dogs: have you ever had to

[eric@helix]

5 year old black lab with cancer. One of the saddest days of my life.

[Whostheboss]

Originally Posted by Mr.SugarSkulls

Extremely insensitive on his behalf, but he's entitled.

I'm with you though, far from appropriate in this thread.

The day my Bowser leaves me, I will be in a deep cloud. I tear up just thinking about it- he comes with me everywhere I go (due to my levels of anxiety).

He's more a family member than anyone in my family besides my mother, and by far a better friend than any human. Something someone who's never had a dog as a true family member- would ever understand.

OP- a lot of us here feel for you. Feel free to simply vent or post memories/pictures of the good times if it helps you cope.

Originally Posted by CANGRKE70

You should probably refrain from doing so in a thread where a person just lost a companion. Without owning a dog, you'll have no clue what he's feeling. Very poor taste on your part. Very surprised you'd post this in viewing your other posts on the forum.

I know i shouldn't have been so blunt. I at least showed some sympathy. I know what it's like to loose a pet dog except it wasn't mine directly. It was my grandmas dog, i loved that dog like he was mine. We spent a lot of time together, until he was gruesomely attacked and died a slow death.

I told myself, i will not go through this again. That was when i made the decision to not get a pet.

I love pets but they're just too much work, too much money and too much time invested on a creature that we know will certainly 100% sure die before us.

[CANGRKE70]

Originally Posted by Whostheboss

I know i shouldn't have been so blunt. I at least showed some sympathy.

Originally Posted by Whostheboss

I love pets but they're just too much work, too much money and too much time invested on a creature that we know will certainly 100% sure die before us.

Again probably the last thing the OP wants to hear. Say your condolences and leave it at that. Jeez!

[ASBSECU E93]

Whostheboss - A dog is the only animal that loves you more than it loves itself....

My statement can easily be proven - put a woman and a dog in the trunk of a car. When you open the trunk, the dog is happy to see you...the woman is not...

[M3Bimmer77]

OP you have to look at these things from another angle. Would you want to see the doggy suffering! I don't think so. It's better to go ahead and do what you have to do to make the worst out of it. They will be much better and you will get over it. The best thing is to get another one in a couple of weeks or so. Good luck

[kraeburn]

Originally Posted by Whostheboss

I know i shouldn't have been so blunt. I at least showed some sympathy. I know what it's like to loose a pet dog except it wasn't mine directly. It was my grandmas dog, i loved that dog like he was mine. We spent a lot of time together, until he was gruesomely attacked and died a slow death.

I told myself, i will not go through this again. That was when i made the decision to not get a pet.

I love pets but they're just too much work, too much money and too much time invested on a creature that we know will certainly 100% sure die before us.

That sort of logic could lead one to miss out on a lot of beautiful experiences in life. I feel bad for you, outside of your apparent insensitivity. Why get close to any person then? Unless you die at a young age, you are going to watch people you love pass away in ways that are sometimes cruel and tragic.

I have been on internet forums long enough to understand that they are not havens of understanding and compassion (I have seen exceptions) but the comment was uncalled for, your recognition of the insensitivity notwithstanding.

[Whostheboss]

Originally Posted by kraeburn

That sort of logic could lead one to miss out on a lot of beautiful experiences in life. I feel bad for you, outside of your apparent insensitivity. Why get close to any person then? Unless you die at a young age, you are going to watch people you love pass away in ways that are sometimes cruel and tragic.

I have been on internet forums long enough to understand that they are not havens of understanding and compassion (I have seen exceptions) but the comment was uncalled for, your recognition of the insensitivity notwithstanding.

Yes, and i have seen friends and family die in tragic ways. I came from a country where war/gunshots/shoot outs/ bomb explosion happen at random times.
The difference here is that, when a human dies, it is unexpected. But when a pet dies it should be expected.
Please understand i'm not here to ruin anyone's precious time with loved pets, i'm just stating my logic to the reason why i choose no pets.

If you put all your feelings aside and be very logic and reasonable, you will know that your pet WILL die before you even if no tragic events occur. What's the longest a typical domestic pet lives for?

Sorry for being very insensitive. I will quit now before i cause more harm.

