rykersmom

Corinna, I'm so sorry for your loss. Please hold and love your Sasha tight. I only wish right now I had another 4 legged friend to love. Without my Ryker, I feel so empty. Physically I can't look for another dog right now since I just had surgery, but when I can I will try to find another to love. Right now I "wheel" down the road to pet my neighbors dogs just because I feel so lost without mine. It's been almost 3 months and believe me, the only way I've kept any sense of sanity is by having faith that I will see my Ryker again. He was truely the best friend I had on this Earth.You have to to have Faith!! I still cry daily but I get through it with prayers. I wish you and your husband well.

Dear Maylissa, I just recently joined this forum because of the loss of my lab Ryker. I do understand what your feeling. My niece who I am the closest with, to this day has never said she is sorry to me. She and her children have stayed at my house ,with her children enjoying every minute with my beautiful boy. She knew he was my "child". Yet as I sobbed on the phone with my news, I heard silence in return. Just this past week she ask me "where is it"? I had to ask what she was she was referring to. It broke my heart when she said "the dog". I calmly told her I had his ashes on my desk.Once again I heard silence. I can't even bring myself to deal with her except for the fact that I love her children dearly.(Her 2 older children told me how sorry they were) I sought out this forum to help me deal with my grief because I am having an extraordinarily hard time getting over his passing. It's been months, and I've come across only a few really insensitive people. They can be hurtful to say the least. Try to focus your energy with those that do understand. It's alot easier.

I'm not even sure how to start. On July 30th, after agonizing for 2 months, I had my yellow lab Ryker put to rest.It's been over 2 months yet I still cry each and every day for him. The difference between now and 2 months ago is that more often than not my tears are more private than public.He was truely my best friend. I am single with no children, and have my elderly mom living with me. I have been home for the last 7 years with joint problems. My Ryker kept me company through many surgeries through those years. In his early years, we did breed shows, obedience and agility, often times just to help him burn off some of his overwhelming energy! He was not often referred to as the "best" dog but always as the "entertainment". Ryker was truely a character.His personality was that of pure joy and excitement for life.For the last 6 years arthritis was taking it's toll on Ryker, which we dealt with.The last 2 months of his life presented with a problem that we just couldn't find an answer to. It was like something just snapped in his mind. He became shaky,whiny,barky,restless and very fearful. He would go days without sleep. I had to hand feed him to eat.For a few hours a day he might seem almost normal, but most of the time he was nervous and afraid. When we tried to treat him with drugs, he just looked sad all the time. It was so obvious to us that he was no longer enjoying his life. He just looked pathetic all the time.It was taking a toll on both of us since one of us always had to be with him to comfort him.The vets said we could send him to a specialist but they felt the type of neurological problems it could be, he was too old to withstand the treatment for. They thought I did the most I could.I just hope I did the right thing. I think I did, but never in a million years did I ever think I would euthanize this dog.Sometimes I feel so guilty.I miss him so much. It's like part of me died with him.[attachmentid=173] Rykers_last_picture.bmp