Thanks to you & your family (and a very sweet dog) for sharing this. We adopted a yellow lab pup 3 years ago and during his first year watched “Marley and Me” - under the mis-assumption that it was a totally happy movie about a family dog who looked like ours. By the end, all of us were either sobbing (tween kids & me) or gruffly clearing their throat (husband who almost never shows emotions at movies). Ever since, I’ve picked up on clues that our kids are worried about our dog’s eventual death - and your experiences and insights just helped me feel much more prepared and calm. Thank you and condolences for the loss of Henry. What a character he seemed to be.
I’m so sorry. I know exactly what you’re feeling as I had to euthanize my 16 year old cat last Monday. Her health declined so fast and the emergency vets around here weren’t very helpful. I will always regret not acting sooner. You did the right thing, as hard as it was.
I'm so sorry, Annette. One thing our vet said to me which I found helpful was "It will always feel like the wrong time. You will always think you did it too early or too late." I don't know if that helps you, but it helped me (when I worried I was doing it too soon).
Absolutely sobbing. Henry was just the best and I'll especially remember his devotion to any cheese left at coffee table height. Love how you navigated this with the kids. What a great week we are having for light and easy parenting moments!
I’m crying now, too. Thanks for sharing this with us! Thanks too for saying you were with Henry when he passed. I have recently heard that many people don’t stay with their pets for the whole process, and it’s apparently heartbreaking for veterinarians. I appreciate that you pointed out the peacefulness you saw in him! Makes it less scary when it’s my turn to go down that road with my own dog. Sob. Thanks again and so many hugs to all of you.
It's very meaningful how deeply you shared this sad time with your kids, and made it possible for each of them to have their own experience of it, while still holding the responsibility for the decision and for being with Henry at the time with you parents.
Thank you for sharing this. My wife and I have a 13 year old lab and she is starting to show accelerated signs of deteriorating health. It’s hard to know how to tell kids and how they will handle it. So I really appreciate your openness with something like this. It’s so painful to lose a pet that’s been part of the family for so long.
It’s probably the hardest thing to deal with and it sounds like you managed it really well. I like the way you explained it to them. There’s a wonderful book by Cynthia Rylant, Dog Heaven, that’s a real tear jerker, but is also reassuring. You don’t have to be religious to get something out of it. Promise
Big hugs to you and your family. This is a very moving tribute to Henry.
Thanks to you & your family (and a very sweet dog) for sharing this. We adopted a yellow lab pup 3 years ago and during his first year watched “Marley and Me” - under the mis-assumption that it was a totally happy movie about a family dog who looked like ours. By the end, all of us were either sobbing (tween kids & me) or gruffly clearing their throat (husband who almost never shows emotions at movies). Ever since, I’ve picked up on clues that our kids are worried about our dog’s eventual death - and your experiences and insights just helped me feel much more prepared and calm. Thank you and condolences for the loss of Henry. What a character he seemed to be.
I’m so sorry. I know exactly what you’re feeling as I had to euthanize my 16 year old cat last Monday. Her health declined so fast and the emergency vets around here weren’t very helpful. I will always regret not acting sooner. You did the right thing, as hard as it was.
I'm so sorry, Annette. One thing our vet said to me which I found helpful was "It will always feel like the wrong time. You will always think you did it too early or too late." I don't know if that helps you, but it helped me (when I worried I was doing it too soon).
Absolutely sobbing. Henry was just the best and I'll especially remember his devotion to any cheese left at coffee table height. Love how you navigated this with the kids. What a great week we are having for light and easy parenting moments!
Sending so much love to all of you. ❤️
I’m crying now, too. Thanks for sharing this with us! Thanks too for saying you were with Henry when he passed. I have recently heard that many people don’t stay with their pets for the whole process, and it’s apparently heartbreaking for veterinarians. I appreciate that you pointed out the peacefulness you saw in him! Makes it less scary when it’s my turn to go down that road with my own dog. Sob. Thanks again and so many hugs to all of you.
It's very meaningful how deeply you shared this sad time with your kids, and made it possible for each of them to have their own experience of it, while still holding the responsibility for the decision and for being with Henry at the time with you parents.
Thank you for sharing this. My wife and I have a 13 year old lab and she is starting to show accelerated signs of deteriorating health. It’s hard to know how to tell kids and how they will handle it. So I really appreciate your openness with something like this. It’s so painful to lose a pet that’s been part of the family for so long.
Sending you and your family big hugs. I am with you in your grief.
I cried reading this beautiful tribute to Henry. Losing a pet is hard. Sending light and love.
It’s probably the hardest thing to deal with and it sounds like you managed it really well. I like the way you explained it to them. There’s a wonderful book by Cynthia Rylant, Dog Heaven, that’s a real tear jerker, but is also reassuring. You don’t have to be religious to get something out of it. Promise
I’m deeply touched by your kindness towards Henry and both kids. Well done, both of you. And farewell, dear Henry, you were the perfect big brother.