Have to have my dog put down...

[the crispy badger]

Originally Posted by CMPunk

Damn it, this thread made me tear up.

My little guy is getting old. The sad part is he's out here in Kamloops while I'm back in Calgary, so I won't get to spend the time with him when it comes. I don't want that day to ever happen...that furry little means the world to me

I went through this as well..I left to visit Calgary for 3 months and when I got back to NB I had found that the cat I had been companions with since I was 8(I was then 23) had passed away the day before I came home..so sorry Reg to hear about your dog.

[Shin Pad]

Sorry to hear about your Dog Reg.

I have a 12 year old white German Shepherd. I used to have two of them, but we had to put the female down a couple of years ago - cancer. Our old guy is still doing fine, but, he's having some difficulty in walking (he limps a bit). I know his days are numbered, so we are enjoying him while we can.

In the meantime, we are getting a Boston Terrier puppy at the end of October. So hopefully the little guy will energize the old guy a bit.

[HalifaxDrunk]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

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...

Jimmy Stewart's heartfelt poem to his dog




Sorry for you loss Reg. Losing your best friend is one of life’s hardest things to endure. I've had to go through this 3 times now.

My 1st dog was a Yellow Lab my parents got when I was 3 months old, we had her until I was 16. Dad may have been her "master" but I was her brother, she worshipped me and we were inseparable. I rode her like a horse, dressed her up in baseball & hockey uniforms and she just wanted to be near me at all times. She lived to 16 years old and passed from old age.

My 2nd dog was a Yellow Lab/Doberman mix. I got him in grade 11, he was the best dog you could ask for (sounds like yours) everyone and everydog loved him. He was probably the smartest dog we've had in my immediate family (that’s 9 dogs now) I could teach him a new trick in about 1/2 hour, didn't seem to matter what the trick was. When he was 7 years old he developed cancer of the lymphoids, it happened practically overnight. I had to say goodbye much, much too soon. I really feel your pain.

The 3rd dog was a beagle my parents had. We had him before I got my Lab/Doberman and he lived longer. If you know anyone with a beagle, then you know what a handful they can be. He was a great dog, stubborn, but great. He developed diabetes around 6 years old but through diet management and the occasional needle he lived another 7 years. Tough little bugger, he one wrestled with a porcupine and had over 300 needles in his face/neck/chest, no worse for wear.

My current dog is a yellow lab/Golden retriever mix that my wife and I rescued. Iggy is my best friend. Everyone one of my friends want to take him home, they fight over the honour to doggysit when we go out of town. My son (10 months old) loves him like crazy ("Iggy" was his 2nd word). I can't even think about that inevitable day in the future.


I do suggest you have some grieving time, but don't put off getting another dog for too long, it may feel like you are betraying you current dog but believe me they are all separate. You’re not replacing, you are giving another dog the chance at love. Your current dog would want you to be happy and getting a new best friend is a way to do it.

Wow, did I ever rant! I hope some of what I typed (if you read it all ) helps even a little bit.

You have my deepest sympathies in this tough time,
HD

[Eddie Bronze]

I'm a big dog-lover myself Reg and know what that feeling is like. Dog's are part of the family too and anyone who doesn't understand that probably never had one. My parents had a dog that got cancer many years ago and she should have been put down way sooner than she was so I can say for sure you are making the right decision. Good luck finding a new pup as well.

[zukes]

Sorry to hear about that Reg. At least you'll be there at the end.

[Flashpoint]

Condolences. Dogs are a member of the family, nothing less.

[worth]

Funny how animals strike such a heart string. Hundreds of people protesting Michael Vick etc.

I had a sick labrador who was only 7 a few yeard back. Kidneys were failing and shutting down or her. I was going to put her down on the Friday, she was in pretty bad shape, unfortunatley she died the wednesday night so I had to come down to a lifeless dog in the morning, put her in my truck and take her to the vet.

[pope04]

Originally Posted by 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.

Was that..............Gizmo? If so, that's great. I remember the thread on your dog.

[Neeper]

Awww that's so sad. My condolences, Reg. I never knew what it was like to love animals until my wife wanted a dog. I can't imagine my days without them now. Poor dog. This thread made me tear up too.

