I know you understand.

I sobbed up until the time it was ready for him to go.

Well, I sobbed and laughed at the same time, apologizing to the vet for my reaction...but she assured me it was alright.

My wife was stoic, until we walked to the car, and then it hit her hard.

In our family, we have chosen to think of this very difficult decision as "liberating the spirit."

It's always agonizing, even when it's right.

Thank you for telling us about him.

He was the most gentle being I've ever known.

Such a good boy.

I can only hope that your Jona is playing with my Lily ... sometimes I just think I'm Mr. Bogjangles, cuz after 15 years I still grieve (actually, it has only been 6, but I miss her every day)

Lily was soooo beautiful! Border Collie?

Also, Lily was the name of my first Sheltie!

I wanted to name her Stella, but my wife chose "Lily".

Your lily was so pretty. I bet she was a good girl!

and was an accidental breeding of 2 blue merles, making her deaf at birth with star eyes...

the moment is saw her, I knew she was mine

she was my giant white q-tip, always just absorbing my troubles and making me laugh

people would see her and ask what she was, my constant answer was that she was a unicorn

the most special girl

What a beautiful boy. I always say we owe them the best death possible. He was surrounded with love and it was done out of love, so you did your best by him.

Treasure those memories

Our dogs give us their love and loyalty.

Not just at the loss, but at the love! Thank you for caring for this beautiful creature and giving him a fabulous life. I've been in rescue my whole life, and I am always grateful to know one was loved and cared for in very special ways.

Peace and comfort to you and your wife.

He doesn't have pain now.

He was a stoic boy, but I could tell that he was in pain because of his rapid breathing...he's free now.

For years, we were part of a rescue team that transported rescued Border Collies. We were part of a "car train" that transported them. We even transported some that originated from New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.

Such a satisfying part of our lives...

Thank you so much, Jill.

...cat people, we went through the same kind of pain when we put our cat Valentine down. She was looking in my eyes as she died. It really hurt.

it's the worst thing.

The vet gave him some sedatives before the euthanasia drug, and he was snoring into my palm before he passed.

I bet you gave Valentine a great life.

Now I'm crying ... and I can understand why this was so difficult for you. You'll always have him in your heart ... but for now he has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge.

They become family, and it's hard to say goodbye to family.
gentle 🫂 to you and yours.

"We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own live within a fragile circle.4"
(Irving Townsend)
We lost two fur babies in the past month, one to cancer and the other to old age. The grief is the opposite of the love they gave us. The holes in our hearts can only be filled with memories of unqualified love they gave us.

may your memories keep you!

Jona was a beautiful boy and you gave him his best life.

Hugs to you and your wife.

they'd still break our hearts some day.

It sounds like you gave your pup the best possible life.

I am ugly crying now. I am so so sorry your wife & your hearts are broken, but I am so so glad Jona knew love.
Just out of human sight

I'm so sorry for your losses.

That is an incredible picture...is that one of your pups?

Please don't cry...I'm doing enough for the both of us. This is hitting incredibly hard. I don't like it.

The photographer said it was taken while they were on a train in Scotland, sheer luck they saw the dog on that peak, just looking into the mist. It is so evocative.

What a precious, precious dog. Honestly, this brought me to tears. Not long after I read your post yesterday, my husband got back from the vet with our beloved rescue dog, Dickens. We learned that he has kidney/renal failure and has at best six months to live. I absolutely collapsed sobbing and my husband had to hold me up. Dickens is the sweetest, most affectionate dog. Every day is a gift.

Please know you and your wife are with me in thoughts, healing vibes, and yes, prayers. I know all too well what you are going through having lost several much-loved dogs. Their love is unconditional and never ending.

If there is a kind, benevolent being in the universe, you will see your sweet Jona again. In the meantime, I hope he is frolicking with my Henry and Nathaniel at the Rainbow Bridge.

I'll try to give you some encouragement...

Jona was diagnosed with bladder cancer one year ago. We chose not to treat him. He was given several weeks to live, because the vet predicted a blocked urinary flow shortly. He surprised us and lasted one year instead of several weeks.

