Northeast Forum Pets #11

So sorry, Karen. Buffy was a good dog.
Schick, my Sarah is part pitbull. I couldn't ask for a better dog.
Andy P

Thanks, Andy. Yes, Buffy was a good dog. I just feel so bad still. I feel like we betrayed him, even though I know we did the right thing in not letting him suffer. I just keep thinking about how he looked when he went with the vet into the back, looking at us as if he were wondering why we weren't coming with him. It will be even harder for me when Patches has to go, as I'm so much more attached to her.

Speaking of which, Patches will be going to the vet tomorrow with my sister. I have to work. She has been rather lethargic lately and was having trouble jumping up on my bed and onto her bench in the living room. Now she's not jumping up at all. I think she's getting arthritic, and will probably be trying her on the cosequin, but I will have some blood work done first to see if something else might be going on. She managed to get up on my bed yesterday, but she yelped when she jumped down. There will go another few hundred dollars. I need to get pet health insurance for her.

Cute photo of Gracie, Dem!

Karen

might want to think about a set of steps Karen

Yes, was thinking of that. Thanks.

Karen

of course Jily won't use them... but the puppies do... Michele's dog Wily needs them... for some reason he thinks my platform bed is like her tall bed frame.. will keep trying to jump up even though it's low his brain says he can't get up... backs up... smacks into the bed... backs up .. smacks into the bed... all night long... unless they are there... will make anyone nuts... I have a set for the couch as well ... there is a plastic set with a washable lambswool cover I picked up at petco.. they are very sturdy... but Lily broke one of the steps.. (Randy fixed them)... not sure how much patches weighs.. but I am guessing more than Lily at 14 pounds... might want to think about a wooden set

Yes, Patches weighs about 50 lbs., so she would need wooden steps.

Karen

Karen - look into Adequan for Patches as well as using the cosequin.

Has she been tested for Lyme?

I was wondering who actually bought those steps

little dog people and those with arthritis ... or both

should have added.. Hope goes to jump on the couch and once in a while will face plant herself into it

I was with my last dog Lucy when she was put down. The 'abandoned' look you may have seen in Buffy's eyes is nothing like the betrayal look I saw on Lucy.
I dread the day when Sarah ....... We are very close. We went to the city park today, she sits quietly on command as I snap pictures. People even dogs go by and she just stays.
You may be able to rig some steps for Patches. Three cement blocks might work at about $3 each.

My DH & I both cried when we had to put the dogs down....it was much easier when my Jazz had a heart attack & just passed while on the patio in her favorite sunny spot.....

My thought was if they can't get up they don't need to be up


oh, I'm gonna stir up some comments with that!!!!

I was with both my Danes when I had them put down and my son and I were with one of our Bullies, it wasn't easy but I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't know what other vets do but mine gives them a shot first to relax them, then the other and they literally just went quietly to sleep. I felt being with them gave me closure as we sat together and I told them what great dogs they had been and how much pleasure the had given me. I know it sounds so corny. I sat with them for quite a while after. I had them cremated. Friends ask just how many cremation boxes I will end up with...as many as I can I say!

No one should feel guilty for their decision to stay or leave, we do what we can but in the end deciding to let them go and be in peace is the best for them.

that's it Ronnie.. no right answer to stay or go.. only the right thing for the animal and person

luvsgrtdanes--

Your experiences, and beliefs, mirror mine.

Not "corny" at all !!!

We all have to learn to "let go" when the time is right, and not feel guilty...a dignified, gentle send-off is better than expanded miseries for the pet.

Hear hear

The vet told us that they give an overdose of anesthesia to put them to sleep, through IV. She said he might have convulsions after going to sleep, maybe lose control of his bowels/bladder. She said the eyes don't close. I didn't want to witness that. It was bad enough knowing we would never see him again. Yes, it will be much harder when Patches comes to that time. She has several years to go still, God willing. I'm very close to her, more so than with any other dog I've had. She has been the perfect match for me as far as dogs go, and that's hard to find.

BA is right, Ronnie, not corny at all.

I moved Patches vet visit to tomorrow so that I could take her instead of my sister. I'll see what the vet says before putting her on supplements for her joints. She's already on a senior diet which is supposed to support joint health. This is it: http://www.naturesrecipe.com/recipe_detail.aspx?id=416

Karen

I've had this on my refrigerator for over 20 years....

