We knew it was coming, he wasn't a pup and was having trouble getting around, but it doesn't make it any easier.
He was 14, blind and well, lets just say couldn't make it outside in time anymore. We had to help him up steps and he really didn't like to go them. The last few days we noticed a large mass on his stomach.
But until the last few days he was STILL wagging his tail and playing (he would bring his squeek to us) still wanted to be in the room with his "pack" it wasn't until Thursday I guess it was that I noticed that he stopped following me around.
Of course that was the day I was herxing pretty bad and I was in my chair, so I wasn't moving much either.
Anyway, a very kind and gentle soul left us yesterday, and I for one am going to be a bit sad. Happier for having known him, glad, to know he is no longer in pain. But sad that I am with out my friend.
Posted by joalo (Member # 12752) on :
I know what a hard decision that is to make. You gave him a wonderful life filled with love. What a lucky boy! Posted by kam (Member # 3410) on :
Ouch Posted by Hambone (Member # 29535) on :
I'm so sorry you lost your fur baby.
I'm sure he knew how loved he was during his time here.
Posted by lyme in Putnam (Member # 11561) on :
I'm so sorry. I remember when we had to put my sisters dog down. I can't imagine if it was mine.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I still grieve about having to do that with our border collie 22 yrs ago! But he was 15 and in kidney failure.
He was still looking sort of "OK" and trying to wag his tail in his last days also! They do try so hard to stay alive .. because they love us.
You did a good thing and I know you loved him and he loved YOU very much.
My condolences. Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
So sorry. They grab right ahold of our hearts. It's so hard to say goodbye.
You gave him a great life, and respected his natural end. I know he loved you very much.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
sorry for you. it takes a while to get over it. similar thing happened to me thanksgiving. he was 13 and couldn't stand up in the night to drink and he was thirsty form pain meds. so he barked for me to lift bowl.
but during the day wonce i got him outside he trotted along...and seemed happy.
i guess it was the hardest thing i have done to let him go. i have a new puppy...but i stillreally miss im
someone said a vet said letting them go is the kindest thing cuz they will hold on forever...thru too much pain. hearing that helped me a little
i think its good to let yourself feel the pain. it goes away faster that way.
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
Jacqui, I'm so sorry for your suffering, on top of all you are already having to deal with. What a loss and hole this leaves in your life. My thoughts are with you.
Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
I know how you feel, terrible...been there more than once.
We get very close to our animals, dogs mostly. They are so good to us, unconditional.
Remember the good times, 14 is old for a big dog, be happy he lived a long life, some don't.
Anyway, keep your Lyme under control, don't stress!!!
Think about getting any dog, take care, Steve
Posted by dogmom2 (Member # 23822) on :
I'm sorry you had to put your dog down, but glad you had so many years together.
thought you might like this quote:
"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are."
--Unknown
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
That's a very cool quote, dogmom!
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
I lost my big boy of 11 years last Thursday.
I found him as a pup in the woods.
You truly lose a part of your family when you lose a beloved pet.
Please boobld "The Rainbow Bridge".
It is a beautiful poem that is about the loss of our pet(s) and how they wait for us in heaven.
I hope that brings some comfort to you.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
Oops. Sticky keyboard tonight.
I meant google no boobld.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by Jacqi (Member # 6619) on :
Geneal..I know of Rainbow Bridge quite well, thank you for reminding me of it...it does bring comfort.
Dogmom, what a beautiful quote. While it brought tears to my eyes, it also brought a bit of peace.
To everyone else that has posted here...thank you SO VERY VERY MUCH. This group is so wonderful. You all pull together to offer support and I thank you for it from the bottom of what is left of my heart.
Chance (our pup) came to us in a freak January rain storm. He was always afraid of thunder and lightening after that. He would shiver and shake and stay close to one of us looking for comfort.
Today it has been lightening and thundering off and on. At first I was upset, thinking of him all alone, then I realized that according to MY beliefs he wasn't alone and he couldn't even hear the storm. It made it a bit easier to know that he was no longer going to have suffer through that again.
So, anyway, thanks again gang...you really are the best!
Posted by lymeinhell (Member # 4622) on :
I'm so sorry for your loss.
They never leave you though - the thunder and lightning is just one of many examples of that.
And you probably think right now 'Never again, I can't do this again'. Until that day that you find you can. The spirit of your lost one is out there and does come back to you if you open your heart.
I've lost 3 in the last 3 yrs.. and would do it all over again.
Be sad, be happy, be whatever you need to be. Let yourself grieve and time does heal. Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
Hey Geneal, sorry for your loss also! I'm sure your big boy is in a better place...
