Topic: Saying goodbye to a friend

[Retro Rocket]

I don't really know what to say . My best friend is dying and i am immensely sad. He has been off colour lately and started loosing weight quite rapidly, so yesterday i had a day off and took him to the vet and had some blood tests done. My buddy has severe kidney failure and only has a couple of days left. I am devastated, i have never been like this with any pet before, my big boy was something special. I have to now make the decision to have him put too sleep and its killing me. I am sorry to sound so morbid but he really was a special friend and i am going to miss him dearly. All i could think of while at work today was all the good times i have had with my mate and in some weird sort of way, just thought it would go on forever, he is irreplaceable. I will remember him for ever......

My boy.....

[faux fiddy]

The dog that is a fixture at the shop was taken to be put down after he couldn't get up walk, crapin' his self, etc.  Systs and bumps  all over him, one hanging from his leg inner like an extra pair or three.

The Vet is a hipster and refused to kill the 'ol boy  because he was still eating.  That was several months ago, maybe like march or february and he's getting around pretty good with occaisional help up off the slipery floors.

Hopefully yer buddy  can hang on  for a few more good days or even months.

[Retro Rocket]

The vet gave him some anti nausea meds so he can eat but he's getting nothing from his food because his kidneys are so bad, he really isn't interested in eating any more and has lost control of his bowels. His creatinine levels should be around 112 but his are around 750, his kidneys are completely gone. I know he is in no pain but he is terribly sick and is vomiting and extremely weak. I don't know if i should have him put down or let him pass by himself at home where he is loved. I am struggling with this and just get emotional every time i have to think about it....

[mcpuffett]

Hi Retro, sorry to hear about your Dog, it isn't easy when your pets are ill and all the decisions are on your shoulders, after all they are one of the family, i'm sure you will do whats best for him, i have 4 cats and my Dog Tia to keep me busy, keep your chin up mate, all the best Mick.

 

[Retro Rocket]

Thanks mate.....

[dave500]

sorry to hear mick,its always a heartbreaking thing,if hes in no pain as such maybe keep him at home a while longer?if hes so sick though he probably feels terrible,id like to think not though,its a rock and a hard place decision for sure.

[74cb750]

Hey Mick, it is tough, I know. Our dog is also getting on in years.

[petercb750]

Hey Mick - when I read the title of this thread i had a feeling what it was going to be about - it wasn't that long ago that you showed that pic in a completely different light, and I think I made some comment about dogs and how much they mean to us.

I feel for ya buddy. One of our dogs went through a similar thing with lots of bleeding from the fanny etc, and when she woke up one morning wimpering and obviously in pain I said to the mrs "it's time". We were both bawling and I went out to the car to put a blanket in the back for her to lie on, the mrs went to get dressed - by the time i go back into the house the dog had died - we were inconsolable, but we reckoned that the dog knew and saved us the pain of making it happen.

Be strong mate, do what you believe is best for your mate, you will feel better for it in the long term. He will go knowing he's loved and had a damn good life with a caring owner and a good buddy - that can't be a bad thing eh.
Peter.

[70CB750]

Sorry to hear that!

[rklystron]

Retro, I just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear the bad news. We too had a very special guy that we will never forget. He was such a big part of our family and even now people in our neighborhood still talk about what character we was. Our dog Score had the best life a dog could possibly have. I am sure your dog is the same way. Be strong your friend needs you now more then ever.

[IndyFour]

Retro -

So sorry to hear about your friend.  I feel for you.  I have a 10 yr old Black Lab and an 8 yr old Weimaraner.....so both getting up there in age and starting to have issues here and there.  I'm head-over-heels in love with my girls and it will kill me when one/both of them are gone.

People who aren't "dog people" don't understand the bonding that takes place.  My girls and I are a pack.  Unlike other friends, the girls always have time for me and they are happiest when I'm around...and the feeling is mutual.

Just like with people, they live on in your memory....and you in theirs.  That's what I believe, anyway.  Hang in there.

[754]

I am getting ready for that soon to, our chow X is 15 yr old..
 Retro, can you get the vet to come over?, be way better for you and the dog...

