This is owed to my brave little girl Bracken, who after 22 (yes 22!) long years, left this world on June 20th 2011, at 10:34am.

Still as sprightly as a puppy til the end, with her feisty nature still in tact we decided that life wasn't any fun anymore and made the hardest decision ever, to send her to sleep.

She battled so much and you wouldn't even know it to look at her. Our vet advised us that it was very unlikely that she would slip away in her sleep as we had hoped. Her body was fine although recently she lost her eyesight and her hearing a bit. Her mind however went before her. At times it was hard when she had a bad day and forgot who i was. Then there were times of clarity when she would lick my face and snuggle up and i knew she remembered.

She was (and still is) my baby girl,my best friend and my rock. When i was hurting she pestered me for cuddles. When i was injured she licked away my pain. She made us laugh everyday with her cheek! Her dad called her 'Bright Eye's' and now that song keeps tormenting me. The 1 foot tall dog who's bark was bigger than her bite, so much so that the postie refused to deliver our mail until he was shown how small she was.

The vet came to the house and my brave girl walked onto that awfull blanket herself, looking for cuddles. She howled and cried when they were restraining her arm, she never did like her feet being touched. But I held her head, and stroked, cuddled and talked to her. She was looking at me the whole time, as if to ask 'what is happening?'. When she fell asleep, she lay onto my arms, when the life left her, she was in my arms. This is the only comfort i have right now.

I worry myself sick about her being alone right now. We will have her ashes back next week and i don't think i will truly settle until she is back home with me. I don't even want to think about spreading her ashes, i just want to keep her close right now.

By far the hardest thing i have ever done in my life. My home feels like a horrible place right now, the soul has been ripped from it. There is no joy in being at home but at the same time i don't want to be anywhere else.

Bracken was so much more than 'just a dog'. And we will miss her so much forever. Sleep tight wee Bracky (baby girl/ bright eyes) xxxxx

Hello.
Your post rang a chord in me, I've recently had to say goodbye to my old spaniel,and strangely enough his name was 'Bracken, I can empathise with your loss but you say that you had 22yrs with your dog and I find that remarkable you must have lavished a lot of love and care on her, my old boy was 13 and like you I cherish every moment that we spent together.I know that it's never an easy decision to have to make but remember the good times as I do, times walking the woods together,fooling around on the beach,
I dont think of my old boy as completely gone, I'm sure that when I'm walking my other dogs in the woods he loved he's somewhere close by keeping an eye on things and one day he, I, and all my other dogs who've gone before will be reunited again.
In the meantime perhaps my old Bracken has met up with your old Bracken and is keeping a watchful eye on her.
All the best Pete.

Thanks Pete for your comforting words.

My old girl was 22 but I've only had her for 7 years. She's my husband's childhood dog and i can't help being jealous of the extra years and memories he's had with her. When she came to live with us aged 15, everyone told me 'don't get too attached, she's really old'. For one thing, you couldn't help but get attached to Bracken, 7 years or 7 hours with her, she had everyone under her paw. Although he's adament that her last few years were her best as she was spoiled beyond her dreams.

So sorry for your loss. I can feel my Bracken too. When i'm sitting downstairs i am positive i can hear her jumping off our bed upstairs. I fell asleep with her collar in my hands last night and awoke distressed as i couldn't find it, it was on her spot at the end of the bed. It may be my mind playing tricks but i like to think she is around me x

Weebee I am so sorry for your loss of Bracken.
22 years what a wonderful age. Those lovely memories of her will soon come along and replace the pain you are going through right now.
It is one of the hardest but kindest thing to do when you know that it is time for then to go to the Bridge.
Having had pets all of my life there is no easy way. When they leave us suddenly before their time or when they are very old and you know you have to make that call.
Like you said you will feel better when you get her back next week. maybe think of a nice resting place for her.
When i have got mine home i have put them in their favourite place. Not many friends and family realise that molly is next to our fish Tank and Boris who loved food is in the kitchen keeping his eye on the cat food bowls.
Take care of yourself and you know that we on this site know what you are going through and are always here to listen xx

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I am so sorry you have lost BRACKEN, isnt it heartbreaking... We lost ROO 11 days ago, she was 16, full of life until the end too. Almost all you said mirrors how we feel, the soul has been ripped from your home... how true we feel exactly the same. I feel so sad for you.

So so sorry that you have lost your lovely Bracken
No matter how old or young they are when we lose them,we are losing part of our family and it hurts like hell!!!!
It must give you some comfort that she died in your arms ,being given a last cuddle and Ive no doubt at all that she is with you
We lost our Lulu,aged 14, suddenly at the end of January and the support I had on here and another forum site helped so much as I was in bits-so many emotions come -loss,guilt,anger emptiness , things out of the blue will trigger a memory which just cracks you up.I felt I would give anything just for 1 last day or even minute with her

So please remember we are all here for you -whenever you need to talk or share a memory or your tears

Hope that when she is back home with you it will give you some sense of peace-our Lulu is buried in the garden by the back door and I talk to her every time I go out there.She has some lights shaped like angels and a little cross
Thinking of you
Maureen

I am so very sorry to hear about your dear friend. I lost my girl on 8th June, so I know exactly how you must be feeling. She was 15 and would have been 16 on 3rd July. Her mind was also still very "with it", but her body was just not following suit. I also had to make the awful decision to let her go because she wasn't being a dog any more, just merely existing. It was the hardest thing in the world that I have had to do and I'm sure that a piece of me went with her that day. I got her ashes back last Monday and although I'm glad that she's home again, I know that life will never be the same again. I'm very lucky in that I have another dog, but she is grieving as well which is very painful for me to watch, bless her I don't think she really understands what has happened to her friend. I just feel terribly guilty and have a really deep sense of loss. I completely sympathise with you and my heart goes out to you and your family at this very sad time.

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R.I.P Smokey - my sweet girl and loyal friend xxx

~~~Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened~~~

Oh, how I feel for you. We had to put our little Mistyu down over a year ago but it still seems like it was only yesterday We have a new puppy now but it can never take the place of her. You have done the right thing but I know it is hard.

im so sorry for your loss hun(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))) RIP little one

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A PETS LOVE IS WORTH A THOUSAND HEARTS

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