Dog Woes...

[rynnor]

Today has been a really shit day... I had to call up the Vets to get my beloved dog put down.

I'd had her over 9 years since she was a 10 week old pup straight from the breeder. She looked like a small white teddy bear and who could resist that

She'd slowed down a bit in the last few years and suffered from mild arthritis but we had a food supplement that controlled it well and sadly enough only 3 weeks ago she was running around better than she had in years...

In the end we noticed she wasnt lifting her tail properly to go to the toilet. We took her to the vets who initially thought it might just be some skin irritation causing it. But a few days after she walked into the vets she lost control of one of her backlegs and could barely walk.

We had her x-rayed at the vets but they couldnt see any skeletal reason for it and our fears centred on a neurological disorder.

Yesterday I took her to Cambridge University Vetrinary Hospital where she had an MRI scan - from the scan they could see a cancerous growth within her spinal cord.

Rather than a discrete tumour it was mixed in with the healthy cells of the spinal cord so was basically un-removable. Pressure from the growth of the tumour was causing her problems and she would be paralyzed completely as it grew.

We'd had to keep her on constant painkillers for the last few weeks so I decided enough was enough but by god was it a hard decision to end the life of one so loved...

The vet came at two and she passed away with me stroking her - I personally carried her corpse into the vets car to say my final goodbye. I'm having her cremated and her ashes returned to me for what its worth...

Part of me still cant believe shes gone - I find myself looking for her where she would usually sit and expecting her to be waiting at the door when I come home but I guess that will pass in time.

The wife and eldest child are pretty upset (the younger ones are too young to realise yet) but I guess its me that will miss her the most - she loved the wife and tolerated the kids but she was my dog.

She used to follow me around the house - even in the last days when moving was painfull she would come and sit nearby and if I was ever ill she would sit by my bed.

Sorry for the long rambling post but I think it helps a bit.

 

[Tom]

I understand exactly how you feel and can't offer any advice on what to do next. My profound sympathies for you and your dog

 

[Gemma the Dog]

it is really tought when you lose a pet that has given you nothing but unconditional love all their lives....I know how you feel m8

I think you made the right decision - as hard as it must have been...things would only have got worse & worse.

Chin up...and just think that largely because of you that dog had a wonderful life...

 

[throdgrain]

I'm really really sorry to hear that mate

 

[Edmond]

So sorry to hear what you and your poor dog has had to go through, heart felt sympathy to you

 

[Nate]

My condolences mate, an idea for the ashes at least. When we loose a pet we usually put there ashes in something which represents them. It helped us for a while to know they were still close.

 

[Trem]

It is one of lifes hardest things and for me it was worse than a relative dying.

Chin up.

 

[ScoobyDoo{KEA}]

as a fellow dog owner im absolutely gutted for you m8,doesn't matter what anyone says, they are a part of the family and like having another child.they develop a loving bond with you that is almost human.

my heart felt condoleces m8.

 

[Dreamor]

Was exactly the same for me, only in the last year or so I've got another dog as it really made me feel so gutted when my first dog died

It does get better, I'm not saying this will work for you but why not go down the local Dogs Trust and see about getting another. Perhaps take one of the kids and see if there is anything there (maybe not right away, but in a month or so.)

Hope the kids feel better soon mate

 

[rynnor]

Thanks for the kind words all.

I've spent my spare time today copying old camcorder video recordings of the dog n kids - something I've meant to do for ages but never got around too.

She looks so wonderfull in the vids and watching them eases the pain - makes me remember all the good times we had together

I'm kinda thinking I want to move house though - I dont think I want to be in a place where I'm constantly expecting to see her.

Last night was weird - first night I ever spent in this house without her - the mrs complained it was too quiet too - I guess we both miss her snoring

 

[Trem]

Last night was weird - first night I ever spent in this house without her - the mrs complained it was too quiet too - I guess we both miss her snoring

Same as me, I always slept best when I could hear my doggy snore, sort of like a waterfall

From the day you have a dog you know you will see them die just give them the best days of their short life.

If I was a god I would make dogs live longer it is one of lifes worst experiences when they go.

 

[Opt1]

It gets easier, mate.. try to give it a little time.. it's not great and it's lonely but it gets better..

Our dog died on Christmas Day this year - he just fell over and didn't get back up. He'd not been well, but we were expecting to have to have him put down a year or so down the line, but not to see him just fall over

It's very sad and I'm going to have trouble getting another pet for a long time, but it does get easier.

All best,
Opti

 

[Fweddy]

I feel for you mate. They really are members of the family.

 

[Dr Medusa]

Sorry to hear that dude :-(
My cat died a couple of months ago, it sucks. Still havent quite got used to the lack of loud yowling as soon as I get home! You totally did the right thing, its kinder to stop them suffering than keep them going just to make ourselves feel better.