We said goodbye to our dog today............... ....

Enjoy your new pet, GMG. She clearly appreciates her surroundings already. No pet can replace an old one. They all have their own ways and personalities. You will love her for herself.

greenmossgiel Congrats on the arrival of Daisy - you'll soon fatten her up! I still have a little cat, Millie, and I adore her. I'm off to my son and MIL to await the arrival of their next baby. So Millie is to be fed and cared for by a friend who will pop in every day and my daughter who will stay for the weekend. I hate to leave her but needs must. She knows, as soon as my suitcase comes down from the top of the wardrobe she 'haunts' me. I bet you love having her in the house.

I`ll bet you`ll soon fatten her up!

numberplease, Daisy is now wandering about the house purring madly into every corner! She's a bit thin, but seems healthy enough! Bless her!

Greenmossgiel, lots of love and best wishes to you and your new friend Daisy.

Diva...I'm truly sad for you. Jasper was much loved and he died peacefully. You gave him all the care he needed and deserved. The void that the passing of a pet leaves is a difficult one to come to terms with. I hope that you have many fond memories. () a hug from me to you.

Thanks ladies for your kind words which have all helped make me feel much better today .Greenmossgiel, I had a cat called Lucky too a lifetime ago!

So sorry to read your news diva - they're completely irreplaceable and will have left pawprints in your heart for ever.
Way back in the early days of GN I did start a thread which was something like "virtual remembrance garden for pets" as I had just lost my beloved border collie then. It's a dreadful decision to take but you know you did the only thing possible.

Oh Diva - lots of hugs. My cat was 24 when she died three years ago, and I still occasionally look for her. They leave "paw prints on your heart." xxxxx

So sorrydivawithattitude I have had dogs all my life and it has always been hard to say goodbye. I could not imagine life without a four legged friend, none of mine has been a replacement they have all had their own personalities and idiosyncrasies but I have loved them all. Hope Jack Russel does not pine too much, one of mine spent ages wandering round the garden looking for her playmate, she eventually settled down and enjoyed the undivided attention.

Best wishes

Diva heart felt sadness for you and your family
green so happy to hear your good new's (I've got some spare curtains)xx
carolI know exactly what you mean about Bassetts my two Henry and Bonnie used to park themselve's in the kitchen and everyone had to navigate around them and when the puppie's arrived all hell was let loose,all those ear's everywhere.

Thank you, Carol! Mind you, I could well be climbing the curtains with Daisy tomorrow....

green , much happiness with your new pet, Daisy. Your view that it's another pet's turn to get their share of your love is healthy and is not about replacing a lost pet, but having room to give another pet a happy life

I know exactly how you feel Diva and offer sympathy. Just remember that Jasper had a long, loved and cherished life and, obviously, brought you immense happiness.

My much-loved wee cat had to be put to sleep a few weeks ago and I was absolutely inconsolable, as was my husband. We vowed we couldn't ever go through such pain of loss again. We came back from holiday a few days ago, and no wee black shape was behind the glass door waiting for us (my neighbour always used to come in and feed him, etc), as he always was. Hence we will be picking up Daisy from the cat Shelter tonight. She'd been abandoned and was pregnant. Her kittens are being rehomed now that they're weaned. I'll never forget Lucky, as I've remembered all my cats with such love...but now it's Daisy's turn to get her share, bless her!

Diva all us doggie people know how you feel - my last dog died five years ago, I had two labs for a long time. Her passing was so stressful, I cried off and on for weeks, I cannot bear to get another dog. The thought of going through that again doesn't bear thinking of. I go doggy walking in the New Forest with a friend and her Beardie, and from time to time we have bumped into black Labradors. Obviously, if allowed by the owner, I make a fuss of them but then the tears start and I have to be gently led away. My neighbours are wonderful as they take on elderly rescue dogs so in the past 25 years have had lots of dogs. It seems kind but the moment one dies another one steps in the next day. Maybe that's how they get over it - but not for me. Accept these [flowers] from one of your Gransnet friends xxx

Diva - I know just how you are feeling, having gone through the same emotions 2 weeks ago with our dog Millie. I think you know when the time has come and you do it for the dog, not for you and then, once a few days have passed, you remember the good times and are thankful for having had such a faithful loving animal in your life

Hi Diva. I found myself in the same situation when my last dog died. I yearned for another dog for 8 years, but was still working and too far away to be able to nip home at lunchtime. As soon as I retired, my present to myself was a beautiful basset hound, who lies snoring at my feet now. She's the most stubborn, mischievous, disobedient dog I've ever known and we love each other so much. You'll have wonderful memories of Jasper, and I do hope your Jack Russell manages to settle down without him. Best wishes xx

Jasper was the dog we bought the day we went to view a house, we bought the local paper in the area we wanted to move to and saw an advert for lurchers, on a whim we went and saw them, fell in love with a smoky grey puppy who was all legs and licked my then 4 year old so much he giggled, then jumped in our car, it was meant to be!!

He had a long life and it was time for him but as you say just like a human member of the family you don't want to see them suffer but on the other hand its so hard to say goodbye to them.

Thanks for the words of comfort, I am working from home today and the Jack Russell, who we got 6 years ago to keep Jasper young is wandering the house looking for him and looking at me with a puzzled expression on her face.

I don't think we will get another dog, although they are such good company and as we get older we may change our minds. At the moment we both work full time and I have just taken on a new job that will mean travelling so it would not really be fair.

I am sorry Diva and I do emphaside when we had to have a our beloved golden retreiver put to sleep at 13 we never really got over it and I just cant persaude my husband to have another dog 10 years later although I would love one.

So sorry Diva - I've been there and it's so painful..............they just become part of the family and it's hard to say goodbye.........love to you all xxxx

Ahh diva sorry to hear your news

Hi Diva, I'm so sorry that you have had to say goodbye to Jasper. It's part of the commitment we make to our pets. We have lost a few dogs over the years - dear, faithful friends who have grown up with the children, and have been so missed when they left us. How lovely for Jasper to have grown old with his family and to have had a great life. I hope your Jack Russell copes ok without her friend. Best wishes

Diva, I'm so very sorry for your sadness. We love our animals with an unconditional love - just as they have loved us for all of their lives. Jasper was obviously so adored by you all, and that will have meant he had such a really happy and comfortable life with you. xx

So very sad, Diva. I've been there and it still brings tears to my eyes when I read about the loss of their furry friends - they're part of the family after all.