david58

I love riding - it is a central part of my recreational life, and very important to my daily attitude.

But my poor friend and companion these past 11+ years, our wonderful Labrador, is laying on his bed whining in pain with the last stages of bone cancer. We'll give him another Oxy and he will sleep the night, but that isn't what he wants - he'd rather be the interested and curious and joyful old boy he has been for 11 years. Our son, who picked this pup from our female's litter 11 years ago, is coming down tomorrow with his fiance to say goodbye to our friend Rodney. Our youngest is returning from a month at an orphanage in India just in time to say goodbye. We lost our pup's mom two days before last Christmas for the same reason, and this good old boy is probably taking his last road trip on Tuesday.

It sucks.

Our recent addition to the family, a joyful Rat Terrier, has given life to the Old Boy these last few months. He has also been a source of laughter and love for the family humans. And we are excited by our new Airedale pup coming in a couple of weeks, who will help RatDog keep from eating our yard. But there is no such thing as a "replacement dog."

I'm convinced God gave us dogs as examples of unconditional lovers - and sometimes they give us so much more than we give them. We feed em, groom em, clean up after em - and they simply are devoted to us. On my worst day, my Friend has been able to cheer me up just because he wants my company. And he always wags his tail (and I think he wags it more when he farts- oowhee! what a perverse sense of humor).

I was all fired up for a great ride on Monday. Now I just want to sit with this old Friend - a ride doesn't sound fun right now.

david58

Just posted on another thread about beer consumption. I don't drink to excess very often, but watching my Old Friend has me seriously considering becoming very plastered about now.....

So now I have a 1 year old Rat Dog and an 8 week old Airedale on the way - so I get to go through this again sometime in the future. And I used to think I was tough.....

cale

11 years is a good old age for a dog. Keep him comfortable but don't be afraid to let him go. A remarkable part of the relationship between a person and their dog is the ability of that person to relieve the suffering of the dog. Good luck.

skilsaw

Sorry to hear of your difficult situation.
Like you said, "It sucks."

david58

Yep. Tears tonite, more tomorrow, Sunday, Monday, then goodbye on Tuesday. Damn.

But a better dog no man has ever had, I can assure you with total confidence and conviction.

RoadTire 

That's the only reason I deal with dog issues at my house. I do love them, but my temperment is selfish - and our companions are nothing but unconditional love and devotion we do anything we can for them, especially in their final years. Prayers for your healing, and thanks for the gift of our dogs. David, I feel for you.

donheff

It is tough watching a dog in pain. I recently took my cancer ridden 13 year old Golden to the vet to be euthanized. Sad, sad, sad, but better than leaving her in pain. I wish we could be offered such a simple, painless process when we get in the same situation.

big john

George Carlin said when you commit to a pet you are getting a guaranteed broken heart as part of the deal. I guess many of us feel it's worth it.
Enjoy your new dogs, they add so much for a dog lover.

Banded Krait

David,

Sorry to hear about the decline of your beloved pet. Try not to dwell on the negative, instead focus on the love and companionship your dog brought you all of these years. Good luck with the new pups coming into your family.

Bikey Mikey

Sorry to hear about the dog.

howsteepisit

I feel your pain. I just lost my lab in a divorce, then an old friend shorthair of my Moms to cancer. I just pray that there is a huge field in heaven for our best of friends to frolic, and know the spirit lives on. I am sorry for you and Rodney. Just know that when its time, he will be relieved of his suffering, and thats a kindness.

prxmid

I always thought it was crazy when people talked about their dogs dying like it was a person. Untill we lost our 15 year old Golden in April. I cried for two days, my wife is still crying.

It's a special relationship

phread59

I lost my nap mate to renal failure at 14. Taffy was a rescued Cocker. I still miss my Sunday nap with her. You are right it is one of the hardest hings we do to let them go. I miss her terribly.

Mark Shuman

con

Been there....Like many, I get there about every 10-12 yrs.........Not fun.

All dogs go to heaven.

david58

Looks like today is the day. Too much for the poor boy to keep feeding him meds just to keep him around. Picking up my youngest son from his month in India at the airport, then coming home for him to be able to say goodbye. So, all the kids have been able to spend some time with the Good Boy. I get the hard part of the job....

This Boy will be sunning himself after chasing another deer on that hillside in heaven....

GFish

Sorry to read about your dog's health.

When I lost my lab, I planted a tree next to the grave as a reminder and headstone. Even though I don't live at that house anymore, I have to visit once in awhile to see how she's doing........the tree is growing tall and strong........think she's doing really well.

Hope you get back on your bike soon, a ride can be both therapeutic and spiritual.

All the best...

cocar

Oh David, I'm so sorry about Rodney. It's hard, it sucks, and there isn't really anything anyone can say or do to make it stop sucking. But I do know this...now is not the time to try to be tough. Just grieve, for as long and hard as you need to. If people tell you it's just a dog and to get over it, understand that they don't get it, never will, and that their lives are missing something good because of this.

My philosophy on dogs, and favorite 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

Maybe it will help a little...

overthehillmedi

I've tried to respond to this string a few times since it was posted but everytime the screen was all blurry and there was a hellofva large lump in my throat, but here goes. I had to do the right thing a few years ago and it is still bothersome. Now my nephew is going throught the same horror as I type. A couple of weeks ago his pal was not his normal and had two large lumps in his throat so into the vet, diagnosis, Cancer, two to four weeks. They're out at the cabin this weekend and Rosco has free range to chase all the squirrels he wants and more treats than he can handle. Tuesday, they return to town and.... Take care and know that you're doing the right thing.

david58

Our dear friend doesn't hurt any more, and our son is doing well after stepping off a plane from India to have to take the dog to the vet right after getting home. Our little Rat Terrier is loving Mom and me up, as though he knows that his friend over these past few months would have him take special care of us. I've known no other dog like our late friend, and it will take some time to get over. But life goes on, and I know the old boy would think I should get back on that funny spinning machine thing and have some fun.

Sure glad I don't have to go to work tomorrow......

howsteepisit

I just got work that my lab that I had to leave behind in the divorce passed away today. Today, between just feeling for you David, and my loss I lost a big chuck of my heart today.

david58

Sorry about the news. As I sit here I realize the sun came up today, and life goes on - but life has been better because of our knowing these furry friends, and we never get to know them without sadness at some point.

Bikey Mikey

Go for a ride...even if you still don't feel like it and are sad. The ride will be good for you.

david58

Getting prepped for tomorrow's commute. It'll be good.

qcpmsame 

Hope that the day is a better one for you David, don't let your self get bad down over this terrible loss. I suspect the majority here have been in your shoes, too. I wish I never had to go there but I know I will some day. We are here for you if you need to vent or just talk things out.

Regards,
Bill

NOS88

I'm sure some of you may have read this before, but it seems fitting. It was written by a vet after a particulary moving incident with a six year old:

"Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker ‘s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker’s Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ”I know why.”

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I’d never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.

He said,”People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?” The Six-year-old continued,

”Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you’re not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY"