Yesterday I had to make that hard decision. My almost 12 year old Great Dane had reached that point where she had more bad days than good. Recently she had lost control of her bowels and sometimes could not get up unless my husband helped her. She passed laying outside in the grass and warm sunshine in her favorite place surrounded by me my husband and my two boys. She had her head in my lap as she crossed over the Rainbow Bridge and my heart is absolutely broke. She left a giant Great Dane sized hole in my heart and I miss her so much. She would have been 12 on January 1st I had her longer than I ever expected. She lived long past her life expectancy. She was the best dog I've ever had and miss her so much. I truly hope there is a place in heaven for dogs and she is waiting for me. This is the bad part of owning animals 

This is Athena

I'm so sorry for your loss. Reading your story made me tear up. I love my animals so much, more than I like most people. I'd say you and her were very fortunate that she got to pass peacefully in her home surrounded by her family in her favorite spot. I truly believe we will get to see our 4 legged friends again someday. It really is the hardest part of having them but they bring so much joy in the short time they are with us. I own 6 dogs and I love each one dearly. She obviously had a very rich life with you and was very loved. I still miss my Doberman we had to put down a few years ago. It felt like someone ripped my heart out. I have her ashes in a nice little box with her collar and name tag and I have wonderful memories of her. Time eases the pain but you never truly get over it.. or at least that's how it is for me. 

I am very sorry for you loss. It's never easy to let any of our dear fur friends go over the bridge. I believe they will greet us in heaven!  Hugs to you. 

Thank you for your kind words. The last few days have been hard. I keep thinking I hear her nails on my hardwood and my heart breaks realizing it's not her. 

I really hope she's waiting for me. 

I'm so very sorry for your loss

Thank you 

So sorry for your loss! She was gorgeous. And the fact that she lived till 12 is proof that you took amazing care of her. That is a great age for a dane. Nevertheless it hurts like the dickens since they become part of our family and leave a big hole in our heart.

Take your time to grieve, but don't forget to think about the fun times you had with her.

Thank you for reminding me of this. Today I was looking thru a photo album my son made with pictures of her and even though I wanted to cry I also smiled a lot. 

I'm so sorry for your loss. I believe dog's are the only thing God ever created that love you more than they love themselves. I also believe they will be waiting to greet us in heaven along with all the amazing horses who went before us. 

Hugs to you and your family and may the sweet memories of her ease the pain of her loss.