Renal failure can be like that too. There's a good chance that he could beat that 6 months by a substantial period of time.

I appreciate your kind words. You hang in there...it might go better than you think it will. One day at a time.

Your kind words are appreciated.

I am so sorry for your loss, Lucky.

For me, when I've had to take my pets to be put down, it was always hard to not feel like I was betraying them.

Logically, I knew I was doing what was best for them, giving them an easy death, but emotionally it still felt like I was a POS for doing it.

Grieve your very good boy, and go easy on yourself too.

but his passing was so gentle, he died snoring gently.

You did good with your pets.

...decision "liberating the spirit."

I came up with the idea because it has a gentler feel to it than all the other usual terms. Put to sleep isn't accurate - we wish they were only sleeping. Euthanize sounds cold and clinical. Put down sounds harsh.

It helps a little.

and send peace and comfort to his grieving loved ones.

Ii am so very sorry for the loss of your precious, handsome boy. Do not be surprised if he visits you.

From my furbaby and me, peace, love, and strength to you and your lady.
hugggggs

Our wonderful companions give us so much and ask for so little - a bit of attention, a walk, a meal and a treat, to be by your side and have a cozy place to rest. You loved and took good care of him - all the way.

the kindest decision, after all the years of love and great care you gave him, when you set him free from pain and suffering that couldn't be treated here. Picture him healthy and young again, because that is his reality now. And you will see him again.

And he lived a wonderful life with you. What more could a dog want? Bless you, I know how hard this is.

Missed original post, I'm so sorry. It's very hard to lose a loved family member.

The final goodbye is so hard but we do it because we love our furry family members so much when their life becomes too hard.

Jona had the best life because of you. He’ll always be your good dog - just in a different place.

He was such a beautiful doggo and he is now pain free and in peace. You will always have lovely memories. Take good care.

I was holding them during their passing. We all hold a special place in our hearts for our fur babies. 💙🐾🐾💙
Jona was a beautiful boy and very much loved.

i was lucky w/ my 1st 2 cats. 17 yrs + 21. sadly my 2nd male only lived 10 yrs. last girl so far made it to 19. last pair were the wildest. sybil meowed at sneezes, hissed at fireworks + big trucks back up beeps. she got me trru the 1st oompa term. i NEEEEED CAT NOW.

And yes, my dogs always remain "pups" in my mind. All 16 of them.
I'm a dyed-in-the-wool dog person. Always have been, always will be, and I'm damned proud of that.

You sound the same way, Lucky.

with my deepest condolences.

I have no idea what, if anything, awaits us after death, but I love the imagery in this poem.

In My Good Death
By Dalia Shevin•October 2010

I will find myself waist deep in high summer grass. The humming shock of the golden light.

And I will hear them before I see them and know right away who is bounding across the field to meet me.

All my good dogs will come then, their wet noses bumping against my palms, their hot panting, their rough faithful tongues. Their eyes young and shiny again. The wiry scruff of their fur, the unspeakable softness of their bellies, their velvet ears against my cheeks.

I will bend to them, my face covered with their kisses, my hands full of them.

In the grass I will let them knock me down.

So sad. It brings to mind our pets who needed help with their release. It is never easy. Enjoy the memories of Jona.
Thinking of you, and wishing you comfort.

Hug to you.

Losing pets is heartbreaking……they’re just not here long enough. Though Jona will never be replaced, I’ve found that a new addition rapidly captures your heart again.

Peace ☮️ LC

Last edited Tue Jun 30, 2026, 11:54 PM - Edit history (1)

Jona lives on as long as you’re alive to think about him.

My sweet girl of 15 years passed in a very similar way last August, and I still weep at her memory, or when I am reminded of the sadness of losing her in my arms that day. Your sweet memories of Jona touch me, and I weep with you.

I very recently endured another very deep and personal loss. It has reminded me how inescapable grief is, if we choose to give our love. Someone close to me shared an ancient poem with me, to help me find some comfort in my grief. I'd like to share it with you, in hopes that you too might find some comfort from it...

I'm so glad you, your wife, and Jona had each other to love. My deepest condolences on your

loss. I will be thinking of you and your wife. Love and light to you both.