The toughest decision one has to make...

[AVGWarhawk]

specifically when it is your most faithful of friends. Nine weeks ago our dog of 11 years was diagnosed with tumorous growths on her spleen and lungs. She was given 6 weeks to live. We gave her Prednisone(steroid) that helped comfort her and feel better. But this is only a bandaid. Eventually Prednisone is not quite effective over a period of weeks. Thus the tumors are allowed to continue the growing pattern. Moo has been quite happy although oxygenation was lacking as time went on. Her gums and tongue ashen gray with lack of oxygen. Between yesterday and today a tumor had grown in such a short period of time that her entire left side of face is completely swollen and eye almost swollen shut. I suspected it was another tumor. My suspicions confirmed at the vet. It was time to make that toughest decision one can make in life. Moo was not in pain but labored in breathing. It is time to throw in the towel. My wife and I decided one more night at home. Our girls to spend the night spoiling her. A great meal of chicken and stuffing. One last walk up the street and a very slow one at that. Ice cream before bed. One last time out in her beloved backyard. One last visit to the vet with a heavy heart at 11 am tomorrow. This is the hardest decision my wife and I have made in life. Your dog is truly your most faithful of friends.

Moo was a rescue dog. We were told she was probably 2-3 years old when we got her the Christmas we moved into our new home 11 years ago. She was presented to our girls with a big red bow three days before Christmas. She only responded to the name Moo. This name she kept. She has been a loving and protective member of our family ever since.


Moo:












You’re giving me a special gift,
So sorrowfully endowed,
And through these last few cherished days,
Your courage makes me proud.
But really, love is knowing,
When your best friend is in pain,
And understanding earthly acts
Will only be in vain.
So looking deep into your eyes,
Beyond, into your soul,
I see in you the magic,
That will once more make me whole.
The strength that you possess,
Is why I look to you today,
To do this thing that must be done,
For it’s the only way.
That strength is why I’ve cared for you,
And chose you as my friend,
And why I’ve loved you all these years …
My partner till the end.
Please, understand just what this gift
You’re giving means to me,
It gives me back the strength I’ve lost,
And all my dignity.
You take a stand on my behalf,
For that is what friends do.
And know that what you do is right,
For I believe it too.
So one last time, I breathe your scent,
And through your hand I feel,
The courage that’s within you,
To now grant me this appeal.
Cut the leash that holds me here,
Dear friend, and let me run.
Once more strong and steady now,
My pain and struggle done.
And don’t despair my passing,
For I won’t be far away,
Forever here, within your heart,
And memory I’ll stay.
I’ll be there watching over you,
Your ever faithful friend,
And in your memories I’ll play,
… free and happy once again.

[Castout]

I know it's a dog but it still saddens me.

On the bright side is she not going to suffer more and your family can now pick another puppy.

I love my husky as well. Been taking it along with me when I jog.

Now my nose is running, and my cheeks are soaked.

My best friend, partner, and only family left, has been bouncing up and down the road with me 24/7 for the past 14 years. In our occupation, I've been more than lucky to get away with this, and know he'll never be replaced. Although he's in exceptional shape, thinking about his age scares the heck out of me.

I feel for you, your family, and her.

[the_tyrant]

You have my sympathies

[mookiemookie]

I'm sorry. I am a big animal lover and I know what you're going through. Just remember that Moo's sole purpose on this Earth was to bring joy to you and your family. It sounds like you gave her the opportunity to fulfill her purpose, and you've returned all the unconditional love that she's given to you.

Stay with her in the room when it happens. That's all they ask of you at the end - that you're there to hold them. It's tough, but it's the price we pay for the joy they bring us.

[MH]

Sorry for your MOO face...

[Bakkels]

Moo made you happy, and I'm sure you made her happy. It's always a sad thing to see a dog, of which I have no doubt was a great member of your family, go. But remember the unconditional love and joy she gave you. And be glad you got to say goodbye.
My sympathies.

