Euthanasia and your pet

[Reggie Dunlop]

Dogs feel sorrow. They're all about pack mentality. Can't be easy to lose a compatriot and not understand why.

[theonlywhiteout]

my heart breaks reading this post cowperson

[flamesfever]

Sorry for your loss Cowperson. I have a friend who also has Goldens, and figures the last 3 years they give you are the best, in that they mold completely to your lifestyle.

From your excellent photos, she obviously had a great life, and you kept them in beautiful shape as long as you could...not something all owners do.

I can imagine how you must feel. I have a 5 year old male yellow lab who has never left my side since he was 7 weeks old. And I am already dreading the day when I might lose him.

[Kipper is King]

I am sorry for your loss Cowperson. Remember the good times you had with Abby.

[kipperiggy]

My sympathies, Cowperson. Fantastic photos. Abby will continue to hike by your side.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

Unfortunately, Keeper seems to sense what has happened and is showing every characteristic of depression . . . . . little energy or enthusiasm, staring vacuously into the distance for long periods, not noticing when you call her, laying around for long periods . . . . .

Later today we replaced her collar with Abby's, giving Keeper a sniff first, and that seemed to help.

They had been "sisters" for 11 years.

Keeper is a cancer survivor of two years but is also showing her age as well, very much the old hound dog, content to hang around the deck and woof at passing coyotes, deer and barking farm dogs. Her hips are making it difficult now for her to climb stairs and her days of long mountain walks are starting to recede.

Keeper, left, is missing Abby, her longtime buddy . . . . .

Cowperson

Maggie went through a big depression last year when we lost Duncan too. It took her about 3 months to get back to her old self. For the first two weeks, she just wanted to lie on the blankie she and Duncan shared in the kitchen, even if we were not in that room.

You just have to look in their eyes to know they can feel sorrow too.

[Ramsayfarian]

That sucks. I'm sorry to hear about Abby's passing.

"I have sometimes thought of the final cause of dogs having such short lives and I am quite satisfied it is in compassion to the human race; for if we suffer so much in losing a dog after an acquaintance of ten or twelve years, what would it be if they were to live double that time?"

Sir Walter Scott

[fundmark19]

My puppies lost their best friend on Halloween. My sister in laws 2 and a half year old yorkie got struck by a car. Went to go let kids out for trick r treating and Miikka saw a rabbit and bolted for it. On his way to give chase a car met him. It is going to be a very sad day when I take my dogs to her house and they run around trying to find him. Poor guy was so little didn't even stand a chance against a car.

[Cowperson]

Unfortunately, only five days after losing Abby, we've learned we will also be losing Keeper very shortly. Could be anytime but not more than a month. Again, a mass surrounding her liver, like Abby, but the bubble hasn't burst inside her yet. When it does, she may have only hours to live. For various reasons, an operation is not going to happen. Keeper, it should be noted, survived three cancer operations and gave us more two years of quality life . . . . but that will not happen this time.

This morning, Keeper was out barking at a herd of elk near our fence, the elk making a dash to escape some bowhunters . . . . then she was rooting around for some mushrooms. She's comfortable although weakened, and not in pain. When the end comes, it will be fast or we may assist her before then.

It all seemed very normal. Except it's not. She has a time bomb ticking inside her.

It seems remarkably cruel to lose these two within such a short time after more than a decade together.

Keeper at daybreak this morning:



Abby and Keeper's lives have been well-chronicled at www.goldentales.ca and they have fans around the world. I knew they had become rock stars last year when we were out west and I was loading them up in the Durango when a car came by, backed up, parked beside us and then a gentleman got out and asked, "Are those the dogs with the website?" Recognized on sight by their fans.

Through cyberspace or directly, Abby's loss brought more than 100 messages of condolence . . . . if we had thrown a funeral, it would have been a big one.

But . . . . we'll soon lose Keeper as well. It's been a very bad week.

Cowperson

[nickerjones]

Cowperson,

I am so sorry to hear this. I cant imagine losing my one pup much less a 2nd one in such short a time. I just saw the "rockstar's" website and at least you can take solace in the fact that you gave them the perfect life. They look like a pair of the happiest pups in the world.

My condolences !

[Regulator75]

Geez, what a rough week. Take care.

[IliketoPuck]

Why oh why do I keep clicking on this thread.

Condolences Cowperson.

[Vena]

I'm so sorry. I hope you enjoy the time you have left with her.

[Suzles]

Sadder than words can say. Give Keeper a big kiss from me. I really feel I know her from all your beautiful photographs.

[Ramsayfarian]

That's brutal news.

[theonlywhiteout]

I'm sorry cowperson =( no other words really seem appropriate.

[LGA]

So sorry to hear that Cowperson, I lost one of my dogs last spring and can only imagine what you're going through. Hope your time you still have with her is fantastic. Again, so sorry to hear, condolences.

[harmfuljays]

I too had a similar situation. A friend with Terminal cancer who lasted well beyond the specialist forecasted 6 months. Raw diet......all sorts of hippie remedies. 3 Surgeries, thousands of dollars, the works. He was only 7. I held him in my arms as he passed away from euthanasia. It was an extremely difficult decision. I've seen my share of death but I don't enjoy watching my best friend pass. I think of him often. I enjoyed the time I was given with him. It was all a bonus. My heart goes out to all of you.

[Cowperson]

We let Keeper go earlier today.

She was three weeks to the day into the approximate one month time frame we had been given. It's less than a month since we'd lost her Golden sister Abby . . . . so a cruel month for ourselves and them considering they'd been here 12 years (Abby) and 11 years for Keeper.

She had a good weekend, interested in life and her surroundings but, as we were warned might happen at any moment, the cancer bomb inside her likely burst in the last day, leading to increased debilitation and disorientation through only a few hours. The end was near, one way or the other. I had to carry her to the vehicle and then into the clinic. It was a peaceful passing . . . .

Keeper was the most innocent being I think I've ever known, completely without guile or pretense. It was a privilege to have known such a beautiful, unguarded soul.

Keeper came to us as an owner surrender at one year of age, kicked out of town where she'd been exiled to her back yard, loving to bark at anything that happened to pass in the night . . . . but that loud carefulness wasn't too much appreciated in town while, in the country, as below, she fit right in and enjoyed her hobby of barking at nothing, particularly at sunset.



As below, she lived a carefree life on the prairie and on mountainous expeditions, with many adventures . . . . .



. . . . . but these, below, were her last moments, a week ago, frail by then and the end coming soon but an iconic image . . . . .



Abby and Keeper spent most of their lives together and passed only a month apart, so we'd like to think Keeper has joined Abby once again, as below, forging new trails wherever they are . . . .



. . . . . and earlier this summer, enjoying the moment . . . .



. . . . . and certainly, as below, I'll probably always think a ghostly Keeper will be walking beside me as I wander our property on a hot summer day . . . .



As with Abby, raise a glass to Keeper, named with great irony by her former owners, for a life well-lived and one that was well-loved.

Forever is a long time.

Cowperson

[theonlywhiteout]

I tried writing my sympathies a few times but they really didn't seem to be good enough in comparison to your beautiful pictures and memories of your dogs. My condolences.