Need Help:My Dog died a year ago today & need help w/an inscription

[romantico]

One year ago today I had to put my dog down & it was by far the worst day of my life & the toughest choice I have ever made. I have her ashes in a tin box & this weekend bought a nice Mahogany wood chest for it. I'm having a face plate engraved & need help with what to say. Any idias? I remember right after I put her down, I went across the street to the library.I emailed my brother & sister & told them what happened & just lost it & began crying. I then came to DU & vented. I think I had about 30-40 responses. People always say you can never tell who you'll find on the internet.Be careful, alot of weirdos out there. But everyone at DU reached out as if I were family & they knew my dog as well as I did. It would have been alot more difficult if it weren't for the people at DU.



Okay, anyways, heres what I have thought of. By the way, my dog was a collie named Lassie:

"Our Beloved Lassie

1991-2002

Thank you for giving us SO much"

Its kind of generic,but it says it all.I went to rainbowbridge.com & liked some of what they had, but I need something short.One two sentences tops.Any idias? Thanks all!

[arwalden]

1. "Friend, Companion, Member Of The Family."

I remember sending you a PM about your original post. Wow... I can't believe it's been a year already.

-- Allen

[romantico]

5. arwalden

I printed out the entire topic & I think you were the first to express your sorrow. Think you were the one who gave me the link to rainbowbridge too if I'm not mistaken.Yeah,where does the time go?

WOW! SOme pretty cool responses so far! Thanks again all!

[DBoon]

2. some ideas

You will always be with your family (or pack?)
Heaven is where dogs live forever

Darn can't think of anything else

Don't even want to consider having to put our guy down

[Drifter]

3. I put my dog down ...

about a year and a month ago. Like you, it was the toughest decision I knew I had to make.

I originally wanted to do something like that (some kind of memorial), but I never did, and probably never will. Here is what I had in mind


Charlemaine

1987 - 2002

Mans Best friend ... My best friend



Cheers
Drifter

[Virgil]

4. If love could keep you alive

I had a poodle for 16 years that died last month. I can only think- If love could keep you alive we would die together.

[romantico]

7. This is really bringing back memories

I remember these pricks wehre I work actually teased me & gave me a hard time because I was broken up about this. One guy said I was like Michael Jackson.(the similarities with his chimp & mine w/my dog)Coldhearted assholes! Anyone putting an animal down deserves extra compassion.I actually have waited a year before even considering another dog.I feel I am mouring her out of respect + I couldn't imagine going through this again.However, they bring you so much joy & happiness.

[SoCalDem]

8. I had to give up a close friend when my cat died

I called her in tears the day I got the cancer diagnosis for Kitka.. Her comment.."It's only a cat.. they have lots at the pound"..:(

I could never hang out with her again..That callous remark spoiled everything.

[newyawker99]

14. Hi Virgil!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[AnnabelLee]

6. The inscription I put on

a plaque with my cat's picture:

And not a day has ended
with the fading of the light
that I haven't thought of you
My Scotty cat, goodnight

Scotty was with me for 14 years. He was like my son.:-(

[SoCalDem]

9. Since you chose "Lassie" as her name,

what about,,

Our sweet Lassie has gone from us
She's come home to her eternal place

[romantico]

10. SoCalDem

I REALLY like that!

[hlthe2b]

11. I think what you have says it quite well...

Or perhaps,
'Our beloved Lassie: Always with us
in our hearts...'


Best wishes on your decision. Whatever you choose will be right. And for those hateful people who have made fun of our fellow dog lovers in mourning, they are the ones to be pitied... clearly they've never experienced the kind of unconditional love that ONLY a dog (or other close pet companion) can give.

[bearfan454]

12. Have you ever heard of the rainbow bridge ?

I put down a 21 year old terrier 3 years ago. It was the hardest day of my life by far. This dog was adopted from the humane society in Chicago in 1979. We brought her here to Tx with us. She chased off a burglar while my mother was sleeping from working midnights. She lost control of her bowels at the end there. I cried like a baby for about 3 or 4 days. My mother sent me this story about the rainbow bridge. PM me and I will find it later but it goes something like this:

One day when your beloved pet passes on they go to a place called the rainbow bridge. It is a magical place where all the old dogs are young again, and all sick dogs become well again. It is always spring time weather. There is plenty of food and water for all the dogs. All the dogs play all day long and have fun. It is truly a magical place. Then one day your dog looks up from her food and gets very excited and happier than normal. It is because you are on the rainbow bridge with your beloved pet and the 2 of you are reunited again for eternity.

Damn I made myself cry again. PM me and I will find it later.

[romantico]

13. Oh yes.

Never heard of it before my dog died.WOuld never have heard of it if it werne't for DU. The problem is, Rainbow Bridge has some beautiful poems there, but nothing short enough for me to put on a a plaque.I need one or two sentences tops. i"ve been in no big hurry to do this,hoping I can find just the perfect saying.

[Skittles]

15. that site always makes me BLUBBER

one day I was reading tributes to dogs, some of them very long, all of them heartbreaking. Then I read one that simply said, "You were a GOOD GIRL."

*SNIFF*