Farewelled our old dog yesterday and had bike therapy today

[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. 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! I wish I wish.

[Beemer]

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

Red rep given for being a dick.

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.

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