When dogs get old...

[FUNX650]

So sorry to hear this Dave...


My Grandfather taught me this many, many years ago:

Every time you lose a Family member, a Friend, or a Pet...
It's like losing a brick from the house.
Pretty soon the house just falls down, you know?

"Keep Building Back With New Bricks"...I was told.



Bob

 

[DaHen]

Our thoughts are with you on this day.

 

[cardaddy]

Dave,

I know I'm fairly new around here but I just wanted you to know how saddened I am for your pain. I have had to make your choice (more times than I wish), we have had to make your choice and for lack of a better word, it sucks. It is a decision rooted in love, one we must make for them when they cannot make it for themselves.

I have a neighbor with a large boxer that we have all seen suffer unmercifully with arthritis and/or hip dysplasia. She lifts that poor animals rear leg up almost to her waist level while it tries to move around the yard to take care of business. She has stopped many of us walking our own dog’s to ask what she should do, yet she is unwilling to do what is right. Her ‘puppy’ is 15 and should not have to suffer like it does, yet she is consumed by her own selfishness.
Know that the right choice Dave isn’t something that we do easily. Yet it brings with it a certain ‘freedom’. It is that ‘freedom’ in knowing that our closest allies are free of their own pain. Rest in knowing that Jack is finally free of pain, she was sometimes unable to, or unwilling to show. That she now will live within’ your heart and nothing can take that away.
The one thing our pets do is love us beyond reproach. Be it bad weather or good, hot or cold, night or day they just look to use for approval and we look to them for a ‘friend’. Your friend Dave, well tonight she runs and jumps and rolls around like right after she just got a fresh bath with her tail just a waggin’ like crazy. She is happy now, tomorrow, and forever more.
Take care,
Tony

 

[OMRebel]

Dave,

A few weeks ago, our 17 year old (18 in Feb.) family pet was on its last leg. It's a tough decision to make, but we decided to take it to the vet the next day to be put down. Thankfully, he died in his sleep that night with his head on a pillow. I feared the day; however, when it came, I felt more relief than sadness. He wasn't struggling anymore, and I was happy he was at peace. May you find relief and your girl Jack peace.

 

[greg_in_ga]

Hello Dave,

As I sit typing this response, I'm sobbing with the memory of having to put down Boomer, my pet of 10 years, this past May. I rescued him as a puppy from a high kill shelter just hours before he would have been put down and I could not have asked for a better friend. He contracted a condition that made his stoach bloat; he also had hip dysplacia. Becaue I loved him so much, I knew I had to end his suffering and misery. 8 months later, I still get tears in my eyes when I think about y pet, which is quite often.

I have included a short story that gave me some consolation. A friend of mine who knew about my pain turned me onto this and it has been of comfort these past months. I hope you can get some comfort from it as well. Take care.


Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...

 

[jwellsii]

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...[/QUOTE]

Could not say it any better!!!!

Our Prayers are with you (Dave) and Jack.

God bless you both

John & Karen

 

[outrag1]

Dave I've been through this, both with dogs of a certain age and also from tragic circumstances. I currently have two labs (10 and 6) and it seems like yesterday my 10 year old was an 8 week old puppy. Time just really flies...I think about what you are going through often these days, especially when I see age slowing down my older one.

I think looking out for the best interest of the dog and not letting them suffer is the right thing and something you are courageously facing, no matter how difficult it may be...

Take care

-Bob

 

[tuscarora dave]

Hello Dave,

As I sit typing this response, I'm sobbing with the memory of having to put down Boomer, my pet of 10 years, this past May. I rescued him as a puppy from a high kill shelter just hours before he would have been put down and I could not have asked for a better friend. He contracted a condition that made his stoach bloat; he also had hip dysplacia. Becaue I loved him so much, I knew I had to end his suffering and misery. 8 months later, I still get tears in my eyes when I think about y pet, which is quite often.

I have included a short story that gave me some consolation. A friend of mine who knew about my pain turned me onto this and it has been of comfort these past months. I hope you can get some comfort from it as well. Take care.


Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...

Could not say it any better!!!!

Our Prayers are with you (Dave) and Jack.

God bless you both

John & Karen

I quoted this because it touched me especially, however I want to thank each and every one of you for your compassion and caring thoughts and prayers. I typed this up in a PM this morning,...

Thank you Alex. I have no kids and no ex-wife or girlfriend. Just me and my duties on a regular basis. Jack is certainly in doggy heaven now which I must believe is a better place "as they say". Jack and I most certainly logged up over 20,000 car ride miles over our 15 1/2 year friendship and the best reality is that she had only a few bad days with arthritis related pain. The last time she had a bad day I pretty much decided that the next time would be her final episode of pain. When I woke up on December 31st and looked at her as I went to make my coffee, I knew instantly that something serious was wrong with her. She has had some cancer tumors growing for quite some time now so I knew our time was limited.

She's in a better place now but I woke this morning with the usual routines engrained in my mind, "get up and give Jack her morning pig ear, get my coffee etc. etc." It's so weird not seeing her there in her bed. She was my side kick for sure and it's just going to take a little time getting used to going at it (seemingly) alone. She was like my only child. I have received a bunch of phone calls and PMs with prayers and condolences and I really think that is awesome!! Thank you for the PM Alex. It really does mean a lot to me to see so many compassionate folks on this forum.

With a little time it won't seem so awkward not having her here. I want the emotions to quit instantly but I know it doesn't work that way.

