Sending love for when the time comes. We had to give our beautiful elderly tortie Bella Nova a soft ending after learning her recent struggles were due to an aggressive cancer. She had one last good week on pain meds and then we said goodbye to her on the summer solstice. I still cry myself to sleep at night over her. But when we give them a soft ending, we take their pain and give it to ourselves to carry with us. I'll be thinking of you ❤️
My vet once told me, about helping a dear animal friend at the end of their life, “Better two weeks too early than one day too late.” All respect to Laurie Anderson, and I love her too, but animals are so good at hiding pain—I’m willing to forsake a natural transition for a compassionate one. And yes, the vet who will come to your house is a HUGE blessing. Much love to you and Jerome, and I wish him peaceful travels:
It’s incredibly hard, and incredibly complicated. There doesn’t seem to be any right or wrong way—just our responsibility to know them well enough, to listen to them closely and hear what they’re trying to tell us. All I do know is that having an animal in our lives is a contract with heartbreak, and yet: I couldn’t not do it. They bring so much to us in a world that takes away so much. Our Petey is 14 and failing, and his time is coming. We’ll be thinking of you and Jerome tomorrow. Mind your heart ♥️
❤️ What a beautiful post. I’m so sorry for your loss.
My first greyhound Wes told me… he had bone cancer and hopped along quite well on three legs - longer than I ever expected. He had radiation treatments. But one day, he just stopped in the middle of the road and that was it. He told me. With my second greyhound Finn.. it was a completely different story. Your post made me cry for more reason than one. It was beautiful. And also made me feel sad. Finn was not sick (as far as I knew). He was nine years old. I left the house - as usual, probably saying “I’ll be right back” which was my usual goodbye. Went to a friend’s house a few minutes away to feed her cat and turtles while she was out of town. I returned home and Finn had died. I wasn’t there with him and makes me so very sad. But he was laying in his favorite place, which was on my bed. I can only hope and pray he was in the midst of a beautiful dream where he was running, as he would often have these dreams; legs twitching and shaking. I miss him so much. ❤️
I’m so sorry about your dog. ❤️ I know all too well how much it hurts.
When I had to make the decision to put my senior cat down (after losing my other senior cat in dramatic fashion the year before), and I was struggling, my vet told me “it’s bettter to be a week too early than a day too late”. You’re doing the right and loving thing. Sending hugs and peace for his journey.
I'm so sorry to hear that it is Jerome's time, but I agree with you, after all they do for us, we owe them a good death. It's wonderful that the vet can come to you. I think that saves all parties involved a good deal of trauma and sadness. When it was Nevi's time, I was fortunate to have a vet come to my house. A lot of what that vet does is home euthanasia, and I respect and admire her so much for that. It can't be an easy job.
We out here in internet land will surely miss the photos of Jerome snuggling with Chet. Thanks for giving him a good life ❤️
You don’t need me to say—cause you were there, more of a camrodery squeeze of your hand, IN…..You kept His dignity of life, as to His dignity in death.
This is so sweet and beautiful, in a honestly raw and tragic way, but isn't that what life is? When one of my dogs passed several years ago my uncle, who is not a dog person asked me if I would do it again. I was confused by that. The end is just part of the journey with your dog. I know that I want to give that love and respect throughout the entire time togwther. Thank you for sharing and my thoughts will be with you.
Oh Neko. Sending all my love.
Sending love for when the time comes. We had to give our beautiful elderly tortie Bella Nova a soft ending after learning her recent struggles were due to an aggressive cancer. She had one last good week on pain meds and then we said goodbye to her on the summer solstice. I still cry myself to sleep at night over her. But when we give them a soft ending, we take their pain and give it to ourselves to carry with us. I'll be thinking of you ❤️
My vet once told me, about helping a dear animal friend at the end of their life, “Better two weeks too early than one day too late.” All respect to Laurie Anderson, and I love her too, but animals are so good at hiding pain—I’m willing to forsake a natural transition for a compassionate one. And yes, the vet who will come to your house is a HUGE blessing. Much love to you and Jerome, and I wish him peaceful travels:
Sending all my love Neko!! Thank you for sharing him with us over the years💕💕💕
Beautiful sharing, Sister. When next we meet, remind me to tell you my Tomato God and The River of Life story. Love to you and Jerome.
It’s incredibly hard, and incredibly complicated. There doesn’t seem to be any right or wrong way—just our responsibility to know them well enough, to listen to them closely and hear what they’re trying to tell us. All I do know is that having an animal in our lives is a contract with heartbreak, and yet: I couldn’t not do it. They bring so much to us in a world that takes away so much. Our Petey is 14 and failing, and his time is coming. We’ll be thinking of you and Jerome tomorrow. Mind your heart ♥️
❤️ What a beautiful post. I’m so sorry for your loss.
My first greyhound Wes told me… he had bone cancer and hopped along quite well on three legs - longer than I ever expected. He had radiation treatments. But one day, he just stopped in the middle of the road and that was it. He told me. With my second greyhound Finn.. it was a completely different story. Your post made me cry for more reason than one. It was beautiful. And also made me feel sad. Finn was not sick (as far as I knew). He was nine years old. I left the house - as usual, probably saying “I’ll be right back” which was my usual goodbye. Went to a friend’s house a few minutes away to feed her cat and turtles while she was out of town. I returned home and Finn had died. I wasn’t there with him and makes me so very sad. But he was laying in his favorite place, which was on my bed. I can only hope and pray he was in the midst of a beautiful dream where he was running, as he would often have these dreams; legs twitching and shaking. I miss him so much. ❤️
thank you, Neko, and peace to Jerome.
exactly.
and if you've never read Eugene O'Neil's Last Will and Testament of an Extremely Distinguished Dog, then I highly recommend it
I blubber every time.
love to you and Jerome ❤️
I’m so sorry about your dog. ❤️ I know all too well how much it hurts.
When I had to make the decision to put my senior cat down (after losing my other senior cat in dramatic fashion the year before), and I was struggling, my vet told me “it’s bettter to be a week too early than a day too late”. You’re doing the right and loving thing. Sending hugs and peace for his journey.
I'm so sorry to hear that it is Jerome's time, but I agree with you, after all they do for us, we owe them a good death. It's wonderful that the vet can come to you. I think that saves all parties involved a good deal of trauma and sadness. When it was Nevi's time, I was fortunate to have a vet come to my house. A lot of what that vet does is home euthanasia, and I respect and admire her so much for that. It can't be an easy job.
We out here in internet land will surely miss the photos of Jerome snuggling with Chet. Thanks for giving him a good life ❤️
❤️❤️ spot on. My lab Buster is getting there. Every morning I whisper to him “it’s an honor to live with you.”
A total gift. And nothing lasts forever.
Temporary.
Thank you for these words. Gentle chin scratches for Jerome.
It helps me so much. He seems to get it. Ha! ❤️❤️
You don’t need me to say—cause you were there, more of a camrodery squeeze of your hand, IN…..You kept His dignity of life, as to His dignity in death.
❤️🥹
This is so sweet and beautiful, in a honestly raw and tragic way, but isn't that what life is? When one of my dogs passed several years ago my uncle, who is not a dog person asked me if I would do it again. I was confused by that. The end is just part of the journey with your dog. I know that I want to give that love and respect throughout the entire time togwther. Thank you for sharing and my thoughts will be with you.
I’m sorry. I remember Jerome with fondness. A very sweet pup, he must have been 5 or 6 then. He’s had a wonderful life❤️