*sigh* it sucks getting old

[grinner]

My best friend has an appointment to put Aristotle to sleep. Aristotle is an Alaskan Malamut/Siberian Husky/Timber Wolf hybrid that is 12 years old. I still remember like it was yesterday when he was a little puppy running around... not the 105lbs monster that he was... only a couple months ago. He is down to 79lbs and isn't eating at all anymore. It comes down to quality of life... and his isn't that good anymore. I have many wonderful memories of this wonderful dog... *sigh* So, I am heading over to his house at 4 to say my goodbye to this marvelous animal. Many people didn't want anything to do with him, because he is a hybrid and is a big dog... but he was never mean or vicious around me. I will miss him... he is/was a wonderful dog:cry2: I can't believe it has been 12 years... it honestly seems like yesterday, when I would take care of him, that I would walk him for 2 to 3 hours... He and his wife haven't told their children yet... so that will be a hard thing to deal with as well...

[Selena]

:hug: I know how hard that can be. I have only euthenized 2 animals in my lifetime and it was horrible both times.

[scrape_medic]

Its is sad, I know that we have had cats that lived for 18 or 19 years and to see them go was heart breaking....:hug:

[AgentSun]

:( :hug: sorry about the loss.

[grinner]

It was really hard to talk with my buddy... as I could hear the sorrow in his voice while talking to him on the phone... *sigh*

[Boron]

I have never been able to part with one of my pets that way. I know sometimes it's the best thing, but I never could bring myself to do it.

[Judith]

grinner,

I'm so sorry about your friend's dog. I understand about loving and mourning for an animal even when it's not your own. I've known my best friend since we were 11, and this past year she and her family had to make the decision to let Lady go. Lady was one of the sweetest dogs I've ever known. All she ever wanted was to be around people. If you petted her, she was thrilled.

After Erin and her family had Lady put to sleep, I had a hard time going into Erin's house. I couldn't bear the idea of going in and not having Lady greet me. When I did go inside her house, I could feel so strongly that something was missing. And like you, I have so many great memories about that dog.

I'm not telling you all this about Lady to make you more sad. I'm telling you this to let you know that it's completely normal to mourn a friend's pet that you were close to.

Now I really focus on happy memories of Lady. Right now, my screensaver is a slide show of pics of my pets. I have a couple of pictures of Lady up there too. When I see her picture go by, I'm happy just to see her and to have those memories. Seeing her picture doesn't make me want to cry anymore.

As far as quality of life...your friend is doing the kindest thing for his dog. I really do believe that letting animals go when they're in pain is one of the greatest sacrifices you can make. Usually you can tell that they're ready to go. It's important to remember that while this is undeniably hard on us, it's a good thing for them.

I'm sorry you're going through this, and I'm sorry for your buddy and his family. It's especially tough when there are kids involved...it's hard for them to understand. But it sounds like this dog was really loved...and that means he had a great life.

[grinner]

This isn't the first time I have had to do this... when I was 18, my family put to sleep our white German Shepard, Queenie (yes I know it was a silly name... what do you expect from a bunch of boys... the oldest being 5 when we got her) at age 16. She was a marvelous dog... and I sometimes miss her. Zak was a Black Lab/Golden Retriever mix that, when I lived with my brother, was put to sleep in 2001. He was another dog that just... wore out. My brother had him put to sleep when it came to the point that no matter how much drugs and steroids were used on him... his allergies were killing him. He was old, 13 years, and you could see right before he was put to sleep that he wasn't comfortable. No matter how much his allergies affected my allergies... I miss Zak alot. Spent alot of time with that dog... *sigh* Maybe that is one reason why I don't want to get another dog... I don't want to have to deal with the loss...

[Kathleen]

:hug: g-man... I, too, know what you and your friend (and his family) are going through. Several years ago, my dad and I had to put my Keeshond, Nickie, down. He was my dog, and that was the hardest thing I'd ever had to do at that time. I have a ton of fond memories of that dog, but it still saddens me to this day to think of him gone.

Just remember to take the time you need to grieve, and don't let anyone make any snide comments about this "just being a dog, get over it".... They are cruel if they do!

[Judith]

grinner,

I'm about to be late for work, so I'll make this quick. But I have a suggestion for your friend.

Very often losing a pet can be a kid's first experience at losing someone really close to him. I would advise your friend to avoid using the term "put to sleep", especially if he has really young kids. It's really hard for kids to understand death, and when they hear terms like this, they associate sleep with death, and can start to develop fear of going to sleep...stuff like that.

[Kathleen]

OOOOo... good point, Judith! I wouldn't have thought of that. Although I have a young son, and he lost his own dog last year, we told him that the dog had gone to heaven to be with his Nana (she had passed away a couple of months before). He cried, and didn't take it very well, but it seemed like the natural way to break the news to him.

