God damned ninjas sneaking in and holding onions under my nose...
Few things are harder than saying goodbye to a pet. Especially one as loyal as a dog.
Crushers?
- Thread starter Shes Mad
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
God damned ninjas sneaking in and holding onions under my nose...
Few things are harder than saying goodbye to a pet. Especially one as loyal as a dog.
crushers
post ho
thanks for all the kind words guys ... greatly appreciated.
my dad had dogs on the farm so i grew up with them.
he was old school, tie them to a dog house, never come inside. "working dogs" as that generation called them.
when i moved out from the farm to Calgary my wife to be had dogs. we had to put a couple down during the years we were together. house dogs, family pets, family actually. i learned that dogs had personalities, wanted to please, wanted to learn and wanted to be loved ... not owned.
i had a Chow for a few months, i got really attached to that boy. sadly, i also learned that some dogs were one person dogs and not "family" dogs. when the Chow went to attack my wife for wanting to let him out i had to have him put down. i stood there and cried as the vet gave him the needle, then the vet walks out of the room ... and the damn dog started to snore ... i mean "dog snore" as if i could walk out of there and he would wake up. the vet comes back in and says "he's not gone" and gives him another shot. i could have throttled the prick right there.
after that i got Old Billie, a lab/Siberian cross. beautiful friend, my traveling buddy, wheeling buddy, wrenching buddy and when he was about 6 i was in the midst of my divorce and i decided to get Cruiser. in my mind i felt that if i got Cruiser now, he could learn off old Billie, have someone to play with and when the time came it would make Old Billie's passing a lot easier.
well, Old Billie ended up with a tumor at 9, his stomach was rock hard, his breathing was rapid and off to the new vet i went. Dr Torence took one look at him and then lead me to two other dogs with the same symptoms that he had in the office.
i told him "put him down" and the Dr knew how much i cared for Old Billie and said "take him home and say goodbye". i argued but did what i was told. the next day his stomach was back to normal, breathing back to normal and i took the next 3 weeks off. he went for walks, truck rides, wheeling, just hanging and then Saturday came and we woke up to rapid breathing again. Old Billie died in the house with all of us and Cruiser by his side. Cruiser let loose with the most mournful dog wail i have heard. damn, if you have never heard this wail then you have no idea how THAT tears at your heart.
turned out that my plan didn't work, the pain was still excruciating but it also had a nasty side effect. Cruiser went through serious separation anxiety. he moped around, no appetite, he was really depressed.
so, into our life came Little Billie and those two bonded. they did everything together (although Little Billie HATES wheeling). i did some research and some say it is cruel to have the other dog around when one needs to be put down, others say it is good for them to see the passing so they know what happens. i decided to have Billie in the car while Cruiser was put down. she sat right there and watched. maybe it was because she knew the pain Cruiser was in or maybe it was something else but no wail, no whimper ... just quiet. she was quietly watching as we lowered Cruiser into the ground and as the first few shovels of dirt went down she ran off and got her ball to play. could be she wanted to let us know she accepted it ... or maybe she is just a cold hearted girl (i doubt that).
been a couple weeks and she still hasn't shown any signs of separation anxiety at all. She does have the cat that she adopted 3 years back so maybe that is helping.
anyway, thanks for the kid words. I keep thinking i am over Cruiser's passing but every once in a while it just sneaks up on me.
oh well, a few tears is nothing in comparison to all the years of happiness we shared.
my dad had dogs on the farm so i grew up with them.
he was old school, tie them to a dog house, never come inside. "working dogs" as that generation called them.
when i moved out from the farm to Calgary my wife to be had dogs. we had to put a couple down during the years we were together. house dogs, family pets, family actually. i learned that dogs had personalities, wanted to please, wanted to learn and wanted to be loved ... not owned.
i had a Chow for a few months, i got really attached to that boy. sadly, i also learned that some dogs were one person dogs and not "family" dogs. when the Chow went to attack my wife for wanting to let him out i had to have him put down. i stood there and cried as the vet gave him the needle, then the vet walks out of the room ... and the damn dog started to snore ... i mean "dog snore" as if i could walk out of there and he would wake up. the vet comes back in and says "he's not gone" and gives him another shot. i could have throttled the prick right there.
after that i got Old Billie, a lab/Siberian cross. beautiful friend, my traveling buddy, wheeling buddy, wrenching buddy and when he was about 6 i was in the midst of my divorce and i decided to get Cruiser. in my mind i felt that if i got Cruiser now, he could learn off old Billie, have someone to play with and when the time came it would make Old Billie's passing a lot easier.
well, Old Billie ended up with a tumor at 9, his stomach was rock hard, his breathing was rapid and off to the new vet i went. Dr Torence took one look at him and then lead me to two other dogs with the same symptoms that he had in the office.