[kraeburn]

Originally Posted by Whostheboss

Yes, and i have seen friends and family die in tragic ways. I came from a country where war/gunshots/shoot outs/ bomb explosion happen at random times.
The difference here is that, when a human dies, it is unexpected. But when a pet dies it should be expected.
Please understand i'm not here to ruin anyone's precious time with loved pets, i'm just stating my logic to the reason why i choose no pets.

If you put all your feelings aside and be very logic and reasonable, you will know that your pet WILL die before you even if no tragic events occur. What's the longest a typical domestic pet lives for?

Sorry for being very insensitive. I will quit now before i cause more harm.

I sense that we agree more than we disagree on this subject, I was just pointing out that this wasn't the thread to make that point in. I am completely aware that unless something tragic happens to me I will outlive him. I am 29 and he should live another 12-16 years. If I die before I am 45, I'm going to be rather pissed off. Also, while I love him to pieces I understand the hierarchy of humans>dogs and I do not anthropomorphize him.

[mike the snake]

I just had to put one of my dogs down a few months ago (old age), you have my condolences. It's always a terrible thing to lose a family member.

[ShopVac]

Originally Posted by John 070

euthanize your puppy?

This happened very suddenly....couldn't walk on Friday, by 3 PM Sat. we were saying goodbye, after 14 years.

Since I never did it before, it was surreal.

Had my boy Bruno who was a black Lab since pre-9/11.

It's going to be a while, I can't see not having a dog, but my wife says no, and her reason is she doesn't want to go through this again....

OP - very sorry to hear of your loss. I cried like a baby when I had to put my last shepherd down. Very same experience you had...as the dogs mind was still there, just couldn't move. Needless, I said the same thing as you...couldn't get another dog after going through that. That thought lasted a week...as I couldn't handle the emptiness.

If you ever decide the get another, you'd love the new dog for who it is...and you'll never forget the dog you had. That I can promise you. (You'll also never recall how tough it was to have a puppy...but that's another story...and hopefully another thread on your part).

[1MOREMOD]

I gave it almost 2 years before I got another one. Needed some time.

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by Whostheboss

I know i shouldn't have been so blunt. I at least showed some sympathy. I know what it's like to loose a pet dog except it wasn't mine directly. It was my grandmas dog, i loved that dog like he was mine. We spent a lot of time together, until he was gruesomely attacked and died a slow death.

I told myself, i will not go through this again. That was when i made the decision to not get a pet.

I love pets but they're just too much work, too much money and too much time invested on a creature that we know will certainly 100% sure die before us.

Sounds to me like you're being a tough guy with those excuses and haven't really recovered from the loss of your grandmas dog. Which is the real reason you don't want another pet.

It's cool, everyone here knows you grew up in a different culture. And we all know our pets are going to die before us. But what we don't always realize is how difficult it will be to make the decision to end their lives to avoid their suffering while simitaIniouly starting our suffering.

You're a cool dude, no one here will hold your original post against you.

[ezndo]

Made the difficult decision to put my 12 yo boxer down 2 months ago, wonder if I'll ever stop thinking about that terrible day. This thread has helped me, thank you OP and sorry for everyone's loss.

[Mr Pete]

I haven't done this yet, but I can't imagine having to go through something like this. I'm such an emotional mess each of the times I've had to take my dog in to emergency vet hospital. I'm not a emotional person, but when it comes to my best bud, it's always different.

[NEFARIOUS]

I haven't had a dog since I was 4 or so, and the most vicarious experience is my good friend/former landlord's Korean Jindo, which he is cooler with me than he is with his own owner (and anybody who knows the fierce loyalty of Jindos says a lot)... But opening this thread? Them feels, man; felt like my own just went to doggy heaven. Sorry for everyone's losses.

[1MOREMOD]

Isn't the same unless it's totally your dog from day 1. Dogs from when I was a kid felt nothing like first adult personal dog.

[NEFARIOUS]

True, but dogs do have a way of striking your heart in a way that my family's repeated insistence on cats do... I do miss my late dad's Bengals and all, but if my dad had a dog I'd bring him/her to LA and fight harder to have the dog live with me, versus just trusting his friend and checking up on them online once in a while, and we got one when one was small enough to balance himself on the palm of my hand... Plus my buddy's dog was only about 4 months old when I first met him.

