not the best of days today, I had to take our shepherd female dog (changed by forum) Coco to the vets this afternoon, and did not bring her home.
she had lost a lot of weight, quite quickly, and I had also noticed a deterioration in her eyesight, and changes in her behaviour.
she went to the vets last week, and had blood tests done, and the vet was hopeful that the result would show diabetes, which would have been manageable.
unfortunately, apart from slightly raised levels of adrenaline, all was fine.
I monitored her over the last week, and noted further deterioration, and further changes in her behaviour, especially becoming aggressive about food or toys.
after a lot of discussion with the vet, it was decided that with the symptoms she was displaying, it was most likely that she had a brain tumour.
we then discussed the options with the family, but with two lots of grandsons, the risk of her hurting one of them was too much, and we decided the kindest thing was for her to be put to sleep.
thanks to a super vet, the procedure was quick and quite stress free for her, and she passed quietly.
we'd had her for just over five years, and she was supposedly four and a half when we adopted her. she had been used as a breeding machine, and was in a pitiful state, but was a soft, gentle animal who enriched our lives, and will be greatly missed.
for the last two years she has had a young husky as a mate, he was six months when we adopted him, and he seemed to make her act younger, which was a pleasure to watch.
now we have to see how he adjusts to her loss, but at our age my wife and I have decided not to replace her.
luckily, one of our daughters has a recently adopted a cross husky / shepherd, nine months old, and she will hopefully give him some company.
a few drams will be raised to Coco tonight for all the love and happiness she has brought to our lives over the last five years.
alan
My sympathies are with you I know what it is like to loose a much loved pet. :(
Thank you, Diane,
after all the dogs I've taken on their final journey over the years, you'd think I'd become hardened to it, but her loss has really hit home.
thankfully I have many happy memories of our time together, and what is important is that she did not suffer.
alan
Alan I know how you feel, we had to have our std poodle put down just before Xmas after 14 years.
I'm so sorry to hear this, my condolences go out to you and your family, you've done the kindest thing possible given the circumstances.
Alan, regrettably I too have been there. It is not easy but you have done the kindest thing for her now.
I too shall raise a dram of my finest Lagavulin for her, and for you and yours.
All the best
Scott.
Mate, I really feel for you, I remember when I was in that situation, one of the worst days of my life.
All my very best wishes
Simon
thank you all for your kind thoughts, I'll get SWMBO to sit down and read them later this evening, and I am sure she will be moved by them.
alan
I know exactly how you feel we had the same heart breaking decision to make last year with our beloved Tibetian Terrier Buster he became very unsteady on his feet and actually fell down the stairs twice .Buster also became unpredictable he bit my grandson only a nip but enough to frighten him the he was having a cuddle with my wife and just snapped at her face.Two days latter my son went to give him a kiss before he wnt to work and Buster went for his face to.
It broke my heart but we had no choice I miss him still but we have a sweet little puppy now called Mitzy she is 9 months old and although she won't ever replace Buster we love her lots .
People who have never had a dog just don't know what they are missing , the love and pleasure is worth every penny you spend on them.
Rest in peace Coco and Buster may they meet and play in doggy heaven.
Bob
A very sad post. My sympathies are with you and your family.
My deepest sympathy! I too have lost pets and dogs are the ones that seem to bond closest. It still makes my eyes moist when I remember Benji even though it was 11 years ago when he got hit by a car and died in my arms.
I feel for you and your family, Alan. Losing a pet is tragic and, having been there myself, I know how desperately sad you are feeling.
My lady friend lost her dog, Drea, in very similar circumstances just 6 weeks ago. I feel for your loss, so sorry.
Regards, Allan.....
Sorry to read your sad news, Alan
Like many here, been there so know how tough it can be.
Chin up.
Dave G
Sorry to hear about this. I have been there myself in the past with both dogs and cats. It is a very sad day when it happens. We have three dogs (and some cats), at the moment, one of which is a x-German Shepherd. I know both my wife and myself would be heartbroken if anything happened to any of 'the family'. At least the dog is not suffering any more. David.
It is a very difficult decision to make, one we have had to make several times and possibly again in the near future.
My sympathies to you.
I'll add my sympathies too. Fortunately, nearly all of the animals in my life have lived to a ripe old age, but you still miss them when they are gone. Our last dog, an Italian spinone called Questo, was just short of his 15th birthday when he died peacefully of old age on our his hearthrug. I grieved for him more than I did for my Dad, which seems all wrong really, but he was the dog of our lives. We now have a rehomed Lagotto (no, we'd never heard of them either...) who is enchanting. Like you and Coco, we feel we are giving him a better second half to his life than the first.
With very best wishes,
Chris
My sympathy to you and your lady Alan. It was bad enough when we lost some of our ducks and geese. Doesn't bear thinking about losing one of our 4 dogs. The oldest is about 14 and showing his age - until its time for a walk. Chin up you obviously had special shared time together.
regards
Dave
My sincerest sympathies to you too, Alan. I've a fair idea of how you feel as we lost our kelpie suddenly in February to liver complications brought on by gastro from eating something horrible no doubt. Although Jess was 14, she was still lively and very much interested in chasing kangaroos. She was my friend and even though her loss doesn't hurt acutely any more, I still miss her dearly. Time does heal. Unfortunately, dogs and cats don't live long enough and we humans almost inevitably will face the situation of losing our pets.
Webbo
I know how it feels Alan, chin up xx
And remember; Time is a great provider of cliches. ;)
Gutted for you Alan :(
Once the initial shock subsides we can remember fondly the good times we had with our furry companions, and just maybe the following passage might help that along, either that or you'll think it's sentimental rubbish. You may have seen it before but it's worth posting again:-
Rainbow Bridge
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....
Made me bawl my eyes out reading it when we lost our 18 y/o cat Molly, that was nearly three years ago and it's still made me misty-eyed reading it now. Helps to 'let it out' though eh? :'(
Paul
Alan:
My deepest sympathies for your loss of a family member. We went through a similar thing a few years back with our first Sheltie Reba, although her decline was slower than Coco's and, although we had more time to get used to the idea it was still horrible. I'm sure you've heard it all before, but please remember you gave her over 5 years of a good life after her early unpleasantness. Something we did that may help you too was to plant a rose bush in her favorite spot in the garden, and that became the "Reba-rose". After we moved, we planted another one of the same color in a prominent spot so that each time it blooms we remember her.
Jon