its time.to let go. its a hard lesson, but one that must be done.

Sorry. It sounds like the pup had a long life with lots of love. It's always hard to put down your pet. Best of luck, I'm sure it's going to be a crappy week.

In time, after you grieve, I'm sure there will still be a lot of love in your hearts to share it with another dog.

if it makes you feel better...my buddy will be 9 in Jan and I already heartbroken that he'll be gone sooner rather than later.

As most of you know, my son has autism. He is a very loving boy. Very sweet and caring.

My dad and I have raised the same blood-line of bird dogs since before I was born, (50 years nearly). I grew up with these dogs and I've loved every one of them. Every time we have to say goodbye, sucks so bad.

This all put on the table... The dog is eventually going to die.
It's up to you to be the man to not only explain this to your son in a way he will understand that it's best for his dog but to also do what's fair and right for this poor dog.

I'll quote this poem that's stuck with me since childhood.

A good dog takes the time you can share, the love you can share and the food you can share.
In return, they give you everything.

Do what you have to. You and your son, (with some work) will find a new dog that will be able to take over the progress pepper made to help your family.
I highly suggest you take your time during this process but you'll know in your heart when you find that special dog for your awesome kiddo.

Hi Mos,

I'm sorry for your loss. Enjoy your last few days with your bud, but know that you'll be his pal until the end of time, even though he is gone.

Well.....today we finally all said our goodbyes and took our companion of 18 years to the vet. I am not going to lie....this sucked!!!!

He took his final car ride peacefully sitting in his carrier with the top off of it so my wife could pet him along the way.

We both cried....not going to lie about it.

Sorry for your loss, man. I've got three dogs (the oldest being 12) and I'm not looking forward to the day that she goes.

In the last 14 years I've cried my eyes out on four occasions. Once when I lost my only sister, the other three when I had to put down Stumppy and Betty, and when Max died in my arms. My three dogs.
The way I looked at it was it was the very least I could do for them, end their suffering, for everything they did for me.
Good on you man for doing the hard thing.

Sucks.

Sorry for your loss..

I'm so sorry, I have lived this but its not about me. My wife is certain that your next best friend will find you. We had taken our first Leader Dog puppy back to Leader Dogs for the Blind, and when we got back we said we would wait to see if the puppy would come back to us as a "career changed" pet. Two weeks later we went to Petsmart on adopt a dog day and this scrawny, smelly 6 mo only dog was in a wire cage. Everyone wanted the puppies but not this guy. My wife fell in love with his eyes, but we waited for another month before she went back to get him. He is 15 now, and Mr. Jackson has been a treasure. A Newfi/Dalmation mix, has arthritis and cognitive issues now and when he can't be a dog anymore (run around, be crazy) his time will have come. You are right, they tell you its time.

Have your son write an obituary for your dog, tell about the good times maybe it will console him to remember them. Just let him know that the dog wants love as much as people do and its wrong to withhold that and be selfish. You'll get more than you will ever give anyway, best deal man ever made with an animal.

They do dig out a hole in your heart don't they