Had to put our dog down today:(

[hawkchief]

Jake - 12 year old lab. Hips were shot and had diabetes. What a great friend and teddy bear for our entire family. Fantastic pet - dogs have to be one of God's finest creations.

[tomahawk kid]

Originally Posted by TrickyNicky

Yeah it is tough. I had a mini Schnauzer who we had to put down when she was 18 years old. It got to the point where she was near blind and deaf and couldn't even make it to the backyard door to relieve herself. You could tell she was ashamed of herself when we would find out about it too. Saddest thing ever to see her mope back to her bed so ashamed.

It wasn't worth it to let her suffer like that so we had her put down.

I have a three year old mini-schnauzer.

I'm sure that our day is several years away, but I can't even fathom it - or maybe I just don't want to.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Originally Posted by ck_IN

That's probably the only way to get a cat to do where you want, when you want.

One of my cats comes when you whistle for her.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

*Tangent:

My Dad used to tell stories of real Irish wakes. Seems in his day the wake actually took place at the deceased's home. (at least in Blaine, Ks it did).

Anyway, as the evening wore on and the booze did also, it was common to remove the deceased from the casket and seat him in his favorite chair. Or wherever he was most likely to be found on a Saturday night. They would continue to raise their glasses to him untill the wee hours.

It's too bad that tradition went away. It would have been kinda fun to put my pop in his favorite chair and put a Pall Mall Commando cigarrette in his hand and have him in his dress Marine uniform.

*Tangent done.

I think smoking has been banned in Blaine, KS.

[MichaelH]

Sorry for your loss. I lost my best friend a year ago this week to Rocky Mountain spotted fever. He was 10 but in great health. The vet did all they could. He died on our living room floor.

Anyway, we got a lab puppy before Christmas. I never had a lab and love the breed but he chews everything. I'll be happy when he's out of the puppy phase!

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

*Tangent:

My Dad used to tell stories of real Irish wakes. Seems in his day the wake actually took place at the deceased's home. (at least in Blaine, Ks it did).

Anyway, as the evening wore on and the booze did also, it was common to remove the deceased from the casket and seat him in his favorite chair. Or wherever he was most likely to be found on a Saturday night. They would continue to raise their glasses to him untill the wee hours.

It's too bad that tradition went away. It would have been kinda fun to put my pop in his favorite chair and put a Pall Mall Commando cigarrette in his hand and have him in his dress Marine uniform.

*Tangent done.

That would indeed be cool.

It's less cool, but there was an odd article in our local paper a while back about a former Hispanic/Mexican custom of having one last family photo taken at the funeral. They would prop up the coffin so that the deceased was semi-upright and then the whole family would gather around for a picture. They had pictures in the newspaper, and it was a little creepy - a bunch of kids and family looking just like your normal K-Mart family photo, but in the back row the dad is dead.

[hawkchief]

Originally Posted by MichaelH

Sorry for your loss. I lost my best friend a year ago this week to Rocky Mountain spotted fever. He was 10 but in great health. The vet did all they could. He died on our living room floor.

Anyway, we got a lab puppy before Christmas. I never had a lab and love the breed but he chews everything. I'll be happy when he's out of the puppy phase!

Thanks.

You are in for the treat of your life once the chew phase is over. I have had several dogs, but none as docile, sweet, obidient or person-like as Jake. As corny as it may sound, IMO, they truly are a peek into heaven.

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by ck_IN

Then about 6 weeks ago he walked off into the woods and never came home. In a way, I'm glad. I could never have put him down.

What an amazing story. Dogs are so wonderful. When my 16yr old Cocker Spaniel was on her last legs she stopped eating and drinking. She'd look up at me with this expression of 'please help me'. It took everything I had to take her to the vet. I slept next to her on the floor that final night. I still remember how she snuggled next to me.

Dogs are amazing.

Unlike cats, and a lot like kids, they are constantly seeking your affection and approval until the day they die.

[JBucc]

It's terrible having to do that. I had a boston that got into a fight with the neighbors dog and was paralyzed and we had to put him down. It's the worst feeling knowing there's nothing you can do about it.

