My dog is sick

Quote: AxelWolf

"They shouldn't be abandoned to die in the back room of the clinic" you can see why " you do it yourself " is terrible advice.

It's the worst. It's like letting the parent
pull the plug on a kid that was in an
accident. Yeah, that's a memory I want.

Quote: AxelWolf

Quote:

REALLY ? That's seriously really a dumb thing to say and do for many reasons. BAD ADVICE

Not everybody lives in country bumpkin land where you can take it out back and shoot it.

not everybody wants to remember mangling there dog.

You may be correct Axel? It was from the heart. In retrospect the timing may be lousy, but in no way intended to injure any ones feelings, it was however a real example of how much I do care. It was not flippant although looking back, those that do not know me personally, I can see where it may seem cavalier.

I never said it was easy, I said it was love. It is how I feel, not thought out at all. At least the placement of my post. In my personal life though, I hope I have the strength to not waver. Things do appear different when you are right up against it, than when you have a multitude of years, and are not suffering. Have you watched a show with Clint Eastwood titled "Million dollar Baby" by chance? I cry each time I see it, putting myself in his place and admire her bravery.

I agree not everyone is country, or bumpkin.

My sincere apologies if I increased any ones pain, especially the op.

ffi: I harvested my family's meat for quite a few years. It was just work. Pets were extremely difficult. Anymore I hate killing anything warmblooded. I even have a live trap versus terminating some varmints. We lost our pet bird nearly a year ago [to natural causes] although there were "moments", and are not completely over it yet.

No more cats and dogs in my life. First, they go before you most of the time and you are the one who left with memories, second, vets won't tell you if your worth the medical help, and, finally, I can travel without thinking of who should take care of him.

Quote: petroglyph

You may be correct Axel? It was from the heart. In retrospect the timing may be lousy, but in no way intended to injure any ones feelings, it was however a real example of how much I do care. It was not flippant although looking back, those that do not know me personally, I can see where it may seem cavalier.

I never said it was easy, I said it was love. It is how I feel, not thought out at all. At least the placement of my post. In my personal life though, I hope I have the strength to not waver. Things do appear different when you are right up against it, than when you have a multitude of years, and are not suffering. Have you watched a show with Clint Eastwood titled "Million dollar Baby" by chance? I cry each time I see it, putting myself in his place and admire her bravery.

I agree not everyone is country, or bumpkin.

My sincere apologies if I increased any ones pain, especially the op.

ffi: I harvested my family's meat for quite a few years. It was just work. Pets were extremely difficult. Anymore I hate killing anything warmblooded. I even have a live trap versus terminating some varmints. We lost our pet bird nearly a year ago [to natural causes] although there were "moments", and are not completely over it yet.

It's all good. Thanks for the explanation. I did think you were just being flippant. However , I do not believe that to be the case anymore.

Having lived in the country myself when I was younger, I have had to put down a pet old fashion way(The sound and the memory never leaves you) and have seen many animals put down that way . I could've done that with our late dog however I know my GF would forever remembered that vision, even had she not seen it, me as well.

I really shouldn't have buried him but I did anyway.

Quote: Dicenor33

memories, second, vets won't tell you if your worth the medical help,.

This is true for many vets. They are predatory and
want to do things they know won't matter, like
expensive tests and treatments. My wife went
to a different vet last year for her cat and got hit
with a $375 bill and they had done almost nothing.
I went there and raised hell and told them I'd
pay half, take it or leave it. They took it.

Quote: AxelWolf

Quote: petroglyph

You may be correct Axel? It was from the heart. In retrospect the timing may be lousy, but in no way intended to injure any ones feelings, it was however a real example of how much I do care. It was not flippant although looking back, those that do not know me personally, I can see where it may seem cavalier.

I never said it was easy, I said it was love. It is how I feel, not thought out at all. At least the placement of my post. In my personal life though, I hope I have the strength to not waver. Things do appear different when you are right up against it, than when you have a multitude of years, and are not suffering. Have you watched a show with Clint Eastwood titled "Million dollar Baby" by chance? I cry each time I see it, putting myself in his place and admire her bravery.

I agree not everyone is country, or bumpkin.

My sincere apologies if I increased any ones pain, especially the op.

ffi: I harvested my family's meat for quite a few years. It was just work. Pets were extremely difficult. Anymore I hate killing anything warmblooded. I even have a live trap versus terminating some varmints. We lost our pet bird nearly a year ago [to natural causes] although there were "moments", and are not completely over it yet.

