r.i.p. my dearest barbie girl.
i would have 20 dogs at all times were it not for the duty to make sure they have a respectful and peaceful end. sometimes it is an easy call, and sometimes it it weighting what seem like a million factors. this one was a tough one. many little things on top of a set of hips that have been wasted away since she was a youngster. a painful life, borne like only a bully dog could. enjoying every difficult day. never complaining. always your sweet boxer self no matter what.
you were a fantastic companion barbie girl, and i hope i did the right thing today.
safe passage.
love always.
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I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker ‘s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker’s Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ”I know why.”
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I’d never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.
He said,”People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?”
The Six-year-old continued,
”Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”
We know. We know because we are not doing this for ourselves. If it was for us, we would torture them by keeping them alive way too long. I am so sorry you had to do this, and you have lost a wonderful dog.
Beautiful eulogy.....it shows how much you loved her.
What a beautiful girl she was, and she looks like probably a good kisser. You knew her better than anyone and she trusted you to do the best you could for her. You loved her and you spared her suffering. She wouldn't want you to feel sad about that.
and she would have been nervous at winding up at the vet again in great pain and hoping that today they wouldn't have to hurt her even more trying to help her. Remember those kisses and the bliss you shared. I know you will.
A respectful and peaceful end. That is the very least we can give these extraordinary creatures who ask almost nothing of us yet give is so very much.
Rest in peace sweet girl.....I hope your good memories of times with Barbie will help ease the sadness of the duty we all have to perform to help our pets make their transition....she sure was a cutie...
she would not have had if you had not found her and rescued her. In the end you ended those years with extreme pain for yourself but a peaceful and painless ending for her. A selfless and painful act that we all must face. You absolutely did the right thing as hard as it was.
Sending you so many hugs, as many as you can take. It does not help but hopefully gives you a little encouragement. 
What a beautiful dog.
sorry for your loss.
What a terrible loss. For what it's worth, you did the right thing. None of us want our fur babies to suffer at the end of their time. Of course that second guessing is par for the course. I don't think I ever really stop second guessing over the passage of my first two doggies... did I wait too long or should I have waited longer or tried something (anything!) else, etc., etc. So many factors and so many of them contradictory and all with our hearts screaming nooooooooooo! Hardest damn decision to make. And holy God does it ever hurt!
I truly believe that easing their passage humanely and gently while we're right there with them is the last act of love we could ever give them. Try to remember that when you get to second guessing yourself.
This makes me so sad. I'm going to miss seeing her photos with your other fur babies, but I'm so glad she lasted long enough to teach the new boys how to be good doggies by example. She was a perfect and so loving a teacher.
