It’s amazing the closeness you develop with pets. May the end be peaceful
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I may be next
- Thread starter blastoff99
- Start date
I understand your pain. I've been through it 20 times over the last 40 years. We always have had multiple animals. That's why the count is so high. Our max was 6 dogs and 4 cats at one time. Currently, it is 3 dogs and 2 cats.
It always hurts really bad. The only consolation is the memories of the love and the good times.
Excuse me, I gotta go get a tissue.
It always hurts really bad. The only consolation is the memories of the love and the good times.
Excuse me, I gotta go get a tissue.
Update:
We haven't been able to stabilize whatever is going on with his innards. It's not acutely awful, and we were hoping Prednisone would have a positive effect. So far, no dice - and it meant we had to go off his arthritis med. There isn't one big thing wrong with him; it's four littler ones. I understand what they mean by 'death from 1000 paper cuts.'
Came home from work yesterday at noon and was able to bribe him into eating his breakfast, and then we played a little old-dog frisbee. But when I came home at 5, he was shaking like a leaf, and the more I tried to soothe him the worse it got. Trip to vet, and nothing neuro appeared. But she agreed that he's totally not himself. He's really a shadow - lost enough weight to look sunken, and doesn't want to do much.
We have an appointment, THAT one, for 5pm tomorrow. Could it be a tad early? Yeah, but if it is, we're leaving good moments on the table, not good days. And it's heartbreaking that I can't provide what he needs at this point in his life. He's a working dog, albeit one who retired at age 8 weeks, and we've been more partners than anything else. He has never looked to me for comfort and affection, and in fact does not want it from me. Now that that's all he needs, I can't provide it and it hurts. I'm glad my gf is around, for both of us. He adores her and in fact is a tad jealous - gives me reproachful looks when she gives me attention instead of him
- and he will accept love and snuggles from her. This is a huge relief, and I am grateful that he'll have someone to comfort him when his time is up.
Thanks, everyone, for your support. I'm gonna change my avatar to something that shows him a little better after I update this thread.
We haven't been able to stabilize whatever is going on with his innards. It's not acutely awful, and we were hoping Prednisone would have a positive effect. So far, no dice - and it meant we had to go off his arthritis med. There isn't one big thing wrong with him; it's four littler ones. I understand what they mean by 'death from 1000 paper cuts.'
Came home from work yesterday at noon and was able to bribe him into eating his breakfast, and then we played a little old-dog frisbee. But when I came home at 5, he was shaking like a leaf, and the more I tried to soothe him the worse it got. Trip to vet, and nothing neuro appeared. But she agreed that he's totally not himself. He's really a shadow - lost enough weight to look sunken, and doesn't want to do much.
We have an appointment, THAT one, for 5pm tomorrow. Could it be a tad early? Yeah, but if it is, we're leaving good moments on the table, not good days. And it's heartbreaking that I can't provide what he needs at this point in his life. He's a working dog, albeit one who retired at age 8 weeks, and we've been more partners than anything else. He has never looked to me for comfort and affection, and in fact does not want it from me. Now that that's all he needs, I can't provide it and it hurts. I'm glad my gf is around, for both of us. He adores her and in fact is a tad jealous - gives me reproachful looks when she gives me attention instead of him
- and he will accept love and snuggles from her. This is a huge relief, and I am grateful that he'll have someone to comfort him when his time is up. Thanks, everyone, for your support. I'm gonna change my avatar to something that shows him a little better after I update this thread.
I feel your pain, I breaks my heart every time this happens. Been there and done it twice, unfortunately it's going to come around again in the next couple of years but this time I have 2 that I'll have to deal with.
TD
TD
My boss, a pastor, says dogs were created with shorter lifespans than humans because we can stand the loss of them better than they can stand the loss of us. Makes sense to me. No that doesn’t help much, but it’s all I’ve got.
I am so sorry for your pain and worry
I just went through it 3 weeks ago with my 14 year old kitty and still grieving my boy who died a year ago...
Thoughts and comfort to you and your family..
I just went through it 3 weeks ago with my 14 year old kitty and still grieving my boy who died a year ago...
Thoughts and comfort to you and your family..
