My 13 year old blue healer, Molly, had a massive stroke while I was petting her, she died almost instantaniously. I was pretty shocked, got her in Old Town Idaho when she was 8 weeks old. Most loyal and smartest dog I ever knew, I could just talk to her and she knew what I was saying.

I had just gotten done brushing her, she drank some water while I was petting her, she turned towards me and collapsed. She had been in decline for a couple years and I was dreading seeing her waste away but she was my best friend. She had a high energy life, a pain in the ass sometimes but a great dog.

I'm sorry to hear that Rich. Great dogs...are well...great. And very hard to replace.
I'm sure she's chasing tennis balls in the big dog park in the sky. Our time with our best friends is much too short. May you find another best friend one day.

I had to say goodbye to my heeler last month. I was lucky enough to spend 15 years with him. It sure is tough, and still makes my heart heavy. Your description of Molly reminds me of mine. We get to feel the sadness. That's part of the human experience. I sure hope someone is sad when my time here is over. Just make sure to remember the good times. I know there are many. They are never really gone as long as you remember them.

Thanks, we had that dog since both my kids were babies, it has been hard on the whole family, but I treated that dog good and have no regrets. I'm grateful she died while I was petting her, telling her she was a good girl, I'm sure she felt safe the whole time. I'm also grateful it was quick and painles, anybody would hope to go so easy. She still was enjoying life getting around good and eating good, atleast she wasn't sick and crippled. Ten minutes before she passed I was thinking maybe she had a year or two left while she was standing there wagging her tail. I think she was pretty lucky to go the way she did, at home, with the people she loved still enjoying life. She will be missed and always loved. I burried her next to my other healer, who died a few years earlier and my childhood healer mix who died in 2001.

I agree. Our lives are better with dogs in them.

If humans are aliens to this planet then dogs got off the spaceship with us!

Sage is 14 going on two.

Humans out live dogs. It sucks. All we can do is carry on.

Sorry for your loss!

My heart goes out to Rich. I think Dogs die so young is that they Love so hard. When the time is right get a puppy, he'll lick up the tears. Hang in there !

I really don't wish ill will on people on here. except for dan s I really do hate him. but godspeed rich. losing a dog is fuked up but take solace that you gave him a good life.

Sorry Rich. My red heeler died three years ago, she was just 10 but cancer got her and she had to be put down. Incredible dog, my best friend. I promised her on the vet's table that I would never get another dog because she was the best. A picture of her is my screensaver on my phone so I can see her every day. Good luck.

That's terrible, Rich, and I'm very sorry to hear about your dog passing on.

It's part of having a dog - but it sure hurts when they leave us.

I hope you find another dog that helps ease your sense of loss by eating your shoes and and anything else it finds.

Simmer down, watkins. This thread is about Rich's dog, not your unresolved anger issues.

Sounds like you lost a good dog. Tough loss; the more you love them, the more you mourn their passing. My brittany is 11 1/2 years old, and has health issues. When her time comes, I hope it's in a similar setting as you've described. You gave her a good life; you were with her at the end, and her passing was sudden. No doubt she left your family with lots of good memories to help everybody through the sad days. Best wishes...

I'm sorry to hear that Rich. I've lost a few good ones too. Life is much more fun with a dog in it. My dogs give me a lot of laughs and unconditional love and I'll always have a good dog by my side.

Sorry for your loss, Rich.

Poignant in time like these....

Please excuse me...I need to stop chopping these damn onions...

Thanks for restoring the DS BU, and I feel your loss Rich

Ouch. Sorry to hear that.

The rescue pup we got last year is already my favorite among a line of good dogs I've known. I was just thinking last night how hard it's going to be losing her, whenever that happens. Sounds like you're finding that out right now. The good news is (and you're living proof), life goes on. You'll always have the memories and will make new ones with a new dog soon enough.

I feel your pain, Rich. Putting your most loyal friend to rest is painful at best. I still get choked up over my lab mix after two years.

Good luck and keep the D.S. interesting.

Thanks to all of you,

Reading this right now finally aloud me to release and let some tears run, I needed it. I know it's the very best thing that could have happened , she was tired and ready and she gave me the gift of going quickly without making herself and me suffer. I was ready to do whatever I had to do, I was thinking every day that it could be the last one and just tried to make her feel loved every day. She was my dog and it was my job...

Dan, your kind words especially mean the most for whatever reason...

Thank you all so much I am a mess at this moment, her tracks are all over in the mud around my house waiting to be washed out in the next rain, I kept some hair in the brush from when I brushed her right before she died, (I know that's insane).

I already have a deposit down on a new healer puppy, I know I can't replace her but maybe getting buisy with a new puppy next month will help. I am hurting pretty bad, no regrets but not having her follow me around and demanding being pet really hurts. I noticed it right away.

In the morning I would give her some of my breakfast before I put her outside, then she would wait till I came home from work, be by my side untill I came in for the night, then I would let her in about 8 pm and I fed her, and she would spend time with the family until bed, every day the same thing....

She chose a great way to exit this world, by your side.

I hope your new dog helps you get feeling better soon, Rich.

I smiled when I read about you and your dog spending time together - everyone with a dog probably did, too.

Take care.

I feel your pain Rich. Take care.