[MissTeeks]

Sorry to hear about your loss Reg. My dog Jenna had to be put down in August. She was 16. She was 6 months old when we got her. I didn't get to see her before she died because she lived with my parents in BC. It was the hardest week of my life. But she was starting to slow down and having seizures so it was the right thing to do.

[bigtmac19]

So sorry for your loss Reg.

When I was young and we had to have a cat put down, my Dad cried, that was one of the only times I have ever seen him cry. We do get so attached to our pet family members.

I know you will find another loving companion and that will help to make you feel better.

[GrrlGoalie33]

So sorry to hear Reg.

A couple of years ago we had to put down our beloved "Magic". She too had developed cancer.

The day we took her to the vet, we made an extra special day for her, we took her for a walk to her favorite place, took her down to the river for a swim and then to McDonalds for burgers (she loved them).

Putting her down was one of the hardest days of my life.

It's weird how these things work though, we now have two dogs, and we see bits of Magic in both of them.

[octothorp]

My deepest condolences Reg; this thread has me all teary-eyed and a lump in my throat. Our guy is only a year and a half old so hopefully we have at least another decade before we'll have to go through this.

[LChoy]

I'm sad now
My condolences. The positive aspect is that you have time to prepare yourself for it, and be there till it's done. My family lost our cat suddenly, when I was in grade 11, and I was the one to find her on the sideway *sniff*. We had her since I was 3, so she was a member of our family. To this day, my family hasn't been able to get another cat. Oh, and definitely take and collect some photos of your dog. If there is one regret, we wish we had more pictures of our cat when she was still alive.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Sorry to hear Reggie. It's amazing how we can get so attached to our pets. Though I don't have a dog right now (I used to), I am a pet owner, and I hope I can get many happy days with my animal before he dies.

One word of advice people, don't get a chinchilla. They may be rodents, but they're more dog like than any rodents I have ever seen. The day I lose him will be one of the saddest days of my life.

[Buff]

Sorry for your loss Reg. As I read this thread I am reminiscing about my dog, Chubby.

He was a beautiful golden coloured, straight haired, cocker spaniel. A smart dog, a lazy dog, a grumpy dog, but my dog. As he got older he started to snap at people and bite without warning, but still he was my dog. Then one night it became clear that he was just too tempermental to keep around. He was seeking attention from my mom and she began to pet him but he got mad and bit her, drawing blood. Mood swings aside, he was still a great dog. He was a part of the family. The decision was hard to make, but it was the right one to make. I will always remember my last night with him. I will always remember him sitting at the top of the stairs, watching me through the door windows as I pulled out of the carport. It was just like every other day, except I knew it was the last time I would see him. That was one of the hardest moments of my life. It has been 7 years now and I still miss him.

[kermitology]

I think many people can understand these feelings. My parents decided to put down my cat the day I went to Europe for a two week vacation. I still get a little broken up about it a year later. If ever there was an animal that truly loved me, it was her.

I'd never seen an animal get so jealous of sharing her time with me, or be so insanely affectionate for one person. It broke my heart when I found out she had feline diabetes and that it was going to be far too hard for my family to keep her alive.

*sniff*

[Fozzie_DeBear]

I am so sorry for your loss Reg, we just had to put down our beautiful puppy Karma on Sept 11th and I have never ever wept like that.

Just remember you are doing it to prevent suffering.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Well, I'm just back from the vet. They had a nice room set up for him with a blanket, candles and soft music. He went peacefully.

I opted for a private cremation, as I intend to spread his ashes into his beloved Elbow River for one last swim. The river was always his happiest place.

I appreciate all the expressions of compassion. Thanks.



I had this portrait done by a photographer friend of mine when he was a year old.

[pope04]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Well, I'm just back from the vet. They had a nice room set up for him with a blanket, candles and soft music. He went peacefully.

I opted for a private cremation, as I intend to spread his ashes into his beloved Elbow River for one last swim.

I appreciate all the expressions of compassion. Thanks.

I'm glad it went as well as could be expected.