[sharkbit]

My condolences. It is amazing how pets become so much part of your life.

My wife sent me this a few weeks ago:

JUST A DOG

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog,"
or "that's a lot of money for just a dog."

They don't understand the distance travelled, the time spent,
or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog,"
but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought aobut by
"just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch
of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you probably understand
phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship,
trust, and pure unbridled joy.
"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience
that make me a better person.
Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look
longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog"
but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future,
the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts
away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that its' not "just a dog"
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being
"just a man" or "just a woman."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog,"
just smile,
because they "just don't understand."

~Unknown Author~

Some friends of ours sent us this poem after I had to put my dog down 6 years ago at the young age of 8 due to lung cancer:

The Rainbow Bridge

inspired by a Norse legend

By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,
Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
When their time on earth is over and done.
For here, between this world and the next,
Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.
No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.
They romp through the grass, without even a care,
Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.
For just at that instant, their eyes have met;
Together again, both person and pet.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past,
The time of their parting is over at last.

The sadness they felt while they were apart,
Has turned into joy once more in each heart.
They embrace with a love that will last forever, And then, side-by-side, they cross over together.

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by sharkbit

JUST A DOG

Thanks for posting that. I had not seen "just a dog" before. Very nice.

[Jimbuna]

Oh Chris!!!

Not much I can say my friend...sitting here at work in front of my net book and a female colleague asking me if I suffer from hay fever because water is filling up my eyes and running down my cheeks (silly cow).

The Buna family pet is a Lhasa Apso and is fourteen human years old and we are witnessing the deterioration effects now (latest one is partial hearing loss).

So whilst I can empathise I hope you won't mind if I recap what I say to the missus when we look on at 'Dylan' as he sleeps on his bedding and we get all sympathetic about him...

"Look Ann, you've given him the best of everything in love, care and attention during his short lifetime and I'm confident he knows and appreciates the fact. Focus on all the positives and good times we all shared together".

Not much mate, I know but I hope you all come out of this in a positive way.

Off to the loo now to blow my nose.

God Bless

[BossMark]

Very sad indeed I am really sorry to hear this

[HunterICX]

Sorry to hear that Chris, always hard to lose a faithfull member of the family.
take care mate.

HunterICX

[GoldenRivet]

heartbreaking.

very sad.

I dread the day that something like this happens to my dog.

he is a family member, personality in a fur coat, closest thing to a kid i presently have.

[frau kaleun]

Sounds like she had a good life with your family.

I always figure that when we take these critters into our homes, in some ways we've assumed some the power of life and death that Nature would once have had over their lives had they been left to their own devices.

This is all well and good when it comes to giving them the best food and shelter and care that we can provide, but it gets hard when the time comes where the other type of decision has to be made. Without us in the picture, nature would just take its course and no one would be the wiser... but there might be pain and suffering and if we can shorten or prevent that, I feel it's our duty to do so because it's part of the responsibility we assumed when we decided not to let "nature" take its course at the outset when they needed a home and had none.

It's never an easy decision and when they have become an integral and beloved part of your family, it's never "just" a dog or any other kind of animal, it's a living being you knew and loved. My condolences to you all of you on your loss, but just remember how much better a life she had because you were there for her when she needed you - right up to the end.

[Oberon]

Got a touch of the 'Hayfever' myself reading through that. Next to my desk here on the wall is a picture of Max, our old Lab cross Collie, he had skin cancer as well as a lot of internal problems. We tried everything we could to keep him with us, and damn he was so strong and stoic, but it was a battle that could not be won. We lost him just under a year ago, and there's still a big hole but the pain gets easier to live with day by day, but he is never forgotten and never will be, nor will Moo. Like the poem you posted says "Forever here, within your heart, And memory I'll stay."

So please, give her a big hug from me, and you spoil her rotten tonight. You'll be in my thoughts, all of you.

God bless.