berner

I feel for you, bud. I had to do it last fall. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done. My Bernese was only 8 1/2 but got cancer. I wish I had some words to make it a little easier for you. Those darn dogs can really tear at a guy's heartstrings.

Duallydog

I am afraid it is his time. The question is you or the vet to do it and where to go with him. We had 2 dogs up until the end of 2004 and had one that had kidneys shut down, then the other one at the end of 2005 with heart failure. It's tough to loose a good dog, even if they were good for nothin'.
May he go gently.

Chrisreyn

Geico... I dont have the words to express my sympathy for your situation. Its a very hard thing to do, no matter how much it might be the right thing to do.
If I could say anything that would help, I would......

Chris

Bearwhiz

I had to do this with my shepherd mix several years ago when her kidneys shut down. After i got home I cried like a baby right along with my daughter. My thoughts are with you.

bearwhiz

Jezzhuntin

Yup I feel for you big time. I had to put down my best friend and hunting companion almost a year ago. he was only 11-1/2 (ruptured discs) spent a ton of money trying to save him, but it came down to the quality of his life. you could see it in his eyes that he knew it was time and didn't want to live like he was. I had to carry him every where. not easy with a 110lb lab. cried and was really drugged to help the pain. I had the vet come to the house so he could be in a place he was comfortable to put him down. I sometimes wish I hadn't been there, but at least in my arms he passed knowing he was loved and had the most amzing life a dog could have. he was truly my best friend.

the only bad thing about owning animals that you will outlive is letting go and seeing them pass. I think about him daily. loved that dog than 99% more than most people I know. I know exactly what you are going thru


RIP "Jezz"

PanteraGSTK

I can't read any more of this thread, I tear up at every story. All I can think about is my 160lb baby at home and how I'd feel if I had to look in his eyes as he passed...I can't type anymore....

Hvytrkmech

Well my friend, I am right behind you with my dog Rascal, (shepard rotty mix)with all the bad symptoms, and lumps popping out all over him. I too have been putting off the inevitable.

The only thing I can say to you, (that is by no means any consolation), is he'll be waiting for you on the other side.

My sympathies go with you.

Tim

TIMMY22

we had to put our 8 1/2 year old golden down almost 1 year ago due to cancer. She started to get a big lump on the side of here abdomen. Even though she must have been in pain, she got up every morning and ran around like nothing was wrong. Eventually, she stopped eating and grew weak.

Having to make the call for the vet come over then to dig the hole was absolutley the most heartwrenching thing I have ever done. It's amazing how close a dog can become to a man and his family, there with you everyday and there love is unconditional.

were VERY sorry.

6cylinders

I have a sister who is 1 year older than me, when we were kids growing up we had 2 dogs, a female black lab, spayed, big fat, lazy and farted a lot, of course we loved it and we had a german shephard male, purebred, they were great buddies always together and running, chasing each other and wrestling.
When we were in High School the lab died in her sleep at an old age, never sick a day in her life, the shephard was old by then also and he went down hill fast after that, I still
remember him walking around the house looking for his partner, so sad.
We had to put him down he was fading away fast and his hips were going.
Both dogs are stll alive in our memories as yours will be in yours.
Neither of us has had another dog since then, that was over 30 years ago.
Sorry for your loss.

Mopar440_6

Geico, I honestly can't say I know how you feel. I've been lucky (I guess) enough that I've never had to have any of my pets put to sleep. But after losing countless cats and 4 dogs in my lifetime I do know that empty feeling you've got.

From what you've said it sounds like Fang has had a great life. He's been loved and cared for and he knows it (you should too). At this point he doesn't owe you anything. The only thing you owe him is the chance to relieve his suffering. Be there for him in the end and he will leave this world knowing how much he was loved.

On the bright side in 3-4 months you'll probably be ready to go down to the local shelter and SAVE the life of another dog that hasn't been so loved and cared for and give that animal the life it deserves.

Don't think I can type anymore as my dog just put her nose under my arm destroying any composure I had a second ago. Just remember we're here for you man!

Clayten

I have been through this as many others have. I don't / can't talk about it.

Totallyrad

Geico, I keep trying to say something that might make you feel better but I know I can't. I'm just sorry it hurts so bad. I keep this handy as it reminds me of Blackie.


Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

J BODY

Well it's funny how many of us are stupid enough to latch on to a dog....yeah right. Non owners will never understand. Two years ago I had to cough up 2k for a knee restructure (acl) on our beagle/retriever cross (farm mutt). I'm a tight wad of sorts and it po'ed me to no end, but I'd do it again 10 times. Can't even tell she was operated on today (13yrs old). We have a photo box on a shelf that is packed full of picts and we often open it up and change the display picture on the front. I'm sure we'll still do it long after she's gone. I feel for you Geico. I guess you're doing the right thing....but it just don't seem so right sometimes...... prayers with you.

Luvnacumns

I feel for you bro!! I had to put my first lab down after 9 years and he lived all of those years with a right rear leg gone!!! He broke it at 8 weeks old and we tried to save it but to no avail. He had finally gotten cancer and it broke his back... We didn't even know!! I cried and cried... It didn't take me long to make the decision after packing him into the vet and seeing the x-rays... It sucks but if he is in pain don't let em suffer...

Shane

Geico266

Hey thanks all, for the kinds words. After all the emotions of today, I can honestly say it was the right thing to do....and you all made it a little easier. I was putting his dog dish & stuff away and I started laughing out loud at all the tricks he used to do. He alwasy howled for his dinner, more like a whoo whoo.

Thanks for the stories. I thought I was the only guy that cried when I lost a dog. Nice to see you all are a bunch of softies also.

Someone said I'll be looking for a new dog in a few months or so. Kinda funny too. I guess in the back of my mind I new this day would come so I have been looking already today. And I thought Fang was unloyal.

Life goes on, Thanks to everyone for your thoughts.