October 22, 1993 - March 26, 2006 I love you Shelby. Yesterday was probably the worst day of my life. You know how you have those days that are pretty bad and you overexaggerate the fact a bit and complain about it be the worst day of your life... well yesterday was literally the worst day of my life. You never really no how much you love something until it's gone. Until you decide to let it go. Yesterday. I had to put my dog and best friend for 13 years to sleep. It started off in the morning, my mom woke me up as usual, she left my door open as usual. It was a normal Sunday morning. Shelby comes into my room- yet another usual thing- and something happens that wasn't so usual. He goes over to his corner where he used to lay and goes to lay down. But this time just as he was about to lay, he peed. All over my carpet, and slowly walked out of my room. I called- wait yelled -for my Mom and she ran in. The fact he had an accident wasn't unusual because he was old and it had been happening lately but it just seemed weird that he did it in my room and usually there was something that made him nervous. My Mom cleaned it up, a bit annoyed, but it really wasn't something to get worked up over... then she tells me. "Steph, we really need to talk about him." And I said. "I know Mom but can this please wait I actually want to have fun today." I went curling with Mike and Dasa and we had a blast. Mike showed us up with his pro curling skills and we had fun trying not to fall. It was an awesome day until we left Glendale and were heading home. I checked my phone and there were 5 missed calls. My Mom is the only one who calls my cellphone- everyone else texts me- and I thought it was weird she called 5 times. I called her back and asked what was wrong, then she told me. "Steph, something happened..." And then she explains to me. "Your Dad came home and Shelby couldn't get up so him and Uncle Mark lifted him out to the backyard. He went to the bathroom but fell down in it, so I cleaned him up then we brought him inside and put him on a towel in the front hall. He then procedes to throw up three times. Now your Dad has him at the animal hospital and when you get home we have to go down." I started crying in the car and told Mike and Dasa and Mike's Dad. They were really supportive, and I was thankful I was with them and not someone else. When we pull into my driveway Mike's Dad made me feel a bit better. "We'll be thinking for you, it'll be okay." I get out of the car and run inside and start to cry even harder. My Mom came and gave me a hug saying it's okay and we drive down to the animal hospital. We go in and I see my Dad's foot hanging out the door. He heard us come in and opened the door. Then I saw him, there was my puppy lying on the floor looking up at me with his big eyes, I couldn't take it, I ran to the bathroom and started screaming, I basically went hysterical. Threw up a few times, then I got it together and walked out and back into the room. I lay down with Shelby on the floor. He was obviously in a lot of pain even though they gave him a shot of painkillers. I hated seeing him like that. I was there with him for an hour and the vet came in. I yelled at her, childing I know, but I did. I yelled at her to make him better and she explained all the things we could try. Then I told her No. I didn't want to see him in any more pain so it was decided. It was time. I told my parents I wanted to be there when it happens. They said Okay. They left the room and I spent a bit saying Goodbye. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. He just looked at me the whole time. I told him how much I loved him and how much I was going to miss him. And gave him a kiss and he licked my cheek. Then it was time. The doctor game in and gave him the needle. I saw the light in his eyes go out and I told him I loved him once more, gave him another kiss and we left. I hate it. I just want my puppy back. I want him to lick the tears off my cheek one last time. I want to hear him bark one last time. I hate it. You always take everything for granted, and you want to kill yourself for not remembering that one last time. That one last time he barked, that one last time he came into my room and jumped around screaming "I want a treat!" That one last time you see him lying in his favourite spots. When I got home, I saw his half empty bowl and his water. I am going to keep all the stuff in a box, I wouldn't dream of getting rid of it. I wish I could have him back. I can't stand it. I couldn't stop thinking about him all yesterday. I never realized how much I would miss tripping over him every time I would go to go to bed. I want to wake up and see him lying in his spot again, lying in the kitchen, eating from his bowl, standing in front of the back door waiting to go out, seeing his face. I miss him so much. Don't ever get a dog and become emotionally attached to him and let him become your best friend. He might bring you the best 13 years of your life but when it all ends it really gets to you. I just want to stop crying everytime I see something that reminds me of him. I mean you think of when it's going to happen but when it actualy happens.. it feels so horrible. And I didn't think that yesterday would have been the day, I didn't expect it. I knew - although I didn't want to accept it - that it would have been soon, but I just didn't expect it to bed yesterday. No dog will ever be the same, or have the same affect on me and my life. ¢¾ ILUPUPPY!!