Here I am....

[Lisa]

Hello friends.

This is a post I have been putting off and putting off for months, thinking it might get easier. It hasn't, but I just feel like I wanted to come clean with all of you to let you know why I have been absent these past few months.

Sadly, we made the very difficult decision to have Simba PTS after the last biting incident I described back in February. It was a horrible, hard decision, and certainly not one we made lightly. We discussed things over with our vet, and he supported us in the decision. There was nothing about the decision that was easy, but that being said, even with all the thinking about it I've done since then, I still come to the same place and the same decision. As much as I hate it, it was the only option we felt we had.

I don't want to go into all the agonizing that we went through at the time. It truly was awful. The whole incident was traumatizing. And I know that many of you would perhaps have not made that choice in the same circumstance.

I do feel like I failed my dog in some ways. I know I gave him a good life and that he truly had a better life with us than what he would have faced with most other people I know. But ultimately I didn't set him up for success in the incident that led to the bite, and I feel horrible about that.

I know that many of you loved Simba from afar, and may be shocked by this news. I'm sorry for that. It's why I haven't had the gumption to come on here and tell you what happened. But I've lurking on here since then, keeping up with all your adventures, and enjoying your doggy exploits from afar. I've been a part of this lovely community for over ten years, and I hate to not be a part of it still. The only way to continue to be a part of it was to come clean, so to speak, so here I am.

But I understand if this is upsetting to you, and I am truly sorry if it is.

Thank you so much to all of you who have been so wise and have given me so much support and friendship over the years as I came on here with all my questions and problems with my silly, difficult dog. His life was made so much better because you all have been in mine. That is for sure.

 

[HAH]

It’s so good to see you back here Lisa, and it was not an easy step to take - I think you’re brave for many reasons, and I entirely respect the decisions you made for Simba, and for you all. I don’t think you failed him, I think you loved him very much which included making very difficult choices based on his and others welfare.
You’ll always be an important part of the Forum, and I hope you’ll always feel welcome.

 

[Cath]

Oh Lisa our dear friend we have missed you so much and I am so glad you are back

 

[Granca]

It’s so good to see you’re back, Lisa. I’m so sorry you’ve had to make such a difficult decision, but only you could know what was best for Simba. You certainly didn’t fail him. Sending many and hoping you’ll stay with us on the forum.

 

[Jacqui-S]

Lovely to have you back Lisa.
We know you didn't make this decision at all lightly.
You absolutely gave Simba the best life.
And he was a challenge from the set go. How many loaves of bread and sticks of butter did he purloin ?
You gave him a second chance with a fabulous life and you should be proud.

 

[Lab_adore]

It really is great to have you back Lisa, we missed you. You were an amazing doggy mum to dear Simba and made the right decision for the situation

Welcome back

 

[Atemas]

I do feel like I failed my dog in some ways

Have been thinking about you @Lisa so it’s really good you are back. I totally understand why you made your extremely difficult brave decision and know it was the right one. We can all beat ourselves up for something we didn’t do which led to something horrible….but hindsight is an annoying thing and it’s hard to let go of guilt surrounding that. You were the best dog mum to Simba and he had a lovely life with you. I hope you can find peace and reflect on all the good times that were had. Please stay with us - you have been missed

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

I’m so sorry for your loss of Simba, he will always be remembered by us here.

Its really good to see you again, and I’m sorry you felt i to you needed to be quiet for a while. It sounds like you had a very hard time, but please never doubt that you did your best for Simba. I’m guessing that every single one of us who has had to say goodbye to our beloved pups have also made ourselves miserable with ‘would have/could have should have’. I know I have. Hopefully as time goes on, you’re perspective will give you more peace to know you took the best care of Simba possible until the very end.

I hope you’ll stay around and keep talking here. I initially found the forum when I was dogless and even though I felt a bit awkward at first, I’m so glad I found everyone here.

 

[Selina27]

@Lisa, I'm so very glad to hear from you, and I have definitely missed your posts and contributions,

I know I gave him a good life and that he truly had a better life with us than what he would have faced with most other people I know.

This is the thing.

I didn't set him up for success in the incident that led to the bite,

You're human

Welcome back xx

 

[Jen]

Ah Lisa I’m so sorry!

I’m even more sorry you felt like you couldn’t come here and tell us.

You made the right decision for you and for Simba, and I don’t think anyone on here would judge you for making that difficult decision.

Welcome back

 

[Joy]

I'm so sorry. x

 

[Stacia]

You did not take that decision lightly and it must have been very difficult for you. I believe you made the right decision for you both. So pleased you have felt able to come back, you are among friends who care.

 

[kateincornwall]

So very sorry to read your news @Lisa , I have wondered where you were but now understand why you werent here . What a sad but right decision you have had to make , take care of yourself please xxx

 

[Boogie]

Bless you.

You did the very best you possibly could for everyone.

Good to see you back here.

RIP dear Simba, sleep well.

(He will have known nothing about it, from his point of view he went to sleep after a happy life with you)

Many hugs.

 

[MellowYellow]

Ah Lisa, I can read through your words how painful this has been for you. Simba's problems were not your fault, and you gave him love and a great life and protected him from his worst decisions... until the one time you could not. Please don't feel you cannot come here; I don't think anyone blames you or for a moment imagines that you took this decision lightly, or did anything wrong. You are part of our forum, we loved Simba and we love you. I hope you know that.

 

[edzbird]

I'm so glad to know you're still here Lisa. What a tough time you've had, but do know - you did absouletly everything for Simba and he lived a life of love with you, what a gift you gave him xx

 

[Anne123]

Just
Welcome back and please stay!

 

[Lisa]

Thank you all so much. Your words mean more than I can say.

 

[Candy]

Welcome back Lisa, I was wondering where you were. You have made a very difficult and brave decision, in the best interests of your lovely Simba.
Although it must be heartbreaking for you, as Mags@Boogie said, all he knew was that he went to sleep after a happy life with you. This, along with all the love we feel for them, is the very best any of us can give our dogs and that's what you did for him.
You are a loved and valued member of our forum and I do hope that you'll stay with us and that perhaps one day, when the time is right you might be introducing us to another dog who you will give a wonderful life to.

 

[jazzmynn]