The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: billt on May 12, 2010, 09:02:09 AM
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Yesterday at 9:30 I had to have my Golden Retriever, Sam put down. He would have been 10 this July. He had a large amount of health issues, none the least was hip dysplasia. He could no longer walk, and was in a lot of pain. I had to carry him into the vets office. The house really seemed empty this morning when I got up. It's unbelievable how attached you get to a pet that is there for you every single day.
I'm not going to get anymore dogs, as much as I love them to death. They just don't live long enough. At my age, (57), the almost 10 years we had him just seemed to sail by. I remember the day when we brought him home as a pup and he pee'd in Melanie's lap. It just really hurts when the inevitable day comes, and you have to make that painful decision. I won't make it again. Bill T.
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Bill, sorry for the loss of your buddy, they really do become part of the family.
I have had to put down 4 of our dogs and the last one was the worst. We are dog-less for almost two years now and wont be getting another. I feel your pain.
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My condolences
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Sorry about your loss, Bill. I DREAD the day I lose my Handsome Boy.
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Thanks guys. I'm going to try and stay busy today. I've got a bunch of brass I need to get prepped and ready to load. It helps to stay busy and keep your mind occupied. Bill T.
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I just last week put down GF's daughter's dog who has lived with me for 3 years. That was tough, but not as tough as the rescue dog I had for just 4 years.
I have 2 more, both will be 8 this year, and the Olde English Sheepdog has health issue. But you know what, I would not miss their company for all the tea in China, even knowing what must eventually come. I still remember the rescue dog, Crash by name, Black Lab/Dalmatian mix, seeing bunnies for the first time in Wyoming. She buggered a nest of half a dozen or so, and I almost fell off the ranch house porch laughing as she spun in circles trying to figure out which one to chase.
Remember the good times, Bill, cherish them. It will help . . . a little.
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BillT, I am sorry for your loss. I had to put down my chocolate lab because he had cancer. He was only six years old at the time. I made the same decision that you have made. I would not get another dog again. Well two years later my wife bought me another lab. What can I say. He brings me lots of joy and love. I know that its a lot of pain to loss a pet, but what years of enjoyment you receive from them be it short or long, its worth the pain. :'( Good luck and I hope you change your mind about a new friend.
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I understand how you feel and I felt the same way. I had to have my last one put down when she was 15. I was crushed. I had made up my mind not to get another dog. About 2 months went buy and it was my birthday. My brother called and told me my niece and nephew and a gift for me. That was strange because we don't normally give each other birthday gifts. You guessed it........it was a dog. Jake is the best dog I've ever had. He'll be 6 next month and has truly been a blessing to me. Give yourself some time and think about it. There is a dog that could use a great home with you and Mel.
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Damn Bill, I'm sorry. I had to put down my pointer, Spike about four years ago. She was my first dog (the others were my folk's, family dogs, she was the first one I bought and trained myself). I got her right before I graduated college, and she made it almost 18 years. Deaf and blind (not that it made any difference to her bird finding ability ;)), but still as happy as when I got her as a five week old pup. She was so young when I got her I had to wet down her food. I used to carry her around in the game pocket of an old oilskin coat. That dog went everywhere with me. Never could find a bird, but damned if she didn't hunt, (read run around like a fool) in some awfully pretty country in about a dozen states. She worked (again a strong word) under falcons and shotguns for everything from quail, to grouse to pheasants to sharptails and she even did duty as a retriever for ducks and doves. We never did get the whole, "who gets to eat the bird" issue settled, but she was happy to go get them. ;D The dog slept on the bed (which she hogged) and always thought a guest sitting on the couch was an invitation to join them. When I had her put down, I was lucky enough to have a vet who makes house calls so she didn't have to take that last ride. It was still one of the hardest phone calls I've ever made. I'm not ashamed to say I'm tearing up as I type this. I know how much it sucks. That dog meant a whole lot to me. Still, I would say that 57 isn't too young for a pup. Just give it time, a few months to a year. Then you won't be drawing comparisons and appreciate the new PITA for what she is. ;D
Best wishes
FQ13
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Hey Bill- I am super sorry about the dog. I got my Black Lab Two Christmas ago. I know we havent talked much so I will kinda explain to you my situation. I came back from over seas and for a couple years I wasted my life at the bottom of a bottle and hooked on opiates. A combination that would eventually Kill me if not do so faster than I could have ever expected. I living a more dangerous life than I did when I was overseas making calculated risks. I was stuck in that fake reality where I felt it was ok to be doing what I was doing cause me "friends" were doing the same. Well I had really not much to live for dead end job at a restaurant and could sleep unless I was completely blitzed. Longer story short I went and got the help that I needed from the VA.
