Then suddenly this past week--although in reality it's been a long process, and not sudden at all--I knew it was time. I have wanted so badly to be 100% sure Angel's quality of life was diminishing, and when she fell a couple of times this weekend, and turned for home in the middle of our walks, I was convinced. When I called the vet to make the appointment this morning, there was no second-guessing.

I told the vet Angel was a tough dog--unusual for a dog her size to live so long--and she proved me right. It took three shots instead of the usual one to put her down. It wasn't terrible, though, because she was heavily sedated and not conscious at that point.

I may have told the story before of how I got Angel, but I'll tell it again because I love it. My daughter Jill was a teenager, going somewhere with her best friend and her friend's father. They passed a puppy who had that frantic look of a dog that had been abandoned on the road. Coming by again later, Jill spotted the puppy sprawled on the ground. She had been hit, but not injured.

Since this was in the days before cell phones, Jill knocked on a door and asked the homeowner if she could use her phone to call her mother. The woman said she could use the phone, but added, "You mother isn't going to want to come pick up a dog." Jill said, "You don't know my mother." Like I said, I love that story.

My DH drove us to get the puppy, and on the way home she rested her beautiful head on my arm. From that moment, I knew she was my dog. But right now Jill is taking care of her again until I get there.

Hugs,Shelley and Drake

Linda

((((hugs)))) my deepest condolences for your loss.

You were lucky to have had her for so many years, & she was lucky to have had you.

Happy Trails, Angel.

Angeldog, I had a Holly, too. I was in Florida when she died during a seizure in the middle of the night. She appeared quite unexpectedly in my dream that night, and I remember I said, "Holly! What are you doing here?" I bent down to pet her, and I realized she had come to say goodbye. I was still in bed early the next morning when I called Jill at home to see if we had lost Holly, and we had.

So yes, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Angel has joined up with your Holly and mine. There's so much we don't know, and I'm thinking all of it's good.

Susan

Your sweet Angel lived a long time which goes to show how well she was loved.

You have many fond memories that will make you chuckle and there will be nights when you just miss them so badly. They leave a big hole in your heart. With all my heart I believe animals go to heaven and they will be waiting there for us.

This is a true story that happened to me. I don't tell too many people for when I have they roll their eyes at me.

One Sunday afternoon, I found my sweet golden Cocker dead. I can't put into words how dear he was to me. He had passed in his sleep with no warning. He was 15-1/2 and healthy enough. He did have a heart murmur all his life. Anyway, I took him to the emergency clinic to have him cremated. A week later they called to pick up his ashes. I went there late at night feeling so very sad. There were no cars in the parking lot but for mine. There was an older man standing outside the facility, in the rain, gray hair and clean shaven. He had on a gray raincoat (no umbrella) and a large white dog standing on his left side with no leash. The man asked me, "Why are you so sad?" I answered, "I'm coming to pick up my dogs ashes". He said, "You will see him again". I thought nothing of it. I was in the office for less than a minute. When I came out he and his dog were no where to be found.

I was so distraught that night but in hindsight I wondered:
Why did a stranger ask me such a question?
How did he know the dog I lost was a he?
How could he have disappeared in such a short time in that large parking lot?
Why was he standing in the rain with no umbrella?
How come he wasn't wet from the rain nor was his dog?

Big hugs to you.

Hugs to you ((())), I know this is tough, but you should be proud of giving Angel a wonderful and long, happy life.