The saddest day...
Dear all, I don't know how to write this and my heart is about to burst with sadness... Simba, who we got from LRRSE in August 2005 had to be put down today. He was a bit off colour at the weekend and by Sunday he was refusing food and he seemed to be unable to go to the toilet (he was drinking and peeing, but nothing else). I got him an appointment at the vet's first thing this morning. The vet felt his stomach, which felt rather 'bloated', she did a rectal examination which pretty much ruled out 'just constipation', so she kept him there for some x-rays. I went home - pacing the lounge and not knowing what to do with myself. Eventually I got a call from the vet - Simba's spleen was hugely enlarged and there were other 'masses' floating between his internal organs. They could have operated to remove his spleen, but it would not have solved the problem... I was adviced, it would be kinder to put him to sleep before he went downhill. I spoke to my husband and we decided to take the vet's advice and not put Simba through unneccessary suffering... My son and I went to the vet's where we said out goodbyes to our handsome big boy - it was so hard, as his tail was wagging and he looked just fine. We are going to miss him so much - he was an absolutely wonderful boy and I can't thank LRRSE enough for allowing us to love him for the last three years of his short life (he was only around six years old). We will be in touch as soon as we feel ready to adopt another dog and hope you will help us find another special dog... Sleep tight, Big Boy xxx

:cry: :cry: :cry: I am so sorry for your loss. My Bessie went to the Bridge on 5th September last year. She will look after your Simba for you. A poem Simba sends you. xxxx MAY I GO NOW? May I go now? Do you think the time is right? May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights? I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be. So can I take that step beyond and set my spirit free? I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might. But something seems to draw me now to a warm and loving light. I want to go I really do. It's difficult to stay. But I will try as best I can to live just one more day. To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears. I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears. I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know that my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go. Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too, that's why it's hard to say goodbye and end this life with you. So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say, because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today. By Susan A. Jackson

Thank you for your kind reply... Simba is a caring soul and I'm sure he and Bessie will have a good time together :) We managed to teach Simba to play nicely, so I'm comforted to know, he has some company...

After spending most of the night talking things through, we have decided that we would like to offer a dog a home as soon as possible.

My thoughts are with you Dane at this sad, sad time. It's liken to losing a family member but soooooooo much worse isn't it. He would want you to help another dog as soon as you are ready as clearly you have a lot of love and time to give. The three years he was with you were no doubt the best ones! Take care - I too have shed a few tears after reading this post. We found Rufous through LRRSE and he is great, a bit of a challenge one way and another but we couldn't imagine life without him and Kala now.

Why not - you have lots to give another dog and although another dog will never ever replace your Simba, you can pour all your love into a new one and they do help ease the pain because you have something to concentrate on and keep you busy too. We fortunately already had our LRRSE girl Willow but we too shortly got another dog - our lil boy Finn. Whilst I can still have a jolly good cry over our Bessie, the two of them keep me busy and bring lots of joy to us all. Wishing you lots of lot in your search for a new family member - please keep us updated :)

I have e-mailed Jean and Peter Henman this morning telling them about Simba and asking them to help us find another dog. I can't sit in the lounge at the moment as it is just too empty without Simba here. Hopefully we will be the right family for a dog soon (as I see it, it's not a case of finding a dog that is right for us, it's a case of us being right for the dog). I still keep thinking that Sims is going to be on his bed when I go downstairs... I miss him so much :(

I'm so, so sorry to read about your loss. I hope that if another needy boy or girl comes along, then it will help you to fill the huge hole that losing Simba has left in your life. No dog is going to have the same personality, of course, but they all have so much to give in their own individual ways. It would be wonderful if you felt able to give another dog who has lost its home all the love and care that made Simba's three years with you such happy ones. Thinking of you and wishing you good luck Elaine

Yes, that's excactly how it feels... Hopefully it won't be too long before someone will be in touch.

I am so sorry to hear the very sad news about Simba. I am so glad though you have decided so quickly to get another rescue. They will never be replaced but will be remebered as I think all dogs have such different personalities it only adds to the joy of owning dogs and inviting new dogs into your lives. Lucy xx

Gosh that was hard!!! - I took my son to the school bus this morning (I kept him home yesterday as he was distraught) and coming back home was just awful :( I'm all alone :cry: Simba and I always used to have a cuddle and a chat in the mornings after I'd taken my boy to school. I have taken the first step and filled in a new LRRSE application - hopefully I can have someone to cuddle at breakfast time again soon...

Fingers crossed that you will have very soon...

aww Bless you. They leave such a very big gap but somedog special will be along to help fill it very soon - fingers and toes crossed.

:( So sorry to read this,I hope you can get another dog in need of a good home soon.