Sorry for your loss, tough spot for sure. Lost both of my Bassets this year, both had to be put down. Sucks....
We're having a good day. He slept so hard last night I woke up this morning thinking he was gone already. He has eaten apple and celery crunches, corn chips, and a few pieces of my sirloin patty at lunch. Nothing in that resembles dog food, but who cares.
I prepaid at the vet, and dropped off some unused meds (and two expensive near-full bags of Rx food) that they can take to the Humane Society. They're going to be kind enough to tell the HS not to bug me about a dog license for 2019. Called chewy and stopped autoship and got removed from their lists. And I've asked my gf if she'd take care of things like his toys and towels and the sheets covering the bed. Obvs I'm not going to do that stuff right now, and last time I went through this, in 2005, it was that that wrecked me worst.
We had a nice walk around part of the lake - the part we usually do - and then we made a side trip to the doggie drinking fountain. I was so glad to cross paths with an older lady whose name I don't know, but who has always greeted him warmly. This afternoon another friend of his will come and love him up, then he and I will drive across town to another place he loves to walk, and do a small bit of that.
I've got a nice piece of cardstock and will get a stamp pad. I'd love to take a pawprint or four, but he may be having none of that! He's good about having his feet handled, but also knows the absurd when it happens to him.
I prepaid at the vet, and dropped off some unused meds (and two expensive near-full bags of Rx food) that they can take to the Humane Society. They're going to be kind enough to tell the HS not to bug me about a dog license for 2019. Called chewy and stopped autoship and got removed from their lists. And I've asked my gf if she'd take care of things like his toys and towels and the sheets covering the bed. Obvs I'm not going to do that stuff right now, and last time I went through this, in 2005, it was that that wrecked me worst.
We had a nice walk around part of the lake - the part we usually do - and then we made a side trip to the doggie drinking fountain. I was so glad to cross paths with an older lady whose name I don't know, but who has always greeted him warmly. This afternoon another friend of his will come and love him up, then he and I will drive across town to another place he loves to walk, and do a small bit of that.
I've got a nice piece of cardstock and will get a stamp pad. I'd love to take a pawprint or four, but he may be having none of that! He's good about having his feet handled, but also knows the absurd when it happens to him
.
My thoughts and prayers for you. Good to hear you have had a great day with him.
Been there, done that. Yes, it hurts bad when you are about to lose a best friend. Best to you.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
We're having a good day. He slept so hard last night I woke up this morning thinking he was gone already. He has eaten apple and celery crunches, corn chips, and a few pieces of my sirloin patty at lunch. Nothing in that resembles dog food, but who cares.
I prepaid at the vet, and dropped off some unused meds (and two expensive near-full bags of Rx food) that they can take to the Humane Society. They're going to be kind enough to tell the HS not to bug me about a dog license for 2019. Called chewy and stopped autoship and got removed from their lists. And I've asked my gf if she'd take care of things like his toys and towels and the sheets covering the bed. Obvs I'm not going to do that stuff right now, and last time I went through this, in 2005, it was that that wrecked me worst.
We had a nice walk around part of the lake - the part we usually do - and then we made a side trip to the doggie drinking fountain. I was so glad to cross paths with an older lady whose name I don't know, but who has always greeted him warmly. This afternoon another friend of his will come and love him up, then he and I will drive across town to another place he loves to walk, and do a small bit of that.
I've got a nice piece of cardstock and will get a stamp pad. I'd love to take a pawprint or four, but he may be having none of that! He's good about having his feet handled, but also knows the absurd when it happens to him
When my cat was put down, the hospital took imprints of his paws. I got them in the mail a few weeks later. Your vet might offer a similar service.
Sending some love your way, enjoy the day.
I just got that in the mail...and freaked me out...seemed macabre
Last edited:
Blastoff,
I lost 2 dogs in the last 6 months. On one I had to "make the decision".
I asked the vet if he could make a house call and he said yes. I had dog sedatives for my other dog and on the morning we had to do it the vet said to give her 4 of them (1 was the prescribed dosage for my other dog of the same weight). She got 4 of her favorite pill pockets and shortly thereafter went to sleep while I petted her and rubbed behind her ears. She was not aware of anything once she went to sleep. She passed at home and I wouldn't have it any other way.