Through time and the caring love of friends and family, I'll surely (rather quickly I hope) return to normal. For now, I'll just feel what I have to feel to get through it. I can remember a time not all that far in the past when I was numb to feelings and compassion, emotionally paralyzed, unable to feel at all. When one is in that place...no amount of healing is even possible.

I just thank God that I am no longer in that place. To feel is to heal, and the way I am feeling presently...I know that the healing has begun. Jack has served her purpose in life, now I'll get through this minor setback then get back to serving my purpose...

Just wanted to let you all know how much I appreciate your PMs, posts, thought, prayers and phone calls. TD

 

[bill walsh]

dave sorry to hear about jack i have 3 dogs that are getting old 14 -12 -10 years old

 

[AllenK]

So very sorry to hear this. Pets are definitely family!

My wife and I have an almost 4 year old Corgi. He's just an awesome friend and companion. I hope he lives forever. I don't want to know what it would be like to come home and not have him greet us at the door.

 

[tuscarora dave]

Hi guys and gals. I've never really been one to let the grass grow under my feet, and I am a dog person. With all the dogs out there needing a good loving home, I figured what better way to move forward than to go out and save one that might not be on the best track. I introduce to you.....Kinzer!!

Kinzer is a 2 to 3 year old yellow lab mix who had been moved around in not the best of situations. He recently established himself as the dominant force in a household of not so dominant girls and got himself in a jam by biting one of the younger girls.

Kinzer is actually a great dog who has taken to me very well, he just needs some consistent training so he knows he's not the boss. I have already established myself as the one who calls the shots in this relationship. He loves the fact that someone is walking him on a regular basis now. He simply wasn't getting what a dog needs and as a result he was getting out of sorts. He fits in very well here at the house and doesn't seem to be bothered by Jack's scent being left behind.

Thanks again for all the supportive comments, calls and PMs. TD

 

[outrag1]

Congrats to you and Kinzer...He looks a bit like my Yukon (of course I have to throw a detail pic in of my Tahoe as well...)

-Bob

 

[EddieF]

Conrats dave. Ive always said labs are the best, but muts are the most loyal.

 

[david11g35]

Congrats dave. Nothing compares to the loyalty ans love of a dog. Today we had to take my girlfriends boxer to the vet for surgery. He had to get a retained testicle remove to avoid cancer down th line. It was heart breaking picking up seeing him all sedated and pain. He is normally a super hyper dog as any boxer owner would know. But everything went smoothly.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

 

[dad07]

congrats Dave!

Kinzer has some great looking color......he looks just like one of mine.

By the way it was nice talking to ya this weekend.

 

[Bamafire]

Congrats Dave

 

[vet]

Congrats, Dave. May you and Kinzer have a long and happy relationship.

 

[BillE]

A house without a dog is, well, just a house.

A house with a dog is a home!

You have 'a home' again Dave!

WOOPEE!!!

Bill

 

[tuscarora dave]

Congrats dave. Nothing compares to the loyalty ans love of a dog. Today we had to take my girlfriends boxer to the vet for surgery. He had to get a retained testicle remove to avoid cancer down th line. It was heart breaking picking up seeing him all sedated and pain. He is normally a super hyper dog as any boxer owner would know. But everything went smoothly.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

Yeah, I remember when I had Jack's surgery done. I felt bad for her, but having her spayed (I think) is the reason she had such a long and happy life. Kinzer will have his surgery before too long. First things first, he'll be brought up to date with his Frontline Plus and shots.

congrats Dave!

Kinzer has some great looking color......he looks just like one of mine.

By the way it was nice talking to ya this weekend.

Thanks Tim. It was nice talking with you too. Sorry I had to rush off of the phone like I did. That other call was actually Kinzer's old owner calling about me getting him. I wasn't sure if she was going to call or not. I'm glad she did though.

Congrats Dave

Thanks.

Congrats, Dave. May you and Kinzer have a long and happy relationship.

Thanks, I had him up at the shop for about 1/2 hour today. I don't think he liked it there much. The important thing is that he got to go in the van for a ride somewhere and he's learning that that van ride ends in coming back to his new home. He's been tossed around from place to place so I don't think he's actually had a solid home until now.

A house without a dog is, well, just a house.

A house with a dog is a home!

You have 'a home' again Dave!

WOOPEE!!!

Bill

He was wonderful last night!! He really shows a lot of affection. Problem is that he tries to force the affection on me. When he does that, I tell him "Place" and he gets down and lays where he likes to sleep. A home again for sure..Thanks Bill.

 

[AllenK]

Hi guys and gals. I've never really been one to let the grass grow under my feet, and I am a dog person. With all the dogs out there needing a good loving home, I figured what better way to move forward than to go out and save one that might not be on the best track. I introduce to you.....Kinzer!!

Kinzer is a 2 to 3 year old yellow lab mix who had been moved around in not the best of situations. He recently established himself as the dominant force in a household of not so dominant girls and got himself in a jam by biting one of the younger girls.

Kinzer is actually a great dog who has taken to me very well, he just needs some consistent training so he knows he's not the boss. I have already established myself as the one who calls the shots in this relationship. He loves the fact that someone is walking him on a regular basis now. He simply wasn't getting what a dog needs and as a result he was getting out of sorts. He fits in very well here at the house and doesn't seem to be bothered by Jack's scent being left behind.

Thanks again for all the supportive comments, calls and PMs. TD

Congrats! That's probably the best way to deal with the loss of a pet. Go get another one to ease the pain!