It's all good. Thanks for the explanation. I did think you were just being flippant. However , I do not believe that to be the case anymore.

Having lived in the country myself when I was younger, I have had to put down a pet old fashion way(The sound and the memory never leaves you) and have seen many animals put down that way . I could've done that with our late dog however I know my GF would forever remembered that vision, even had she not seen it, me as well.

I really shouldn't have buried him but I did anyway.

I had not considered what you pointed out that the owner could be right there in the room. My thoughts went to an experience where the pet had been in a tiny cage in a clinic suffering for days and the owner decided rather coldly imo, and told the vet to euthanize the animal over the phone. And some other experiences with animal owners I found reprehensible in their description of the event and callousness. I have been a responsible animal owner, to a fault.

Currently we are trying to be the receiver of a "rescue cockatiel". My thoughts are somewhere maybe some old people for whatever reason can't continue to care for their spoiled bird. The match has to be right though. We don't want to start from the beginning and I know sometimes when the kids or whoever don't want to take care of a grandparents bird they just turn them lose or worse. Same way with kids, but I am definitely too old for that one.

We are good Axel, writing is sometimes a poor medium to exchange ideas.

Quote: petroglyph

Quote: AxelWolf

Quote: petroglyph

You may be correct Axel? It was from the heart. In retrospect the timing may be lousy, but in no way intended to injure any ones feelings, it was however a real example of how much I do care. It was not flippant although looking back, those that do not know me personally, I can see where it may seem cavalier.

I never said it was easy, I said it was love. It is how I feel, not thought out at all. At least the placement of my post. In my personal life though, I hope I have the strength to not waver. Things do appear different when you are right up against it, than when you have a multitude of years, and are not suffering. Have you watched a show with Clint Eastwood titled "Million dollar Baby" by chance? I cry each time I see it, putting myself in his place and admire her bravery.

I agree not everyone is country, or bumpkin.

My sincere apologies if I increased any ones pain, especially the op.

ffi: I harvested my family's meat for quite a few years. It was just work. Pets were extremely difficult. Anymore I hate killing anything warmblooded. I even have a live trap versus terminating some varmints. We lost our pet bird nearly a year ago [to natural causes] although there were "moments", and are not completely over it yet.

It's all good. Thanks for the explanation. I did think you were just being flippant. However , I do not believe that to be the case anymore.

Having lived in the country myself when I was younger, I have had to put down a pet old fashion way(The sound and the memory never leaves you) and have seen many animals put down that way . I could've done that with our late dog however I know my GF would forever remembered that vision, even had she not seen it, me as well.

I really shouldn't have buried him but I did anyway.

I had not considered what you pointed out that the owner could be right there in the room. My thoughts went to an experience where the pet had been in a tiny cage in a clinic suffering for days and the owner decided rather coldly imo, and told the vet to euthanize the animal over the phone. And some other experiences with animal owners I found reprehensible in their description of the event and callousness. I have been a responsible animal owner, to a fault.

Currently we are trying to be the receiver of a "rescue cockatiel". My thoughts are somewhere maybe some old people for whatever reason can't continue to care for their spoiled bird. The match has to be right though. We don't want to start from the beginning and I know sometimes when the kids or whoever don't want to take care of a grandparents bird they just turn them lose or worse. Same way with kids, but I am definitely too old for that one.

We are good Axel, writing is sometimes a poor medium to exchange ideas.

Absolutely it's all good.

Even if you couldn't be there it's still ok IMO. My GF said no to watching she don't want to remember him that way. Selfish maybe however i'm sure if he could've talked he would have wanted it that way. I was pissed she heard him yelp in the Vet evaluation room. They should have had us in waiting room just before, but I let it go.

Quote: petroglyph

If you love them enough, you don't take them to a stranger to have them put down. You do it yourself. They shouldn't be abandoned to die in the back room of the clinic.

I want to know I have a friend that will do the same for me.

For what it's worth, I agree with you on this.

I remember when my grandpa started to go. I wasn't allowed in the ICU while he was there, it "wasn't proper". I was "just a kid". He spent months in ICU's and OR's and never made it back out. I never got to see him again. 26 years later and it still bothers me.

