Kyle_in_Tex
Super Star Member
That is a great long life for a golden.
I think a friend of mine will be leaving soon
- Thread starter orezok
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N80
Super Member
We lost our lab, Dash, about a year ago. He was almost 14. I've had dogs most of my life but he was the first one that was really my buddy. He lived a long and happy life. And it was fairly obvious when it was time to put him down. But I took it hard. Far harder than I expected it to be. As a Christian, when I lose another person who is a Christian I am certain not only that they are in a better place but also that I will see them again. This makes that sort of loss a little easier.
I don't know what happens to dogs when they die. I like to believe that they too will be in heaven. C.S. Lewis believed that pets that we have 'humanized' do go to heaven. Most Christians believe that the new heaven and new earth will be like Eden, which had animals. Maybe our pets will be in that new earth too. But from a theological standpoint we just don't know. And for me that made the loss of a close pet very hard.
Everyone said get another dog. I said "no way". I wanted to work through the pain and did not want to replace Dash with another dog. Not yet anyway. But my wife had different ideas. We've had Boon now for 5 months. It definitely helps with the pain. On the downside Dash seems a little bit of a blur to me. the new dog seems to push his memory off a bit.
As far as advice I would recommend seeing if there is a vet who will make a home visit to put her down when the time comes. It is not hugely important but for us it made it a lot easier. Dash could barely get up. We called a traveling vet that we had never used before (although my daughter had worked with her a few times). She came to the house. Dash was wagging his tail even as she administered the drugs. He never had a moments stress in the process.
I don't know what happens to dogs when they die. I like to believe that they too will be in heaven. C.S. Lewis believed that pets that we have 'humanized' do go to heaven. Most Christians believe that the new heaven and new earth will be like Eden, which had animals. Maybe our pets will be in that new earth too. But from a theological standpoint we just don't know. And for me that made the loss of a close pet very hard.
Everyone said get another dog. I said "no way". I wanted to work through the pain and did not want to replace Dash with another dog. Not yet anyway. But my wife had different ideas. We've had Boon now for 5 months. It definitely helps with the pain. On the downside Dash seems a little bit of a blur to me. the new dog seems to push his memory off a bit.
As far as advice I would recommend seeing if there is a vet who will make a home visit to put her down when the time comes. It is not hugely important but for us it made it a lot easier. Dash could barely get up. We called a traveling vet that we had never used before (although my daughter had worked with her a few times). She came to the house. Dash was wagging his tail even as she administered the drugs. He never had a moments stress in the process.
OP
orezok
Elite Member
I think I agree with Will Rogers - “If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”
N80
Super Member
A different view of the after life of animals: The Heaven of Animals by James Dickey.
The Heaven of Animals by James L. Dickey - Poetry Foundation
The Heaven of Animals by James L. Dickey - Poetry Foundation
roadhunter
Elite Member
This ^^
I have a magnet on the fridge that says "the more people I meet the more I like my dog".
My 15 year old lab mix shelter dog is also coming to the end of it's life. Hips are going out and has started having trouble holding bowel movements (poop walking heading for the door in the AM. lol). He is like most shelter dogs, he saved me, not the other way around. Took him for a good walk this evening and he seemed alright so we are going to enjoy each other's company as long as possible but I have started preparing myself. I like the idea about the vet at the house.
Always tough losing a long time loyal friend.
jimmyj
Elite Member
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Sorry to hear of your situation. I love dogs more than anything in the world it seems. You have given her lots of love and a great life so far. I wish my dogs lived the same lifespan as myself. My old cattle dog elmo is 14 1/2 now, his body is declining rapidly but as you said, the mind seems clear and young. Tough stuff. All the best.
OP
orezok
Elite Member
Well, the time has come. We had Tess to the vet today to get his opinion. She hasn't eaten anything in about 6 days. She's down 20 lbs from her normal weight. Without doing any tests, the vet diagnosed her with a high probability of lymphatic cancer. We scheduled the vet to come by at the end of the day tomorrow and put her to rest.
It's gonna be a tough night and a tougher day tomorrow as I dig her grave.
It's the right thing to do, but it's so hard.
It's gonna be a tough night and a tougher day tomorrow as I dig her grave.
It's the right thing to do, but it's so hard.
Industrial Toys
Super Star Member
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I have had cats 21 years, but I lost a cat I had only four or so years to cancer this spring. I have not gotten over her passing yet, nor has my other cat.
Kyle_in_Tex
Super Star Member
So sorry.
OP
orezok
Elite Member
Rest in peace Tess.