i told him "put him down" and the Dr knew how much i cared for Old Billie and said "take him home and say goodbye". i argued but did what i was told. the next day his stomach was back to normal, breathing back to normal and i took the next 3 weeks off. he went for walks, truck rides, wheeling, just hanging and then Saturday came and we woke up to rapid breathing again. Old Billie died in the house with all of us and Cruiser by his side. Cruiser let loose with the most mournful dog wail i have heard. damn, if you have never heard this wail then you have no idea how THAT tears at your heart.
turned out that my plan didn't work, the pain was still excruciating but it also had a nasty side effect. Cruiser went through serious separation anxiety. he moped around, no appetite, he was really depressed.
so, into our life came Little Billie and those two bonded. they did everything together (although Little Billie HATES wheeling). i did some research and some say it is cruel to have the other dog around when one needs to be put down, others say it is good for them to see the passing so they know what happens. i decided to have Billie in the car while Cruiser was put down. she sat right there and watched. maybe it was because she knew the pain Cruiser was in or maybe it was something else but no wail, no whimper ... just quiet. she was quietly watching as we lowered Cruiser into the ground and as the first few shovels of dirt went down she ran off and got her ball to play. could be she wanted to let us know she accepted it ... or maybe she is just a cold hearted girl (i doubt that).
been a couple weeks and she still hasn't shown any signs of separation anxiety at all. She does have the cat that she adopted 3 years back so maybe that is helping.
anyway, thanks for the kid words. I keep thinking i am over Cruiser's passing but every once in a while it just sneaks up on me.
oh well, a few tears is nothing in comparison to all the years of happiness we shared.
crushers
post ho
when we lived in Calgary, the neighbor across the street would ask us to look after Rilley the odd weekend.
when all three were on the bed poor Berni couldn't move ... but she didn't care, she said she felt "surrounded by love".
anyway, starting to ramble here ...
cheers guys.
when all three were on the bed poor Berni couldn't move ... but she didn't care, she said she felt "surrounded by love".
anyway, starting to ramble here ...
cheers guys.
we just had to make the same decision around the same time, it really hits hard, we had hoped for more years
my condolences
my condolences
Sorry for your loss Wayne.
Loosing a dog is hard enough, but playing god and deciding that todays your last day is even harder. Dont want to do that again, or any time soon anyway. Now we just look after other peoples dogs for weekends or holidays.
Loosing a dog is hard enough, but playing god and deciding that todays your last day is even harder. Dont want to do that again, or any time soon anyway. Now we just look after other peoples dogs for weekends or holidays.
crushers
post ho
oh man, you nailed it.
playing god.
that part of the decision has been playing over and over in my mind for the last 2 weeks.
he was in a lot of pain, the drugs we put him on the last month was screwing with his head, he wasn't enjoying life any longer ... i "feel" i made the right decision but i will never know for sure.
playing god.
that part of the decision has been playing over and over in my mind for the last 2 weeks.
he was in a lot of pain, the drugs we put him on the last month was screwing with his head, he wasn't enjoying life any longer ... i "feel" i made the right decision but i will never know for sure.
yzftaco
Goofy-Goober
I'm truly sorry for your loss Wayne. It's one of the hardest things having to make that decision..
Our Dog CJ had to be put down last Dec from tumors. If it wasn't for the fact that he couldn't go to the bathroom anymore you'd never know he was sick.. Makes me tear thinking about it..
Our Dog CJ had to be put down last Dec from tumors. If it wasn't for the fact that he couldn't go to the bathroom anymore you'd never know he was sick.. Makes me tear thinking about it..
crushers, sorry to hear about your loss. I've had to make this tough decision twice in the last 2 years. It weighs very heavy on my heart, and I was also in your same boat on wondering if I made the right decision. My wife put it into perspective; it is actually one of the best gifts we can give to our loved ones. Instead of watching our buddies emaciate and pass away in pain as their quality of life degrades into absolute crap, we give them their dignity by avoiding that terrible part.
In the last two years, I've had to say good bye to both of my labs (last one almost 2 weeks ago), which also suffered from joint/hip pains and my yellow from a tumor. They gave me more then I deserved by hanging on for as long as they could (and then some), and I returned a small portion of their kindness by walking into the vet together for the last time.
You can tell you had a special bond with your buddy; cherish it and smile. He's looking out over your shoulder. God speed to your loved one.
In the last two years, I've had to say good bye to both of my labs (last one almost 2 weeks ago), which also suffered from joint/hip pains and my yellow from a tumor. They gave me more then I deserved by hanging on for as long as they could (and then some), and I returned a small portion of their kindness by walking into the vet together for the last time.
You can tell you had a special bond with your buddy; cherish it and smile. He's looking out over your shoulder. God speed to your loved one.
Last edited:
crushers
post ho
guys, it just dawned on me. many of you have gone through the same experience recently, as i read you posts as i suspect you share the same sadness.
Sorry to hear man.
I went through the same thing last january.
I went through the same thing last january.
Been almost 2 years now. Still miss her.
