The first bucket...

madslick · Sep 25, 2013

Two days ago, we had a beautiful morning.
It was a crisp, sunny Monday in New England.
I had gone through the morning routine as I've had done many times before.
I helped my buddy Lex into the car and my wife said goodbye to us.
We traveled for about 1 hour to Larry's place. Throughout the ride, I spoke softly to Lex and tried to enjoy the moment.
"Go ahead Larry!"
I never knew how powerful those words really were until that morning. As I starred into Lex's brown eyes, Larry loosened the rubber band and the barbiturate flowed into Lex's body. Within 20-30 seconds, his deep chest slowly ceased to rise and fall as it had for the past 10 years.
The drive home through the rolling hills of the countryside on that beautiful Autumn morning was very peaceful.
I could still see Lex's silhouette in the rearview mirror, but, it didn't matter anymore. He couldn't hear me any longer.
After battling with severe arthritis for the past 2 years and bone cancer for the past year, my buddy Lex had 1 last dog chase this past Thursday. By Friday, his front left elbow had swollen to twice its normal size and he had become incapacitated. We tried meds over the weekend. But nothing. Movement had slowed down to almost nothing. Appetite had dropped to nothing.
Throughout this ordeal and his suffering, he never complained. Not even a gentle whimper. Nothing. He didn't want to bother us.
This gentle giant was a very fine and strong German Shepherd.
I picked a nice area in the yard under a tree next to another old buddy.
The Kubota came out and did what it does best; dig holes. I used the 7.5' backhoe to dig a 4' deep hole and
placed the body in it.
Somehow, although I've done this before, it doesn't get any easier.

Scooping the first bucket of dirt into your buddy's grave is never easy...

tkappeler · Sep 25, 2013

A very nice tribute. I am sorry for your loss. Words fail me.

sandyc · Sep 25, 2013

My condolences.....it is never easy.

mikehaugen · Sep 25, 2013

I'm sorry for your loss, but it sounds like you did the right thing.

Deano · Sep 25, 2013

So very sorry for your loss....went through the same ordeal three years ago with my black lab. I understand completely.
I always say, "The memories of our animals lives, far outweigh the pain in passing". Enjoy the memories....

George the Beagle · Sep 25, 2013

There are so many people who own dogs who shouldn't have them. After the initial excitement, the dogl founders along, forgotten by the owners--often tied outside for hours on end, or crated endlessly.

You, sir, are obviously not one of those, and you have done your animals proud by your care and compassion for them. I offer you my congratulations and my sincerest condolences.

dukeabby · Sep 25, 2013

Very sorry for your loss

Bill Hoffman · Sep 25, 2013

Well written. Having to put a pet/friend down is so difficult. Your skill at
writing about it is admirable. Thank you for sharing and my condolences
at your loss.

Bill

crazyangel · Sep 25, 2013

A painful milestone in life. So long old friend.

4shorts · Sep 25, 2013

Well you managed to bring a tear to my eye. Sorry for your loss. Had to do the same with my little Beagle buddy 5 years ago and I still find myself looking around the shop or the yard for her. They truly are a gift from God and give us unconditional love. Again I'm sorry for your loss.

PAPPASMURF · Sep 25, 2013

Very Well written. I wasn't expecting the story I just read. I logged in to TBN to check out what was going on in the tractor world, and after reading this post I found myself thinking really hard about a post I made a few months ago about my faithful Black Lab (Ci-Ci). He always follows me when I work on the Kubota, just running along side the tractor all day. I know his days are limited (he's 12 years old) and I dread the day I have to go through what you just went through. Sounds like you were an awesome, caring dad to your furry friend. My condolences for your loss Sir.

adirondackmtnman · Sep 25, 2013

I'm so sorry to read of your loss. It's never an easy thing to deal with. Our dogs become like family to us. Your writing reminds me of something I heard on NPR once...Here's the text...

"George Graham Vest (1830-1904) served as U.S. Senator from Missouri from 1879 to 1903 and became one of the leading orators and debaters of his time. This delightful speech is from an earlier period in his life when he practiced law in a small Missouri town. It was given in court while representing a man who sued another for the killing of his dog. During the trial, Vest ignored the testimony, and when his turn came to present a summation to the jury, he made the following speech and won the case.

Gentlemen of the Jury: The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us, may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads.

The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog. A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer. He will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings, and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.

If fortune drives the master forth, an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him, to guard him against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by the graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even in death.

George Graham Vest - c. 1855"

Your post brought tears to this old boy's eyes...I can only hope that you find the friendship of another pup to be as gratifying as the relationship you've had with this one...You have my condolences for sure...

Grandad4 · Sep 25, 2013

Thanks for writing that in memory of Lex. We had to do something similar for our small German Shep, Sam, a few years ago and all of us still think of her often. You did what was right, even though it was very difficult. Our thoughts are with you.

BXpanded · Sep 25, 2013

You certainly have my sympathy. Losing such a friend is a terribly hard thing. We lost our Lab just over a month ago. I've owned and lost many over the years, but somehow this one was the hardest. I'm a pretty crusty old guy, but I've found myself really suffering over it. I still look for her when I walk up on the porch. Yes, she was watching when I got my first Kubota. The same Kubota dug the grave.

varmint · Sep 25, 2013

A fine tribute for your friend... I have gone thru that too many times, and it is always hard, even when you know without a doubt that it is the best thing you can do for your animal. I have a soft spot under some pines that is dig-able even in the winter, next to a fence. I make brass discs with their names and dates that I mount on the fence, and I still stop and think about those animals (cats, in our case) whenever I pass by.

Rustyiron · Sep 25, 2013

Nice words for your buddy Lex. It sounds like you are at peace with this loss. It is never easy, and does not get any better with each dog. I'll face this with my little pain in the butt Jack Russell sooner than I wish, especially now that he has us fully trained. All you can do is love 'em.

madslick · Sep 25, 2013

Thank you all for your kind words.

In the busy race of life, we often forget to appreciate those around us. Until one day, when they have departed, we then realize how we wished we had done things differently.

Be nice to someone.
Enjoy the moment.
Take care.