Farewelled our old dog yesterday and had bike therapy today

[Oakie]

It was a sad day yesterday. I had to take our 13yr old golden lab to the vet to be put to sleep. Have been building up to it for a couple of months but still hard to go and do the deed.
I was coping reasonably well but then after he had received the injection and as his muscles relaxed, he looked up at me with a puzzled look in his eyes ... and then died a short time later. God I wish he hadn't looked at me.
Today I went for a quick blast up the motorway by myself to get it out of my system. It worked. Thank God for bikes huh?

(And thank God I'll never stand in another big squelchy dog turd in my slippers again either)

R.I.P. Dusty

[The_Dover]

He's not looking too flash in that second picture.

[SwanTiger]

Always sucks to lose a family member (even if it is an animal).

What was wrong with him? He looks relatively alright, if not some what over weight.

[Rashika]

It was a sad day yesterday. I had to take our 13yr old golden lab to the vet to be put to sleep. Have been building up to it for a couple of months but still hard to go and do the deed.
I was coping reasonably well but then after he had received the injection and as his muscles relaxed, he looked up at me with a puzzled look in his eyes ... and then died a short time later. God I wish he hadn't looked at me.
Today I went for a quick blast up the motorway by myself to get it out of my system. It worked. Thank God for bikes huh?

(And thank God I'll never stand in another big squelchy dog turd in my slippers again either)

R.I.P. Dusty
been there done that... I sooooo know that look, hardest thing I had to do, still gets to me even now after 7 years. One of the saddest moments in my life. Sorry to hear about Dusty :(


...and as for the turd bit, yeah fkn been there too! :sick:

[notme]

Bugger.

We have 2 that are starting to develop the old dog problems..arthritis, eye probs, skin probs etc.

It sucks huh? At least we can end the suffering for our 4 legged companions when necessary.

[chanceyy]

One thing that I think of to get me through the tough calls both with my dog & horses ..

They have never wanted for anything, they have had the most awesome life, been well cared for and loved .. when the time comes as hard as it is, they will not suffer any more, & rather than let them go through heaps of pain & trauma its the one thing we can do to ease their suffering ... we just suffer instead

good on you for making the tough call .. RIP Dusty

[oldrider]

Cheers Oakie, have had do that myself many many times over the years, we have decided we are not having any more pets, not enough time left to out live them.
You just have to believe that you have done your best for them and steel yourself against the emotional guilt feelings that will get you down, if you let them!
I had a short ride on my bike today, from the yard to the garage. Therapy! For sure!! Cheers John.

[sels1]

Sympathies mate. Our old Collie died a year ago last week.

[oldrider]

One thing that I think of to get me through the tough calls both with my dog & horses ..

They have never wanted for anything, they have had the most awesome life, been well cared for and loved .. when the time comes as hard as it is, they will not suffer any more, & rather than let them go through heaps of pain & trauma its the one thing we can do to ease their suffering ... we just suffer instead

good on you for making the tough call .. RIP Dusty
Hey Chancey, if there is an after life and I come back as an animal can I come to your house?
I will do all kinds of tricks, fetch the paper and promise not to poo in the wrong places.
If I come back as a dog you will know it's me because I will shove my nose in your crutch, every chance I get. :blip: Cheers John.

[Oakie]

He's not looking too flash in that second picture.

Until a couple of years ago he'd quite often just lie on his back with his dick sticking out in the breeze. He used to do it quite often on the front lawn in the sun. Don't know if it felt nice or if he was just showing off.

[The_Dover]

It feels quite nice.

I used to do it too, until the neighbours complained.

Losing a dog does suck, my 16 yr old retriever was put to sleep a couple of years ago and it was pretty weird going home to the UK last year and having no big smelly mutt in the house.

[chanceyy]

Hey Chancey, if there is an after life and I come back as an animal can I come to your house?
I will do all kinds of tricks, fetch the paper and promise not to poo in the wrong places.
If I come back as a dog you will know it's me because I will shove my nose in your crutch, every chance I get. :blip: Cheers John.


LOL John ..

will you be happy to do obedience, agility search & rescue training, come out riding with the horses, cause that way methinks you will be too stuffed, to worry about sniffing crutches.

