I know this is silly, but I have to get it out somewhere...
Last night I got home and my dog (Aries) couldn't use his back legs. It appears that sometime during the day; he slipped or tweaked his hips and paralyzed them. I tried multiple things to get them to engage, but was ultimately unsuccessful. The decision was made to take him to the vet and have him put down last night @ 1930.…it was a painful decision, but one that I believe was correct and necessary. The good news is that he didn't appear to be in any pain and passed without incident.
He was my buddy and will be missed dearly...Good bye Aries...
I am sure many of you have had this same experience and my heart goes out to all of you...
Chuck
(http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/tndrpngn/AriesLivingRoom.jpg)
(http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/tndrpngn/AiresandRoxy.jpg)
(http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/tndrpngn/AriesFrontYard.jpg)
Rest In Peace :'(
bye bye big puppy :'(
Sorry to hear that man. Man's best friend for sure. :'(
I have a couple 2 year old border collies. I dread the day they have to go.
awww, that SUCKS. Sorry for your loss. mine first dog went naturally, in my arms no less. Thank goodness I was "old" enough to handle it.
So sorry :'(
mitt
Quote from: SKOM on July 11, 2008, 09:05:28 AM
Sorry to hear that man. Man's best friend for sure. :'(
I have a couple 2 year old border collies. I dread the day they have to go.
That really is not a cliche'....unconditional love they give you...Always there.
Quote from: OwnyTony on July 11, 2008, 09:07:24 AM
awww, that SUCKS. Sorry for your loss. mine first dog went naturally, in my arms no less. Thank goodness I was "old" enough to handle it.
That is terrible...I too am glad you were old enough...having said that; I am not sure there really is an old enough.
Thank you to everyone for your condolances...
I'm so sorry for your loss. My condolences. I don't think I will ever be old enough to handle a loss like that.
Dogs are amazing creatures and it's imposable to ever list how much they give to us. :'(
Sorry to hear that, 'penguin. My condolences.
You have my sincerest condolences. Just thinking of losing a pet makes me tear up. :'(
I feel your pain. We have 3 huskies and the oldest is undergoing rapid decline. It won't be long until we will face your situation. The anticipation is
almost too much.
RIP
sorry to hear about your loss.
it's never easy, and you never forget.
oddly enough, me and my sis were just talking about how our family dog was put down almost a year ago now, and i still started getting choked up.
Sorry for your loss. It really sucks. Had to have my lab put down a few years ago because of cancer. One of the hardest things I ever did.
Again...thank you all for your support, it certainly was and is one of the most difficult scenarios that I have ever had to deal with. It is very strange in that I thought it wouldn't be that big of a deal...I knew he was getting older and that it had to eventually end, but I have never been so wrong. I have been faced with many things through my life...loss of family, friends, fellow military members, and even pets when I was younger. But something about being the one to make the decision and trying to comfort him through the process was something I have never felt before. Many of the affore mentioned cases, I was able to detach myself from the reality of it all...but not this...I thought I would be able to, but again...I was wrong. The thing that was probably the toughest was that he was still mentally alert and whole. Just old.
Thanks again DMF...All of your comments help.
Chuck
RIP big doggy :'(
Beautiful boy who, no doubt, shared a great life with you. I lost my Buddy four years ago when he was 14. Not quite as unexpectedly. I feel your pain. :'(
So sorry to hear that. I also dread the day my JRT goes.
How is the pug doing without it's buddy?
My ex and I had to put down our "fred" last year. Lost control of his legs/rear from old age. Talk about gut wrenching. We all cried as he drifted off to sleep. I still have pics of him in my bedroom with my daughter (then 2, now 13). It makes me think of how great a dog he was.
I feel your pain. :(
Sorry about that man.
A buddy worth mourning is one worth celebrating as well. Sounds like you two had some great times worth smiling over for years to come. Hang in there, because I can promise that the good memories will long outlast the pain. Good luck DucPenguin, and RIP Aries.
I'm very sorry to hear about your pup. What a handsome pup indeed.
Losing a pet is a very unique kind of sadness. Their love and companionship is uncomplicated and pure. They ask no questions, tell no lies, and they never second guess you.
Every time I think about the greying fur around my Rotti/Shep's muzzle it makes me sad. Even though he still has so much puppy in his eyes I know he won't be around forever. We just have to make the most of their company and not take them for granted, just like our human companions, as you never know when you'll be forced to let them go.
Our pets can teach us a lot if we truly pay attention. Their time with us is all too short but they are oh so worth it!
