After a couple days of tenderloin dinners (8 oz filets) we reluctantly put Hans down this morning 8:30am.

He was 13-ish which was longer than we expected to be gifted with his company being such a large fellow (when we first got him at 3-ish my wife could use his collar for a belt!)

Like a lot of large breeds, his back legs started to fail, and he couldn't get up by himself anymore, and he was starting to become scared and started to suffer, as were we.

Our last dog had a heart attack the day before her first birthday; born with a weak heart. Hans's heart was "too" strong and his body started to fail before his motor even came close to starting fail- that is the hardest part to take.

My heart rocks back and forth between sorrow and rage. I've cried so hard today my abs and lower back feel like they are bruised. Goddamnit bring on the Clusters I say!!!!!

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RIP Good Boy, my big buddy. We love you.

What a beautiful boy Hans was! 

I am so sorry for your loss.    :'( :'( :'(

Hugs,
Beth

:'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
There are no words for the pain of the loss of a member of the family that are ever adequate.

RIP, my Cisco will play with you on the Rainbow Bridge.

Cat

My condolences on your loss superhawk.

hugs,
melissa

:'(  I'm so sorry for your loss.


Hugs
Carol

I'm sorry for your loss. He sure was a beautiful dog.

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...

It breaks my heart to hear of your loss. You have my sympathy. There is a very special place in my heart for german shepherds... there is definitely no finer companion.

I went through almost the same thing with my shepherd Star... I still choke up from missing him so much.

Please consider getting a puppy as soon as you can... it doesn't take away the horrible pain... but it sure helps focus the love.

with warm regards,
Tony

I'm so sorry..... :'(
The loss of a beloved pet is so hard.  My heart breaks for you all.

He's having a grand time right now...playing in the meadow with our Rocky....with all our cluster pets.

Hans was beautiful.

Love & Hugs,
Jackie

I second Tony's suggestion. We both lost our dogs a few years ago and neither of us waited for new puppies. I had to do the same thing recently with our golden when she was 12yrs old, like your Hans. It is so hard, but the pain of watching them move is even harder. Hans is comfortable now. I am so sorry for your loss and hope with time that the memories of all the good times will comfort you.

Charlotte  (who's very first puppy when I was 6mos. old was a German shepard. Think maybe that's why I learned to love dogs so much, so early???)

I'm sorry for you and what a good looking dawg he was.

Charlie

Thanks all. Kind words mean so much right now.

So sorry from one pet owner to another, they are family and it hurts so bad! :'(

So sorry for your loss.  Our pets are like our children.  It sounds like he had a good life with people that loved and cherished him.

Many hugs,
Langa

I'm so sorry for your loss... My condolences. :'(

Sanna

Oh my, what a handsome lad....sorry for the loss of your family member.

Best,

Jon

My sincerest condolences on your loss. As others have said, he was a beautiful dog.

R.I.P. Hans,
Carl

I am so, so sorry for your loss. I had to put down a pet that was my best friend for 20 years. I know exactly what you are feeling.  :( Mike

Very sorry for your loss. Hans was certainly a beautiful dog. I believe there is a special place in our hearts for such wonderful pets.

God Bless.

Christy

Goodbye Hans. Very sorry for your loss. A very handsome GSD.

I'm sorry for your loss.

What a handsome boy! Soooo sorry for the loss of the family member. I can't even think about life without my pup without tearing up thus I'm really feeling for ya.

Thanks for ther replies gang. Reading these are very helpful at a time like this. Those repsonding; you are wonderful people and I hope you feel the love.....

This type of support is so much more meaningful than support for a CH IMO. I am sure that when my CH subsides life will be the same as it was before the CH cycle. I am not sure I will be the same after the pain from this subsides.

It was nice to share these with my wife too. I got to say "This is what happens when you send vibes, meds, money, and computers to people!" and that felt good.

Hawk, I am so sorry for the lost of you family member... Been there, done that..

But remember that Hans is no longer suffering.

As Jackie said, Hans is running through the meadows with Rocky, my Lil' Princess Marie and all the other Cluster 4-legged children...

Peace & Blessings
LadyLuv

Please accept my condolences, Jamey.