[Oakie]

What was wrong with him? He looks relatively alright, if not some what over weight.

Arthritis and bad larynx mainly (the larynx wasn't elastic enough to expand properly when trying to breath which made even a walk down the street a real struggle). His heart was not the best either according to the vet. I guess if it was just one of those things wrong we would have persisted but when all added up ... well it was just time.
And yeah ... he loved his food. More than once I saw him vomit because he ate his tea too fast and then he'd go back a few minutes later and eat it ... again ... if you know what I mean. Yuk!

[Kendog]

This is one of those threads that I see the title and preview and I think to myself I shouldnt read it, but then can't stop myself clicking anyway.

This part is sad

he looked up at me with a puzzled look in his eyes ...
Pets bring some much joy, but there will always be a sad end. For me the joy they bring far outweighs the eventual pain of the loss.

[Madness]

We have a Goldie pup. Maddie is now 9 months and thank Christ she is finally starting to calm down a little. I today started applying polyfilla in the giant holes in the walls and uncovered the damaged lino that's been hiding under several rugs. She is absoulte bloody dynamite and rarks up the Retriever, the Cat and the Cockatoo, sometimes all at once. I didn't get out for a ride all weekend, what with the repairs,the shopping trip to Animates, the walking, vacuuming the dog-hair out of the car, the picking up of poo's.

Sorry to hear of your loss, enjoy your bike.

[Macktheknife]

looked up at me with a puzzled look in his eyes ... and then died a short time later. God I wish he hadn't looked at me.
R.I.P. Dusty
I know that look too, it sucks.
Sorry for your loss, but it was obviously the right thing to do.

[T.W.R]

Sympathies Oakie, it's never an easy thing to deal with loosing a family pet, dogs go that step further as a companion which makes it that bit harder to deal with.
Time alone on the bike is always the best medicine to gather your thoughts & emotions.

[Da Bird]

I will lend to you for a while,a Golden Lab pup, God said,
For you to love him while he lives and mourn for him when he's dead.
Maybe for twelve or fourteen years, or maybe two or three
But will you, 'till I call him back, take care of him for me.

He'll bring his charms to gladden you and (should his stay be brief)
you'll always have his memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return
But there are lessons taught below I want this pup to learn.

I've looked the whole world over in search of teachers true
And from the folk that crowd's life's land I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love Nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to take my Lab back again.

I fancied that I heard them say "Dear Lord Thy Will be Done,"
For all the joys this Retriever will bring, the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness we'll love him while we may
And for the happiness we've known forever grateful stay.

But should you call him back much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.
If, by our love, we've managed, your wishes to achieve
In memory of him we loved, to help us while we grieve,
When our faithful bundle departs this world of strife,
We'll have yet another Lab and love him all his life.

-author unknown

(originally from the German Shepherd website but just changed the breed...)

I dread the day this will happen to my GSD - my condolences for your loss Oakie.

BC

[frogfeaturesFZR]

Sorry to hear of your loss, mate been there and it's not good. Like you said thank god for bikes. I swore I'd not get another dog after I had to have my shepherd put to sleep, after 19 years. Hell we'd been together longer than my wife and kids. But after 2 years.....we got another puppy and you know its been really great to have a dog around again. Give it some time and then think about it:bye:

[Biohazard]

I too wish I never read this thread as it brings back the memories of our departed 4 legged friends of whom you could always rely.

Unfortunately, it appears that everyone knows the situation you were in and wished that you wern't , but it was certainly the bravest thing you have had to do. I know it's not easy and it may haunt you for a while. I'm sue you'll get another idiot to share ya home and life with !!!

You will always miss them (apart from your shitty slipper :blip: ) as they refuse to grow up and can't stop acting retarded...How I love 'em all especially Labs.

Chin up m8.

BTW - Certianly looked like a fun dog in ya photos.

[sAsLEX]

Pets bring some much joy, but there will always be a sad end.

Dad put had to put one of our cats to sleep so he just used the rifle, funniest thing was our dog saw him do it and after that he was really nervous when you took the gun out to get some rabbits!

