Lousy Day Yesterday

[billt]

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.

[shooter32]

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.

[ericire12]

My condolences

[Hazcat]

Sorry about your loss, Bill.  I DREAD the day I lose my Handsome Boy.

[billt]

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.

[Sponsor]

[Pathfinder]

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.

[1Buckshot]

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.

[Johnny Bravo]

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.

[fightingquaker13]

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. 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.
Best wishes
FQ13

[Ksail101]

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