The Toughest part of having a pet

[ugashikrobert]

We inherited George from the village and was told he was a mix of Lab, Sheep Dog, and some wolf but can tell you more than anything he was a people dog who truly enjoyed living where he did. He was our constant companion in everything we did. The travels and adventures he had in our area in the 14 years of his life would be the envy of any dog.
He started to go down hill fast last week and after talking to the vet several times he told me my only option because of our location was to put him down with a pistol. I stayed up with him all night and then had to carry him out on the porch at -31 the next morning and do one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. I have never felt that bad for doing something I knew was right . I wept like a baby afterwords.
I'm sorry to burden everyone here with our sorrow but I am posting it to make you aware that if you live in a location like ours one thing you might consider is getting a lethal injection from a vet if you ever see yourself in this position. It is definitely one of the downsides to life in a remote area.

[Kristianna]

Bob and Carol ~

I can't tell you how sorry I am to hear of your loss. And I know from experience that it is a great loss. It sounds as if yours has been compounded by the fact of what you had to do.

George was beautiful! And it seems he was a good friend to you.

Bob, you did the right thing no matter how difficult it was to do. Even though it was at your hand, it really was the directive of your vet and is what he would have done had you been at his office/clinic - of course, using his own "tools".

We have lost two pets in the past 1.5 years. One of them was the first pet we ever had as a family. She was part of our family for 10 years and my husband, myself, and our five children were absolutely devastated. I am just so sorry to know that you are going through this.

Hugs to you both,

K

edited to say: This is not a burden at all. It is good that you post all aspects of the bush life for others to know the truth about what life if really like in the bush.

Plus, you're our friend here on these forums and I think it was appropriate to post for either reason or both, as you have.

[pipedreams]

Truly sorry to hear about your loss Bob....... You can tell George was a happy dog who lived a long life doing things that most dogs can only dream about.........which is a small consolation at this point in time I know.........

[wolfwoman]

I feel for you on the same level. And if my typing is bad by the time I finish this, it's because I'm shedding tears both for you and me. Great loss is never a burden when shared.

We had to do the same thing to our 15 year old lab, Buck, a couple of years ago. When he was no longer able to get up and walk we knew it was time, so we took him to our cabin, it was his last ride in 'his' truck. Sam carried him and placed him in the back, and he couldn't even sit up to enjoy it, but I know he did.

We laid him to rest under a trio of birch trees and built a log flower bed over the top the following spring. Less than a year later, our 10 year old female lab, Ladie died from cancer... or from missing Buck... maybe both, we're not sure, but I like to think the latter as Buck raised her from a 8 week old pup.

I'm not going to say I'm sorry, because it doesn't help. It will never help. I have been thru this before also with a 4 month old pup MANY years ago that I had to put down myself that had parvo.

I'll go thru it again at least 8 more times within the next 10-15 years as I have 8 dogs that are now my family. Three live indoors, they all love people, and even tho we go thru this pain with them, it's worth all the years we get from them and all the happiness they give us, and hopefully that we give to them.

Know that they are now happy once again and that someday we'll be united with them. No one can tell me that these dogs don't have souls. All you have to do is look into their eyes to know.

No words I say are going to make you feel better, I still have moments when I cloud up over my two, because even tho there are 8 more, they can never be replaced.

Hugs to you from me and Sam, and wet sloppy kisses from Dakota, Lokie, Yukon, Kuma, Nanook, Walker, Willow and Topaz. And more from Buck and Ladie from beyond.

Wolfwoman

[wolfwoman]

Our Ladie (Ladie Timberwolf Morgaine) was 10 when we lost her. She went to be with Buck who left about a year before she did.



And Buck, left us on April 18, 2003.


Hugs to ya Bob!
Wolfie

[Washkeeton]

I am really sorry to hear about your dog Bob. I do know the feeling of having to put down a good pet, and friend. I keep a small number of sled dogs cause not only are they sled dogs they are pets and my friends. I have had to put down nine of my original 12 dogs from my first teams up here. One with a breast tumor, another that became paralized for some unknown reason and the rest because of old age and health problems. The first two were my leaders and my favorites. Right now I have a 16 yr old cat that is showing his age and will have to be put down soon also. He has been trained to come, sit, stay, up, down, and shake. He is a character but he is getting old and having seizures when he stresses. The thing is I have never had to put one of these animals down by my hand. I dont know if I am strong enough to do something like that. I admire you for being able to do that.

[wolfwoman]

Wash, if you can ever help it, don't ever have to do it yourself. It's THE toughest thing in the world to do, and I'm really hoping that the rest of mine go in their sleep when it's their time, as I don't want to ever have to do it again. But I will if I have to as I wouldn't want anyone else to do it either.

When it was Buck's time to go and we knew it, we also knew we would be selfish if we didn't do it, if that makes sense.

Wolfie

[arctichomestead]

George, Lady and Buck all look like they were fat and extra sassy and had great happy lives. I'm sure dogs are angels in disguise, I know mine is. Everytime I think about the fact that she won't be around forever makes my heart ache. They are such good and loyal friends and all they want in the world is to be fat, have great owners and kick up a little grass every now and again. I'm sure it really hurt to lose a member of the family, I'm so sorry.

[jd]

I too have a heart ache any time I think of one of ours going. But, I wouldn't miss the love for anything. My condolances that your dog passed, and I too think dogs have a soul, and we will meet again. Try to find peace in the last reluctant favor you did your George. Slow and lingering is not a good thing.
JD

[Jenny]

I didn't even see this thread until tonight. Don't know how I missed it. It was started when I was in town, so wasn't on the forum much.

So sorry to hear of your loss, Bob and Carol, and anyone who has ever lost or had to put down a pet. Years ago, I had to take a sick one to the vet, but never had to do it myself. Chuck has always handled that terribly difficult part of having an animal we love. He says he tries not to get too attached because he knows that, eventually, he'll have to do the same thing you did, Bob. I try to get my crying over with privately before hand. I figure the loss is just as hard on Chuck, but he has it worse because he has to do the job. Sure does leave an empty spot in your life.

[ugashikrobert]

Jenny:
It has indeed left a very empty spot in our lives. Almost every single thing we did we did with him. We feel very fortunate to have been able to give him the type of life we did where we did for as long as we did.
We have had several very generous offers on replacements but I honestly don't think I would be able to do what I had to do again.