Losing my beloved Tetley

Boondox · Aug 22, 2005

Just got back from the vet with some horrible news. Tetley, my gun dog, my wonderfully gentle dog, my rehabilitator of terribly abused animals, has a very aggressive form of cancer on his spleen. The prognosis is hopeless. Two to four months with surgery, and 8-12 months with. But no matter what I'm losing that wonderful companion.

I'm so absolutely devastated! Our other four goldens know something is up, but only because they are so attuned to my emotions. Lots of hugging and snuggling happening here. I look at that beautiful dog, just beginning to feel the effects of the tumor that will take him from me, and know I can't ask him to suffer. So no surgery. No heroics. Just all the love I can give him until his time comes. Having him put down will undoubtedly be the hardest decision of my life.

Pete

Bob_Skurka · Aug 22, 2005

Sorry to hear it Pete. I know how much you love your dogs as family members. We've been faced with it too, its always hard, but there are some dogs that have been so much more than just dogs in our family, I suspect Tetley is one of those very special friends.

Sigarms · Aug 22, 2005

May God be with you and Tetley.

I know what you're going through.

But... the pain and love that you feel shows what Tetely has meant to you. For that, give thanks, and your time together has not been in vain.

You shall be together yet again.

God bless.

Bird · Aug 22, 2005

( Having him put down will undoubtedly be the hardest decision of my life. )

No doubt about it, and you certainly have my sympathy, but I do believe it's the right decision.

shoppintractors · Aug 22, 2005

Pete,

I'm so sorry to hear about Tetley.

I had saved the 'attached' picture as one of my favorites.

Don

dholly · Aug 22, 2005

( No heroics. Just all the love I can give him until his time comes. )

Such sad news. But it is clear, when his time comes, he will enter his peace with the knowledge that someone loved him with all their heart. And you as well. Were we all to be so lucky in life...

Boondox · Aug 22, 2005

Thanks, Don. Tetters is the big, beautiful boy on the left. He's still as handsome as ever. Hard to believe he's so sick!

Pete

Kyle_in_Tex · Aug 22, 2005

Very sorry to hear this Pete. You have my condolences. Give him a big hug for me. You are so right about it being the hardest decision you'll ever have to make. The love you have for him will help you make the decision when the time comes. That pic you posted of your dogs in your truck is one of my favorites too. Good thing you have such a great support team to help out.

Sincerely,
Kyle

Inspector507 · Aug 22, 2005

When the time comes Pete, you know you have all of us here behind you. Tetley does not need to suffer. Our thoughts are with you Buddy.

Junkman · Aug 22, 2005

Pete.... I am also very sad to hear about the pups cancer. I also know that you will make the right decision when the time comes. The dogs never seem to live long enough, and they are just on loan to us from G-d. Both Tetley, you and your family will be in my prayers, and hopefully he will not suffer and will live out the rest of his days in peace and comfort... Junk..

billbill1 · Aug 23, 2005

Pete, we had our dog put down on june 13th this year and I still catch the wife crying from time to time. As much as we loved her, I'm not sure we'll go through it again. We had her for 16-1/2 years. You are in our prayers.

ronjhall · Aug 23, 2005

Sorry to hear about your dogs condition. Wife and I have had dogs most of our life. Its always hard to let go. We enjoy the memories of each one. Our prayers are with you and your family.

Moon · Aug 23, 2005

Sorry to hear the horrible news Pete.
I think your making the right decision, but it's so tough either way. Stay strong buddy!

PhilNH5 · Aug 23, 2005

Boondox,
I've never met you nor your Goldens yet this post saddens me. Judging from the other posts you've struck a chord with a bunch of other TBNers as well.

My thoughts are with you and yours and especially the Goldens.

Phil

Unclebuck257 · Aug 23, 2005

Pete,

Our prayers and sympathies are with you my friend. It's a hard thing to face for sure, but it's because of all the love you have for Tetley and his love for you, that you will do what is best for him when his time comes. May God Grant you the strength and the knowledge to know when that time is.

In the meantime, spend all the time with Tetley that you can, just loving on him and him loving on you.

8NTX · Aug 23, 2005

Pete,

So sorry to hear about Tetley. We have a golden (15 months), and know how special they are. I went through the same situation with my beloved sheltie a few years ago, and decided to put her down instead of the surgery option. God bless.

Steve

Kyle_in_Tex · Aug 23, 2005

Pete, I wanted to add a few more comments.

To all, if you've ever had the priviledge of having a well bred Golden Retriever you'll know what I mean. There is something so special about their love and devotion. Once they bond to you and realize you belong to them, not much else can satisfy them. Putting up with all the hair is not a problem for all the love you get with it. I am a dog lover and definitely am not trying to start any kind of "best dog" flamewar.

Heck, when I was single about 5 years back my mother said I need to post an ad in the personals something like this:
Good man looking for a good woman with a personality like a Golden Retriever. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

cowboydoc · Aug 23, 2005

Pete I'm so sorry to hear that. I know your dogs are like your children. I feel your pain and the hole you must have in your heart and in the pit of your stomach right now is tremendous. At least you have some time to spend with him before he goes and let him know how much you care for him. I'm sure a dog as great as him is going to have a very special place in heaven. My Grandpa once told me when I lost my favorite horse ever that God must have needed him for a very important task in heaven...

dmccarty · Aug 23, 2005

Pete,

Sigh, we know how you feel. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

When we found the second set of tumors on Chase, the vets operated on her to take them out. Very early in the operation they came out to talk to my wife and told her that the cancer had spread. Did she want to just go ahead and put Chase to sleep.

We decided not too. Its a tough call and no right or wrong answers. Ironically, I guess it gets back to the answer I gave you over the chick. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif We made a decision and I think it turned out for the best. The vets only gave Chase a few weeks. She lasted for six months or so. During her last few weeks it was obvious that her time was approaching. And we knew when it was time....

Its tough to know when animals are in pain. They hide it so well. I don't know how much pain she was in but she seemed to be her old self until the very end. She would get tired easily as time went on but she was still her old jolly self. I swear that dog lasted on just pure love until the very end. She simply did not want to go.

My wife and I knew when it was time. I think Chase did as well.

We spent alot of money on Chase and Thorpe. Money that would be real helpful right now. But I don't regret one cent on what we spent keeping those dogs alive. We had three different vet practices helping Chase. She got the best we could give.

I think we have talked about this before. Both Chase and Thorpe. And the fact that we had Chase put to sleep at home. It was easier on everyone. Its an option not many people know about but some vets will come to the house and put the animal to sleep at home. It made things much easier for us and more importantly, Chase.

These critters give you part of their soul when they are with us. The danged hard part is that they take part of OUR souls when they leave.

Which is how it should be....

Later,
Dan

Sigarms · Aug 23, 2005

You should "always go through it".

Two of our most loved dogs I've "found" (and who knows what of happened if I "did not pick them up").

The joy that a dog can bring is unknown to some people.

It's amazing the difference in attitudes in some areas as far as domesticated pets are concearned.

If you can "give a home" to a dog in need, by all means do so (your life will change forever for the good).

You get back what you put into them (and much more than you'll ever realize).

And the life that you "change" that you take into your home will forever be gratefull, even if you may not realize it at the time.

God bless.