Posted by Jacqi (Member # 6619) on :
Julie, My hubby is taking it quite hard, he has never had to put any animal down. He keeps saying never again. I said I wanted to wait awhile before we got another one because of the Lyme Tx, but now I am wondering.. Anyway, thanks for your words of encouragement!
Geneal...I just went back and reread your post...you did say this LAST THURSDAY! Oh I am so sorry! It isn't easy is it. I hope you found some words of comfort here among these posts as well...
Posted by lymeinhell (Member # 4622) on :
Jacqi, I truly do hope you both get to the point past 'never again' when memories are fond, not sad.
I say this knowing I still have a 15 yr old pit bull living on borrowed time and I will once again go through this. I will be sad when she goes, but I know I have given her a good long life.
Men stink at showing how they feel - when you're up for it and feel you have gotten it out of your system, ask for a puppy or dog or other fuzzy critter for bday, holiday, whatever, and see how he reacts... You might get a reaction you don't quite expect. I know I did, and now my birthday present is 9 mos and weighs 65 lbs Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Geneal.. yes... my condolences to you also! Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
Thanks so much.
I know I will have another dog again.
I still have 5 left of my original 7.
You wouldn't think you'd miss one with all the mayhem and work.
You do.
Each one is special with thier own quirks and habits.
I know that losing them is so hard.
However, that old saying about better to have love and lost
Than never to have loved at all always comes to my mind.
I have enough love to love another dog, a new dog, a needy dog.
I only have rescues. I will rescue again.
God has a way of putting them in your path.
My Big Boy (Marvin) was found in the woods next to my house.
This was about 4 weeks after my first dog was attacked by other dogs and died.
I was so depressed. However, here came this scruffy, orange puppy.
I caught him, brought him in and fed him.
He ate like a pig! I remember saying that he was a Starvin Marvin and the name Marvin stuck.
We had a billy goat at one time.
Marv and the goat would take turns chasing each other.
It was comedy on legs.
He helped me learn to love again after the loss of my first dog.
Hang in there.
Sending you prayers of peace and comfort.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by Jacqi (Member # 6619) on :
Julie,
We are already looking into getting a new pup. I know no one can ever replace our Chance, he was a one in a million. Maybe someday when it isn't so hard I can talk about him, but not right now...
Anyway...I think for my husband and son...they NEED to have a pup around. They are walking around with long faces. When I talked to hubby during his first break last night and said we needed to seriously talk about getting a new pup, well when he called back at second break it was like talking to a changed man.
He wanted to know if I had found out anything from our friend (our friend does a dog rescue here in Indiana)! I had found 10 possible pups and emailed him the links and when he got home at 3 this morning he looked at them.
I woke up when he came to bed at 4 and he likes the same one I do. The only problem is the pup has a brother and I HATE separating brothers! This is how we ended up with TWO kittens instead of the ONE we were supposed to get a few years ago.
Sooo.... we will have to wait and see what happens. Thanks again for all the support!
Posted by Jacqi (Member # 6619) on :
Geneal,
My niece does Great Dane rescues and our friend does any animal rescues including large animals. There is a special place amongst the stars for people like you.
I can just picture Marvin and the goat playing, I bet that was comedy at its finest.
I have always said the best animals are "The Foundlings".
If you read the post about that is "to Julie" you can see that we are thinking of going ahead and getting another pup. the house just seems empty without a pup in it. I know no one can replace our Chance, but maybe another one can ease our pain and maybe bring a little light in our life.
After all...who can resist little Lab faces and feet?!?!
Posted by lymeinhell (Member # 4622) on :
Jacqi, I am so happy for you!!! It really will help - gives you all someplace to put all that love while you figure out how to mourn.
Geneal, my heart goes out to you as well. God bless for being a rescuer. Even though you've been through it all before, it still hurts, so know that we are all here for you, ok?
PS. I ended up getting 2 sibling cats the same way as Jacqi. I still have 1 that is 16 and lost the other one 3 yrs ago.
Posted by dogmom2 (Member # 23822) on :
So glad you are looking into a new pup, and a rescue, so wonderful! My dogs are both rescues and I know they will want me to save another one when their time is up.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Jacqi.. what kind of dog was Chance?
Posted by Jacqi (Member # 6619) on :
Lymetoo, he was a mutt. He had some Sheperd, Rottie, and Terrier in him, but he was the runt of the litter. He was about 60 lbs, had brown hair and ears that would point straight up when you would say the word "cookie" to him. I think that you can see him on my facebook page even if you are not my friend... http://www.facebook.com/jacqi101
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