I said, "I love you fancy pants," with all my heart, and all my soul, forever an forever Amen.

I haven't had to face this one yet, but when and if the day comes, I will be holding my dog. I will tell him or her what a wonderful companion and friend they had been to me. I love my dogs beyond words.

My ex and I had our dog put to sleep about 2 years ago, she was suffering terribly. We sat with her in the room while the vet gave her the shot, petting her and telling her that she had been a good companion, and thanking her for being our friend. She went to sleep quietly and without pain. I will always remember that dog. She's featured here, btw: http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/89382

good god! just reading your question makes me cry. i have been with every dog i have had since i was 12...50's now. i tell them " i love them, dont be scared, i will see them soon, i tell them all the other dogs that will be waiting for them, and i tell them i am sorry that i wasnt the person they thought i was, and they made me a better person" i stay till the bitter end. crap, its awful. i have no reason to believe they dont-but make sure the vet people treat your dog with respect. look them in the eye.dont forget to kiss your puppy alot, and hug her the whole time. bring a favorite blankie, or sweater, so she can smell it as she leaves. sorry you have to do this

Yes... See http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/2285471 . (We said goodbye to her. My wife said a quick prayer.)

I told her I was sorry and that I would miss her. I thanked her for being a great and loyal friend. That was all I could get out. I let my SO hold her when she got the shot because she had been his since she was a puppy. She was 15 years old and in a lot of pain (she had cancer). Here she is!

My husband and I have two different roles, two different ways to handle the failing health of our pets and their passing away. I'm usually the brave one who finally says "It's time." Then I need to say goodbye here at home after spending time with them. I kiss them and hug them and say my goodbyes. My husband has the need to take them their himself and be a part of the end. He holds them and cries, brings them home and then he buries them in a special area we reserve for our lost 'family' members. Then he comes into the house and we go out there and cry together.

I truly do understand the meaning and value of a good animal. Human beings could learn a lot of lessons from the other 'animals' on the planet if humans weren't so damn arrogant. Sometimes the only person you can rely on is your companion animal. They don't judge, they don't withhold affection, they don't lie, cheat or steal, etc. etc.

I just recently had to put my dog down about 2 weeks ago, his immune system was going down hill. He lost a large amount of weight and wasnt getting up at all to eat and when we got to the vets, my Australian Shepard mix, Bear was laying on the floor. My mom, sister and boyrfiend there also. My sister, mom and i were on the floor with bear and i was just laying by his side just petting him and then the vet came in and told us to bring him into the room and i went back to the waiting room cause i did not want to watch him go so i went out there to wait and then my mom comes out and says you want to say goodbye one last time. I got up started balling my eyes out (like i am right now) and just gave him a big hug and told him i love you and ill miss you baby and kept saying i love you and im sorry. It was the second hardest day of my life to see somebody soo close to me go.. =[

yes, I and my son wanted to be the last face he saw before it was time. I held him and kissed him and told him how much I loved him. I am now facing this again 16 1/2 years later. My cocker was told he has liver cancer and weeks to live. The vet asked when the time comes if I want to be present. No decisions to be made, most definetaly. I am preparing myself, but am now spending as much time and lots,and lots of kisses until this day comes.

Yes, the vet was kind enough to make a house call. She was my best friend for 14 years. I'm tearing up thinking about it now. A tribute to shadow http://jmacsays.wordpress.com/2006/09/25/a-heartfelt-tribute-to-shadow/

We had a robber that shot our faithful black lab. His name was Trent. The gun was lodged in his spine. We had to make the decision of wether we would have him live as a quadrapelegic and he would have had no control over his bowel. We had to make the decision for the vet to put him to sleep.Our whole family was there and crying uncontrollably. We all got to kiss him and talk to him.My oldest daughter told him that maybe he could come back as a bird or a butterfly or whatever he asked God to let him come back as. He was the sweetest dog ever.

As my best little buddy is in the pet hospital right now, I know I have to make this extremely hard decision very soon. My vet has offered to bring him home and have us all present to say our good-byes! I don't think words are necessary, it's all in the hugs and eye contact. He knows we love him, as I told him that every day!

I had to do this today, and it was not something I planned. He got sick like two days ago, and I had already been to the vet, but he wasn't responding to the med and wouldn't eat. I was with my dad, and told my dog, I loved him and kissed him then I don't think I said anything afterwards at all. I just kept petting him then I couldn't feel his breathing or heart beat. I lost it in the car though, maybe when we were leaving the vet too; couldn't hold it in anymore.

The pups would be lucky to have you as a owner, good luck! I totally understand about the house feeling a certain way. Its very unlively without a pet, and I'm sorry to hear your pet is depressed. Hopefully the adoption will be wonderful for all...take care! :)

Yes. My brother, sister and I were with her. My mom just couldn't do it. She was suffering and it was time. She was our family dog. The three of us stood around her kissing her, petting her and telling her that we loved her and she wouldn't have to hurt anymore. Before the vet gave her the shot I told her that Daddy would be waiting for her and that we'll never forget her and we'll see her again. It broke our hearts. That was 3 years ago. God forgive me but I didn't grieve as much as that when my father died( We had a rocky relationship). She was a person with fur. She was like a child to me. I used to bath her, brush her teeth and I read her a bedtime story almost every night. She is the one that all other dogs can't ever live up to. It still hurts but I try to remember the special things about her. Like; Last time we took her to the vet, she jumped up in the seat between my sister and another lady. All the other dogs sat on the floor or were in crates and she just loooked around like "I"M not sitting on the floor like a dog. It was hilarious. I loved her more than most people. She had the our whole family wrapped. We all adored her. My husband before we married even used to take her for a short drive so she could see the cows and bark at them. When he'd come see me she used to knock his keys off the coffee table and spin around in circles asking to go for a drive. We used to hang up her stocking and she loved Christmas. She's go under the tree sniffing all her presents and she`d look at us grinning from ear to ear ahe her eyes shining. From the very first year we got her, every year I gave her a "DOG" ornament. There were 12 doggie ornaments, some wood, pewter, ceramic etc. My brother's children used to make a game of it when they'd visit my mom's at Christmas time to find where all of her ornaments were hung on the tree. After she passed in June we kept them on the tree one last Christmas and then after the tree came down I dispursed them through the family to everyone who loved her so we can all remember her at her most favorite time of year. There will be other companions but she will be an incredibly hard act to follow and we'll never forget how much she enriched our lives. We rescued her from the SPCA the day she was to be euthanized but she did far more for us than we ever did for her. We were the lucky ones to have known her!

Well i can't say what i said to my dog because she is still alive at 13 years old...but i know she will be going soon and it will be very hard for me.....Im sure i will be a basket case for at least 3 weeks....she has been with me for some time and through the heartaches....she is truly my best friend and most important thing in my world. In the past she has had seizures which i feel she will go that way....the last time she had one i thought for sure it was her time but she pulled through. I know that when it comes time, i will do what i have to do with a strong heart and know that she lived a good life and was there for me all the time. Its nice she even knows when im upset, she hugs me! and doesnt leave my side until i tell her i am okay. So sorry for anyones/everyones loss...pets are wonderful friends in our lives.