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

 

[Charlesaf3]

That sucks.

One of the reasons I don't own a dog right now is I can't bear it when they die.

I've always found this poem by Rudyard Kiploing to capture it pretty well

[SIZE=+1]T[/SIZE]HERE is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?

Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair--
But...you've given your heart for a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!);
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart for the dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long--

So why in Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Rudyard Kipling

 

[Gravdigr]

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!

Our dog Molly had to be put to sleep yesterday. She was 13 years old. Our concerns were raised yesterday due to a distended abdomen and she had not eaten breakfast that morning and was acting a little lethargic. We made an emergency trip to the Vet's office. X-rays indicated she had some gravel in her stomach but when the Vet opened her up she was chock full of tumors thought out her body, one of the tumors had ruptured and she was bleeding out badly into her stomach cavity. The Vet called me while she was knocked out and still on the table to inform me of her situation and gave her 1 day, 2 at the most to live. At that point I asked the Vet to put her to sleep (to which he concurred). I'm still agonizing over over that decision.


Heck I got to thinking and my dog Molly and I were together longer than my first marriage lasted.

Godspeed Molly, a best friend, loyal companion and family member. She will be forever missed.

That's a bummer. As well as burying people for a living I have buried many family pets in a small patch of woods nearby. We had a couple cats, one was 21 and the other was 22, as well as 2 great danes. I also had to bury my father (in the cemetery of course). It's tough but eventually you get hardened to it and just focus on the job at hand.

 

[droy]

Some years back, when bobcats and coyotes were raiding the chicken coop on a regular basis, I told my wife I was going to get a dog, (our first), to guard the place. Thinking Blue heeler, Catahoula cur, or at least a Jack Russell, I was pretty upset when I returned home from work to find she had actually bought a young puppy; a mix of Miniature Schnauzer, Toy Poodle, and as we later discovered, Tasmanian Devil.
Now four years later, weighing in at just under 10 lbs, he hasn't killed any predators, but the joy and companionship we've gotten from him has offset his shortcommings in the guard duty department.
I still haven't found out what wife paid for him, but there's no amount of money that would make me part with that little devil.

 

[mrutkaus]

I'm sorry, I had a black lab die at the vets also, but I was on vacation. A big tumor.

I think a lot of common dog foods might have been responsible, too much weird stuff in them.

Mike

 

[roxynoodle]

I've lost all 3 of my dogs in the last couple of years. My Dalmatian, Dominic, was also full of cancer at age 13. My German Shepard, Rutger, age 12 had tumors in his nose and throat. Lastly, my other Dal, Jamie, had dementia and tried to attack everyone but me, got lost and stuck in corners in the house and couldn't figure out how to turn around and lost all bladder control at age 13. I feel for you with Molly and will be thinking of you. I have had to use tractors to bury a couple of my horses and there is nothing worse than digging a grave for one of your pets. I know it doesn't seem that way now, but eventually you will think of all the happy times you had with your dog and smile. I hope you have people who understand your grief at losing your companion to talk to.

 

[Dodgeram]

Rebel,
I too offer my deepest sympathies.
We currently have a 11 year-old black lab, a 10 year old Black Lab and a 15 month old Chocolate.
The 11 year old has diabetes, cushings, and, after a failed cateract surgery, is now blind.
She is gray all over and is getting to be very picky. I know the day is approaching (probably alot sooner than later) when she will not be around.
Part of me will go with her, as well as with her sister when the time comes.
I have found myself cherishing each and every moment I get to spend with them.
Again, sorry for your loss.
Tom

 

[Gravdigr]

there is nothing worse than digging a grave for one of your pets

Actually there is something worse than burying a pet, see my post above.

I only have cats now and they are our fur children and I know we will be devastated when they finally do start dying off.

 

[roxynoodle]

Actually there is something worse than burying a pet, see my post above.

I'm very sorry. I guess I hadn't realized you meant that you literally dug the grave for your father. Please accept my deepest apologies.

 

[GBeck]

I laid my dog to rest today
She said she had enough
Her face was grey
Her hips were frail
Which made walking really tough

She said she had a happy life
She was almost 12 years old
She played and slept and drank all day
And her belly was always full

She was easy to teach and eager to learn
And came on my command
Except if we were near a lake then I couldn't keep her on dry land.
She was there for me thru my lonely times and for that I love her most.
So to all my friends please lift your glass and give my Molly a toast!!

 

[skargo]

Sorry for your loss Rebel, R.I.P. Molly.

Darn allergies.

I still grieve over the last dog I lost, he was put down 3/28/06
I actually have a memorial tattoo of him on my arm.
Our new boy is incredible, and I love him with all my heart, it's a different love, as each one is amazingly different.

Maybe I'm a bad person but my animals mean more to me than a lot of people. My wife and I don't have any children, well human ones anyway.