He died peacefully in his sleep. Brownie was a beagle/shepherd mix I got as a puppy when I was a kid. At 16, he was a very healthy for a dog his age. He was slower than he used to be and his hearing and eyesight wasn't as sharp, but he still enjoyed life to the fullest.

The day I brought him home is one of the fondest memories of my childhood. He was my best friend for most of my life.

Brownie was the only dog I have ever had and the best dog I have ever known. I know he is in a better place, but this sure is hard on me.

Sorry.

I wish someone would post 'rainbow bridge'


I'm truly sorry for your loss.

May he rest in peace.

I feel for you triburst.  

Sorry to hear that Triburst'

Dogs ARE "Kin".  

Mans first (And probably best) "Invention".

I am sorry for your loss.  There is no stronger bond in the world than that of a dog to his master.

The fond memories of your dog will live inside you the rest of your life.

Thanks guys.

Losing a pet is one of the saddest things we all face.  Be glad for the good times you had.

  Sorry for your loss man. Dogs are the most special animals on earth. Once they bond to you, you will never have a better or more loyal friend. All they ask for is to be in their "persons" presence and to have a kind hand on their head. You have my condolences.

Pecos

I'm sorry to hear this.  Losing a loyal buddy is so hard.  

Quoted: I wish someone would post 'rainbow bridge' I'm truly sorry for your loss.

Here it is.  Sorry.

Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Sorry for your loss.

I feel your pain triburst.  I lost my dog a little over 10 years ago.... and I have never gotten another.  Dogs truly are.... man's best friend.

Condolences triburst.

I am sorry to hear about your dog.

 Rest in peace Brownie.

16 years old - wow, that's a damn good run!

My sincerest condolences.

Very sorry to hear of this......been there, too.

There is nothing that can offset the sorrow you are feeling... but the memories sure take the sting away -- He rest now in peace and waits to be at your side again.

Sad to hear that. Just keep in mind that he's now hangin' with another "tactical" friend, SteyrAUG's good buddy. And he'll be waiting for ya when ya get there.

AB

www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html

Flash animated version, just in case the poem itself won't make you cry.

Man, if there is anything I can do , IM me. It hurts so bad when this happens that I hurt with you.Unfortunatly I'm all too familiar with this hurt. Just know that he lived a very full and an awesome life because he had you as his friend and keeper. Take care man.

Sorry to hear.

Quoted: Quoted: I wish someone would post 'rainbow bridge' I'm truly sorry for your loss. Here it is.  Sorry. Rainbow Bridge Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author unknown...

WOW! Who would'a thought I could get so much sand in my eyes in Oregon during the fall.........

That's Beautiful.

I feel terribly sorry for your loss.  If you want upload some pictures and creat a memorial.  I'll come visit.  I have my first dog and he's only 10 months old.  I hope he live a good 15 or more.  Dogs are the best.

God Bless you, man. It's a tough thing. Rescue a dog on death row at a shelter. It'll help you. Every time one of my pets passes away, that's what I do. They thank you every day for it. Your dog will look down from Heaven with approval. Best wishes.

Sorry for your loss, but envy you the years you had together.

Our 4 y.o JRT Sid (had him for 6 months) was killed by a car almost a month ago. We had been trying to find a home for him, because of our 1 year old finally getting to the "grabby stage".

The day after he was hit, a friend of ours called and said she knew of someone who would take him.

Cherish your memories with your friend.

Please accept my condolences and sympathy.  I've been there - I know how you feel.  I think I felt more pain with the losses of my dogs  than I felt with the losses of some of my family members.  That's just how easy it is to get attached to our pets I guess.  Again, sorry to hear of your loss.

Absolutely no different than losing a family member of the human variety.  Sorry.

God bless man. I know what you're saying, I love dogs, cats, animals in general, they're tenfold better family and friends than most people ever will be.

Sorry man.  I know how you feel.  I had to put my Boxer down this July, just 5 days short of her 9th birthday.  Almost 3 months later, it still hurts a bit.  Hang in there, each day gets a bit better then the day before.

Sorry, bro!  SteyrAUG just went through this, too.  Too much of this happening recently.  I lost a long time friend many years ago and I'm about to go through it again, unfortunately.

Take care.

Semper Fi

triburst I feel for you my friend. I am so attached to these two Siberian Huskies of mine. I know that when the time comes it's going to be just like losing a member of the family. I can only that my two are as fortunate as Brownie was and go peacefully in their sleep. It hurts to think about having to make the decision, but I'll do it if there is nothing that can make their quality of life better.

At bit more Rainbow Bridge...

The Rescue Rainbow Bridge
Author Unknown

Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.
It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often.

He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again. As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge. With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.

One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for awhile to explain it to him.

"You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge."

The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life.
"Watch, and see.", said the second animal. A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.

"What happened?"

"That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of his work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn't place on earth across The Rainbow Bridge."

"I think I like rescuers", said the first animal.

"So does GOD", was the reply.