A year later my family when in a bought me my Black Lab. And since I got her my life has honestly changed. People say oh she is just a dog and blah blah blah. Well just having her keen ears and nose in my room at night made me just feel safer. I knew she would wake up if someone was lurking around. So I was getting a little more sleep cause I could actually get calm when I was alone in my room at night. I wouldnt be waiting for an enemy to raid me, and feel as though Im letting my guard down by falling asleep. On top of this something about being at home alone and having the dog there makes me feel like I still not quite alone. She has tons of energy and makes life interesting even when it is quiet.
My dog is something more than just a dog. She is a part of who I am. She comes with me on trips to my cabin, out to my gpas who has some land and chickens for her to chase (lol), so its like people just associate her with me. When I became pretty serious about my latest girlfriend it was important that she was dog person cause I tried to date a girl who wasnt and really it sucked. (along with many other things about her sucked, but that was a big one.) I guess the moral to all this is dogs are a part of our life. And yes their life span is not close to ours at all, and it hurts when they leave us. I dont know what will happen when I lose my dog. But one of the great things I think about all the time, is the Yellow Lab I had for 13 years before her that I felt just a close to when I was younger. Every dog I have ever had I have learned something about life thru. From my first dog as a child and learning about death and losing a loved one, to learning that even though she is just a dog, I can care about something again, and put my heart into it, and know that there is love in me and I didnt lose it doing some of the bad things I have had to do and done of my own choice.
I know it hurst now but maybe another dog in couple years will be just what you need to make life interesting a fun. The life spirit of a puppy will always get me out of the house to go out and throw a ball or go for a walk. And those little things are what can be invaluable. I am sorry and I hope reading this you see how much I really can understand your pain. If you need anything we are all here. Later man-Kevivn
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Bill I am truly sorry for your loss. I had one furry companion for 13 years before I had to put her down last year. It ripped my heart out. For what it is worth, in my case one thing that helped me through that very hard time was 5 more companions in the house. They all sensed the loss and helped me and my wife through the pain. While losing a pet is very hard I truly believe the unconditional love they gave us far outweighed the pain of their passing. Time heals all wounds and maybe after some time you will again be able to accept the love they offer.
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Bill sorry for the loss of a buddy.
I cry like a baby when I have had to put a pet down. I would feel like a woose except I remember by Merrills Maurader, steelworker dad doing it too.
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I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, Bill. I was also faced with the hardship of having my best buddy put down almost a year ago. I'm not ashamed to admit that I cried like an idiot for months every time I would think about him. They become like your children, and in some instances they are even better. They don't talk back or demand much of you besides a little attention and food and water and in return they give you unconditional love. I don't know that I'll ever have another dog either. At this point it just seems that no other canine could ever live up to the standard he set. Again, my condolences and may God bless and give you comfort.
Swoop
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Billt, sorry about your loss. For so many people their pet is much more than a cat or a dog. Their pet is a family member and the loss is just as painfull.
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I'm extraordinarily sorry to hear this. Sign me up as one of those guys who breaks down in tears when I've had to put down a pet. Our family treats them as a full member of the family and I protect and defend them as I would a spouse or child.
When I put down my chocolate Lab a few years ago -- I had him from 9 weeks old to 13 years -- I was distraught. Went with a buddy flying to "clear my mind". We landed at a private airport for lunch and tried to outrun an approaching storm. A mind full of grief is no place to test your skills at taking off in 30 mph crosswinds (C172s are rated for 17 knots)
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My most sincere condolences.
The lost of my best buddy of fourteen years was surpassed only by the lost of my father many years later.
After being dog free for a couple of months we finally relented and found another bundle of joy at the local shelter. Don't let the heartache overshadow the joy you had. Save another life and rescue someone from the shelter - you wont be sorry.
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Bill, feel for you...had to do it myself. Thought we'd never have another pet, but somehow 2, yes 2 cats have taken over our lives! One is laying on my lap sleeping like a baby as I try to write this one handed. Wouldn't have it any other way now!
Richard
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I feel for you Bill (and others). My dog was my best friend. He died last summer and I haven't gotten another pet yet. I still haven't come to terms with the loss.
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Bill, I too feel your and your wife's loss, I have had to bury or put down several pets, and just like everybody here, I get very strong allergies that make my eyes water. When I 1st started into adult life I had a big dog complex, my 1st dog on my own was an Akita, beautiful dog, strong as an Ox, interesting as hell, but died of heartworms at 2yrs old, I blamed myself. Had several German shepherds, australian shepherds, pit bull mix, and my current oldest, a Basenji. German died at 7, australian died at 14, My Basenji is now, 12, and has a pancreas condition, that she had from birth, it does not work, but we add an enzyme to her food, that allows her to assimilate her food, and she is fine, except she is a Basenji, fiercely independent, more like a cat than a dog. I inherited 2 dogs, a chihauhau male, who is really good, I grew up with them and hated them as they were always barking, but he grew up with the Basenji's who don't bark, and only gets vocal when someone comes to the door, and that I like, he is a very loving 10lbs of muscle. The next came from a cousin who died and she is a miniature Dachshund, she is a very loving girl, and very old, has little tumors that come and go on her belly, never complains, except for when she wants attention, 5 minutes later, she is fine. They all seem to know my moods, vocal or energetic when my mood is good, and then go quiet when something is not right, The chihauhau, is the 1st jump in my lap when I get mad and yell, he is the moderator. So I have learned to love little dogs, they live longer, love hard and my dachshund, although old likes to fetch but is not as fast as the Chihauhau, so play with her alone, it is so funny watching her go through 2-3" grass. I have already made my choice for next dog, Border Collie, or perhaps a Jack Russel.
