What does your old dog do??

[Kazbah]

I have Rexie's ashes in a lovely box, his favourite collar around it and a photo of him as a gorgeous pup. It's one of the first things I pack in our evacuation box ....

The vet organised everything for us too.

[Tinks]

I've teared up reading these posts too.

We buried all our dogs in their favourite part of the garden. Our first dog is buried under the clothesline because she always pulled clothes off it. The 2nd dog is buried in the fernery (sp?) that he loved to play in and the ****er Spaniel is buried in the garden under the bedroom window. They're all buried at different houses.

You do have to bury them deep, (tmi warning here - highlight to read - don't read if you're squeemish) my sisters cat who is buried with the ****er Spaniel was dug up by an animal and we found him strewn across the yard. It's such a hard job to do. I didn't know you could have your pet cremated. That would be lovely, I wish I'd known.

[CharlieBrownGirl]

Kazbah,
That's how our set up is on the entertainment unit. The ashes, her collar, a photo and the lovely card and rose we got from the vets.

I've also kept some of her fur in a plastic bag for especially when I was studying. She was always beside me in the wee hours when I was writing essays.

I've picked a star in the sky (the brightest) and talk to her at night.

This is the note we got from Pets at Peace (the place we got her cremated at)

Through life's journey we took a ride,
The times you spent by my side,
You were always were there as my best friend,
But we knew one day, there would be an end,
Heavens doors are open, just walk through the gates,
In this Animal Kingdom sunshine awaits,
To a place you can run free, never grow old,
A world full of freedom, rivers of gold,
Towards the rainbow, you can play and run,
Or in the green fields, you relax in the sun,
Under the trees, just rest in the shade,
As this is the place, where dreams are made,
No pain or suffering exists in this place,
Only fields of endless happiness, butterflies you chase,
Beyond the hills, you lead your friends,
As my broken heart tries to mend,
When I light a candle, and whisper your name,
This shall become forever, an endless flame,
When you look down from pet heaven, see tears on my cheek,
Make me strong, day by day, week by week,
When I look amongst the stars for you,
I can see you shining in heaven, it's true,
Just wait for me, I'll see you one day,
But now my friend, just relax or play....

Author: Christian Mitchell

[Trillian]

We were just talking about this the other day. DH has a brown kelpie sheepdog who would be about 16-17yo and she has come really close to not making it a few times, but MIL gives her a dose of rawleighs tonic and it picks her up again. She doesn't live with us as she never got along with the Kelpie I have, who is a black kelpie sheepdog and they are bigger and tend to be more dominant personalities, so she stayed at the IL's. She hasn't 'worked' in the sheepyeards for about 2-3 years now because she just couldn't jump the fences and lost her speed so she wasn't able to move the sheep like she used to. She just sits around under the tree in the backyard or in her bed in the laundry now and to watch her move around really is like watching an old person walk, really crotchety and unsteady and you half expect her to just fall over because her balance is starting to go too. I honestly don't know what DH would do if the time came where it just got too much and she would have to be put down. He loves her dearly. My dog on the other hand is 11yo and she is slowly starting to show her age. She is greying around the muzzle and gets knocked up pretty quickly if she is working all day with the sheep but she still has a lot of life in her yet.

[Turkish Delight]

Oh CBG - thanks for the cry...not. That is such a beautiful poem. I will go and hug my old baby right now. She was looking at mum before wanting to go for a walk, but its just too hot at the moment. So she's lying down at mum's feet.

With the burial, that is what i am regretting, that in the end if we move and she is left behind, so i might get her cremated. i was thinking of burying her with a bag of schmackos, her fave.

She has just wandered into the study, my wooly little sheep. Just hoping that we all get extra years with our little furry babes.

[Megan]

We have two old dogs - 14 and 15 years old. My old girl (15) has only partial hearing and her eyes are looking a bit cloudy. She can still see me from right down the other end of the yard though so I'm not too concerned at the moment. She is the most beautiful dog and I dread the day she goes. She does sleep alot, but she seems happy. Eats well, is able to get around quite well and still loves to play catch -although I limit it because I keep thinking she'll have a heart attack! I thought we were going to lose her 3 years ago when she became quite ill. The vet said things weren't looking good, but she came through it and has been fine ever since. I remember at the time just wishing and hoping for more time with her, even a few months.
Our other dog (male, 14) still thinks he's a puppy and runs around like a lunatic! I keep thinking he has to slow down sooner or later.

We will have both dogs cremated, because I don't ever want to leave the behind if we move. We've had them since we were 18/19 when DH and I first moved in together.