Comment from Raffaelina Lowcock

Excellent

I don't know how you did that. It would break my heart to watch that procedure. You are an amazing person to have accompanied him in his last hours. Bless you!

Ralf

 Comment Written 04-Jul-2021

---

reply by the author on 11-Jul-2021

Ralf: For me, it is how would I not do it for him when he had given me so much over his short life. Thanks for your kind review. Jan

Comment from Ric Myworld

Excellent

Well, I've had to endure a couple similar heartbreaks with my canine buddies and, I feel for you and the family. Many, like me, love our furry friends better than most people. I'll be looking for news about Gwen. Thanks for sharing your well written story.

 Comment Written 29-Jun-2021

---

reply by the author on 29-Jun-2021

Thanks, Ric. Yes, I l have a t-shirt that says I'd rather be with my dog. Jan

Comment from Judy Lawless

Excellent

You gave Max a beautiful send-off, Jan, and it's so sweet that he seemed to understand what was about to happen and that you truly cared for his need to be done with the pain. Very well written. Hugs

 Comment Written 26-Jun-2021

---

reply by the author on 26-Jun-2021

Thanks, Judy. Reading that again now hurt just as much as writing it did almost 10 years ago. Jan

Comment from ShirleyT1

Excellent

Your beautifully written story definitely pulled on my heart strings this morning. You place the reader right in the middle of your story, and that is excellent writing when that happens. Thank you for sharing this moving story.

 Comment Written 26-Jun-2021

---

reply by the author on 26-Jun-2021

thanks so much, ShirleyT1. jan

Comment from royowen

Excellent

I've never been brave enough to face the end for a much loved family member, so Elaine has always been the one to spend the last minutes with our beautiful companions, but she insists, like you she doesn't want them to be alone. Beautifully written, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 25-Jun-2021

---

reply by the author on 25-Jun-2021

Thanks, Roy. I agree with Elaine 100%. Jan

reply by royowen on 25-Jun-2021

Sometimes wives are wiser than their woosy husbands.

Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

Excellent

I can barely see the keys to type. I was there in that room with you, as I've been in a similar room before. I'm so sorry you had to give him up at such a young age, mine was only 8. This was so emotionally charged, I couldn't stop my tears. Now I must go and wash my face. So very sorry. Sandra xxx

 Comment Written 25-Jun-2021

---

reply by the author on 25-Jun-2021

Thanks, Sandra. It was a very cathartic write for me at the time - and something I needed to reread before posting Gwen's story. Jan

Comment from Wendy G

Excellent

I am still crying. Can identify with this. Ours had a tumour which did not manifest till a week before. We asked the vet to come to our place, and she died with her head cradled in my hands on our back lawn. She is buried in an above ground garden bed, a place of beauty outside my bedroom window. Sending hugs.

 Comment Written 24-Jun-2021

---

reply by the author on 25-Jun-2021

Thanks so much, Wendy. Jan

Comment from Elizabeth Emerald

Excellent

Devasating--stunning piece--You mention the "original" post--is this a repromotion--the story seems familiar--I either read it before or another person's very similar tale. Condolences. How old is Gwen now?

 Comment Written 24-Jun-2021

---

reply by the author on 25-Jun-2021

Gwen turned 14 years, 9 months, and 1 day old today. Yes, this is a repost from July 2011. Jan

Comment from Lady & Louis

Excellent

Jan, I am so, so sorry you had to part from your boy so soon - I'm guessing he wasn't very old, if you'd only had him and Gwen four years. Not that any time is long enough, when the separation comes. Even knowing it is only temporary isn't necessarily a comfort.

No suggestions, no criticisms (unless having a palm itching to slap Aubrey counts).

Much love,
Louise

 Comment Written 31-Jul-2011

---

reply by the author on 31-Jul-2011

Louise, Aubrey has the coldest mom I've ever known -- hard to learn compassion that way -- he was very good to Mac while he was alive -- love, jan

Comment from Piggies Grandma

Excellent

This is very sad. Animals are part of the family and it is very sad when something happens to them. It must have been very hard for you. Your story was very cleverly written and well thought out. I only have one suggestion:

"as well as I what I had just read" should it be "as well as what I had just read"

 Comment Written 30-Jul-2011

---

reply by the author on 30-Jul-2011

thanks, PG -- I will fix that -- love, jan