[grinner]

no, he isn't going to tell the kids that Aris is being put to sleep... he told me that his wife is going to tell them that Aris was brought to the vet and he died.

[Darth Buddha]

That SUCKS g-man. My condolences to the family, and to you, who were obviously family to the dog as well.

I'll make a recommendation to those with older dogs... as somebody who has worked on veterinary medications once or twice, and learned a LOT from the folks around me who knew the field.

Be aggressive in terms of asking your veterinarian for painkillers when your dog starts to slow down. Take away some of the pain, and the animal may return to past activity levels. This may make the animal live longer, and it will certainly increase the animal's quality of life. Although I only have a sample of four different vets, I've found them all to be woefully deficient in their knowledge of animal painkillers. If you have to, check out drug manufacturer websites.

I'm aware of one case where the difference in activity was night and day... going from not going on walks to going on mile or more walks. That has to impact a dogs health well beyond the obvious pain reduction.

There are also some really good anti-emetics if your dog or cat throws up a lot. These generally have minimal side effects.

So don't be passive about getting your dog treated. Veterinary drugs are cheap... if you can find a reputable on-line supplier, ask your vet for a script, rather than buyiing at their usually grossly inflated prices.

[JadedLegend3]

:hug: I've had two of my cats die since Christmas. I feel your pain, and theirs. :hugz:

[Mike0812]

:( So sorry about your loss big guy.

[Kurt_eh]

My family has had 3 dogs we had to put down in my lifetime. It's like a dagger every time.

[Fyodor]

My dog is 12 years old, and I can't imagine the day that I come home from school and she's not there..... so I won't.

[NYPinTA]

So sorry grinner. :hug:

[I-am-so-Johns-girl]

My deepest felt sympathy to you and your friend grinner. :(

Girlie :cry2:

[who45]

:( :hug:

[BlackThorn]

It's never easy. :hug:

[Madre Farbot]

I feel your pain grinner dude and that of your best friend. You know, the way I look at it, is that all animals aren't that different from people. They might have smaller brains that aren't capable of communicating their feelings as we do, but they sure make up for it in the big heart department, and it really is a crying shame that we don't get to share enough of our times together.

I haven't got a dog or cat at the moment. Silly I know, but I'd really like to get me a dog. Trouble is council authorities don't look too kindly on people keeping dogs in thier properties, and anyway it wouldn't be fair on the animal being couped up in a council flat all morning and most of the afternoon. :(

Incidentally, you mentioned your first dog having a silly name; Well I named my first cat Possums! :D. Anyway, again, I'm really sorry for you dude, sounds like he's a wonderful animal and friend. :(

[grinner]

well, that was... difficult. Aris looked awful. I hadn't seen him in 2 weeks, and it is amazing how fast animals/humans can fall apart. His eyes were all milky and he had trouble getting up and walking. The reason why he asked me to come over and help was that he wouldn't let anyone pick him up. So I grabbed the front of his body and my buddy grabbed his rear... and we both managed to avoid getting bit. Aris was not happy when we went to pick him up. Got Aris in the car... and wow, sad. feeling a bit down right now... as I don't like to see my friends crying... *sigh*

[AgentSun]

:hugz: for grinner. let us know if there's anything we can do.

[Mike0812]

Sorry 'bout that dude :(. At least he won't be in pain anymore...

[who45]

I'm so very sorry :hug:

[Weetabix]

I wish I had my cat put to sleep 2 years ago.
She died horribly, with convulsions and spams, it lasted for almost an hour.

I will feel guilty for the rest of my life for not having brought her sooner to the vet.
I thought I would know the right moment but it happened all of sudden, on a sunday evening.

I'm not able to have a pet again. Not yet. Maybe never again.
I loved my cat. Maybe too much.

I miss her. I hope she has forgiven me for that horrible death, because I haven't.

Sorry for you Grinner. Just keep in mind that you are doing the best thing for that dog.

[Antrobus]

It's never easy deciding what to do with an ill pet. I had a cat that was failing and I took her to the vet to see what was wrong. They did an exam and said that she had a heart problem, fluid around her liver, and that her kidney's were failing (they can tell that from the odor of the pets breath).

They wanted to do bloodwork. I asked them why since it was quite obvious from what they told me that she was dying. They said it would tell more specifically what was wrong with her. Now keep in mind that I work in a clinical laboratory and we do tests on humans all the time - often the same things on the same people over and over and over....

So I said "no". What difference did it make? She was dying. So they gave her a bag of fluid to make her more comfortable and I took her home to die. I wanted her to die in her own surroundings.

