Golden has one heck of a tumur.

[dmccarty]

We really appreciate all of the support!

Thanks!

/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Our daughter did not notice that Chase was gone until Sunday
morning. Something like 36 hours after Chase had passed.
She handled it much better than I expected but every once
in awhile she would start talking about Chase. She did freak
us a bit because at one point our daughter said, "Look, there
is Chase." while we where standing in the kitchen. My wife
got a bit bug eyed at that statement! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif The doggy
cancer group had taken Chase's picture and had them put on
coffee mugs. My wife was emptying the dishwasher and the
cabinet doors where open. Our kid saw the mugs with Chase!

/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif We thought she was seeing ghosts! To near Halloween I guess! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

A year or so ago my mother in law bought our daughter a
goldfish. Kinda stupid for a one year old to have a fish in a
cold house and the fish died within days. I think we got
another one but it died as well. What do you do with a dead
goldfish? You flush it. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

After our daughter found out that Chase had died she looked
up at me and with only the seriouness that can come from the
mouth of a toddler, she told me that "Mom had flushed Chase
down the toilet." /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Thanks again for the support.
Dan

 

[dmccarty]

Boondox,

I replied to everyone in general but I was thinking of you and
your Rescued Pack over the last few months. One thing that
has come from all of this is that my wife has been volunteering
as time permits for one of the local Golden Rescue groups.

She tried to bring home a dog a month or so ago but I nixed
that idea. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif We just have to much going on right
now to take on a new dog. Next year we will get another one
but right now is just to much. My GSD has been very clingy
lately which is hard to believe since she clings to me like a
sand spur. But after Chase's passing she wants to be
touching me ALL the time....

She is going to need a new friend soon....

Later,
Dan

 

[TimSullivan]

Hi Dan,

Your GSD is just doing her dog job. She senses your feelings and is going to be there for you.

I can only encourage you and your family to take in a rescue. There are some wonderful dogs looking for new homes. We have a Giant Schnauzer male rescue and all he wants to do is be with us. As I am writing this he is laying by my chair and if I drop my hand he gives me a lick. This guy will do anything you ask. Jane just asked for the scissors in the drawer by me. I gave them to Seiger and he took them across the room to her.

 

[dourobob]

Dan
I wasn't around for your original posts but, as I wipe away my tears, I want to sent you my most heartfelt condolences on your loss. As others have said, there are no right words at times like these. I know you must have many wonderful memories - hang on to them - time is the universal healer and the memories live on.

God Bless
Bob

 

[Boondox]

Dan -- It's natural to feel the urge to bring home another golden. Two words of (unsolicited) advice from a dog lover. (1) Your GSD has some needs right now. Be sure to involve her in the decision and to give her the attention she needs right now. If she feels "replaced," you'll have some other issues to deal with. (2) In your search for a golden, never try to replace Chase. It will disappoint you and will be unfair to the new dog. If you find yourself looking at rescues and comparing them to Chase, give it more time.

The best rescued dogs we ever had were those who were horribly abused...and who learned to love and trust again in our household. Sounds like you and your wife have the same level of patience. Use that patience in your search and you'll find a real gem. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Best of luck, Pete

 

[TimSullivan]

<font color=blue> The best rescued dogs we ever had were those who were horribly abused...and who learned to love and trust again in our household. </font color=blue>

That has been my experience too. Our newest rescue is five years old and was emotionally neglected. The way he reacts to a fast hand movement tells us more. My dogs never cringe or duck when I scold them. They know I would never hurt them and they trust me.

Our new guy will not let you leave the room without following. A few times I have slipped away from him but he just does not want to be alone again. That is OK with me and he is great company. He even sits outside the shower waiting for me. My biggest problem is he wants to ride on the tractor with me. I can't have him out when I am mowing and that stresses him to be penned. He is getting more secure each day and is a wonderful guy who will do anything you ask.

 

[dmccarty]

Boondox,

Chase is the sixth dog I have outlived. I lost three before I
was 4 or 5 years old. Its a hard won advantage I have over
my wifey in dealing with Chase. This stuff is basically a
process and at least for me, once you know how to deal with
things its much easier. There are things to do and things not
to do. Hopefully that is not to cryptic. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Kelly the GSD is getting all her fill of attention. I'm not sure
she ever really liked the two Goldens. They game into Kelly's
house. Chase and Kelly used to play but Kelly is just a
dominant *****, in all meanings of the word, while Chase was
a Lady.