My dog was my dog. Had her since I was 5. I raised her, I trained her, she was my partner. When she got shot by an asshole neighbor kid, I patched her up. When arthritis caused her to lose a toe, I finished off the surgery she started. When I knew it was over, I was right there. When she couldn't get up, I carried her into the snow so she could go. When she was done, I carried her back inside. When she stooped there trembling and wouldn't look at me, I knew. I stayed with her all night, slept right on the kitchen floor with her. I knew tomorrow was the day, and I was gonna be there with her. I woke up to find my parents gone. They left without me. I never saw my dog again. That was, what, 14 years ago? Still makes me cry.

My dad's dog just went last year. We lavished her with attention, took her for a walk down her favorite trail, then "tack!". Dropped her with our own pistol. Fortunately that was it. Anyone who kills animals knows that it's not always as clean. Twitches, death rattles, animation, sometimes you get surprises. I don't care. That's my dog. That's my family. And I take care of my family.

I wouldn't demand it of everyone. Some can't handle emotionally, some can't do it legally (like Ace in the City). But I'll be goddamned if some stranger in a lab is gonna take out my family at the height of their anxiety. A piece of me dies when I kill. I don't care. She gave me her life. The least that I could give her is that little piece of mine.

Quote: Face

For what it's worth, I agree with you on this.

I remember when my grandpa started to go. I wasn't allowed in the ICU while he was there, it "wasn't proper". I was "just a kid". He spent months in ICU's and OR's and never made it back out. I never got to see him again. 26 years later and it still bothers me.

My dog was my dog. Had her since I was 5. I raised her, I trained her, she was my partner. When she got shot by an asshole neighbor kid, I patched her up. When arthritis caused her to lose a toe, I finished off the surgery she started. When I knew it was over, I was right there. When she couldn't get up, I carried her into the snow so she could go. When she was done, I carried her back inside. When she stooped there trembling and wouldn't look at me, I knew. I stayed with her all night, slept right on the kitchen floor with her. I knew tomorrow was the day, and I was gonna be there with her. I woke up to find my parents gone. They left without me. I never saw my dog again. That was, what, 14 years ago? Still makes me cry.

My dad's dog just went last year. We lavished her with attention, took her for a walk down her favorite trail, then "tack!". Dropped her with our own pistol. Fortunately that was it. Anyone who kills animals knows that it's not always as clean. Twitches, death rattles, animation, sometimes you get surprises. I don't care. That's my dog. That's my family. And I take care of my family.

I wouldn't demand it of everyone. Some can't handle emotionally, some can't do it legally (like Ace in the City). But I'll be goddamned if some stranger in a lab is gonna take out my family at the height of their anxiety. A piece of me dies when I kill. I don't care. She gave me her life. The least that I could give her is that little piece of mine.

Face,

You are braver than I am, doing it yourself. But when it's time, I am there with the vet, holding them, loving them, looking them right in the eye and talking to them, so they know just how much I love them and they can go out that way. Tearing up just writing this, thinking of a couple in particular, but I don't know any better way to love and respect what they've given me than to go out in my arms, being loved, rather than with a stranger alone. And the KCl the vets use to stop their heart intravenously, the only yip is if they hit a nerve with the needle; it's painless otherwise, and sometimes even the needle doesn't bother them. If it's their time, then you don't have to remember them with guilt or remorse; you're strong for them when they can't be, not betraying their trust in you.

Whenever I have had to put any of my pets down I have always been there and I insist on holding them as they leave this world. My scent is the last smell that they ever smell. My face is the last face that they ever see. My voice is the last thing that they ever hear. And my tears are the last thing that they ever taste.

I don't consider that as going to a stranger. Besides, my Vet, Andria has been my vet for years. Her mother pet sits for us when we are out of town. They are not strangers.

And each of us can tolerate different amounts of pain. My wife fainted trying to stay in the room with our cat Spooky. She can't do it. And even though it is heart wrenching for me, I will be right there when each of ours leaves this world. I was at my mothers bedside, holding her hand when she took her last breath. I will do the same for any family member.

Quote: petroglyph

If you love them enough, you don't take them to a stranger to have them put down. You do it yourself. They shouldn't be abandoned to die in the back room of the clinic.

I want to know I have a friend that will do the same for me.