It will get better with time. I believe you made the right (albeit difficult) choice for your aging pup.
oh man, you've got me tearing up dude. he looks just like my old shepard. he passed away 6 yrs ago but he still appears in my thoughts all the time. his name was "Buddy"...
very sorry to hear of your loss...you will always have the memories
Man I am so sorry to here this dude. I have a German Shepard that looks a lot like him that I almost lost 2 years ago. We had the choice to pay 4 grand or put her to sleep. I ate ramen noodles and did nothing for 4 months becuase there was no way I was letting her go if she could be alright after the surgery. Anyways, I hope your doing okay and my thoughts are with you and the big guy.
P.S. If anyone is going to get a German Shepard or another big dog and they are female, tell the doctor to pin their stomach up while they are in there so what happened to my dog (she turned her stomach over) can be prevented.
RIP Aries.
It's a tough thing to go through. But in time the hurt will go, and you'll always get to remember all the good times you spent with him. He looks like he was a happy and much loved pooch.
RIP Aries. I've been through two Boxers and a Bull Terrier. I'm presently owned by another Boxer, Penny. It never gets easier when the time comes to say goodbye...
We are thinking now of a setter, whose coat was flame in the sunshine and who,
so far as we are aware, never entertained a mean or unworthy thought.
This setter is buried beneath a cherry tree, under four feet of garden loam,
and at its proper season the cherry tree strews petals on the green lawn of his grave.
Beneath a cherry tree, or an apple, or any flowering shrub of the garden, is an excellent place to bury a dog.
Beneath such trees, such shrubs, he slept in the drowsy summer,
or gnawed at a flavored bone, or lifted his head to challenge some strange intruder.
These are good places, in life or in death.
Yet it is a small matter, and it touches sentiment more than anything else.
For if the dog be well remembered, if sometimes he leaps through your dreams actual as in life,
eyes kindling, questing, asking, laughing, begging, it matters not at all where that dog sleeps and at last.
On a hill where the wind is unrebuked, and the trees are roaring, or beside a stream he knew in puppyhood,
or somewhere in the flatness of a pasture land, where most exhilarating cattle graze.
It is all one to the dog, and all one to you, and nothing is gained, and nothing is lost - if memory lives.
But there is one best place to bury a dog.
One place that is best of all.
There is one best placeto bury a dog.
If you bury him in this spot, he will come to you when you call -
come to you over the grim, dim frontier of death, and down the well-remembered path, and to your side again.
And though you call a dozen living dogs to heel, they shall not growl at him, nor resent his coming,
for he belongs there.
People may scoff at you, who see no lightest blade of grass bent by his footfall, who hear no whimper,
people who may never really have had a dog.
Smile at them, for you shall know something that is hidden from them, and which is well worth the knowing.
The one best place to bury a good dog is in the heart of his master.
By Ben Hur Lampman
I am sorry for your loss. :( Aries is a beautiful dog. RIP
Quote from: yuu on July 11, 2008, 01:08:43 PM
RIP Aries.
It's a tough thing to go through. But in time the hurt will go, and you'll always get to remember all the good times you spent with him. He looks like he was a happy and much loved pooch.
Something I have learned to make it a little easier, is to have the vet do a house call when you have to make that difficult decision
Quote from: hbliam on July 11, 2008, 11:40:06 AM
So sorry to hear that. I also dread the day my JRT goes.
How is the pug doing without it's buddy?
The Pug is not sure what to think yet...she is down, but expects him back any minute...She gets excited if she hears another dog bark in the distance. I think when it all settles in, she will be lonely. I have to work all day, and he was her playmate/guardian/brother, she was certainly confident knowing that he was standing right behind her...I hope she does ok with it. I think with other dogs in the area, she may be able to meet others. We will see.
Quote from: yuu on July 11, 2008, 01:08:43 PM
RIP Aries.
It's a tough thing to go through. But in time the hurt will go, and you'll always get to remember all the good times you spent with him. He looks like he was a happy and much loved pooch.
Thanks Yuu...He was happy, and we did have great times together...lots of memories...
Oh yea, did I mention that he saved my life?
Very good memories!
Metal and Hydra...I love Shepards, such a great breed.
Too all who have posted...I am sorry for your loses as well...I know how you must feel or must have felt...my condolances to you all...
Too everyone else who have posted that may not have gone through this....eat up the time you have with them! They are special beyond words and just like Hangin_biposto said...their love is uncomplicated and pure...I am not sure that you can find that anywhere else in this world...
Thank you
Very sorry to hear about this.
Two years ago my wife's yellow lab woke up with minimal use of his rear legs, then a couple hours later, nothing. 2 nights at the vets and some accupuncture and chiro work gave him most of his movement back, but his tail is still crooked and he's a little gimpy :(
I never really thought I liked the bugger but facing that was really hard
Quote from: S4ROB on July 11, 2008, 02:17:54 PM
I am sorry for your loss. :( Aries is a beautiful dog. RIP
Something I have learned to make it a little easier, is to have the vet do a house call when you have to make that difficult decision
My vet wouldn't do it...I will be changing vets. I asked. Thank you for the comment, he was a fine looking dog.
