Not Fun....Digging a Grave

[kirklowj]

Sorry to hear about your loss. I've had to put 2 beagles to sleep, one in 1996 (Abby) and the other in 2001 (Lady). I miss them both to this day. I have a beagle now (Shelby) that was recently diagnosed with a vertabrae degeneration of the neck. She is 11 1/2 yrs old. Initially it looked like there was little hope. I use to take Shelby on 4-5 mile round trip walks at least 4 times a week and now she has trouble going 1/4 mile. In fact I don't even walk her any more. I just let her walk around the yard. It is difficult to watch her in pain. She is on steroids and pain medication and that makes her disoriented at times. I know her time is limited and I will be faced with the decision to let her go. I've prepared her resting place with my other 2 beagles and when the time comes I know how much I will miss her.

 

[zzvyb6]

I still hold the ashes of my first two Labs, but now look what brightens my day. Nothing like a pup to bring it all back. Each is different, but each has something to share.

 

[Ridgewalker]

I sorta feel your pain, we found out Saturday that our 9 year old lab Sadie has cancer in a back leg. They removed what they could but didn't get it all, we have a choice of cutting off the leg or letting it go. Supposedly it's a slow growing form of cancer and may take 2-3 years to get her so we will see how it goes for now. If she gets to be in pain or immobile we have decided to have her put down. She will be buried on the farm to when the time comes.

 

[Negligence]

We lost a great foal this summer. He strangled himself in electric fencing. We woke up too late. What a miserable and odd way to die... it was hard to deal with.

I had to bury him out back. It wasn't fun getting him into the bucket, and seeing his legs sitting straight up out of the bucket was something I don't want to see again. A loader shouldn't be used for this kind of thing.

 

[unreconstructed]

Death is part of life but a hard part it is. Our pets become part of our families for sure and is hard to give them up when the time comes. My Dad's last dog outlived him. Strangely, the dog just up and died within a month or so of Daddy's death.

I am sorry for your loss.

 

[unreconstructed]

Death is part of life but a hard part it is. Our pets become part of our families for sure and is hard to give them up when the time comes. My Dad's last dog outlived him. Strangely, the dog just up and died within a month or so of Daddy's death.

I am sorry for your loss.

 

[arrow]

You raise a point Ron. Maybe its why we take each other for granted at times, although I have known some people whose deaths were alot easier to take than some of the animals we've lost.

 

[canoetrpr]

Rebel... I am very sorry for your loss. I have only ever had two dogs and they are both with me - 3 yr old Belgian and 5 yr old GSD. I know I will have to deal with their passing some day.

Believe it or not, I have pondered purchasing a backhoe to ensure that I can bury my pets on my property. Sounds like you did fine with a loader.

Your post reminded me how much I should appreciate having my dogs around while I have them today. I won't have a chance to take them out for another walk in the woods when they are gone.

 

[jas67]

For the first time since I've owned my tractor I can honestly say I didn't enjoy operating it last night. Had to dig a grave to lay to rest my Black Lab in. Digging a grave just plain sucks, and is a real bummer!

Rebel,

Please accept my sympathy in your loss. Making the decision to put down a much loved pet is always an agonizing decision, not matter how sick they are. You made the right decision, but it still hurts. It has been 7 years since I had to make the same decision for my first lab, Shelby, a chocolate, who was only 6 years old at the time. She fought an auto-immune problem (the name of which escapes me) that caused her digestive system to shut down. She was wasting away to nothing (down to 50 lbs from 65 in a short time). I was with her when was put down. It was one of the hardest things I've ever gone through. Then, I dug her grave with a shovel, as I didn't have a tractor then; still don't have a back hoe.

I still miss Shelby. I have a new companion now, Hannah, a black lab, who is now 7 years old. She is also a great dog, and companion.

Take care,
Jay

 

[jas67]

Just want to say thanks to all for the kind words and support.

Its really strange not having her around, our other two dogs seem to be down, mourning the loss of Molly.

Your other dogs are also mourning the loss. When we put Shelby down, our other dog, Bear, as chow, 12 yrs old at the time, who we didn't think would even care was very clingy for a month or so. 2 years later, bear laid down peacefully, for the last time in our back yard on a cool September morning. We miss him too, but he had a full 14 years, and went doing what he loved, lying outside on a cool morning.

Hannah was VERY clingy after we lost Bear. On his big fluffy tail was a favorite place for her to sleep, especially when she was a pup.

As another poster stated, you'll find a new friend, but will always remember Molly. The great thing is that you'll always have fond memories of Molly, nothing (but perhaps old-age, and senility -- but that is another story) can take that away from you.

Regards,
Jay