Saying goodbye to Buster. A good little dog.
We got him in 2003 when we lived in Circleville. I found a breeder near us who had miniature dachshunds.
She ran the operation out of her house...I was not too pleased when I got there. But saw Buster and knew I had to have him. If for no other reason than to get him out of there.
He was with me when we moved from Circleville to Laurelville, then to Columbus. Then to California and back.
On the drive across country he climbed up on the dash board and would sleep. I would get out for gas and walk him. On the one trip it was me, him, another dog, and two cats. Buster was the best behaved of them all.
The years flew by and all during some of the hardest times of my life he was there to bring joy. During the big ice storm in 2004 it was he and I alone in the house. No power. I boiled water and put up plastic sheets to keep the heat in the kitchen. He sat on my lap as we listened to my hand crank radio by candle light. On 12/23/2004 he and I walked next door to mom's house - she had gotten home from the hospital and was sleeping downstairs and dad had a generator to keep the heat on. He slept with me all nice and warm in mom's bed. She went back to the hospital the next morning and died on 12/31/2004.
I came home to an empty house the night mom died (my x and daughter were in CA at the time). Almost. He was there. Slept with me, kept me company.
He is blind now. Health is failing him. And sometime in the next two weeks....I have to do what needs done. He is living with my X and she can't bring herself to do it and has asked me to handle it.
I don't have a car so will have to call for someone to pick him up and take him in. I won't even be able to be there. Figures, I can get a car next month, have a good job lined up if I get the car, life is looking up and was hoping to have him come back and live with me in the fall. Just hadn't realized how bad he had gotten these last few months.
It's all a blur - the trips together, watching him run around the yard barking at the tree for hours trying to get that squirrel. Sitting on my lap in the dead of winter without power and reading and listening to the radio and trying to keep him all warm.
Just a dog some would say. Maybe so. But he was much more to me. He never yelled at me. Never complained. The night I came home that mom died and collapsed crying he ran up to me and helped keep me sane.
Don't blink....
Buster and Wiggles sleeping:
Buster and baby girl, when they were both so little:
Buster and 'little man' (our cat) playing:
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Putting it simply, Buster is your friend and it's always tough to lose a friend. You wrote a lovely ode to your buddy. I'm so sorry that you are about to lose him.
This is the hardest sacrifice and the most profound act of love act you could possibly do for him. Even if it feels like the opposite. If there was any better option, you know you'd choose it. So forgive yourself right this second. Just hug him as much as you can as long as you can. He'll know. He really will. In that movie "Marvin's Room," Susan Sarandon had a fatally ill child and finally she told him, "If it gets to be too much, just fly away to Baby Jesus, sweetheart. It's okay." I am totally paraphrasing. That is the last thing she wanted for herself but the best thing, she thought, for him. Buster wouldn't want you to be too sad. He would do the same for you if the shoe was on the other foot.
Is there no way for you to be with him? They live too far away?
it is so difficult.
And hugs to you, TSS. You've got a heart of gold & I know you're heartbroken. He's just adorable. A friend of mine has a miniature Dachshund & she has the cutest personality. She likes to sleep under the covers (I like that!).
I hope it will be a comfort to you that when we had to do this for our Boston Terrier, Gizmo, it was a very peaceful process. We kept petting him & telling him softly that we loved him. He passed on very quickly & gently just after getting the final injection. From our experience & those of friends & family, the vets usually handle the situation in a comforting way for the pets & the families.
I'm so sorry. I hate that dogpeople have to die. I really really really do. I love doggies like nothing else. Thank you for giving Buster a wonderful life.
you have written a heart-warming story of an undying love between you and Buster, and I really appreciated reading it. Perhaps you can find some comfort in recollecting the wonderful life you and Buster have had together. And that your final gesture of helping him pass peacefully on extends your remarkable care and devotion throughout his lifetime.
So sorry to hear this.
My thoughts are with you.
I love miniature dachshunds and Buster looks like a great little doggie. (So does Wiggles)
I know how hard it is.
Been there done that 
C'mon DU!
There has to be someone out there who can get TSS to his dog...has to be,
What are the distances involved?
Any members in the immediate areas who can help? Pick up TSS or get the dog to TSS??
This is heartbreaking - no way I could be away from my pets in this situation.
Wishing you the best
{{{{{{{{{{{Buster}}}}}}}}}}}
He was amazing when it was time to say goodbye to my Sky and Storm kitties. They didn't have to deal with that last car ride, and I didn't have to worry about getting into an auto accident because of the tears on the way home....
So sorry for your loss! 
bout killed me when we had to put our wiener dog down.....gonna be awhile before we get another pooch, so hard to let go. Love the dachshund breed.
Sorry it's come to this but you know you are doing the right thing.
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and it will be sad to say goodbye. They are truly like a best friend.
Hugs to TSS family and friends.
Tikki
so they won't have to.
I disagree with the above poster. The vet's office does not have "the smell of death" and unless Buster already didn't like going to the vet, it will just be another visit for him and just another shot, and then he will truly just go to sleep.
Try to arrange to be with him if you can. This is for your sake as much as his, so that you'll know without doubt that he was unafraid and that his passing was gentle and painless.
What a gorgeous little guy, I'm sure he enjoyed and appreciated every moment he had with you. It's just so hard to let them go. Strength and comfort to you.
so sorry
Grieve not,
nor speak of me with tears,
but laugh and talk of me
as if I were beside you.....
I loved you so --
'twas Heaven here with you.
--by Ilsa Paschal Richardson
May he find his way across BriFrost to play with the others in the Wild Hunt, until you are ready to be with him again. I'll ask Freya to help him across (I hope you don't mind).
Hunny (named after Winnie the Pooh's favorite food) has been a beloved family member and travelling companion for many years, but Hunny's hiking & travelling days are behind her. She still gets up by herself, eats her food, and doesn't appear to be suffering, but we celebrated Hunny's 16th birthday on December 3 and that is a very advanced age for a yellow lab.
We keep hoping Hunny will make it easy on us and pass quietly in her sleep, but she's been obstinate her whole life (charmingly so) and we just know we'll have to make that decision for her. And it won't be easy. My heart goes out to you, but I also know your life has been enriched by sharing it with Buster.
Peace,
Martin
they are not "just dogs". They're love, and innocence, sweetness......
wish I could take the pain away......