[Lou Girardin]

My sympathies. My Dobe did the same thing, I cried like a baby.

[Firefight]

My sympathies. I cried like a baby.



me too,

F/F

[vifferman]

Condolences, Oakie.

But at least Dusty had his full complement of years.
Our dog died in my arms 8 or 9 years ago, after I called him and he ran across the road in front of a speeding car. Then I had to tell the kids, before taking him to the in-laws' farm to bury him.
I was more upset than when my father died, and I'm still not over it. I can't help but blame myself, because if I'd been more patient, he wouldn't have died.

[eliot-ness]

My sympathies. My Dobe did the same thing, I cried like a baby.

Ditto, and I swore I'd never go through it again. Now, by a strange twist of fate, I have two, and loving every minute of it, even though they don't like me going out on the bike and leaving them behind.

[SDU]

It was a sad day yesterday. I had to take our 13yr old golden lab to the vet to be put to sleep. Have been building up to it for a couple of months but still hard to go and do the deed.
I was coping reasonably well but then after he had received the injection and as his muscles relaxed, he looked up at me with a puzzled look in his eyes ... and then died a short time later. God I wish he hadn't looked at me.
Today I went for a quick blast up the motorway by myself to get it out of my system. It worked. Thank God for bikes huh?

(And thank God I'll never stand in another big squelchy dog turd in my slippers again either)

R.I.P. Dusty

Our sympathies to you both.
It is never easy, but know you have done the best for your mate.
From what you have said the puzzled look would have been the sadness of leaving you and thankfulness to be released.

We said goodbye to our old boy last October & bawled like babies! We were so grateful the next day for a KB ride from Dangerous' place (where we met most off the kb people for the first time) the Bike Therapy helped us get is through.

[Biohazard]

the puzzled look would have been the sadness of leaving you and thankfulness to be released.

:weep: that brought a lump to the throat :bye:

Aren't dogs just great though, will never judge ya and always listen to you (only hear ya say- blah blah blah blah walk blah blah blah dinner :blip: )...

[mstriumph]

been there too.

but what puzzles me is why we can treat an animal with this much kindness, compassion and respect but not people?

when i was in my very early teens i watched a much loved very elderly grandmother, my stepfather's mother, suffer and die from inoperable cancer ......... they took her from the family home that she had come to as a young bride, stuck her in a ward where people were dying [and being carted out feet first] all around her, subjected her to the usual institutional humiliations and generally stripped her of all humanity ...

it took her two months to die
she was in pain the entire time
she begged to be taken home and allowed to die in her own bed every time we visited - she was a proud woman and her tears must have been one more additional humiliation for her...

i remember my mother - who could have made it happen, shaking her head with a fixed false smile every time and telling her she was in the best place ...........then cheerfully saying how glad she was to be 'out of there' on the way home because 'hospitals are such DEPRESSING places'

it was a long time ago - but i doubt i will ever forgive her for it -- i never felt so powerless in the face of unutterable misery

------- so -------- it may sound strange when i say to you, Oakie, BE GLAD that you had it in your power to make a difference for Dusty - and that you had the courage to do what needed doing.


-----

[kiwifruit]

rest in peace Dusty.

[Beemer]

Always sucks to lose a family member (even if it is an animal)

Um, that's a bit like saying "well, don't worry old chum, it was only your sister - could have been worse, could have been a brother..."

Commiserations on the loss of Dusty, I know what it's like to have to make that horrible decision to have an animal put down. We're so soft we even took a lamb to the vet when it got sick. They had to put it down and the young vet had to use two doses as it was still breathing. I don't mind admitting I cried buckets and it was a two or three day old lamb, not a pet I'd had in my life for years.

We have two cats now, one a year old, the other about 15 so we know he won't last forever. It's sad when they get old or sick and then die, but the joy animals bring us is worth every bit of pain when we have to say goodbye.