Can't go anywhere without people who are happy to talk about their pets.
I enjoy every minute with Giselle and hate every minute I have to be away. I'm sure I'll be carrying (harnessing) her around before long. She's made it to the end of her life span in a much better fashion than she was used to before we got her 8 years ago (at age 4).
--john
I enjoy every minute with Giselle and hate every minute I have to be away. I'm sure I'll be carrying (harnessing) her around before long. She's made it to the end of her life span in a much better fashion than she was used to before we got her 8 years ago (at age 4).
--john
I've liked almost every dog I've ever met, even the mean ones have their reasons.
I hope I never see the day that I don't have a dog in my life.
I hope I never see the day that I don't have a dog in my life.
reconranger
SILVER Star
Crushers, just saw this. Condolences. You ain't alone, bud.
FishTacos
Full Globetard
So sorry to hear of your loss, Crushers.
My Malamute/Siberian mix had to be put down 8 years ago. One day she was limping. Went to the vet expecting it to be a sprain or muscle tear or the like as we had gone on a long hike the day before. X- ray revealed bone cancer in her right foreleg at the "wrist". Vet recommended leg amputation. I thought it would be a horrible thing to do to a dog but the vet convinced me that they do quite well on three legs.
Two days after the surgery she was running around playing with friends' dogs who had come by for a visit. They were uncharacteristically gentle with her. I was amazed to say the least. We humans get all sorts of depressed over the loss of a finger but dogs just adapt and make the best of their circumstances. People have so many lessons to learn from our canine companions. We had two more wonderful years together but the cancer finally got the best of her.
Reading this brought back memories of how hard the decision was. My heart goes out to you and your family. RIP Cruiser.
My Malamute/Siberian mix had to be put down 8 years ago. One day she was limping. Went to the vet expecting it to be a sprain or muscle tear or the like as we had gone on a long hike the day before. X- ray revealed bone cancer in her right foreleg at the "wrist". Vet recommended leg amputation. I thought it would be a horrible thing to do to a dog but the vet convinced me that they do quite well on three legs.
Two days after the surgery she was running around playing with friends' dogs who had come by for a visit. They were uncharacteristically gentle with her. I was amazed to say the least. We humans get all sorts of depressed over the loss of a finger but dogs just adapt and make the best of their circumstances. People have so many lessons to learn from our canine companions. We had two more wonderful years together but the cancer finally got the best of her.
Reading this brought back memories of how hard the decision was. My heart goes out to you and your family. RIP Cruiser.
I feel your pain. They are family. Lost two of mine within 1 yr of each other. Marcus had to be put down after developing internal bleeding and Max(imus) drowned after failing through some ice on our lake. I'll never forget finding him a few hundred feet from my place and having to pull his body from the water 
.
A year later, we got two new wonderful mutts - Ziggy & Milo
.
.A year later, we got two new wonderful mutts - Ziggy & Milo
.
crushers
post ho
oh crap, that would be one serious nightmare. finding a buddy under the ice.
i can't picture the pain that would come with that.
my uncle lost 2 coyote hounds a couple years back after they fell through the ice on the local river chasing a coyote. they hounds had trackers on them and he found them under the ice down stream. he was really torn up inside. his eyes still well up when he talks about them.
sorry man, real sad.
i can't picture the pain that would come with that.
my uncle lost 2 coyote hounds a couple years back after they fell through the ice on the local river chasing a coyote. they hounds had trackers on them and he found them under the ice down stream. he was really torn up inside. his eyes still well up when he talks about them.
sorry man, real sad.
Hey Crushers,
Sorry to read about the loss of your pal Cruiser...
in the tradition of the posters here, a little memory shared about dogs.
Dad taught me to trust no one, I often disobeyed that wisdom to my peril, he was regretably right it would appear.
But he was fond of dogs, and no warnings were ever issued against them.
And also in the interest of promoting the notion that I am a nutjob so no body will bother me to 'trust them'...I should like to request that in the unfortunate event that I should pass away before my dear Bella, an American Cocker Spaniel, also noted for short lives even by dog standards, please send her my condolances...
she deserves it
Sorry to read about the loss of your pal Cruiser...
in the tradition of the posters here, a little memory shared about dogs.
Dad taught me to trust no one, I often disobeyed that wisdom to my peril, he was regretably right it would appear.
But he was fond of dogs, and no warnings were ever issued against them.
And also in the interest of promoting the notion that I am a nutjob so no body will bother me to 'trust them'...I should like to request that in the unfortunate event that I should pass away before my dear Bella, an American Cocker Spaniel, also noted for short lives even by dog standards, please send her my condolances...
she deserves it
- Joined
- May 21, 2009
- Threads
- 296
- Messages
- 1,380
- Location
- Paradise Calgary Alberta Canada
- Website
- forum.ih8mud.com
Sorry to hear about Waynes best friend !
Why exactly do we have a pet forum?