Barnacles Loc: Northern California

Yeah, Marion. All of them. Just last month, I had to have my most recent dog put down, and it hurts. The dog I grew up with took her final ride to the vet about 62 years ago, and I still fog up when I think about her. We guys are supposed to be tough, but when you lose your dog there will usually be tears.

Jeremy Loc: America

Real men do cry.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

So sorry to hear that Marion. Every pet I've ever had has left an indelible mark on me. It's heartbreaking to have to let them go, but I think of the end of suffering as the redeeming factor. Give my regards to Sherri, and may Molly rest in peace.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Every one of the dogs! The special bond and the unconditional love are inexplicable.

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

My buddy Bo started having seizures. Becoming more frequent and severe.
It was the hardest decision I’ve ever done. I second guess my decision a lot. What if???
I wept openly.
We waited 6 months before considering a new dog.
Ended up rescuing an outstanding little guy. Huey. This dog amazes me every day.

Jeremy Loc: America

Does he growl at you now instead of her?

J in Cleveland Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Sorry to hear that Marion nothing more pure than the love of your dog. I’ve barried many pets that got sick and died it hurts but you understand.

The most painful loss of a pet I ever had was my pitbull Bam Bam. He was the most faithful, gently wonderful dog that ever existed and when I was 12 in Ohio they had decided that pit bulls where bad and not there abusive owners. Bam Bam had to go to “live at the farm” after my parents where threatened with charges or a $200,000.00 insurance policy to keep him in the city we lived. He would have also been muzzled on walks. He never hurt a flea!!! I was old enough to know there was no farm. And it really hurt!!! Made me tear up thinking about it.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Near this Spot
are deposited the Remains of one
who possessed Beauty without Vanity,
Strength without Insolence,
Courage without Ferosity,
and all the virtues of Man without his Vices.
This praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery
if inscribed over human Ashes,
is but a just tribute to the Memory of
Boatswain, a Dog
who was born in Newfoundland May 1803
and died at Newstead November 18th 1808.

When some proud Son of Man returns to Earth,
Unknown to Glory but upheld by Birth,
The sculptor's art exhausts the pomp of woe,
And storied urns record who rests below.
When all is done, upon the Tomb is seen
Not what he was, but what he should have been.
But the poor Dog, in life the firmest friend,
The first to welcome, foremost to defend,
Whose honest heart is still his Masters own,
Who labours, fights, lives, breathes for him alone,
Unhonour'd falls, unnotic'd all his worth,
Deny'd in heaven the Soul he held on earth.
While man, vain insect! hopes to be forgiven,
And claims himself a sole exclusive heaven.

Oh man! thou feeble tenant of an hour,
Debas'd by slavery, or corrupt by power,
Who knows thee well, must quit thee with disgust,
Degraded mass of animated dust!
Thy love is lust, thy friendship all a cheat,
Thy tongue hypocrisy, thy heart deceit,
By nature vile, ennobled but by name,
Each kindred brute might bid thee blush for shame.
Ye! who behold perchance this simple urn,
Pass on, it honours none you wish to mourn.
To mark a friend's remains these stones arise;
I never knew but one — and here he lies.


I weep for Killer Dan each time I read these words. My lovely wife says any fool can write a poem.

Perhaps Dear.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

That's absolutely beautiful Paul, where did you find that?

Jeremy Loc: America

I agree completely. You can tell when a person is with a dog that is out of control. The person or someone trained their dog to act that way. There is a little bit of instinct in some breeds that is hard to control but when a person trained them to act a certain way it’s not the dogs fault. My daughter has a PB that is the nicest most sweetest dig ever. They had another one that was a mix that they found a good hone for after their baby came home. It attempted to bite the newborn but it always would kill anything smaller than itself no matter what. Maybe a little was instinct but majority was the dog itself character. Seems like that city should of had a test for the dogs to pass but my guess an attorney said just do this.

J in Cleveland Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

It was the height of pitbull fear in Ohio. About 89. Most of the laws passed have been repealed now. Whenever you get a rescue it’s different than a pup who grows up in you pack. Definitely better safe than sorry with a pit like that. I’ve known a few of those as well. Growing up we where big into the American Pit Bull Society and went to a lot of dog shows. Those dogs have been breed to fight bulls. You have to know how and what your doing with them.

mistred64 Loc: Grayslake, illinois

We had an Australian Cattledog-Dingo mix, the only dog I ever had as growing up my parents didn't allow pets. Sadly he got cancer at 13 and had to put him down. Not old enough. Where we live now can't have a fenced yard so didn't get another dog. My wife has two cats.

Seegundo Loc: Lake s minole Georgia

I'm sorry for your loss. I had to take my Chesapeake bay retriever to the vet in May he was twelve. I remember a line from the song Mr. Bojangles you listen to it and you'll understand . The bond between a retriever and a human is strong. There's obedience training and retriever training. Then the hunt. I hope all dogs go to heaven.

J in Cleveland Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

I’m sure of it! If they don’t all go to heaven none of us have a chance!!

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

I read it years and years ago and have never forgotten it. The first part is by Lord Byron (look him up) and he put that and the following poem by a guy named John Hobhouse (?) on his Newfoundland's tomb. Which is larger than his own. All of man's virtues, with none of his vices. That always gets me.