We had to have our dog put down yesterday

[vettemanwight]

My wifes dog of 12 years had to be put down yesterday.She was a doberman -rotweiler mix named Katie. She was a good ole girl. My wife got her when she lived in Fla. After she got her found out she had been shot and the bullets where still in her,that didnt change things she still got around fine. When my wife and I was first dating katie got hit by a van in front of my house.one broken leg later she was good as new. Then about 7 years ago she had hip surgery well that dog came thru that just fine. About 5 years ago she was diagnosed with artheritiswell that did slow her down some, but when I mentioned the word barn she was up and ready to go nomatter what the weather was outside. We got her a friend about 4 years ago Jake, now hes a bonehead. Hes German shepardand he loves to run Katie could keep up to him and never really tryed but the were always together. About 3 years ago Katie was diagnosed with cancerous tumors well she was never ready to be put down , she was still too active and never really seemed to be in pain. She loved her car rides even her last one yesterday. My wife called me at work yesterday crying saying I had to come home imediately, we had to take Katie to vet to be put down, so I left work and drove home, when I got there my wife and beloved Katie was sitting in the car and Katie was looking around big as life. When my wife was sitting in the house waiting for me and my wife was having some alone time with our dog one of our cats whom Katie and her never fought but the cat never hung around together , well Ghost the cat came up to Katie and layed down right next to her , she did that twice in a half hour, we do think the cat new what was happening and was saying goodbye. The dog and cat were together for 10 years. Well after the vet trip and the very last car ride for our dog when we got home I started up the excavator and dug a nice big hole next to our pond right where Katie use to like to sit and overlook her kingdom. Sorry for the rambling , I use to dairy farm and I never grew attached to my animals but I did this dog and we are gonna miss her alot. Vettemanwight

 

[DavidVT]

So sorry for your loss...

We have put down two loved companions in the last few years and we are now stuck with a Jake of our own too.. Our Jake is a 12 year old Dane Timberwolf mix but his littermates got all the brains. A big monster but we love him too.

I've seen our cats snuggle up to the failing dogs also. Something else. One cat actually would help our near blind and crippled Malamute when she wanted to go down a flight of stairs. You would have to see it to believe it.

It always amazes me how much we can let those furry buggers get under our skin. I would not have it any other way......

 

[ray66v]

My condolences, been there done that, it gets a little easier each day. Many years later now, and I have concluded that the worst part is you never really get over it....

 

[rtdiggr]

My condolences, it's never an easy thing to do.

Shane

 

[shvl73]

Sorry to hear. We've got a couple of old timers as well. One is Otto, also a 12 year old Rotty/Doberman. He's alot slower than he used to be but, still in pretty good shape. They're a good mix, hopefully you'll find another to share life with. I feel for you.

 

[ToadHill]

Vetteman: I remember the old name, I lost my 9 year old Bassett Frasier last May. We were on the way to the vets to have him put down, (liver failure). The wife and daughter brought him out to the farm, I petted him in the backseat of the car for a while and then headed to the vet. He died on the way, kind of like he wanted to save me the indignity of having to put him down.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I am sorry to hear about this Wayne. I have had to put animals down myself and it is never easy if you are attached to them. I do my best to help as many animals as I can though and currently have a dove in my room. It must have been attacked by a hawk and has a hole in its side so hopefully in a month or so it will be healed up well enough to be released.

I wish you and your wife the best. Who knows, maybe another critter will walk in some day needing your help.

 

[Cottonhawk]

I am so sorry!
It's very sad to see a loyal best friend pass!

 

[Inspector507]

Sorry to hear of your loss. A cat of ours, that we had given to my Mother-In-Law for companionship, died a couple of weeks ago of heart failure.
She's now here at the homestead forever.

 

[bones1]

So sorry for your loss.Pets like that give unconditional love to their masters and will be sorely missed.I have heard stories of cats doing that in the past as well.

 

[Nasty135]

Sorry to hear of your loss, It's something about the loyalty, unconditional love and companionship a pet gives. It makes Us miss them all the more. Only time and fond memories can help to ease the loss.

 

[teg]

We had to do this a couple of days ago to our Golden Can just now write about it.... actually, I guess I can't...

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

Sorry for your loss, we have two "geriatric" boys and I know at some point we will need to make the same choices.

 

[montanaman]

Very sorry for your loss. You know, you really hope and expect to out live your pets, but you can never prepare yourself to let them go.

We went through this a few years back with our yellow lab. If timing would have been a little better, I think we could have been with her for part of the summer but she couldn't control herself and she would have rather frozen to death outside, than to do her business in the house. Poor girl was having more trouble with her back legs every day but she didn't seem to have a lot of pain. When she got to the point that she just about refused to come in the house, and sometimes couldn't get up without help, I figured it was just time.

She's buried in the yard next to the kids play shack and every time I mow that area, I think of all the good years we had with her. Seems my allergies always act up pretty good there too because my eyes get to watering.....

Ken

 

[charliepff]

I am sorry for your loss. I had a chocolate lab that grew up with me that had cancer and needed to be put to sleep. Now I have two labs. One is a chocolate lab that reminds me of my old one and it has cancer and only has six months to live. The real kicker is these two came from the lab rescue and did not have very good treatment and living conditions. Now my fiancee and I are trying to give them a good life. The black lab had so many fears when we adopted them it was ridiculous. You could not even scratch your head without them being afraid. The black one would not go up steps or walk on tile floors and the slightest noise scared her. Now they are totally different dogs. So now one has a much shorter time with us.

 

[rutwad]

I am terribly sorry for your loss. No words can heal the pain, only time.

Just this week is the first time I went to the location where our "baby" was buried 1 year ago. 1 year, and I was always scared. I want all my memories to be the good times. She is my avatar.

 

[zzvyb6]

I didn't cry when my folks died as hard as I did when old Zeke met his maker. Just reading your letter made my eyes water. Best thing you can do now is get a pup and raise him like a kid. Two is better: you can be Pack Leader once again!

Look what I then went and did: All rescues... Jake, Abby, Sam, and Mick: Hunter, boater, swimmer, and goofball (not that order, sorry Jake).

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Wayne, I am saddened to hear the bad news about Katie.

She had a long and wonderful life with your family. Aside from dealing with a human family member, this has to be one of the hardest decisions we ever have to make. Katie's parting will leave your family with a void, so fill it with remembered joy. Katie is following the path God has set for her.

The Rainbow Bridge

 

[EastTexFrank]

This post stikes very close to home right now. One of our older dogs is having major problems. We're giving her every chance for the drugs to work but it's not looking good. We're going to have to make a very difficult decision soon. Not looking forward to that. When I look at her laying on the floor, staring at me and wagging her tail, I just tear up. My wife, she's going to be a basket case. I hope we can handle it.