[timorang]

Thanks for making this post. We have 2 old dogs. One a 15yo Staffie is partially paralysed in the rear quarters and has been dragging himself around for a few months now. It is not pretty to watch but he is in no pain (plenty of frustration though), his appetite is good and he still enjoys being around. His time to move on is very close, but he ain't a quitter so it will be decision for me to make. Reading this thread cuts me up but reading it and typing this does help with the decision to be made. Cheers.
Oh, the other dog is a 13yo Foxy / Jack Russell. He has been practically blind for a couple of years now and should have died bloody ages ago - he's a funny little bugger that will likely hang in there for a few years yet.

[Scouse]

I Lost my Scottie "Angus" on the 15th of May to Bladder wall Cancer Just 1 month short of his 10th birthday It was a very sad day and taking the desision was very hard but it was the right thing to do for him. I know how you feel Oakie RIP Dusty

[SwanTiger]

Um, that's a bit like saying "well, don't worry old chum, it was only your sister - could have been worse, could have been a brother..."


That is your intepretation only, not my intention with that comment.

Red rep given for being a dick.

[The_Dover]

Anyone else think swampy is starting to take herself a bit too seriously?

[Colapop]

Too bad Oakie. Having a loyal pet who loves you no matter what and stays loyal no matter what other pets you pat or care for is special indeed. It's the little things you miss; a cold nose in the morning to wake you up, the little 'gifts' left for you to find, and the eyes - always with the eyes.
Chin up bud

[Crisis management]

Reading this reminds me of the day we had to put our old cat down, she was incontinent and obviously failing so I had to make the decision, and then carry it out! One of the few times in life I have hated being a man, everyone else was allowed to bail out, the kids were "just kids" and my wife was supportive, but it still became something "I" had to do.
15 years of unconditional love (well, in the cats case, conditional love) from anything is hard to have to stop and it still brings a tear to my eyes now.
I definately cried as she died, and I cried as I buried her and it still hurts now.

Condolences Oakie, and an ethernet "arm around your shoulders", you did the right thing letting her pass on with dignity.

[Lias]

I will lend to you for a while,a Golden Lab pup, God said,
We'll have yet another Lab and love him all his life.

-author unknown
Adapted from this would be my guess. This was read at my sisters funeral and still brings me to tears 13 years later. Death sucks.

TO THE PARENTS OF EACH PRECIOUS BABY

"I'll lend you for a little time a child of mine," he said,
"For you to love the while she lives and mourn for
when she is dead. It may be six or seven years, or
twenty two or three;
But will you, 'till i call her back take care of her for me?
She'll bring her charms to gladden you, and should her
stay be brief, you'll have her loving memory as solace
for your grief.

I cannot promise she will stay, since all from earth
return, but there are lessons taught down there I want
this child to learn.
I've looked the wide world over in my search for
teachers true and from the thongs the crowd Life's
lanes I've selected you.
Now will you giver her all your love, not think the
labour vain, Nor hate me when I come to call to take
her back again."

I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord, thy will
be done. For all the joy thy child shall bring, the risk
of grief we'll run, We'll shelter her with tenderness,
We'll love her while we may and for the happiness
we've know forever grateful stay;
But should the angels call for her sooner than we've
planned we'll brave the bitter grief that come and try
to understand."

[paturoa]

If I come back as a dog you will know it's me because I will shove my nose in your crutch, every chance I get. :blip: Cheers John.

and you'll do the licking thing too? (cos you'll be able to)

[Oakie]

Thanks for making this post. We have 2 old dogs. One a 15yo Staffie is partially paralysed in the rear quarters and has been dragging himself around for a few months now. It is not pretty to watch but he is in no pain (plenty of frustration though), his appetite is good and he still enjoys being around. His time to move on is very close, but he ain't a quitter so it will be decision for me to make. Reading this thread cuts me up but reading it and typing this does help with the decision to be made. Cheers.

It goes without saying that I know what you're feeling. I suppose all I can say is don't put it off hoping it will be easier later. Whenever it it happens it'll be sad. Do it when you know it's the right thing to do for your dog. Good luck.

