One of the hardest Sunday Snapshots I’ve ever had to do.
But I wanted to capture her, just as she is, at the very end.
Most of my kids are too young to remember her much beyond a cranky, old, bad-breathed dog. And for that, my heart breaks.
Because she truly is so much more.
Under all that hair and advanced age is the spirit of a small but mighty warrior.
Who chased squirrels well. Pulled on a leash well. Dug out from under fences well. Begged for table scraps well.
And loved her people well.
Who is simply too tired to do it any longer.
Trusting God to take her or to let me know when it’s time.
And trying to love on her all I can until then.
When you’re ready to play along, be sure to visit here for the full scoop.
To link up this week with your Sunday Snapshot, just copy the code under the Snapshot button and paste it into the body of your post where you’d like the button to be displayed.
When you hit ‘publish’ it should show up just fine. Then add your link below.
Happy Sunday, y’all.
Love the last one, it will be one to frame. My heart aches for you
She’s beautiful. These are beautiful. I’m so sorry…
Beautiful shots, so bittersweet!
She truly is beautiful. I’m so sorry to hear about her condition.
I’m so sorry to hear that. She looks truly beautiful. I’ve read this somewhere and I hope it gives you comfort. “People stay here because they have so much to learn about love. Dogs stay here for a short time because they already know a lot about love and they stayed here to teach us that.”
I’m crying with you. Such wonderful companions!!
:*(
Amy
We lost our beloved terrier last year and it is so hard. We are more than attached to them, they become part of us.
She is so sweet and your photos are absolutely precious.
Bod bless you in this time,
Bev
This is truly beautiful, and my heart breaks with and mourns for you. Praying for peace for all of you…
I am so sorry. I know how hard it is. I had to let my dog go, when she was 12 years old, and it was so extremely difficult. Your sweet dog reminds me a lot of her.
First I wanted to say how much I have enjoyed linking up here. I am new to Sunday Snapshot. Thanks for being such a gracious hostess.
I am so sorry about your sweetie.
So very sorry — so hard to say goodbye. xo
She is beautiful and the photos are precious. Thinking of you.
This is a hard decision. Been there my friend! My little pom was in the same boat. She hurt when she walked, she was losing her little bladder, and would just lay in my lap. It was so hard to put her down but I just couldn’t stand seeing her in pain any longer.
Hugs to you!
~Carla
My heart aches for you. Your pictures are beautiful.
Oh, my heart…what a beautiful sweetheart she is. As a fellow doggie-lover, thank you for sharing her and your love for her. You’ll both be in my prayers.
There aren’t too many heartaches that compare to a beloved pet ailing and deciding when it’s time. I’ve walked this path too many times and it never gets easier. Praying for your heart!
Aw, so sweet and so sad at the same time. Sending good thoughts your way!
Sweet girl!! These pictures are beautiful. My dog, Baxter, was my firstborn. I still miss that guy all the time. Love you sister.
My old ones passed, three withing 18 months, about 5 years ago…the 10 year old, then the 15 year old, then lastly, the 13 year old. It broke my heart, but once they were gone, the gift in it was that all the memories of them when they were young and healthy became so much easier to recall…and the agony of watching them hobble, or be cranky, or too tired and sore to chase the squirrels anymore fades away….praying for you.
We lost our best friend last night, after 12 years of unconditional love. From puppy-hood to the very end, our dogs know how to love us the best.
I am so sorry that you are faced with this. We lost our 9 yr old lab last year. It is so hard and heart wrenching. I am thinking of you during this very difficult time. Hope everyone is feeling better and He gives you peace and strength
Oh, she is so beautiful! We just had to put down our two very elderly and much loved dogs within three weeks of each other, and our hearts are still breaking. Never easy.
The love our pets give us is more than we could ever imagine, isn’t it?!! praying for you that she will let you know when the time is or that God takes her for you.
This post brings tears so quickly to my eyes. Being there with her to say goodbye and see her to the gates of Heaven is SOOOO hard but I honestly believe it is the biggest,deepest way to say I love you that you could possibly do for your dear friend.