A Dog's Plea
by Anonymous

"Treat me kindly, my beloved friend
for no heart in all the world is
more grateful for kindness than
the loving heart of me.
Do not break my spirit with a stick,
for although I might lick your hand between blows,
your patience and understanding will more quickly
teach me the things you would have me learn.
Speak to me often,
for your voice is the world's sweetest music,
as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail
when the sound of your footsteps falls
upon my waiting ear.
Please take me inside when it is cold and wet,
for I am a domesticated animal,
no longer accustomed to bitter elements.
I ask no greater glory than the privilege
of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water,
for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.
Feed me clean food that I may stay well,
to romp and play and do your bidding,
to walk by our side and stand ready,
willing and able to protect you with my life.
And, my friend, when I am very old
and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight,
do not make heroic efforts to keep me going.
I am not having any fun.
Please see to it that my life is taken gently.
I shall leave this earth knowing
with the last breath I draw that my
fate was always safest in your hands."

I always cry at those poems.

made me pout

I love that Celeste...a good cry in the morning is always welcome☺

Sorry if it made you sad.....just wanted to share. Like I said, i've had it there a long time...it gets old and yellow and I copy it over and stick it back up. Can't tell you how many times friends ask for a copy once they read it. :)

At least 30 years ago I worked for a vet and often held animals as they were put to sleep. What I felt at the moment they "passed" was such a feeling of peace. If you can't be with them, you can't but someone who loves animals will be with them and say kind words and stroke them. It is only a minute in their life and they have had so many, many more with you that the last one, is really only one of the hundreds of thousands when you were there. IMHO.

Thank you, Pixie & Memory.....

On a lighter note: Connecticut's "Knucklehead the Bear" can be seen taking down a bird feeder on YouTube.

He is also known by his government I.D. of "Bear # 49."

Celeste, that was a bittersweet poem. I should put that one up.

Dem, Patches has had Lyme in the past, but she may have it again. Anyhow, I'll be having her tested today, along with testing for other things, whatever they test for when they draw blood, and I'll let you guys know what's going on with her. Poor baby is not herself today.

Karen

I was surprised when Robs tested positive for Lyme once again....he was limping badly....halfway through the antibiotic, & he's bouncing like a pup! Boston, funny story about Knucklehead....I have a friend who built a house in Torrington....in the woods....& they hadn't gotten around to putting on the garage doors....their freezer was in the garage....her hubby was working under the car in the garage, when he heard noises....Knucklehead....tag 49, was in the freezer....he got a pound of butter, then thankfully left.....

Somehow this thread dropped off my thread-watcher thingy, so it took awhile to catch up.

Karen - I'm so terribly sorry for your very sad loss of Buffy. We all know how much you loved him, and I am sad for your Dad and for Hope as well. Hugs are coming your way for all of you. You are such a good Mom to your pets, and you did the best you could and gave the ultimate love in the end. It is normal and necessary for you and your Dad to grieve, so I think I would encourage your Dad to show his grief and let him talk to you about it when he cries. Hope the memories become easier and happier soon. Patches may also be showing some grief as well. Thinking healing thoughts for your house!

Andy - happy to hear that Sarah is doing well!

Allison - Wow - that little rascal, Hope, must think she's SuperPuppy!! lol

Robin - glad you were able to catch Robs' lyme early enough to have him doing better so soon!

Karen - how is Patches doing now?

We had a bear nearby last year, but they relocated it after a few bird feeder happenings. Anyhow, here is shaggy the squirrel chasing wonder dog.

Adorable, dem!!!!

Very cute.....definitely not a pug!

Shaggy's name is very fitting! So cute!

Harper and Diesel...she is smitten with him now. They have become best friends.

Awe, how cute Ronnie!!

Love the shaggy squirrel chaser!

Louise, thanks. Dad doesn't seem to be grieving as much, but he still misses Buffy. Will take some time.

The vet believes Patches is suffering from hip displasia, and he gave me some Rymadil for her to take for about a week, and he wants me to start giving her cod liver oil for omega 3's, which he says is better than the cosequin for arthritis and hip problems. Blood work is pending, so don't know if anything else is going on yet.

Shaggy is cute, Dem!

Great shot of Harper and Diesel, Ronnie!

Karen

I see a wedding in Harper and Disels future! What lovebirds!

Awwww, Ronnie......they are so cute together! Love to see dogs bond! Very handsome guys!! So happy for you!

Karen - how do you get the cod liver oil in Patches? My girls love fresh boneless fish, and I add a squirt of salmon oil to it for the omega 3's. Hope Patches turns around soon. Give our best to your Dad and tell him we send our condolences about Buffy.

Thanks, Louise. I'm thinking I would just have to put it on her food. I'm sure she would eat it. She eats just about anything.

Karen