special love we shared.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ve been there in your situation and it’s a really hard one and hard decision to make. She loved you so much that she trusted you to take care of her and do the right thing, even if that meant letting her go. It does get easier. Stay positive and remember the good times. Never stop loving.
That is a very hard thing to go through, I’m so sorry. . . ???
Brenda, Thank you for sharing this most difficult time with us, your readers. You have shared so much with us, we have come to know you, Charlie and Abi. Letting Abi go has touched me deeply, I still weep for your loss of you precious pup. Hugs,~Crystal
Oh, Brenda! My heart is breaking for you right now. I know how awful it is to lose a pet. I know that Abi was more than a pet to you- she was the baby that your nurtured and loved deeply. I am so sorry. I wish I could wave a wand and take away your sorrow and sense of loss.
God bless you. Take care of yourself and I will be praying for peace for you- xo Diana
Brenda, I’m heart broken for you and Charlie. I know you are also. Thank goodness you have such a compassionate caring Vet.
I haven’t written in a long time. But have visited your blog to see how you’re doing. Have thought about how strong you’ve been over the years.
You don’t have to be strong now. Give yourself time to grieve. I know how much you have loved both of your babies.
Take care and know that I’m thinking of you.
Charlotte in Va.
I am so sorry.
So sorry for your loss. You did well for Abi’s sake to remain calm. May you find comfort in Charlie and in all your wonderful memories of Abi. Hugs. xx
I honestly believe this is one of the hardest things we do as pet owners. To make the decision to let our babies go when they are hurting. I have been there and I am so sorry for you and Charlie.
I agree, how kind and compassionate of your vet and assistant to come to your home so Abi would be surrounded by comfort and love. Obviously, they know what good loving care you give your furry babies. Peace to you, Brenda.
How kind of the vet to come to your home. It has been almost a year since we had to make that decision for Autumn (our 16 yr old doxie) Nicholas had never been an ‘only’ dog and it took some getting used to for him. You adjust and learn a new normal but you never forget. I hope you take comfort in knowing she is no longer in pain.
Brenda, I am so very sorry for your loss and Charlie’s also. You will miss her every minute of the day. Your readers will miss her every morning. She was a delight to so many. Sending love, hugs and tears.
I dread the day I have to do this with Zippo. He’s 19 and I know he doesn’t have much longer. We’ve had to put down other cats in the past, but my husband always took them to the vet for me. I just couldn’t bear to do it. Your vet is an amazing man to come to your house for you and Abi. I’ve already asked my vet’s office ahead of time and they said they don’t do it anymore.
I am so, so sorry you had to go through this, Brenda. I know how much Abi was loved and what good care you took of her. She gave her a wonderful life full of so much love and that’s what counts. Love, hugs and blessings to you and Charlie.
I have been where you are way too many times. And yet, I always come back for more dogs. The rewards far outweigh the pain of letting them go. They unconditionally give us their devotion, their joy, their trust, their love. And we must deserve their love by not letting them suffer, even though you know it will tear a hole in your heart. You are not alone in your sorrow–so many of us are thinking of you.
You have handled Abi’s with such compassion and grace. Your vet is awesome. Keep Charlie close.
Dear Brenda, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I think that out four legged friends are really the nicest entities that we will ever know. Prayers and peace to you and Charlie during this difficult time.
Sending love and comfort to you and Charlie.
Brenda, you have shared your life and heart so openly through the years and it has helped many of us get through challenges of our own. We have come to care deeply for you and your sweet babies. You, Abi, and Charlie along with Dr Poteet and his staff have been in my prayers numerous times throughout the day for comfort and the mending of your sad and grieving hearts.
Brenda I am so very sorry for your loss. I know and understand your pain. Our pets are family to us and having to let them go is one of the hardest things we ever have to do. Prayers for you and Charlie.
I’m so for your loss. It’s such a loss for animal lovers that equals the grief felt losing someone. Thinking of you.
I’m so sorry. It’s so hard but you definitely did the right thing for her.
Tania
So very sorry Brenda. Going to miss Abi on your blog as many will. Yet somehow I just know that you and Charlie in your own special way are somehow telling the other “keep your chin up ducky”. Hard to do no doubt but between tears and the feelings of loss you will make it through. Sweet Abi is no doubt commandeering the top spot in doggie heaven for all the best photo ops! Bless her. Bless Charlie. And bless you Brenda!
So sorry Brenda, it is the kindest but most painful decision we make as pet parents.
You and Charlie are in my thoughts and prayers. .
So sorry you had to go through this but you did the right thing
I have been thinking of you and Abi so much the past few days. We had to do the same with our German Shepherd Dani and I was one of the sadist days in our lives. She was at the vet and we spent some time visiting with her. It’s a hard decision but there are no other options when they can never get better and you don’t want them to suffer. I spent most of my next few weeks crying and to this day I miss her and the constant company she provided. You are in my prayers.
Tellement triste. I kept talking our Charlotte when she went.
My heartfelt sympathy, Brenda. You gave Abi a happy life and a dignified end.
I have walked that road as you did, it’s a hard road. But I felt it was what I had to do, be their Mum till the very end. Hugs!!!
.Brenda, I’m was so sad to hear about Abi. I have been following your blog for the last year, I’ve grown to love Abi and Charlie . I love it when Abi photo bombs your pictures. That adorable little face looking out at us, and Charlie barking at the squirrels.I lost my little Yorkshire terrier (MADISON) 3 year ago, she was 12 years old.I sleep with her ashes on my bed side table each night.I tell her good night and i love her. She help me get through a very difficult time in my life and she never left my side. I have a new best friend and her name is (Emma Rose) and she is 3 years old and weights 3.2 pounds. I said i wasn’t ready to get another baby so soon after
loosing my other baby. But it has work out great because i can’t imagine my life without her. Please know we are praying for you and Charlie everyday.Take care of yourself.