Have to have my dog put down...

[gordo67]

Truly sorry Reg

Our dog is getting up there as well and I dread the day. I have put dogs down before due to illness and age, it was tough every time. My 5 year old has grown up with Macy and it will be extremely hard on him when that day comes.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Damn.. sorry to hear that Reg. Two years ago my dog had a blood clot in his brain. Thought we were going to have to put him down, really rough couple of days. He recovered though, only a couple slow reacting left legs to show for it, thankfully.

Everytime I hear about a dog passing I think about a poem Jimmy Stewart did on Carson ona time. Wish I could find it online...

[Reggie Dunlop]

Well, in the small society that encompasses the dog park, he's a pretty popular dude with both the two-legged and four-legged sets. They all were drawn to interact with him. Just that kind of friendly dog. People smiled. Dogs wagged their tails greeting him.

Two families specifically got their own Golden Retrievers because of their exposure to him. One was a German cousin whose young daughter fell in love with him on a visit and another a co-worker who's wedding present from the groom was a puppy.

So I think he did quite well for himself as far as Golden Retriever ambassadors go. There's really only so much dogs can aspire to. Thanks for letting me talk abut him. I know I'm making the right decision.

[CaptainCrunch]

Sorry to hear it Reg;

Dogs are one of the great creatures on the earth, they give loyalty without question, defend with thier lives, and provide comfort without effort.

I had a ridgeback growing up and he was terrific dog, loyal, too smart for his own good and just loved to take his masters for a drag on the leash. When he got sick and we decided to put him down it was the toughest day in my life. I'd had him since I was 6 from a puppy that was scared of lightning and cars and squeeky toys, and we put him down when I was 20, by then he had that dignity that all dogs gain, that look at you funny when you toss a ball to him, but when you turn your back he bounds off to grab it with a look of chagrin on his face, I was in the military and was away on training when it happened, so I wasn't there, but I had some great memories and pictures, and I tipped a beer to him that night.

Hopefully you and your dog have one last great night together, maybe one last game of fetch, one last bowl of the good dog food, and one last warm fire.

Your doing the best thing for your dog, its hard but its true, dogs are so dependant on the quality of life, they're ability to romp and play and wag thier tail out of joy while they slobber all over the place, if thats taken away from them, they don't understand why, but they're miserable.

I'm sure that there's a happy hunting ground for dogs filled with pigs ears, big stuffed toys, bounding rabbits and bowls full of prime rib and clean water that tastes like electrical cables. Oh and wall to wall butts to sniff.

When the time is right, you'll adopt another dog and give him or her or it the great life that any loyal dog deserves.

Good luck Reg, sorry for the run on.

[Clarkey]

Sorry to read this. I had to put my 15 year old cat down 2 weeks ago.

It made it worse thinking of what it will be like to put my 6 year old dog down. That will be a grieving process that will probably take months for me to get over. I currently have 2 dogs and 2 cats, but I'm closest to the oldest dog. I guess it's part of the trade-off of having pets, so many good times when they are alive but it's tough to see them go.

[greyshep]

My sympathies to you Reg. Not a fun experience losing a companion like that.

My CP handle is a remaining tribute to my 13 year old german shepherd/greyhound cross that I had to put down a short two years ago. It still hurts a bit.

All the best.

[lifer]

Enjoy the night with him Reg. The dog I grew up with got put down a few days after I left home (BC) to come to school out here. It was quite a shock to me and I never got to say goodbye to her. That would have been as hard as hell to do, but I really with I had the chance to do it.
Feel free to log off. If there is any slandering to be done against the Oilers tonight I'll try to fill in for you.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

I had taken my eight year-old Golden Retriever into the vet last week after I noticed a large lump on his hip. Turns out the vets discovered a smaller lump near his tail and the biopsy showed cancer. The vet estimated about a 30% success rate because it is the type that spreads to vital organs. That, plus his arthritis and I can't see any quality of life for him in his remaining years.

He's a great dog and gentle soul who never met a person or other dog he never liked. Because of that, I'd like to get another one in due time.

