DH and I have 3 dogs. We had to put our 12 y/o to sleep last night. Nightmare was a wonderful dog. He was so sweet and very intuitive of moods and feelings. When someone was sick he would stick to that person like glue until they felt better. He could be quite hyper but so gentle with the small and weak.
Ever notice how many euphemisms there are for an animal’s death? “Put to sleep” “cross the rainbow bridge” Things like that. They sound so much better and trip off the tongue so much easier than “My dog is dead”. All the phrases mean, about, the same thing. But it is true, so much easier to say…
Long and short though is I have lost a beloved friend. DH has lost a beloved friend. I can’t take bereavement time off work to just cry and bury my head in the sand. While I know that it could be something taken advantage of by less than scrupulous people…for those of us who really are grieving the loss then it would be a kindness to be able to take a couple days out.
DH so grieved. We have two other dogs, and they are wonderful/obnoxious and delightful, but Nightmare was his special dog. My heart breaks for myself but also for Nightmare.
See you one day, my friend, at the Rainbow Bridge….
Ruth's Life and Experiences 