The nice things is that its getting colder and the bugs are
reduced so Kelly can go to the property with me. We have
to start our Poacher Patrols since its that time of year.....

You can never replace any dog. They are to unique. Its a
shame that some people never figure that one out....

About rescue dogs. How many of the dogs have house
training issues? That is one problem I hate dealing with.
Of course with a rescue dog we really could let Kelly pick
a new friend. Of course I want another GSD or a Lab. The
wife likes the Goldens. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif But me thinks I won't win
that discussion. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Later,
Dan

 

[Boondox]

Dan -- I had a feeling you were a decent dog person. Glad to see I was right. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

We very rarely have a rescue that wasn't house trained. In fact, our motto is "Rescues come pre-assembled with no leaky puppy parts!" Those dogs who had a problem with manners were among the most horribly abused or neglected of the dogs in our program. One was a seven year old that had been confined to a basement his entire life -- he had never even seen grass before we got him! And of course the dogs that were chained outside and never allowed in need to be trained; so obviously some questions about his former lifestyle are in order for prospective adopters. That said, we have seen some dogs regress temporarily to puppy habits out of fear. This phase passes quickly with love and reassurance. Remember that goldens are extremely social animals...unless it is beaten out of them they honestly want to please. Abuse can be devastating to these gentle dogs, but for the most part they recover quickly and form an incredible bond to those who treat them well.

A word of warning. Goldens who have moved from abusive homes to loving homes tend to be quite protective. My Molson, who was beaten with a bat the first five years of his life, will bare all his fangs and utter some absolutely terrifying sounds if he thinks anybody is a threat to me! This is very un-golden behavior, and while understandable given the circumstances, I must be aware of my dog at all times.

Sounds like Kelly has some Alpha tendencies. You won't change that. Neither do you want to challenge it by getting another Alpha. There can only be one per pack. Make it very plain to any rescue person you talk to that the new dog will be coming into Kelly's home, and the chemistry has to be there or it's a no-go. Good luck, and if you need any pointers on rescue check the Golden Retriever Rescue link on my Website.

Pete

 

[JohnS]

Dan, I saw your thread rise to the top, a few days ago. I couldn't bring myself to read it because I suspected what had happened. I am truely sorry for your loss. I am sure the time you spent with Chase, over the last few months were very special.

Most of the reason that I couldn't bring myself to read it, is our family is going through a similar ordeal. On a routine check-up, this summer, the vet found a lump, in our husky, Kasha. We scheduled a follow-up visit for a biopsy and awaited for the results from the Cornel lab. As we feared, it turned out to be malignate cancer. The large **** tumor was determined to be inoperable. The vet gave us from 3 months to 2 years /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif.

Kasha has been doing very well, in most ways, showing no indications of the effect of the cancer. That is till this week. One of the signs that the vet had us watch for, was the heavy consumtion of water. This week, her large water bowl has been empty every morning, after filling the night before/w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif/w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif. We will be calling the vet to discuss and see what the next step is. We don't want her to suffer, and will monitor closely to determine when the time is right. Our weekend property walks, that had already took on special meaning from this summer, will intesify over the next few.

Sorry, for venting on your thread, but it does seem to help.

 

[dmccarty]

Pete,

Alpha Dogs.

We had a weird event when the two Goldens came into Kelly's
house. We knew Kelly leaned toward AlphaHood and the
oldest Golden was certainly an Alpha. So we expected a
problem between the two.

But we where wrong. The oldest Golden was just to old and
to infirm to really make an issue of anything with Kelly. They
basically had a nonagression pack, errrr, pact, between each
other. They just left well enough alone.

But what did happen during The Introduction Of The Dogs is
that the two GOLDENS went at each other. Somehow the
dynamic of the third dog caused Chase to attack Thorpe. We
where really shocked we figured it would be Thorpe and Kelly.
It was almost like Chase had been put down for so long and
know it was her turn to be top dog. We each had to grab
a Golden and hold them back. And I do mean HOLD. There
was patches of hair/fur floating all over the room and on the
floor. Fur flying is a phase I understand! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Dogs are danged interesting critters... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

BTW, the wife brought up the idea of a rescue Golden last
night since Kelly needs a companion. Next year but right
now with the holidays and the problems with our neighbors
makes this a bad time...

Later,
Dan