The Dog Thread

[Irons]

Oh, so very sorry to hear that.

How did you wind up with the name Ziggy by the way?
PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

lol Do you know that I was biting my tongue (fingers?) wanting to ask if the naming had to do with Bowie! 

PD

[Irons]

lol Do you know that I was biting my tongue (fingers?) wanting to ask if the naming had to do with Bowie! 

PD

 

[Pohjolas Daughter]

This cracked me up--though I felt rather sorry for the owner.

https://www.thedodo.com/daily-dodo/crowd-erupts-with-laughter-as-playful-dog-refuses-to-leave-fountain

There's some video there too.

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I stumbled across this short video on youtube today; it made me smile. 

PD

[Irons]

Wish I was a cat!

[Scion7]

Ziggy nickname for = Zigleust

[DavidW]

I had my pet dog Hershey put down yesterday. He was fourteen. I adopted him roughly 11 1/2 years ago. His health deteriorated rapidly over the past 1-2 years. He had severe arthritis and kidney disease. It got to the point where I finally realized that I needed to stop chasing medicine (I had already maxed doses on multiple); his life just became pain and anxiety.

When I was a child, my first dog, Fancy, passed away when he was boarded, and we (my family) enjoyed a vacation. I was young, and I bounced back. When I visited my family in Texas earlier this summer, I feared Hershey would pass when I was gone.

I grew up with the second dog, Sally. Her health deteriorated rapidly when I was away at college. I was there when we had her put down. And seeing it happen was very painful for me. And it felt like it came out of left field because I wasn't there to see her suffering day in and day out like the rest of my family. Despite that, I wanted to be there for Hershey when he was put down because I wanted him to have me with him until the end and know he was loved.

Hershey was the first dog that I owned as an adult. I was responsible for everything. And it was just me and him in this lonely house. My life was almost defined by thinking about giving him his meds and worrying about whether he eats (imagine a lab not interested in food). I saw that the things he enjoyed gradually left his life. It was hard. But making the decision was more arduous. I woke up at 4 am this morning because I heard him whining, but it was in my dream. And I had a brief moment of clarity that he would never be whining from anxiety or pain again.

But I miss him so much even though I knew it was the right thing to do. You'll see me online, but I might not be posting or as engaged as usual.
 

[LKB]

I had my pet dog Hershey put down yesterday. He was fourteen. I adopted him roughly 11 1/2 years ago. His health deteriorated rapidly over the past 1-2 years. He had severe arthritis and kidney disease. It got to the point where I finally realized that I needed to stop chasing medicine (I had already maxed doses on multiple); his life just became pain and anxiety.

When I was a child, my first dog, Fancy, passed away when he was boarded, and we (my family) enjoyed a vacation. I was young, and I bounced back. When I visited my family in Texas earlier this summer, I feared Hershey would pass when I was gone.

I grew up with the second dog, Sally. Her health deteriorated rapidly when I was away at college. I was there when we had her put down. And seeing it happen was very painful for me. And it felt like it came out of left field because I wasn't there to see her suffering day in and day out like the rest of my family. Despite that, I wanted to be there for Hershey when he was put down because I wanted him to have me with him until the end and know he was loved.

Hershey was the first dog that I owned as an adult. I was responsible for everything. And it was just me and him in this lonely house. My life was almost defined by thinking about giving him his meds and worrying about whether he eats (imagine a lab not interested in food). I saw that the things he enjoyed gradually left his life. It was hard. But making the decision was more arduous. I woke up at 4 am this morning because I heard him whining, but it was in my dream. And I had a brief moment of clarity that he would never be whining from anxiety or pain again.

But I miss him so much even though I knew it was the right thing to do. You'll see me online, but I might not be posting or as engaged as usual.
 

Davidw, please allow me to offer my condolences as I'm truly sorry for your loss. Family is family, whether they possess two legs, four legs, whatever.

[Roasted Swan]

One of the hardest things - especially when you are the one who has to make the final decision to the vet.  Rationally you know it is the right/proper/kindest thing but somehow it still feels like in some way you have betrayed this dog whose devotion to you has been unquestioning and unwavering.  I share your pain and sorrow  having had that decision to make twice with the most loving dogs possible.  At the right time you will find another doggie companion not to replace Hershey but to continue the journey.....

My Mabel says hello......

[LKB]

One of the hardest things - especially when you are the one who has to make the final decision to the vet.  Rationally you know it is the right/proper/kindest thing but somehow it still feels like in some way you have betrayed this dog whose devotion to you has been unquestioning and unwavering.  I share your pain and sorrow  having had that decision to make twice with the most loving dogs possible.  At the right time you will find another doggie companion not to replace Hershey but to continue the journey.....

My Mabel says hello......

While only knowing her via a posted image, I find myself liking Mabel. 

[Szykneij]

I had my pet dog Hershey put down yesterday. He was fourteen. I adopted him roughly 11 1/2 years ago. His health deteriorated rapidly over the past 1-2 years. He had severe arthritis and kidney disease. It got to the point where I finally realized that I needed to stop chasing medicine (I had already maxed doses on multiple); his life just became pain and anxiety.

