[fatdave]

I was told today that my dog needs to be put down. He isn't eating, and is slowly withering away to nothing. He's always in pain, he's old and passing blood in his urine and feces.

I know a lot of you wouldn't understand, but I have always taken care of the issue myself no vets. I can't do it with him, 14 years through many ups and downs I can't even take him to have it done.

Of all the shit I've done in my life I can't even take a dog to be put to sleep. Everyone keeps telling me to get a new dog. I just don't think I have what it takes to put up with a puppy and the training. Most places have non-adoption policies on the breed I am interested in.

The rescue groups want to do home checks, credit checks, background checks and it wouldn't surprise me if they asked for a blood sample. So, I guess I'll be dog free for awhile.

/endrant

[Trinity]

Aww Dave, sorry to hear your news but I know you will do the right thing. Don't rush into getting a new dog as a replacement, wait a bit for the right dog for you to become available. Your dog is lucky, not many have had such a good, comfortable life
Big Hugs n Kisses

[Ratticis]

That's the shits. Sorry dude

[Yasko]

Sorry to hear that Dave! It is not easy thing to do at all. Wish you good luck and to your dog painless death. Please save him from suffering!

[E-DOG]

Hardest thing I've ever had to do was put down a favorite dog of mine.
"Dozer" was his name. Short for bull-dozer.

Most every Pit bull I've ever owned was sharp as a tack. One I had, "Ajax" was smarter than a lot of people I've known. A lot smarter.
But ol' Dozer? Shit, a box of rocks had nuthin' on him and that's a fact. I spent years tossing bits of food in the air for him to catch. Crackers, pieces of cheeseburger, doggy biscuits. Any and all bounced off his big ol' noggin and fell to the floor, and was then given an olfactory inspection and thus scooped up for immediate consumption.

I won't go into details as to why it had to be done, but done it was and for many years after the guilt followed me around and caused nightmares aplenty.

I do indeed feel for your loss young Dave,

E-dog

[greybeard]

I feel for you Dave. I cry my eyes out every time it happens to us. It isn't something you get used to.

I'm with Trin. Wait a while.

I really don't think the breed matters. All dogs give you unconditional love and companionship (but I think I'd draw the line at one of those bug-eyed, yappy miniature things).

Thinking of you.

Geoff

[Ratticis]

I second the "no yappy little bastard" motion

[wheelywendy]

thinking of you at this difficult time dave, i'm sure you'll do whats right for him, dont rush into looking for another dog, only you will know when the time is right, god bless wendy

[wheeliebear75]

Sorry about your dog's health failing & the loss of a beloved friend. Your difficulty in taking him in only shows how much he means to you & how much his love & loyalty to you has meant. It doesn't make you "a wuss". And you shouldn't worry about rushing out to get a dog to fill the void of the dog you had. Each pet is unique with their own personalities even among the same breed, the "right dog" will come along one day when you're not even expecting it.......some cold wet nose will find a way to wiggle into a different but eventually just as deep a part of your heart as the friend you lost.

[StillFingers]

Dave, your brother of 14 yrs is near his end. You two have shared amazing, healing, loving and heart breaking times together. Take him to the vets, share those last few precious moments with him, hug him, shed a few buckets of tears and let him go, ease his pain.

My german shepherd was 14 when he passed, he was my running partner, my pulling partner after my sci and my best friend for quite a few lonely years. I've not had a pet since. As others have said, wait a bit, grieve for your loss, then celebrate the time you had together and when your heart speaks to you, find another to love and care for.

Hugs bro, my thoughts are with you...

Jerry

[fatdave]

I have an appointment Friday, it gives me a few days to say goodbye. These words have mean a lot to me, this is very upsetting and it probably couldn't have happened at a worse time.

My mother passed away 8 years ago the 15th of this month so August isn't kind to me, I could have gotten an appointment for saturday, but that just seemed wrong.

I guess I should fill my xanax script.

[wheeliebear75]

My birthday is in August.......if I could have a birthday wish it would be for you to be able to smile again.

