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K9 · #1 Unread post by K9 » Thu Mar 23, 2006 3:55 am

Yesterday, 03/22/06 I new that I would have to put down the love of my life, My dog. She is now 12 1/2 years old. I rescued her from Rescue the Animal Foundation, she was an abused puppy of 6 months old. We have been through a lot together, she helped me when I needed her to. For one thing I have not had a drink in 12 1/2 years. I also saved both her legs when she needed both ACLs rebuilt. I was in hock for years with the cost of it but it gave her 7 years of full out running and chaseing birds and squirls. It's been a long struggle with Cancer for her the last few months and I now know in my heart that the best thing I can do for her is to comfort her.I have to do it today, there is no more hope. I do not want her to get to the point ware she suffers but she is not eating and unable to keep anything down when she does. I have done all I can for months even spoon feeding her when she needed to be fed that way. It looked like for a long time that she would get strong again as she was putting body weight back on every week for over two months. She began to run around again and show interest in things. But all that has changed again. She no longer plays or has any of that dog intrest that all dogs should have. She does not play with her toys and bones any more. She just looks up at me as if to say she is ready. I know it is time and I have a responcibility to her. I know some of you will understand and there will be others that will have no idea. My dog is all I have had as a companion for 12 1/2 years, I am all messed up big time. I mean I really really hurt inside. I have been like this for months knowing we cant fix Cancer. I hope you understand when I say I'm sorry for those off the wall posts the other day, all have been cool here and I understand if it can not be forgiven. To those involved," I'm sorry". I can just go away and maybe it's best, I just do not know yet. I guess you all will tell me that. Even if it's cool to hang out here I may not be around for a wile. I do not know how to cope with this. Today will be the worst day personally for me ever. I'm trying to gain pespective on all. I look at everything that you hear about in the news, all the death and killing- war and sickness and the losses everyone else suffers. It is all horrible and very bad and I realize it. Yes, this is my excuse for yesterday. I am not thinking clear. By

earwig · #2 Unread post by **earwig** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:00 am

I'm sorry to hear about your dog, that really sucks... some people who don't own dogs might not know how that feels or understand how you can get so attached to a dog. Everytime I lost a dog I was down in the dumps for a while.

VermilionX · Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:03 am

i feel your pain but you really don't need to make multiple topics on multiple forums. one topic is enough.

and this belngs in the soap box forum.

anyway... i've own animals and i work at a small animal vet clinic/hospital so i understand the human-animal bond. i feel your loss.

cbm · #4 Unread post by **cbm** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:14 am

VermilionX wrote:i feel your pain but you really don't need to make multiple topics on multiple forums. one topic is enough.

and this belngs in teh soap box forum.

anyway... i work at a small animal vet clinic/hospital so i understand the human-animal bond. i feel your loss.

How about a little more compassion here, Verm? After wading through hundreds of your posts, I think it might be okay to cut K9 a little slack when he's dealing with something a little more significant than picking out just the right scarf!!

Forgive the harshness of this, but it struck a chord with me. I doubt I'm alone.

VermilionX · Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:24 am

cbm wrote: How about a little more compassion here, Verm? After wading through hundreds of your posts, I think it might be okay to cut K9 a little slack when he's dealing with something a little more significant than picking out just the right scarf!!

Forgive the harshness of this, but it struck a chord with me. I doubt I'm alone.

i did say i feel his loss.

CNF2002 · #6 Unread post by **CNF2002** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:30 am

Sorry to hear of your loss k9, losing a lifelong friend can be devistating.

We had to put my dog to sleep several years ago. He had degenerative arthritis that just kept getting worse. It got to the point where he could no longer run and play (though of course he was a very old dog) but boy he sure tried. Fetch was about all he could do, and he'd bound after the ball and make it halfway back before giving up and laying down. He was medicated for a few years and we were told surgery wouldn't help him, so it was just a wait. Eventually he couldn't even lift himself to get to his water and food so we knew it was time to let him go.

Just think of what a wonderful life you gave that dog. 12.5 years would have made her in her 80s in dog years yes? I think she lived a good, full life and I bet she loved every minute of it.

#7 Unread post by **scan** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 5:00 am

I'm sorry for your sadness.

You don't need to be so sorry about your behavior. We can all move on. We don't hold grudges. Most of the time you can go from one awful post and if you start fresh, people will hardly recall the old one.

But I will move this to the Soapbox, and all we really want is to try to keep the posts in places that make sense. Best of luck getting past your grief.

#8 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 7:19 am

I'm sorry about your loss, K9. There are no hard feelings here. Sev and I used to bicker like an old married couple, but I think with time we've grown accustomed to one another and now manage to simply rattle eachothers cage from time to time. This forum has helped tremendously when I have needed a place to vent, and believe me...I've been through a lot in the past few years. Do what you gotta do and know that this forum is full of decent people who can lend a sympathetic or empathetic ear if/when you need it.

jstark47 · #9 Unread post by **jstark47** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 7:37 am

K9,

I'm very sorry to hear about this. You will never forget your friend. The pain eventually becomes more manageable. Doesn't really go away, but you can manage it more after a time.

We lost our shepherd to hemangiosarcoma the day after Christmas, 2003. That kind of cancer sneaks up without warning, one day your have your friend, the next day they're gone. Don't know which is worse, the sudden ending or the gradual decline.

A couple months later we adopted another shepherd from a rescue organization. Last week we added a pit bull/boxer mix puppy (pitster?) from the local shelter - he's a special needs dog, completely deaf. Both our cats are rescues, too.

No animal can take your friend's place, but as the sharp edge of grief dulls, sometimes you can find solace and joy in the company of a new friend. Works for me and Mrs. Stark, anyway. Which is why we share our home with two dogs and two cats.

My condolances,
Jonathan

BuzZz · #10 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 8:32 am

I'd say that sucks, but that don't really cut it, does it? Knowing it's time to put a family member down is one of the hardest things a person has to do. I rescued a collie/shepard mutt from the pound and he outlasted my first wife with me, but after 17 years, it was obvious that it was time for him to rest. I paid the vet to come out to the woods with me and I let him have one last romp(as close as he could come to it at that piont) and when he fell asleep on my lap, she made sure he went peacefully. But there is no easy way to do it. I really am sorry for your loss.

Hang in there, Dude. It is really in her best interest. You did all you could, and she knows it.