Well, the problem was that she lingered on too long and when she finally died I felt like I had betrayed her for not having ended it sooner. In the future I'll pay the extra money to have a vet come to the house to put an animal away.

[UTChick]

It hurts so bad! I've had 3 animals cross over the rainbow bridge - present with 2 of them. It never gets easier and it hurts like hell!! Memories help. :hugs: to you - g-man and your friends.

[SaraD]

I am all teary just thinking about this and I don't even know this dog. Very sorry for your loss.

I have two dogs and I don't even like to tell people how old they are (although they are still relatively young) or to think about their birthdays. Because I'm going to be a mess when it's time for them to go. I've had Tuck since he fit in my pocket, and we both think he's a real boy.

[BrowderChick]

That SUCKS g-man. My condolences to the family, and to you, who were obviously family to the dog as well.

I'll make a recommendation to those with older dogs... as somebody who has worked on veterinary medications once or twice, and learned a LOT from the folks around me who knew the field.

Be aggressive in terms of asking your veterinarian for painkillers when your dog starts to slow down. Take away some of the pain, and the animal may return to past activity levels. This may make the animal live longer, and it will certainly increase the animal's quality of life. Although I only have a sample of four different vets, I've found them all to be woefully deficient in their knowledge of animal painkillers. If you have to, check out drug manufacturer websites.

I'm aware of one case where the difference in activity was night and day... going from not going on walks to going on mile or more walks. That has to impact a dogs health well beyond the obvious pain reduction.

There are also some really good anti-emetics if your dog or cat throws up a lot. These generally have minimal side effects.

So don't be passive about getting your dog treated. Veterinary drugs are cheap... if you can find a reputable on-line supplier, ask your vet for a script, rather than buyiing at their usually grossly inflated prices.
I have Holly on a Joint Care pill. She is 9 now and she is slowing down. She has trouble climbing stairs. Her sister already had a hip replacement. I worry about that. Im really big on making sure she has the proper care. She is a large German Shepherd (120lbs) and has been a calm dog all her life. She hates to romp and run. Yeah thats true. LOLOL


G-man :hug: :hug: I know this is so hard and I know its going to get even harder. :hug: to you and to your friend and his family. :hug:

[Antrobus]

I'm not able to have a pet again. Not yet. Maybe never again.

About two days after my cat Felicia died, I got up one morning and there was an indentation on the middle cushion (pillow) on the back of the couch. That's where this cat always slept at night. I had fixed up the couch after she died and and fluffed up the cushions because she had laid there on a towel for a few days.

I suppose one of the other cats had slept there and left the indentation. But I always took it as a sign given to me that Felicia was letting me know that everything was alright.

I've heard that many people believe that pets do give their owners some sort of signal after their death.

[AgentSun]

But I always took it as a sign given to me that Felicia was letting me know that everything was alright.

that's a beautiful story, antrobus. sorry about your cat, but beautiful story.

[JadedLegend3]

About two days after my cat Felicia died, I got up one morning and there was an indentation on the middle cushion (pillow) on the back of the couch. That's where this cat always slept at night. I had fixed up the couch after she died and and fluffed up the cushions because she had laid there on a towel for a few days.

I suppose one of the other cats had slept there and left the indentation. But I always took it as a sign given to me that Felicia was letting me know that everything was alright.

I've heard that many people believe that pets do give their owners some sort of signal after their death.


I agree with you. I heard my one cat meowing today...and he's been gone for a few months. I know it was him because he had such a distinct meow. They pop back and say hi every once in a while. I think our loved ones do the same, too.

[Judith]

I've heard that many people believe that pets do give their owners some sort of signal after their death.


I had that happen once, so I totally believe you.

[BillFrugge]

Sorry about your loss, grinner.

I'm thankful that you at least have the chance to say goodbye. I just recently lost my cat (One of the reasons that brought me back here) of a few years. He joined me while I was watching television, and stayed through an Abbott and Costello movie. When the movie was over, he just got up and left the room. No one knows how he got outside, but I found him beside the road. He was the nicest cat, and I still can't get over my loss.

The only thing that helps is to think of all the good times. They really are a part of the family, and no matter how they leave, it's hard.

[scaperbuddy]

I am sorry about your loss Grinner. Don't let that deter you after you go through your grieving however long it takes in the future from giving some homeless animal a new home. There are so many homeless animals who need love. After my dog died of illness I though I could never fill that void. Each dog is unique and has a special place in your heart just like people do. I have two dogs currently. I do dread the day when they will pass away but I cherish the love they give me which is unselfish love.
:dog: :puppy: I wish you and your friend and their family to get through this hard time.