[curemode2002]

I'm sorry to hear that Retro my wife and I have not been able to have kids so our dogs really are our children. It is really hard when any of them struggle or get hurt. Give your pal a giant hug and let him know you love him. That is really the best any of us can do but I really believe they can understand what we say and our actions. I hope it gets better for both of you.

[Damfino]

People who aren't "dog people" don't understand the bonding that takes place.  My girls and I are a pack.  Unlike other friends, the girls always have time for me and they are happiest when I'm around...and the feeling is mutual.

Just like with people, they live on in your memory....and you in theirs.  That's what I believe, anyway.  Hang in there.

+1. Sorry to hear Mick. I don't envy the choices you have to make at this point, but I feel for you just the same. I have a 6yr old Black Lab named Gracie and what Chris (Indyfour) said about the special bond is so true. Peace be with you and your boy, he sure looks like a fine one.

~Jay

[scunny]

sad news Mick. I cant offer advice as that is a desicion only you can make. to use a Maori saying that is used in Christchurch now. Kia Kaha........be strong.
Larry

[Robbnc]

So sorry to hear that,  this situation is never easy.  The only comfort is knowing that you did the best for them their
whole life.

[demon78]

Hey RR being an old#$%*er I've had to do it 5 or 6 times, does it get easier NO, it dammed well doesn't and I think that when our old cat goes that's the last I have pets, for even worse than you, me making that decision  to end it, the thought of having your pet abandoned and not having their protector around to intercede is worse. Being an adult is the #$%*s sometimes.
Bill the demon.

[Retro Rocket]

Thanks all for your kind words.....

[sangyo soichiro]

Sorry you have to go through this Mick.  My thoughts are with you.   

[BeSeeingYou]

Sorry to hear this Mick.  I just lost one of my buds about 8 days ago same way.  Sent you a PM.

[bill440cars]

       I can sure identify with your feelings Retro, There are quite a few of us Pet Lovers here on this forum and I promise you that NOBODY here will mess with you because of your feelings for your Pet. I can feel your pain and indecision about what to do. I can only offer that whatever is best for your dog, is what you need to do. For example, I had an old black female cat (Sam0 who had gone deaf, seemed to have arthritus in her hips, and was loosing control of her bladder, in her last few weeks. She loved being outside and didn't seem to be in any bad pain. So, I fixed up a house for her, putting in a cheap porch light (for warmth in the winter), positioned it so the wind couldn't blow in, put some old blankets in there for comfort, put a split towel over the doorway for her to go in and out, kept her feed and watered and checked on her several times
a day. She lived for a little while longer, out there like that and was always happy to see me, when I checked on her. Sam almost made it to her 21st birthday and now is in the back yard with 7 others (4 dogs and 3 cats), who have gone on before her. Hang in there Brother, we feel your pain.         

[BobbyR]

I had to put my friend down in July. We may have been selfish and waited too long. Having done it 16 years before, we did not rush into it.

I am sorry you may be facing this and I do not envy you. it will hurt, nothing I can say can help that. All I can say is do not be selfish or cruel. You will know when you have to do it. They may give you the option of leaving the room, don't leave. We did not, and while it hurt terribly, we did not want him to spend his last moments with strangers. We owed him that much for all the years of love and loyalty. He left knowing he was loved.   

[scottly]

Sorry to read this, Mick. I had to make the same hard decision for my buddy 12 years ago. Like Bobby, I feel like I waited too long....

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Retro,

Sorry about your buddy. It's hard. If you have him put down the suffering he is going through will be much less on him. I had to do the same with my 15 year old cat. I told the vet it was the right thing to do but only if I could hold him while he went to sleep. It was quick and painless. He just laid his head down. Perhaps your vet could make an exception and on his way home stop by your house where your buddy would be more comfortable?

[onagd]

Know how you are feeling man. Had to make that decision just a year ago when my little Yorkshire terrier got really ill. Hardest thing I have even had to do, and, don't mind admitting"cried like a baby"
Brett