Drunken Monkey...thank you, that was beautiful.
Quote from: vwboomer on July 11, 2008, 02:27:28 PM
Very sorry to hear about this.
Two years ago my wife's yellow lab woke up with minimal use of his rear legs, then a couple hours later, nothing. 2 nights at the vets and some accupuncture and chiro work gave him most of his movement back, but his tail is still crooked and he's a little gimpy :(
I never really thought I liked the bugger but facing that was really hard
It is amazing what resolve and challenge will do...You come to realizations that may not have otherwise blossomed. I have seen this first hand.
I'm sorry for your loss, sucks to lose an animal so close to your heart.
I feel for you. I had three Dalmatians , when the last one passed it took six years before I could bring myself to getting another. Time will heal the loss! I now have two more Dals and LOVE every minute of them, even though they have done some damage in "the learning process". They promptly were named Jake and Elwood,which fits both of them to a T..........
I send my deepest sympathies and complete understanding. We had to do the same with our eldest dalmatian Tyrone in Nov 2004 and I still get a huge lump in my throat and tears in my eyes when I think about it. What helps is to remember specific times when I knew he was at his most happiest time running through the park or snarfing down a hot dog bun he knew he wasn't supposed to have. They may pass away but we never really lose them. Best wishes and hang in there.
Surely, by now, after reading all these replies, you've figured out there is no reason to feel silly. You lost a family member.
RIP, Aires.
Sorry to hear Pen. :'(
I hope you still have the Pug around to keep you company.
So sorry for your loss. I was looking at a box of old pictures today and saw many shots of my cat Rudy. He passed away 7 years ago and I still wear his tag on a necklace. Our dog Owen is getting up there and I do not know how we will manage without him.
Sorry to hear of you loss, may he RIP. It will take some time but you will be fine. My thoughts are with you.
Quote from: IZ on July 11, 2008, 05:59:32 PM
Sorry to hear Pen. :'(
I hope you still have the Pug around to keep you company.
and don't forget to attend to Pug's feelings on the matter either. if he is anywhere near as familial as our two were he is going to be seriously bummed out for awhile as well. Ours were like Skipper and Gilligan so the little one got clinically depressed. Give him an extra long hug for me 'cause he's hurting too.
Sorry to hear about your loss, RIP Aries. :'(
Hey man I feel your pain, I had to put my golden retriever down 2 weeks ago. He was 14 and had developed a tumor in his nose + was sneezing blood everywhere, so it had to be done. :'( I loved that dog like a human family member.
I'm sorry for your loss, but I'm sure doggy heaven is treating him beautifully...
Quote from: IZ on July 11, 2008, 05:59:32 PM
Sorry to hear Pen. :'(
I hope you still have the Pug around to keep you company.
Absolutely...She is a godsend...pugs are very good at making one smile!
Quote from: c_rex on July 11, 2008, 08:57:02 PM
and don't forget to attend to Pug's feelings on the matter either. if he is anywhere near as familial as our two were he is going to be seriously bummed out for awhile as well. Ours were like Skipper and Gilligan so the little one got clinically depressed. Give him an extra long hug for me 'cause he's hurting too.
She is not sure what is going on yet....today was the first day I think she started to realize something was amiss....I have neighbors behind me with dogs and she always runs up; all bad ass like and starts barking...today she ran up and stopped because she realized he (Aries) was not behind her...she gave a couple of barks and ran back to the deck...
Quote from: howie on July 11, 2008, 05:28:14 PM
Surely, by now, after reading all these replies, you've figured out there is no reason to feel silly. You lost a family member.
RIP, Aires.
You are quite correct...I am very appreciative of the support and responses that have been given...They all mean so much to me and make me realize when you hear terrible stories of mistreated animals...there are many more of loved and well cared for pets! This post has been a blessing!
Quote from: johnster on July 12, 2008, 03:01:22 PM
Hey man I feel your pain, I had to put my golden retriever down 2 weeks ago. He was 14 and had developed a tumor in his nose + was sneezing blood everywhere, so it had to be done. :'( I loved that dog like a human family member.
I'm sorry for your loss, but I'm sure doggy heaven is treating him beautifully...
Thank you...I am sorry for your loss as well...it is terrible. We will all see each other again one day. My mother sent me a link...it is a little difficult for me to finish it...but for those that it is not so fresh, you may want to look at it...
http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html (http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html)
Thank you all so much again...You have been a blessing. I have trouble expressing feelings in the real world, and the DMF allows me to do that...