As to cats, never had any use for one, until, my wife bought one at a church bazarre, let her sister keep it for 2 weeks because she knew my attitude, then brought it home and OMG the fight was on, it hated me and I hated it, it ran up the curtains and of course scarred them to get away from the dogs, hissed at me, genuinely unfriendly, then the weird happened, I came home from fishing, and just put my poles in the living room, against a corner, with the lures ( a mepps spinner ) anchored to the reel. Sometime later the wife calls me, the cat bit the shiny lure and the treble hook was through the lip, she had him wrapped in a towel. I cut the hook, and got it out of his lip, from that day forward, that cat was mine, no hissing, just love, they say you cannot train a cat, and they are probably right, like a cattle dog, they know their part, and this cat, the runt of the litter, my wife named Hercules, which is a great name, in the end, we just called him Q, I would tell him when it was time to go to bed, lets go to bed Q, and he would go and lay down at my feet, after my nightly reading, I would say Q, time to go to sleep, and he would come up and sleep on my pillow. Had 3 cats since, neither held a candle to him.
My advice, fill the void, but maybe with a smaller longer lived pet, My Favorite uncle always had pomerianians, and named all the males pepper, so as 1 passed, another took over, kinda thought that was weird but made life simpler.
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I cut the hook, and got it out of his lip, from that day forward, that cat was mine, no hissing, just love
Like pulling a thorn from it's foot.... :)
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Sorry about your dog Bill..
I waited till today because I had to bring my mutt to the vet yesterday for some tests and wasn't sure I wouldn't be posting a similar story to yours. My little buddy lives for another day thankfully! My wallet however, feels a bit empty.....
They are always tough on the heart but know that he's sitting there waiting for ya, tail a waggin'...
Best!
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Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
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Not to rain on Haz's post (it was a nice one and made me feel better about two dogs that died too young and one that lived to a very old age, all missed very badly), but.... I wouldn't be me if I didn't throw in a little snark. ;D There is this comic called Red and Rover about a boy and his dog. Its not my fav, but I do read it now and then. One strip in particular seems apropriate.The dog is talking about dog heaven, where the squirells are slow and there are very short trees. ;D The kid asks " What about squirells"? The dog answers "Nobody said it was squirell heaven". ;)
FQ13
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Squirrel.....two r's, not two l's...
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Squirrel.....two r's, not two l's...
Yeah yeah. Now I can't even go back and proof read the post. Give a man 5 minutes before dissing his spelling. How about we just call them tree rats and call it a day? Its still funny. :-[ ;D
FQ13
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FQ, use Mozilla - built in spell checker. Aint technology wonderful?
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FQ, use Mozilla - built in spell checker. Aint technology wonderful?
Now, if we could just correct his syntax (sentence structure), punctuation, grammar and his inability to yank the correct lever in the voting booth. We'd be golden...
they got a technology to re-edumacate an academic?
:D
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they got a technology to re-edumacate an academic?
:D
I think JMB covered that about a hundred years ago. ;D
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I think JMB covered that about a hundred years ago. ;D
Now that is solid gold right there.
Bill, really sorry about your friend.
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Now that is solid gold right there.
Bill, really sorry about your friend.
A man can't get no respect......though you're right it was funy as hell. Still, if anyone ever does decide to shoot me, don't use a rust bucket. Have enough class to deploy a Glock, a Browning or a Ruger. Hell, I'll even will you enough money for the ammo if you use the High Power. Assuming you win. ;D
FQ13 ROFL
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sorry to hear, dude.
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sorry to hear about your loss bill. hate to think what it will be like when I lose my pup...
deepwater
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Bill , I had to wait a bit before I could say something. It has been just over a year since I lost my pup. I was REALLY sad. In time we decided to get another. Life is too short not to have a dog. My 2 cents.
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My boy, Chuey, is lying at my feet right now as I type in my own condolences. Chuey's not that old, but I can already see signs of arthritis in his hind quarters. He struggles a bit when he has to stand. And I know the fateful day will come all too soon when my boy's going to head to Rainbow Bridge (that made Crusader a bit misty--Thanks, Haz). Still, I am so very grateful for the joy Chuey has brought to my life. When the time comes, I have no idea if I will get another dog. I won't rule it out or in. But I do know this: I am sorry for your loss, Bill. It is a sad time, indeed.