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Eddinberry · 01-30-2007, 01:03 AM

Our old Lab Mix Daisy recently lost the use of her hind end.

She has been slowly getting slower for several years now.

She's 14.

Her hip joints grind bone on Bone, and can be felt when helping her up.

Got her on some meds that help with the pain, and ordered a custom fit Cart with wheels that would allow mobility.

But here's the rub.

She's been Deaf for 4 years now, and her eyes have glazed over with Glaucoma.

The cart will allow mobility for short periods outside only, because she can't lay down with the thing on, and god Help her if she sneaks a swim in the pond or chases a rabbit accross the creek.

She is in constant pain from the Hips and shakes.

She has always been hard headed and full throttle or asleep.

Now she waits for me or the wife to get her up and help her outside, as she wont reduce herself to having an accident inside.

Were I in her Paws, and of her mind, I would never admit it was time to go, and she has never let pain slow her down in trying to keep us happy.

Made a tough decision tonight.
One I'll likely regret to the day I Die.

I cannot keep accepting her pain, to keep me guilt free and happy.

It's stupid how I have little feeling for the easy passing of some Humans in my past, yet this humble Mutts Mortality puts a double square Knot in my throat, and mists over my eyes.

It's time.

Eddinberry

mark777 · 01-30-2007, 05:31 AM

Eddinberry,

Rascal, my daughter's 11 year old chow was dropped off for a few weeks...and 6 years later was still living with us and our two other golden retrievers. His health, activity and the ability to romp around our yard diminished rapidly, and finally his last evening he began to cry and whine.

I moved him into the garage, covered him with a spare blanket to aid in his shakes, which were not from the cold but perhaps more like shock, and stayed with him until dawn. I cursed myself for not helping him out of his misery...and he was suffering and miserable all night long. God it was a long and agonizing night and finally around 8:00 am. I collected my daughter and all of us loaded him into the pick up to go to the vet. Dr. Ross immediately came out to the truck, looked at me with contempt and put him to sleep right there in my truck bed.

This wasn't even my dog for Christ sake...Why in the hell did she drop him off in the first place?...Why am I stuck with the responsibility of having to deal with this? These were all the things I kept telling myself all through the night, and it was because I lacked the courage to help an old friend make the transition from pain and suffering to a better place.

It's been four years since I buried Rascal and I will never forget that I did the WRONG thing...Don't let it happen to you. Pet is such an inadequate word for Loyal Friend...and my loyal friend counted on me...and I let him down.

Mark

Live Oak · 01-30-2007, 10:04 AM

Pat,

Our canine children look to us to do what is best for them. I think you have come to the right conclusion and what is best for Daisy. You can try to help her last a little longer but she and you will be miserable.

Loosing a pet is NEVER easy. I have had to burry a few of the kids pets and that broke my heart to see them so upset. Put a big knot in my throat and more than mist to my eyes.

Fritz my wife's dog that she rescued from the animal shelter is getting up in years, we figure he is around 12 years old. He is getting grey in the snout and long in the tooth, just doesn't have the spunk he used to. I DO NOT look forward to that day either.

james66 · 01-30-2007, 10:09 AM

Eddinberry, I think we all have gone thew what you are giong thew now a double square Knot in your throat , i have been there and it a hard thing to do put down a a Loyal Friend. thats more like a true family member then a pet, he there when you wake up his there at your feet by your chair or at the bottom of your bed. but he away happy to see you your the kids. it is hard for me to tell you to put you friend down so i will not do because i could not do it myself when it came time for me. but you no in your heart that no one need to be ni pain i know this dose not help much but i'm sure you will do whats right. james

Archdean · 01-30-2007, 11:03 AM

Pat,

I have tried both ways over the years, part of our blessings for being at the top of the food chain!

As I have aged I no longer can do the former, the only thing I can do anymore is keep them comfortable till it happens naturally!

I have an old geezer in a similar boat and we are the same age (dog years) Ironically the more I look at him the more I see of myself and that pretty well makes that decision all by itself, Godspeed my friend!

Dean

Thomas · 01-30-2007, 05:01 PM

Its always tough to say when as we all know,but the memories one can always cherish.

Eddinberry · 01-30-2007, 05:49 PM

Thanks guys.

The wife and I decided it had to be done.

Friday I gotta look her in the eyes for the last time, and ask her to forgive my betrayal.

I hate going to the Vet more than the Mutts do.

It is appreciated gang.

Bless the lot of ya!
Eddinberry

HYDROGUARDIAN16 · 03-28-2007, 06:03 PM

PRAY for the dog.

Eddinberry · 03-28-2007, 09:05 PM

Kid,

She's been gone for several hard weeks now.

Sam, the Wife, and I have been dealing with some changes concerning the matter.

Daisy was a Mix/Mutt/Coy-dog rescue from under the porch of a Mobile home with a "Free Puppies sign" on the side of the road.

She never backed down from a potential threat, and several times made dadgum sure potential threats didn't evolve.

The Feral Cats, Coyotes, Possums, and Coons around here got educated quickly and with no mercy.

Strangers were treated the same,with a glance back for the word to stand down.

Likely, she is passing a good word to the Man above for my own approval to be in the place she is now.

And if Good Dogs don't go to heaven, I don't want to go myself.

Thanks for the Prayer.
It is appreciated.

chrpmaster · 03-29-2007, 09:41 AM

Pat

I just had to go through the same thing with my dog Max. We got him as a pup 11 years ago. He was a Lab mix of questionable parentage but great character (someday I hope someone says the same about me)

He developed a lump on his front leg a few weeks ago. I looked it over and there was no broken skin and he seemed OK other than a little gimpy. I kept an eye on it and it just got worse.

Took him into the vet who diagnosed bone cancer. She showed me the xrays and said the prognosis was really poor and painful. We had to put him down and I still get chocked up when I think of all the companionship and protection he gave me and my family.

Whenever my kids were outside playing and I wanted to check on them I just had to check where Max was. He had white/yellow fur which was easy to find out in the woods. He would patiently lay nearby the kids as they played in the creek or ran around the yard and I could always find them by seeing which direction he was facing. So many times he looked like he was babysitting them which I guess he was. Noone got to the kids or the front door without Max intercepting them and giving his approval. Sometimes he didn't approve and he would clearly communicate that mainly through intimidation (he weighed 120 lbs) not violence.

He was so patient and kind and I miss him everyday. I always think of him when I read Chiefs signiture line of "the more people I meet, the better I like my dogs"

Be assured you and your wife are in my thoughts and prayers my friend.

Andy

Eddinberry · 03-29-2007, 12:23 PM

Andy,

And you and your family are in our prayers as well.

Hang in there.
Pat

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