She is so beautiful and she looks so well loved. If The Lord is calling her home, help her get there soon. What a glorious final journey she has ahead of her! You will see her again, she will be waiting for you. This I know is true!
Love from Oklahoma!
Tears sweet friend, tears…. Praying for your beautiful heart!
I am so sorry. I was in college when my dog I had all growing up had to be put down. I came home that weekend to tell her good-bye. I cried the entire 90-minute drive back to college. I think my Dad cried harder though. She was a great friend to me and a wonderful dog too. She never bothered a soul and was just a great companion. They really weave a place into our hearts. I hope maybe she just goes to sleep and you don’t have to make the decision to put her out of her suffering. 🙁 Big Hugs.
I’m so very sorry for you, it must be so hard. These pictures are so moving, I can feel the love you have for her in them.
This post broke my heart. As a dog owner, I dread the day she has to go.
Beautiful girl – and know so well the sorrow…
hugs – aus and co.
My heart is breaking. I know the pain of losing a beloved pet all too well. Treasure those last moments.
Oh Stef,
They are truly special little dogs. I have been loved by two Jack’s and my heart still catches when I see one.
Praying for your heart and your sweet girl.
Hugs to you!
Stef…I cannot think of a better tribute to one of your sweetest loves….she is still a beauty (and thankfully I can’t smell her breath from here)….and that mighty warrior spirit of hers clearly lives on in your heart. I pray she passes peacefully….hugs to you, my friend.
You know where a dog comes from when you spell dog backwards. To me my dogs have truly been a gift from God – a very personal special gift from God. To be so loved when I come home can be truly the highlight of my day. It makes coming home from work, business trips, or personal travel just that much better. To be so loved is such a blessing. And to return that love is still another blessing.
Your photographs are so touching they brought tears to my eyes. I need to get my camera out and love on my 7-year old cockapoo. Thanks so much for sharing even though tears are pouring down my face.
I am so sorry, these beautiful photos will keep her cherished memory alive forever.
Oh my what beautiful pictures and words. I am heart broken for you. We just lost two of our pets age 15 and 18 about a month ago within 3 weeks of each other. we are completely shattered and miss them so much. we were so blessed for them to share their lives with us and as hard as it’s been to lose them i would not trade that time for anything. you will know when it’s time..i’ll be praying for you!!
such a beautiful tribute! i’m crying right now.
i’m so sadened..that you faced this. i just know how hard it is..
Oh, such a hard time! We’re there with our 13 1/2 yr. old cancer-ridden labrador retriever. Not easy at all.
I am so sorry. We lost our lab a year ago. I’m so glad you were able to get these pictures. Looks like this special pup has lived a very long, happy and well loved life! Praise God for special pets! Peace be with you all ~
Kate
Awwww stefanie this breaks my heart for you!! What amazing friends our pets are to all of us. Praying for his discernment for you…
I don’t even like dogs, and that made me tear up.
She is beautiful!! I love the middle one….makes me think of a flower child’s wedding and she is in the wedding! So hard when they get old :(( tell her everyone out her is sending her love!!
Oh I have been in your place and it is a difficult place to be. You will know, it is peaceful. So very sorry ya’ll are having to go through this.
So that totally made me start to cry. We have had to put down our first dog when she was about 17. It was horrible. Then we had our next beloved dog get hit by a car and killed. It was right before we lost our home to the fire, so over 4 years ago and I still can hardly talk about it. Animals sure have a way of sneaking into our hearts and remaining there forever {sometimes better than people – ha!}. Thankful for memories and photos. You are loved my friend!
Beautiful pictures. I am sad for you. We like others, just three weeks ago had to put our 13 year old dog to sleep. It was difficult and sad for our whole family but after it ad been done we finally felt peaceful. We had been in agony over the decision. I pray for peace for you,
How precious and beloved is she! Beautiful and touching post. Wishing “your girl” a peaceful transition and comfort for your hurting heart. This is so hard…..
Oh! My heart breaks for you with this post. The pictures are beautiful. Prayers!