My wife and I put our elderly adopted chihuahua, Arnie, down yesterday. He was about 13.

He had a heart murmer and other health problems, but always had a tail wag for me when I came home. He was prone to seizures. The last one just about did him in. He wasn't the same afterwards.

He lost much of his vim and vigor. He no longer chased his tail. He no longer growled at birds. He didn't bark anymore.

His prance was gone. When he walked, his tail was down and he developed a thousand-yard stare. He wasn't having fun anymore.

We don't know for sure from whence he came, but he found home port with us. When we first brought him home (we got him from a rescue), he pretty much knew right away he was "home." Smart little bugger. He was a happy soul.

It was in this spirit that my wife bought an animal rescue shirt that says, "Who Saved Who?"

Who saved who...indeed.

--- Craig

Craig,

I'm sorry that you had to put your dog to sleep. When we had to put down our 15+ cocker spaniel, the dog we raised since puppyhood and I grew up with, my whole family was heartbroken. But dogs are lucky that we can end their suffering peacefully.

For years I grieved and never thought that I would get another dog, until I went to a rescue's adoption day just to donate some money. I didn't count on a little black terrier-poodle mix coming right over to me when I passed his cage. Who saved who? Who CHOSE who?

I've read your previous posts about Arnie and your pet adoption history, so I'm hoping you'll still have it in you, after some time of course, to adopt again. I know the pain I'm gonna face when Henley dies, but because of him I know I can adopt again.

Thanks much, Christina. I know we will adopt again. Whoever needs us the most, when the time right. Some animal in need of a home will find us sooner or later.

What hurts the most right now is there is no happy little soul waiting for me to come. That's the killer. It's awfully nice to have some tiny furry thing come galloping over to you after a hard day's work.

-- Craig

Sorry for your loss... they get to be members of the family.

Troy

They sure do. When I came home today, and he wasn't here to greet me, I broke down and cried. Again. I cried in the shower, during my commute...sigh.

Then I dug his original ID tag, the one from Philadelphia animal control, out of a drawer. I pried it off the old collar and put it on my EDC neck lanyard. Now a little piece of him will be with me every day. I feel a bit better now.

-- Craig

You know he will always be there watching out for you. he will be waiting beyond the rainbow bridge for you.

I feel for ya. I remember when I had to go and put my dog down about 20 years ago. It was the neighbors Norwegian Elkhound, think Germam Shepard, but gray instead of brown and put thru a trash compactor. Their son wanted a dog and they kept telling him, "Later, we'll get a dog later." SO, they named the dog Later. The son had grown up and moved out, the father had passed away, and his wife finally had to move into a retirement community (no pets allowed), and since Later knew our family fairly well, and I pretty much grew up with the dog, she gave him to our family. He lived with us for about 4 years (to the age of about 16) before his hips went so bad that we had to put him down. My dad and I took him to the vet. When we got home, he and I finished a bottle of bourbon while watching TV. Damn, I still miss him. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
I haven't had another dog since him, but when I do (gotta get a house first), it will be another elkhound or a husky (hey I like winter dogs, sue me), and I'm namin' him "MUCH Later". <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
When I get home from work in the morning, I'm pouring myself a glass of 12 year old Glenfiddich (it ain't bourbon, but close enough) in honor of my "Mooch Pooch"

I know he'll be around. And the Rainbow Bridge is something nice to believe in.

I'm sorry for your and your wife's loss.

Sounds like Arnie held and still holds a special place in your heart.

You're lucky to have had that in your life.

Pets, especially dogs, are great companions. Dogs will immediately give you unconditional love. They greet you enthusiastically every time they see you. No matter how tired, downtrodden, or 1984'd you feel, this bundle of fur comes galloping up to meet you at the door, full of joy at your arrival. Nothing beats that.

-- Craig