My old dog is fading

[Bengsxr]

When I rented a house before they didn't allow mastiffs and I lied and said he was a black lab. Now I can't remember what I told my insurance company when I bought this house. As you seen in the pic my dog would let kids do whatever they wish to him. That kid sat on him for over an hour. First his head then they ended up curling up and taking a nap.

 

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[Nitric]

I love dogs,,
Had to put down the family dog back in the 70's.
Man that was a heart breaker.
Do you know that it is a standard Homeowner's Insurance Question? "Do you have a dog?
They are afraid that your dog might bite someone. Like maybe a burglar.
Shouldn't having a dog count towards having a home security system?

My grandmother had a dog mixed with chow and some kind of Chinese fighting dog(Can't remember the name). It was really gentle but would stand guard and not let anyone in the house until she told it. Even family that it was use to. It was awesome for Grandma, it would stay right by her side when she was outdoors. Her insurance went up because of the dog. She had to carry some kind of extra insurance. It wasn't a huge dog, but it's jaw looked like it could take your arm off. It was originally my wifes dog when it was a puppy and we couldn't keep it so Grandma and Grandpa took it .

 

[Stringtyer]

I know the heartache of watching a faithful companion start the decline into darkness and the heartbreak of taking the ultimate step of letting go. I have no words that will help when the time comes to take your pal on his final trip.

My 12 year-old Basset had developed tumors, was experiencing kidney failure, and could no longer control her bowels. I called the vet and asked him when the right time was to let her go and he said that, if she was suffering and couldn't maintain her bodily functions, the time had likely come. He also said that it wasn't fair to keep her alive just because I didn't want to face the reality of her death.

I asked her if she wanted to go for a ride in the truck (which she loved to do) and she, with her last bit of energy, climbed in the seat, something she had not been able to do for over a year. I got to the vet's office, led her in, and bid her farewell. I got back to the parking lot, got in the truck, and cried. It's OK to do that. I looked over at the car next to me and there was a lady holding a lap dog and crying. I know what she was about to do so I just wiped my face, smiled at her, and assured her that she was doing the right thing.

While I would like to have another dog to keep me company and go riding in the truck, my wife and I enjoy travelling now and a new dog just isn't in the cards for us. Good luck. I know your decision is a tough one.

 

[dts52]

It's so tough losing a pet which has been a close friend. I think it gets tougher as one gets older. I remember losing friends in the service many years ago and never shedding a tear. Now, just thinking about losing my Jack Russell can make my eyeballs sweat. I truly feel for you. There's a poem about losing pets called "The Rainbow Bridge". Tough read.
dts

 

[Jim in Idaho]

Yup...it's the curse of being a dog person. I've been through it 13 times. Like I told my daughter...all you can do is love them, give them a good home, and send them on their way, painlessly, at the end. And then go get another one. If there's really a heaven, our dogs will be waiting there for us.
Jim

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I feel your pain.

Make him comfortable and remember the better times.

Last year we made the agonizing decision to end our 14 year old Kerry Blue Terrier's life in a loss to the ravages of bone cancer. In fact, I'm misting up as I type this. He was a great, great friend. The hardest thing is to take on that responsibility to know when to say when. But I think (I hope) he was ready. We barely were.

After much debate and deliberation and visiting breeders we are now "parents" of a 4-1/2 month old Airedale Terrier. MAN is he busy.

He's still not filling the hole - but he's digging his own beside it. We invest so much and, because of that, they give so much back. If we all survive puppy/adolescent stages he may turn out to be a hell of a dog. He has moments of real potential . . . then just frustrating set-backs. That whole roller-coaster of trying to help them understand what you expect of them. And vice-versa.

Rudyard Kipling has a few poems that nail the relationship of man and dog. "Dinah in Heaven", "The Power of a Dog".

If there is no heaven or no room in the afterlife for dogs then God chose the wrong creature to be glorified. Dogs are amazing little beings.

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

Never rule out steroids if your dog starts failing quickly. It can save their lives and vets are stubborn to prescribe because of organ damage. Seen it work miracles on older dogs.
Dogs can be much more than pets.

 

[dts52]

When I was in second grade at a Catholic elementary school, our pointer died. My brother and I were heartbroken. One of our nuns was teaching us about Heaven and I asked if my dog was there and she said no, that animals couldn't go to heaven, only very good people. She wasn't pleased when my response was that, in that case, I didn't want to go to Heaven. After explaining to me that I would be with Jesus in Heaven and that would be better, I held my ground (timidly) and said that I'd rather be with my dog. Frustrated, she sent me to the principal's office for appropriate action to be taken. Luckily for me, he was a gentle, older priest who assured me that Jesus loves all His animals and yes, they are all there in Heaven with Him, including my dog. What a relief! Wouldn't you think that any adult would have told me that instead of what the nun did? I don't question her intentions but her judgment seems a little skewed.

Years later, I came across quotes from both Mark Twain and Will Rogers, who, many years before I did, said basically the same thing.

"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." – Will Rogers

“Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.”― Mark Twain
“The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven not man’s.” – Mark Twain

I hope your grief passes as quickly as possible.
dts

 

[pulltabfelix]

sorry for your sadness. When my favorite dog a Brittany passed 2 1/2 years ago, I found myself tearing up and crying when thinking about him. Good luck on finding you new dog. They do help, I now have a 17 month springer spaniel. Not it is not the same, but better than being without a dog. Dogs and horses are the best animal companions.

 

[pulltabfelix]

sounds like your describing a shar-pei. they are fierce guard dogs. And I mean fierce, they were bred for that exact purpose.

 

[RustyGold]

I feel your pain. My dogs are my best friends and give me so much love. I will be heart broken when they pass.

 

[Davers]

Hoping for the best for you and yr sweet dogie.