[oldrider]

Thanks for making this post. We have 2 old dogs. One a 15yo Staffie is partially paralysed in the rear quarters and has been dragging himself around for a few months now. It is not pretty to watch but he is in no pain (plenty of frustration though), his appetite is good and he still enjoys being around. His time to move on is very close, but he ain't a quitter so it will be decision for me to make. Reading this thread cuts me up but reading it and typing this does help with the decision to be made. Cheers.
Oh, the other dog is a 13yo Foxy / Jack Russell. He has been practically blind for a couple of years now and should have died bloody ages ago - he's a funny little bugger that will likely hang in there for a few years yet.
Hi timorang, there seems to be a bit of that back end paralysis in some breeds of Staffy.
I have had quite a few Staffies. (used to use them to bread excellent pig dogs)
They are wonderful dogs and one of the loveliest family pets that you can have.
My brother in law had a dog (orangie brown plain colour) suffered the same complaint as yours, didn't seem to cause him too much pain though funny enough.
He left a few pups before it became apparent and they all suffered the same complaint.
I have seen some others with the same thing and tend to think there is a breading problem from some Staffy kennel somewhere.
I am out of dogs nowadays or I would make it my business to track it down, I don't like to see bad breeding and suffering like that.
Staffy-Blue merle or blue heeler cross are the best pig dog/ family pet you can get.
Small, quiet, fast, tough and intelligent but you have to be very firm with them or they will create havoc and you only need two of them to catch the biggest pigs you can find.
As I got deafer I had to employ another dog to do the barking because the Staffy/heelers don't say too much and I couldn't find them.
I digress, sorry about your dog's paralyses but if it's not hurting him you could make him some wheels for the back, I have seen that done successfully. Cheers John.

[oldrider]

and you'll do the licking thing too? (cos you'll be able to)
Hey paturoa, dreams cost us nothing! :yawn: I wish I wish. :blip:

[Beemer]

That is your intepretation only, not my intention with that comment.

Red rep given for being a dick.:whocares:

Red rep for ME because YOU didn't make yourself clear? I give up! If you'd said "always sucks to lose a family member whether its human or animal" I would have agreed with you. You didn't and that just shows what a dick YOU are. I hope red rep flies to your address in bucketloads and I hope the next animal you meet pees in your shoes.

[Rashika]

Hi timorang, there seems to be a bit of that back end paralysis in some breeds of Staffy.
I have had quite a few Staffies. (used to use them to bread excellent pig dogs)
They are wonderful dogs and one of the loveliest family pets that you can have.
yeah thats what happened to my last staffy... and it was terrible deciding to have him put down. I'm not looking forward to it with my girl, tho hopefully a few years yet before I have to face that.
Anytime you wanna play with a Staffy Oldrider, just pop in! ;)

[timorang]

Thanks Oldrider and Rashika. I did not know this was a bit of a common problem for these to dogs have. I can stop beating myself up that it is a result of something I have (or have not) done. I have been around working and pet dogs of many breeds and he has been (is!!) the most awesome dog I have known and from what i have seen quite typical for the breed. If / when we get another dog a Staffie will be at the top of the list.

[Rashika]

Thanks Oldrider and Rashika. I did not know this was a bit of a common problem for these to dogs have. I can stop beating myself up that it is a result of something I have (or have not) done. I have been around working and pet dogs of many breeds and he has been (is!!) the most awesome dog I have known and from what i have seen quite typical for the breed. If / when we get another dog a Staffie will be at the top of the list.
:rockon: yup they are damn nice animals.

I tried for ages to make him feel better...tried a few drugs, to help alleviate the pain, but it just got worse so had to make the decision eventually, while he was still a semi happy chap... and before i became really down about it all as well (and broke... the drugs were NOT cheap).
Its a hard call to know exactly when to say :bye:

[Oakie]

Hey thanks everyone for all the nice thoughts and sentiments shared. It's been a help to hear so many others have had to face the same thing. ("A trouble shared..." and all that).

I don't think we'll be getting another dog anytime soon. We've only had two but they lasted us 26 years between the two of them with just a 6 month break between the first 'going' and the second arriving. After 25 1/2 years of picking up or standing in dog turds on the front lawn I've had enough.

So what's next? Well I got home from work yesterday and there at the bottom of the shopping list on the kitchen wall, a daughter had written 'a new kitten'.

We'll see.

Oh, and Beemer ... he wasn't exactly a cat lover but he did live in peace with each of the three cats we had during his time.