[1smokehouse]

We just lost our lab (Blondie) last September. It also happened suddenly. She was on meds for epilepsy for 11 years without any major issues as long as she took her meds. Then one day she couldn't walk in a straight line and got to the point where she couldn't even stand up (same day). So we took her in and the vet said it was most likely a tumor. My wife and I were at the vet with her when she was euthanized. We didn't want her to go alone. We were with her until her last breath. It was heartbreaking. Time is the only healer...

[Blksnowflake]

Originally Posted by Lups

I've had to put down five dogs in my life and the only thing that helps then is that they are not suffering anymore.

The worst for me was when I had to put down a 9month old puppy. His back gave and even when I knew when I took the pup that he wasn't normal, and he was just all around a disaster, the damn dog and its problems kept me in check when my sons issues were screened.

A week after my son was declared "as healthy as can be with microtia", I had to put Rubert down. I'm not a spiritual person the least but even I have a hard time not to believe that dog was not put on my path on purpose.

I'm sorry for all of your losses, it never gets easier but we are lucky to have had that love in our lives.

Best thing I seen you write, great post.

My suggestion to the op is to go out and get another dog asap. You're probably going to get another anyway, the new puppy will bring new joy and take your mind off some sadness. The only thing is I wold nt get the same breed if possible, just because it may spark too many memories.
Sorry for your loss, good luck.

Originally Posted by Whostheboss

Sorry for losing your pet. My condolences.

I've never owned a real pet. To me it's a waste of time and money. Like, what do you expect? Did you think the animal will out live you?
I'd rather invest my time/money on real human (a kid).

I respect pet owners, so i'm not bashing on anyone. I'm just speaking my POV.

Well duh, obviously a real human is a priority but this isn't no where near a one vs the other situation. Kind of a weird post that really has no place in this thread right now. But I bet you feel real good giving your opinion....I never understand how folks that don't like or relate to a subject jump into a thread to post something completely left field.

[Lups]

Originally Posted by Blksnowflake

Best thing I seen you write, great post.

My suggestion to the op is to go out and get another dog asap. You're probably going to get another anyway, the new puppy will bring new joy and take your mind off some sadness. The only thing is I wold nt get the same breed if possible, just because it may spark too many memories.
Sorry for your loss, good luck.



Well duh, obviously a real human is a priority but this isn't no where near a one vs the other situation. Kind of a weird post that really has no place in this thread right now. But I bet you feel real good giving your opinion....I never understand how folks that don't like or relate to a subject jump into a thread to post something completely left field.

For a led hater, I do love my dogs.

Most people don't believe in love healing scars, I do. I support your thinking of getting an other puppy asap.

[2bad4u]

We had/have 2 dogs and had to put my girl down when she was 14, the other dog was 12 at the time. I was a mess for a few days and I still think about her and miss her. I've got photos of my dogs on my walls, computer, phone, etc. so they're never forgotten. I even think about my dogs from when I was a kid.

When she died our other dog really lost his zest over the following months and lost weight, his fur became coarse and he just wasn't himself. He was missing the other dog as much as us. So we got another pup and it was the best thing for both us and our other dog. That was 3 years ago and the older dog (now 15) really got his spirit back. I genuinely believe he wouldn't be with us if we hadn't got the new pup. The new dog really helped with the grieving process and we love him heaps but we haven't forgotten about our other dog.

We've already made the decision that when the older dog goes we are going to get another pup both as a companion for us and our other dog. I actually think it's cruel to only have one dog if you work full time and leave them home by themselves.

[DJKapeesh]

Originally Posted by John 070

euthanize your puppy?

This happened very suddenly....couldn't walk on Friday, by 3 PM Sat. we were saying goodbye, after 14 years.

Since I never did it before, it was surreal.

Had my boy Bruno who was a black Lab since pre-9/11.

It's going to be a while, I can't see not having a dog, but my wife says no, and her reason is she doesn't want to go through this again....

It helps to have another one half the age of the firs or a couple years at least. That way they help you grieve and then adopt another half their age again. Had to put my puppy down when he fell out the back of a truck in a horrific experience when I was about 17yo. Friend wouldn't let him inside his pickup truck and that was that....

Never a nice experience but like all things, time heals all wounds.