I suppose there's greater tragedies out there in the world, but tomorrow is going to be a tough day for me. Right now he's contentedly sitting at my feet.

Reg, in all honesty there's no way I can read the replies here. I just can't do it. Good luck.

When I was told Turk was to be put down (7 yrs old Golden) I was fine on the phone when mom told me . . . them moment I hit "end" on the cordless phone I collapsed to the floor in hysterical crying. He was my best friend on Earth, to this day I miss him like you wouldn't believe. It's not easy but it's the best thing.



Good luck, and be glad you got 8 years as opposed to the 7 that I got. If I could I'd trade you.

~ Jon

[Jagger]

Dogs really are a huge part of your family. Our dog was like our first child. (We have three (human) children now). When he passed away it really was like losing a child. It was devasting and I still miss him to this day. However, I like to remember the happy moments with him, the walks, the companionship etc. I really do feel for you, Reggie. Best wishes mate.

[redforever]

Boy I feel for you. I never had to do that until 3 years ago. Then my Jessie got too old, had a stroke and some other problems, so I had to weigh the choices and in the end, she would not have had sufficient quality of life for me to merit hanging onto her. And my vet said that when you and your dog have a very close relationship, that dog will keep on going for you. But you have to make the decision if that is fair to the dog.

I think it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, going in with her and holding her while she went to sleep. Enjoy your last nite and remember the good times.

[Bill Bumface]

I'm really sorry to hear about your dog. It's a big favor your doing him, and I'll always wonder why we don't do the same for our human loved ones.

[604flames]

Sorry for your loss Reg,

We had to put down the family Golden a couple years ago (age 11) when he developed the same kind of lumps you described.. It did spread to his vitals, and, in all honesty, your guy would thank you for not having to suffer like my buddy did at the end..

Still, too young, and hope he provided 8 great years of memories for ya man..

[beachy]

That is rough - I really can't imagine (although I will one day as our pup is only 2yrs old)
So sorry Dogs are really such special creatures
Wishing you all the best at this difficult and painful time

[CRXguy]

Geez... reading this thread made me all sad. Sorry to hear of the bad news, Reggie. I've never had a pet, a dog specifically, but don't think I could ever go through something like this.

Stay strong.

[habernac]

Pets are the only things on earth who love you unconditionally. We're lucky to spend time with the good ones. All you can do is treasure the memories. It's been 10 years since my beloved dog of 15 years went to doggie heaven. I still can't even think of getting another. She was one of a kind. Thinking of ya, Reg.

[JackJack]

Sorry to hear,

I never had a dog but my family (Dad) did as they grew up in Kenya. He had a fantastic german shep by the name of Simba. Looked ferocious but had the soul of angel....

During the Hindu celebrations (Diwali) the poor guy would run away for 4 days because the fireworks would scare him to death. My dad was always so fond of him and never allowed me to get one because I was not responsible enough. But part of me thinks that he wouldn't be able to deal with the loss of losing another dog.

When my dad moved to Canada, he couldn't take Simba with him. He got a call one day saying that Simba had lost his eyesight and that things were going down. So my dad returned (had to go back anyways) and Simba's health quickly improved (except his eyesight) and for a few more weeks things were okay.

My dad would tell me even though Simba was blind, as soon as my dad would drive up, Simba would begin running around and getting excited.

I think the day after my dad got back, Simba.....
My condolences....hopefully Simba and your dog can be friends

[browna]

Sorry to hear that Reg.

Gelli turned 3 a couple months ago...my first dog.
With her, and one of the two cats I've had for 8 years, my first cat, can't imagine how traumatic its going to be when those days come.

[JiriHrdina]

Sorry to hear Reg - I admire the fact that you are doing the right thing.

[Kerplunk]

Sorry to hear that, Reg. I know how hard it is. Our family dog had lymphoma at the age of 2, had a heart failure while lying by me at age of 4. Crap like this is devastating. My heart goes out to ya.

[Dan02]

My dog my be young(about 2 years) but i can't even imagine the day that I have to say goodbye. condolences to you.