When I was a child, my first dog, Fancy, passed away when he was boarded, and we (my family) enjoyed a vacation. I was young, and I bounced back. When I visited my family in Texas earlier this summer, I feared Hershey would pass when I was gone.

I grew up with the second dog, Sally. Her health deteriorated rapidly when I was away at college. I was there when we had her put down. And seeing it happen was very painful for me. And it felt like it came out of left field because I wasn't there to see her suffering day in and day out like the rest of my family. Despite that, I wanted to be there for Hershey when he was put down because I wanted him to have me with him until the end and know he was loved.

Hershey was the first dog that I owned as an adult. I was responsible for everything. And it was just me and him in this lonely house. My life was almost defined by thinking about giving him his meds and worrying about whether he eats (imagine a lab not interested in food). I saw that the things he enjoyed gradually left his life. It was hard. But making the decision was more arduous. I woke up at 4 am this morning because I heard him whining, but it was in my dream. And I had a brief moment of clarity that he would never be whining from anxiety or pain again.

But I miss him so much even though I knew it was the right thing to do. You'll see me online, but I might not be posting or as engaged as usual.
 

David -

So sorry for your loss.

Many years ago, I didn't have a cat put down as the vet suggested because I felt he had more quality time. Unfortunately, the poor thing went downhill suddenly and passed at 2:00 in the morning when there was nowhere to bring him to end his suffering. After that, I didn't hesitate to bring my beloved beagle to be put down to avoid needless misery. You did the right thing.

My dog Gilbert (the larger one) is my best friend. He's on heart medication and recently had major surgery to remove a cancerous tumor. He's a happy dude at the moment and I treasure every day I have him because I know it's inevitable he won't be around for a very long time. (He's a Sato rescue, so we don't know his actual age).

One of the saddest things is losing a pet, put the joy they bring is worth having them.

[foxandpeng]

I had my pet dog Hershey put down yesterday. He was fourteen. I adopted him roughly 11 1/2 years ago. His health deteriorated rapidly over the past 1-2 years. He had severe arthritis and kidney disease. It got to the point where I finally realized that I needed to stop chasing medicine (I had already maxed doses on multiple); his life just became pain and anxiety.

When I was a child, my first dog, Fancy, passed away when he was boarded, and we (my family) enjoyed a vacation. I was young, and I bounced back. When I visited my family in Texas earlier this summer, I feared Hershey would pass when I was gone.

I grew up with the second dog, Sally. Her health deteriorated rapidly when I was away at college. I was there when we had her put down. And seeing it happen was very painful for me. And it felt like it came out of left field because I wasn't there to see her suffering day in and day out like the rest of my family. Despite that, I wanted to be there for Hershey when he was put down because I wanted him to have me with him until the end and know he was loved.

Hershey was the first dog that I owned as an adult. I was responsible for everything. And it was just me and him in this lonely house. My life was almost defined by thinking about giving him his meds and worrying about whether he eats (imagine a lab not interested in food). I saw that the things he enjoyed gradually left his life. It was hard. But making the decision was more arduous. I woke up at 4 am this morning because I heard him whining, but it was in my dream. And I had a brief moment of clarity that he would never be whining from anxiety or pain again.

But I miss him so much even though I knew it was the right thing to do. You'll see me online, but I might not be posting or as engaged as usual.
 

Really sorry to hear this. Tough time. Thinking of you.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

@DavidW It's incredibly hard and painful to have a pet put down.  You did the right thing though by ending his pain.

It sounds like you and Hershey had many wonderful years together; he was very lucky to have you for his human.

All good wishes your way,

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

One of the hardest things - especially when you are the one who has to make the final decision to the vet.  Rationally you know it is the right/proper/kindest thing but somehow it still feels like in some way you have betrayed this dog whose devotion to you has been unquestioning and unwavering.  I share your pain and sorrow  having had that decision to make twice with the most loving dogs possible.  At the right time you will find another doggie companion not to replace Hershey but to continue the journey.....

My Mabel says hello......

The first time that I had one of my cats put down was hard, but I think even harder as I didn't know that the initial injection to her would leave her so limp and unresponsive that I felt like I had already lost her.  I wish that the vet had warned me in advance.   

At one point, I said to the vet something along the lines of  "It must be hard on you to euthanize animals" and he replied that he viewed it as putting them out of their pain.

PD

[Roasted Swan]

While only knowing her via a posted image, I find myself liking Mabel. 

Where we live is an organisation called "dogs for health" which she takes Mabel too as she is a perfect pat dog!  a win-win for all - folk like patting her and Mabel loves attention!

[DavidW]

Thank you all for your kind and thoughtful words.

[DavidW]

I'm through the worst of it. And while I won't be exuberant, I will be more engaged with the forum now. Thank you all again for your support and wisdom. It meant a lot to me.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Hope that y'all don't find this to be too boaring.  It's about 3 minutes long (before, I believe that it goes into a different story).  Oh, dang!  That story is cute too!

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

@DavidW

So, when do we get to see the first *"baby" pictures?  And have you decided upon a name yet?

*Pup pics?

Hope that the vet visit goes (went?) well.

PD