[The Red Sea]

My Lab was like a baby sitter to my kids.
I swear he helped keep them out of trouble at times.
Most kids learn to walk by holding on to the couch or coffee table.
In my house the Lab not only was willing but wouldnt leave them alone till they practiced with him.

Also My lab as most are Was of a Lassie temperment UNLESS someone with bad intentions was around or someone unknown was at our door..then he was Cujo!

He Was so protective of my kids that when we were rough playing there were times our dog couldnt get passed the protective feeling & I had to put him outside while we played.
But of course I was fine with him being this way.

Protector/friend Unconditional love

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Dogs are amazing.

Unlike cats, and a lot like kids, they are constantly seeking your affection and approval until the day they die.

I think cats are a lot like dogs. My cats run to greet me when I get home, they hang out with us when we're in the house, and they won't go to bed if I'm still up. If my wife goes to bed and I'm up working, they'll hang out with me in case I need any help.

I think that people think cats are aloof because a) cats are not as hyperactive and won't demand attention, and b) in many cases cats don't get as much attention as dogs, so they don't develop the bond as strongly. If you give a cat as much attention as you give a dog, they'll behave in much the same way ... only with less drool.

[StcChief]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I think cats are a lot like dogs. My cats run to greet me when I get home, they hang out with us when we're in the house, and they won't go to bed if I'm still up. If my wife goes to bed and I'm up working, they'll hang out with me in case I need any help.

I think that people think cats are aloof because a) cats are not as hyperactive and won't demand attention, and b) in many cases cats don't get as much attention as dogs, so they don't develop the bond as strongly. If you give a cat as much attention as you give a dog, they'll behave in much the same way ... only with less drool.

MY LAB drools only if I eat in front of her....

but the cat box smell goes on forever....

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy!

Dogs are absolute wonderful, but a cat can be as good a friend and as close to anyone as a dog. They just have completely different personalities. My cats both sleep with my wife and I, sit on our laps while we watch TV... the one I've had longer (7 years) wants to nuzzle up under my chin at night and is particularly attentive when I don't feel good. Ask anyone in my family and they'll tell you Rosie is as attached to me as any dog could be to their owner.

I sincerely hope I never have to put her down, but I know if I do it will be one of the hardest things I've ever done. Threads like these make think about that and it brings tears to my eyes every time. Lzen, I hope you have some wonderful times with your dog.

I've never had to go through what you're going through right now hawkchief, but you have my deepest condolences.

Well, I have a 9 year old cat named K.C. (a ref. to the KC Chiefs). She is definitely affectionate to me. But cats are different. For instance, my dog(Sasha) will put up with my 4 year old hanging all over her and stuff. The cat, on the other hand, runs when she sees my little girl. Plus, the pooch loves me most of all and always sits on the floor by me when we sit down to watch TV and whatnot. But she wants that attention from anybody and everybody who's willing to give it to her.

The cat is more of a one person pet. Sure, she likes other family members(4 year old excluded), but mainly she wants my attention. And she jumps in my bed at night or jumps on my lap just like your cats.

I guess I just like animals and I'm good with them. Most animals I've ever met have liked me. I'm thinking about getting a boxer. But not until my dog is gone. Heh, I don't need 2 dogs running around.

[KChiefsQT]

I'm terribly sorry. Losing a dog is a tough one.

[AirForceChief]

My condolences. I put both our aging Poms (yeah, I know, not REAL dogs) on the same day about six months ago and it is still killing me...

My daughter (5 y/o) wants a new dog, but I can't bring myself to do it yet. Putting down dogs has got to be one of the worst things I ever had to do...ever.

Stupid dogs.

[hawkchief]

Originally Posted by AirForceChief

My condolences. I put both our aging Poms (yeah, I know, not REAL dogs) on the same day about six months ago and it is still killing me...

My daughter (5 y/o) wants a new dog, but I can't bring myself to do it yet. Putting down dogs has got to be one of the worst things I ever had to do...ever.

Stupid dogs.

Thanks. Almost 24 hours out now, and the knot in my stomach hasn't subsided much. Sounds like many here fully understand and been fortunate to have enjoyed the love between pet and human. Somewhat indescribable, and for whatever reason(s) the pain of their loss is very sharp. IMO it's largely due to their innocence, dependency and unbridled/unwavering friendship. Everyones' thougts are very much appreciated.