Many of you never had the benefit of meeting Lawson's 'bestie' --Gem. Gemma was a red ACD who was hand picked from her litter for us by Geoff Broughton. For which we are eternally grateful, for a better dog you could never wished. Whilst not a Koolie, she possessed many of the attributes that make our dogs all the more lovable.

Heartbreaking as it was we had to make the decision as to quality or quantity of life for Gem. So many times I wished for her just to go to sleep, but I was so unknowing of her tenacity...she would never have allowed the children to find her unmoving and lifeless.

Our vet said the same thing...dogs with children will live forever rather than traumatize them.At the vets, she seemed relieved and I told her it was OK to go, she licked my face and hand as I rubbed her ears the way she liked and she went to the Rainbow Bridge to met with Tolkien, Bowyang,Arika, Schultz, her mum, Chloe and all the others from her generation who have gone before her.

So now, she lives on in the memories of the children. Their protector and playmate is gone but she will be a part of them forever and nothing can ever take that from them.

You know it's going to happen when you take home that special little guy.
But you put it to the back of you mind and let yourself love them and care for them and they make their home in your heart .
Then the day arrives when you have to return that love and the pain that goes with it.

We all know what your going through and send all our hugs and good thoughts to hold you and let time do its job.
May all her memories shine always for you and your family.

Yes i am terribly sorry for you're loss, my pup is 11 months old, and i hate to think of one day losing him, but that time will come as does everyones, You were very brave to tell her it was ok :)

My thoughts are with you

Very sad indeed

I'm so sorry. I don't think there is much worse than letting our best friends go. At least you were there at the end to give comfort to her, and permission to her to let go.

That giving of permission is the hardest thing to do for us and the kindest for our loved ones. So hard to say goodbye. My condolences and hugs to you and your family.

My thoughts are with you and your children at this time. You were blessed to be there in the end with Gemma and telling how much you love her and it is okay to let go. One of the hardest things to do is to let go of loved ones.

My heart goes out to you and your family.

As with you I dreaded the thought of my son seeing Lucky, our little Sheltie X, no longer with us.

Our little Lucky had liver cancer, so Septmember last year I had to make the hardest phone call in my life. After I made the call, I looked at Lucky and burst into tears. I don't know if he knew what was going on, but the way he looked at me was as if he was saying 'thankyou'.

Oh Macs Mum thats heartbreaking, making the decision would have to be the hardest thing in the world, as with telling you're special friend that its ok for them to go

:(

So sorry to hear. It's good to be able to give them the gift of a pain free passing, when we humans don't have that luxury. Lots of good memories to mull over though!

Thanks everyone for your kind words, one thing I forgot to mention ( too many tears) was that when I took Gem's car blanket to wrap her in( due to a rapid weight loss over the last 36hours she had trouble maintaining her body temp) and take her to the car, Lawson stood in front of her and on the blanket,he licked her nose a few times but kept standing on her bed and the blanket, stopping me lifting her. He, now, does not sleep in her bed but only his own...before that they shared.

Oh that is sad :( he must have known, he was saying good bye :(

that is sad i am sorry for your lose, but take heart knowing that she is still watching over you and your kids every minute of the day.