I regret this with the dog I grew up with. He lived to be 17 and I was then living in Cali. MY family kept paying to have the tumors removed so he could wait and see me one last time before being put down. When i came home that holiday season I expected him to bound to the door and greet me with his usual energy. I found him in my parents bedroom laying down. He barely lifted his head to see me and I started crying immediately. The next day, my parents took him to the vet. With false bravado, I declared I would not go to the vet to "say goodbye" ( I was in my 20's and portraying the "tough guy" exterior ). My parents stayed with him as the veterinarian administered his final medicine. I cry every time I think about this and how I was not there with him in his final minutes —something I will always regret.

I will not make this mistake twice.

Quote: texasplumr

I don't consider that as going to a stranger.

Just to be perfectly clear in case it was missed in my last post, I'm not trying to shame anyone who does go this route. I was just coming to the defense of petro, as I feel exactly the same.

Everyone has different values and beliefs. To some, it is very important they not see whomever at their worst, as they don't want to own that memory. So be it, that is you and I can't fault it. I can even understand it. But some of us differ, and I thought petro caught a beating he didn't deserve. I just wanted him to know he had a brother in the stands, because I feel the same way.

Good for you, Ace, that you'll be there at the end, wherever that end may be.

Quote: Face

For what it's worth, I agree with you on this.

I remember when my grandpa started to go. I wasn't allowed in the ICU while he was there, it "wasn't proper". I was "just a kid". He spent months in ICU's and OR's and never made it back out. I never got to see him again. 26 years later and it still bothers me.

My dog was my dog. Had her since I was 5. I raised her, I trained her, she was my partner. When she got shot by an asshole neighbor kid, I patched her up. When arthritis caused her to lose a toe, I finished off the surgery she started. When I knew it was over, I was right there. When she couldn't get up, I carried her into the snow so she could go. When she was done, I carried her back inside. When she stooped there trembling and wouldn't look at me, I knew. I stayed with her all night, slept right on the kitchen floor with her. I knew tomorrow was the day, and I was gonna be there with her. I woke up to find my parents gone. They left without me. I never saw my dog again. That was, what, 14 years ago? Still makes me cry.

My dad's dog just went last year. We lavished her with attention, took her for a walk down her favorite trail, then "tack!". Dropped her with our own pistol. Fortunately that was it. Anyone who kills animals knows that it's not always as clean. Twitches, death rattles, animation, sometimes you get surprises. I don't care. That's my dog. That's my family. And I take care of my family.

I wouldn't demand it of everyone. Some can't handle emotionally, some can't do it legally (like Ace in the City). But I'll be goddamned if some stranger in a lab is gonna take out my family at the height of their anxiety. A piece of me dies when I kill. I don't care. She gave me her life. The least that I could give her is that little piece of mine.

Well actually Face, it means alot. Thank you for acknowledging. It is obvious to me you understand exactly what I was saying.

It is incredibly difficult to do, but you said it perfectly. I never have or will say it was easy. It is not.

I have never regretted sending my dog off. I know that if his spirit were able, he would still be here for me.

@Babs, you did well your self. I always respect you. Dying is part of living, but somehow being in that moment with the ones we love makes this life more valuable, more meaningful, more real. I think for parents when deciding on whether or not to allow kids to bring home pets, this is part of the reality of bringing them home. This I think is also a valuable lesson for kids. Somehow helps them grasp finality.

Somehow allowing everyone to escape the loss by just "having the vet do it", and going and getting another pet doesn't work for me. [not making lite of your experience], thanks for sharing Barbara.

I am aware of the "way I roll" isn't for everyone. I appreciate you guys coming forward.

This brought up a memory of funerals. Funerals are not for the dead, they are for the living.

My pup is going to be coming home either tomorrow or Tuesday :)
I am not doing anything excessive for his enlarged heart.
He has been sick a lot in his life and if his heart is enlarged then so be it. He does not deserve any pain in his life and I want him to enjoy it without being hooked up to machines or going through surgery.

Quote: aceofspades

My pup is going to be coming home either tomorrow or Tuesday :)
I am not doing anything excessive for his enlarged heart.
He has been sick a lot in his life and if his heart is enlarged then so be it. He does not deserve any pain in his life and I want him to enjoy it without being hooked up to machines or going through surgery.