It was a difficult day but I think it's the best way to do it if you can.
Enjoy your time with him....My thoughts are with him, you and your girlfriend.
Dave
I lost 2 dogs in the last 6 months. On one I had to "make the decision".
I asked the vet if he could make a house call and he said yes. I had dog sedatives for my other dog and on the morning we had to do it the vet said to give her 4 of them (1 was the prescribed dosage for my other dog of the same weight). She got 4 of her favorite pill pockets and shortly thereafter went to sleep while I petted her and rubbed behind her ears. She was not aware of anything once she went to sleep. She passed at home and I wouldn't have it any other way.
It was a difficult day but I think it's the best way to do it if you can.
Enjoy your time with him....My thoughts are with him, you and your girlfriend.
Dave
Thanks, all.
He had a last meal (McD's cone), and then the final three-block walk to the vet, complete with sprint across the street (him, not me), then he went peacefully. He totally sucked up to my gf and ignored me, although when he finally put his head down it was on my arm. I succeeded in looking away when stray tears went down my face, until he no longer could see me. This is what he would have wanted. Then after his heart stopped I carried him into the back room. It was the final thing I could do for him, so I did.
I haven't had the big huge cry, or even been close to it. In fact, I've cried much less this evening than the last two weeks. Part of this is that it probably hasn't hit me yet, like it will in a million ways. Mostly I will miss his presence. But part of it is that he told me months ago he was done, but there was no clinical reason to send him along then. Still, watching him fade and sink and be so not himself was brutal. Of course there were good moments, even up to the end. But good days? Only today.
I've heard it said that the worst pain is watching somebody else in pain. I think that's true. He couldn't tell me much, and I couldn't provide what he needed. I know that was taking a toll on me. It was one I was more than willing to pay for as long as I could, but I feel a sense of relief on a couple of levels.
Of course, the loss will hit and keep hitting. I'll miss him in so many ways. He was a constant in my life like I was in his. He may not have been affectionate toward me, but he trusted me absolutely. He had an entourage of women who he loved. My role was different. I was lucky to be his person.
RIP, Cody. You were the best friend I could ever have. Thank you for everything. I love you.
He had a last meal (McD's cone), and then the final three-block walk to the vet, complete with sprint across the street (him, not me), then he went peacefully. He totally sucked up to my gf and ignored me, although when he finally put his head down it was on my arm. I succeeded in looking away when stray tears went down my face, until he no longer could see me. This is what he would have wanted. Then after his heart stopped I carried him into the back room. It was the final thing I could do for him, so I did.
I haven't had the big huge cry, or even been close to it. In fact, I've cried much less this evening than the last two weeks. Part of this is that it probably hasn't hit me yet, like it will in a million ways. Mostly I will miss his presence. But part of it is that he told me months ago he was done, but there was no clinical reason to send him along then. Still, watching him fade and sink and be so not himself was brutal. Of course there were good moments, even up to the end. But good days? Only today.
I've heard it said that the worst pain is watching somebody else in pain. I think that's true. He couldn't tell me much, and I couldn't provide what he needed. I know that was taking a toll on me. It was one I was more than willing to pay for as long as I could, but I feel a sense of relief on a couple of levels.
Of course, the loss will hit and keep hitting. I'll miss him in so many ways. He was a constant in my life like I was in his. He may not have been affectionate toward me, but he trusted me absolutely. He had an entourage of women who he loved. My role was different. I was lucky to be his person.
RIP, Cody. You were the best friend I could ever have. Thank you for everything. I love you.
Oh man. So sorry. You sounded like an equally great dad.
I'll add my voice to the TB chorus: I am very sad for you and dear Cody.
You gave him a great life; he gave you unconditional love (in his own way).
Celebrate that part as you mourn the loss.
You gave him a great life; he gave you unconditional love (in his own way).
Celebrate that part as you mourn the loss.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
Mine sat unopened and untouched for almost two years. I don't know why I even opened them, they just depress me. I'd much rather think of the pawprints left on my heart than the ones sitting on my shelf.
