About to lose a loyal friend

[deere755]

Thanks for all kind words in your replies and e-mails. I talked with my Dad last night and he told me what he has always told me doing the right thing isn't always the easy thing. We are going to get some tulip bulbs today to put near her grave since she always liked to lay in my wifes flowers.
My condolences to all of you who have lost a pet or are about to be faced with losing a pet. You don't realize what a big part of your family they are until their gone. If you still have a pet take time to give them some attention. You will be rewarded for your time.

 

[Boondox]

Deere755

It's taken me a few days to work up the courage and composure to respond to this thread. Every topic like this brings back memories of my Tetter Dog, who passed last August at the age of seven. But yesterday afternoon I sat on the big flat stone over his gravesite and talked to him about you and Sage...

It took a lot of guts to do what you did for your dog. I think, in your shoes, I might have gone over the counter and stuffed that insensitive vet assistant in that cage! Dogs deserve to die with their humans at their side. And I hear how you wish it had been different, but in the end you had the courage to honor Sage by giving her the only gift left to give. Peace.

I wish we lived closer together. I'd buy you a beer and sit while you told me of the life you'd shared. Then you could buy me one and I'd tell you about my wonderful boy named Tetley and we'd cry ourselves dry.

You're a good man to have given her love for so long. Most dogs never have that special bond. Take care and PM me if you need to chat.

Pete
Molson, Harley, Glenfiddich, Tuppence and Tadcaster (living)
Mercedes, Oliver, April and Tetley (over the bridge)

 

[RonR]

Yesterday, as I was following this thread, I thought back and looked at some pics I have of Allen (son, now 21) and Candy (Retriever, now 14). Allen and Candy were 5 and 2 months, lying on the floor, Candy with her stuffed toy, Allen petting Candy. Neither had a care in the world, just loving each other.

We still lie on the floor and play with Candy, but her eyes are glazing and her steps are slower. Inside, she's still the bounching puppy of her youth. Just yesterday as I was chipping some golf balls in the yard, she bounded out after a few, like it was retrieve of a lifetime.

Without asking more than food and praise, she's successfully retrieved probably 4,000 morning newspapers--6 days a week for over 12 yrs--she can't lift Sunday's as it's too big to get in her mouth.

She's old and gray now, but her heart is still in the game. Today, after Allen goes back to college, I'll take Candy for a 3 mile walk in the park, at her pace, and remember all the happiness she still brings to us.

Ron

 

[BB_TX]

I also think you did the right thing. It is just sad it had to happen like it did. Our dog also lived 16 years even with numerous health problems over the years. We had a close relationship with our vet. When the time came, the vet stayed after normal closing hours for us to come in. As she was put to sleep, I cried, my wife cried, the vet cried, and her assistant cried. But it was all so peaceful we never really even knew when she quit breathing.

 

[dmccarty]

deere755,

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( We are going to get some tulip bulbs today to put near her grave since she always liked to lay in my wifes flowers. )</font>

Now that is a great idea. It made me laugh. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

You did the right thing. Don't doubt that for a second. I think I would find a new vet though. We have been very lucky in the vets that have treated our dogs. They have been outstanding. One of our dogs had cancer and she was being treated by three different vets. They all worked togather for Chase's benefit.

I wish I could say the same for the doctors treating my kids. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Which brings me to my last point. Often we treat our pets better than people. I watched my wife's grandfather take almost a week to the minute to die. There is no way we would allow a dog to suffer like he did. We had a couple talks during that week that if grandpa was a dog we would end his suffering.

While having to put your dog down the way you did made it even harder on you it had to be done. There is no reason to allow the suffering. Right now you remember what you had to do. If you had not put her down, you and your family would be remembering her suffering through the night. That is not something one needs to go through and the dog certainly should not have had to suffer.

You did the right thing but it was a hard thing.

Plant them flowers!

Later,
Dan