I think your heart and your head are both in exactly the right place, Ace. He is part of your family, and you're doing the best for him at every turn, including supporting him in his illness all this time. I wish he weren't in bronchial discomfort, but it sounds like his overall quality of life is good. Your situation makes me think of my mom's best dog, who had allergies and diabetes. She (and I, his primary babysitter) gave him insulin shots 2x day for over 10 years, along with premium dog foods (no corn, wheat, fillers). He lived to be 14 (a rott-boxer) and loved life until cancer took him too far down. But it was worth keeping him with a treatable disease, though expensive, because his quality of life was good.

Welcome home, pup!

My dog has a 'hot spot' today on his hind
quarters. He gets one every couple years,
it's a spot he chews raw for whatever
reason. Many dogs get them. He's very
uncomfortable and can hardly lay down.
It's important to be even nicer than normal
to them when they're sick, they depend
on you for everything, you are their whole
life. As far as I'm concerned there are
dog people and there is everybody else.
Never met a true dog person (not dog owner)
I didn't like.

Quote: EvenBob

My dog has a 'hot spot' today on his hind
quarters. He gets one every couple years,
it's a spot he chews raw for whatever
reason. Many dogs get them. He's very
uncomfortable and can hardly lay down.
It's important to be even nicer than normal
to them when they're sick, they depend
on you for everything, you are their whole
life. As far as I'm concerned there are
dog people and there is everybody else.
Never met a true dog person (not dog owner)
I didn't like.

My dog we had growing up used to have those all the time. Always had to rub some sort of cream on him.

He is home
A bit skinnier and still limping

Quote: aceofspades

He is home
A bit skinnier and still limping

Fatten him up, give him what he likes.

If he was overweight, and is now at proper weight, it's probably going to help his sore leg/hip to be skinnier. That's the #1 recommendation all my vets have given about my large dogs, most of whom have had hip issues when they get older. You might keep him skinny for a bit to help him heal.

Quote: beachbumbabs

If he was overweight, and is now at proper weight, it's probably going to help his sore leg/hip to be skinnier. That's the #1 recommendation all my vets have given about my large dogs, most of whom have had hip issues when they get older. You might keep him skinny for a bit to help him heal.

He has always been underweight due to having a rare lung infection when he was a one year old.
Vet said he is the leanest mastiff he has ever encountered.

Hips always go in big dogs, it's painful
too. Dogs are big babies, they never
grow up emotionally because they
don't have to. Which is why we love
them.

Quote: EvenBob

Hips always go in big dogs, it's painful
too. Dogs are big babies, they never
grow up emotionally because they
don't have to. Which is why we love
them.

Indeed - they need to eat, sleep, urinate, poop, exercise. That is it - no thinking, no philosophy, no "Original Sin"

Quote: aceofspades

Indeed - they need to eat, sleep, urinate, poop, exercise. That is it - no thinking, no philosophy, no "Original Sin"

You left out the important stuff love, affection and play.

Quote: AxelWolf

You left out the important stuff love, affection and play.

I included it under "exercise" but, perhaps it should have been listed separately :)

I remembered this thread from 3 years ago. At the beginning I mentioned we put a dog down. Yesterday was three years since we did. I think tomorrow may be the day for her companion to go. He is 17 and has been blind for 6 years. About 2 months ago we watched him start to go down hill quickly. He regained his stregnth and was back to mostly normal. Last week he got real bad and we thought it was the end. However he didn't seem to be in pain and he was eating. 3 days ago he stopped walking and we have had to hand feed him and hold him up to go to bathroom. We knew the end was near. Yesterday he at breakfast and refused to eat dinner. Today he hasn't eaten anything and won't even try to eat a cracker, soft food, or anything that I put in his face. It is sad but I have had 17 good years with him.

About 12 years ago, I was in a Vet waiting room, pretty sure that I would be putting my five year old Lab. down. She'd almost died the year before from a Brain Aneurism. Medicine had saved her life but that same medicine had destroyed her liver and kidneys, as well as causing massive cataracts.
I was reading a pet magazine when I came across a photo of a sign above the first pet cemetery in America.
It was a simple plaque that read" The one best place to bury a good dog is in the heart of his Master".
Turns out its the hook line of an incredible essay from a man who clearly understood.

https://thebark.com/content/where-bury-good-dog

RIP King "Digit" AL. (Brown one)

The black one was princess "dinah" saur who passed in 2014. She was 14 and he was 17

https://imgur.com/a/wgree