[tspence]

Dexter was 18, two weeks after my accident [while Iwas still in ICU] I recieved the news that he was having a hard time breathing and couldnt hold his head up. I dont think he ever failed to meet me in the morning before I left for work. In the 18 yrs he was the best pet a man could ever hope for.Tears fill my eyes as Im writing,Icouldnt be there for him when my son had to put him down.Isure fill your hurt Dave.Im sure the right one will come around for ya, especially to a dedicated owner as yourself.Heres a pat on the back man...

[Meadowlarkmark]

Hang in there Dave, this too shall pass. Start looking for another when you're ready. We tried to replace Cinnamon, when she passed but have not yet found a good fit. We still miss her terribly.

[twisted_ophelia]

I'm so sorry, Dave. If I could give you a real hug, I would! My ex and I had to put our dog down a few months ago. We went through a really similar agonizing decision. We shared 'custody' of Diablo, our rottweiler, and he was pushing 12. It got to the point where we were constantly at the vet but we kept trying to keep him going as long as he was happy and seemed to be enjoying life. There came a point, in the last few weeks before we had him put to sleep, that it was so clear that he was suffering. He wasn't even wanting to play or eat his treats, he was completely 'not there' and you could see pain in his face. He couldn't walk and my ex had to basically carry him everywhere--and it's not easy to carry large dogs. No dogs or other animal companions can ever be replaced and it's like losing a beloved friend. We needed time to grieve over Diablo. Sometimes people find it easier to get another dog right away, others don't ever want a dog again. I remember the day we put Diablo down, my ex wanted to go look at puppies and I didn't really think that was the best idea. Everyone is different. My cat is 16 years old now and I've had him all of my adult life. He's still in great health and spry but when I think about losing him, I can barely even comprehend it. Hang in there. These things are brutal but we're all here to give you support if you need it.

As an aside, we adopted Diablo but not through a rescue agency. He was the dog belonging to someone we both knew and that person basically didn't want him anymore. They gave him to an accquaintance of my ex'es and then that person didn't want him anymore. Then we took him because he needed a home and my ex had really bonded with him. There are definitely ways to get a dog wihout having to do the whole background check thing with an adoption agency. Lots of people just want to 'get rid' of their dogs and while you may not be ready to get a new dog just yet, if you do some digging, I'll bet you'll be able to find a new buddy soon.

This post has been edited by twisted_ophelia: 12 August 2009 - 05:05 AM

[SnoFl]

Dave, sorry for your loss.

[chickadee]

I had the same thing with my kitty, Dreamscicle (ginger and white). I was sick with grief for days. It took me three years until I got new kitties - but know that once you're ready to find a new friend, an adult pet will love you so much when you give them their forever home.

[wheelywendy]

thinking of you today dave, its not going to be an easy day for you so thought i'd send you a few hugs and just say thinking of you
wendy

[fatdave]

Again, thank you all. I was ok until we loaded his body into the car to take to the burial site. It opened wounds that I thought were closed long ago.

[ParaforGod]

Hi Dave,
Im so sorry about your dog. They become family members and it hurts to give them up. I had to put my little dog down about two yrs. ago, so I know it really hurts. I didn't think I wanted another dog and then I found a little dog who had been abused so I took him, and am glad I did. His name is Rudy and he is loved.
You will know when its the right time to get another dog. I wish you well and am so sorry for your pain.

[greybeard]

Having been through this several times, my wife and I decided to get ahead of the game. We now have three dogs ( was four until last year ) of different ages.

Our reasoning was simple. It cost hardly any more to own two instead of one, or four instead of two. More does not equate to more inconvenience. The younger dogs learn good behaviour from the older ones. Most important of all, you still have some soft ears to fondle when one inevitably dies. It still hurts just as much, but the others give you comfort, and because they need your care and support, they do help to keep you grounded through the grieving process.

Wishing you lots of fond memories, Dave. Be well.

[StillFingers]