I lost a great friend today

[NC Steve]

of 13 1/2 years, the furry white one on the left, not the daughter on the right.



She began having seizures right after Christmas, and they were growing more frequent and severe, despite lots of anti-convulsive meds that turned her into a stumbling zombie. The vet ran plenty of tests and found nothing conclusive, but determined she probably had a brain tumor. "Probably" because, as he put it, "I can run an MRI, but it's $1500 and then you're still faced with the same problem and decision". He's been a great doctor, and I had to respect and appreciate that.

Anyway, after a particularly difficult night, I took her on in this morning. It wasn't the 1st time I've had to do this, but it was definitely the hardest.

Adios Maggie...

[Justin B.]

I've only had to do it once and it was a lot harder than I figured it'd be.  As long as you have plenty of pix and memories they are never really 100% gone...

[SCJJR65]

From the pic, it looks like Maggie was one loving dog.  She'll live on in the hearts of you and your children.

[nhmaf]

I've had to bring in several dogs and a cat to be put to sleep in my life, and it doesn't get any easier, but rest assured the memories and happiness that they give us during their short lives is enough to last a long, long time in ours.

Sorry for your loss.   I'm sure that she'll be fondly remembered by your whole family.

[Ed Miller]

What a sweet, kissy dog.  She'll be missed.  I'm bad, I always let them kiss me if they want.  It's safer than kissing a human.  

I guess I was lucky:  mine just dropped dead in the back yard, mid run as far as we could tell.  No warning, never sick a day of her life.  I wasn't done with her, but at least she didn't seem to suffer.  

[donbmw]

Sorry to hear this Steve. We have a Dobe that is 14 years old. Don't know how much longer he will be with us.

Don

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I'm sorry for your loss, Steve.  

That is why we have tear glands.   Go for it.

 

[aussie]

I'm sorry for your loss Steve.

My previous two dogs were with me for over 28 years. The first one -Dylan- I had put to sleep because he could no longer stand up. That was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. It still brings tears to my eyes when I remember him on the Vet's table. The second one -Jarrah- was fine one moment and when I called to him for dinner, he didn't respond. I went into the back yard and he had died. In retrospect I think both he and I knew it was coming to the end. Towards the end, I would go outside and he would come with me and just sit and look at the stars.

Damn - my eyes are leaking again.

My thoughts are with you.

[trolle]

Sorry for your loss, Steve.

We had to put our 10 year old Airdale down in Octobre, as she was suffering from a severe breast cancer. She was the most charming dog we ever had (she was the third and last) so it was really hard this time.

greetings from a grey and wet north

[msbuck]

   I'm so sorry Steve.  It's hard to lose a real friend.  I can't imaging having to make that decision.  Haven't had to yet.  My last friend left us suddenly, but I had her portrait painted and she hangs in my bedroom.  

[Bob_Roller]

I've never had a large pet that required being "put down", but I have have taken close friends pets that required it, to the vet, and even though they weren't my pets, it was still a very difficult thing to do.

It's amazing how they become a part of the family.

My sincerest condolences to you and your family Steve.

[suecanada]

Oh Steve, I am so sorry. Was in MI for the weekend and missed reading the forum. When this happens and I've had to do it three times, you do wonder if your heart just won't really break..physically that is...as it hurts so much. Tears will come as long as you are alive every time your buddies come to mind. It is a good thing really. We have a municipal park here in Meaford called Beautiful Joe Park. That is where the hero of the book "Beautiful Joe" grew up after he was rescued from an abusive owner in the last part of 1800's. Written by Margaret Marshall Saunders in 1890 something. We have memorial plaques for owners to honour their dog friends and memorials for service dogs, K-9 dogs and the Sept. 11th loss of Sirius, the canine partner of David Lim of the New Jersey Port Authority who was the only dog lost that fateful day. He and David's job was to check for bombs at the loading dock but Sirius had returned to Officer Lim's office after their morning rounds on the morning of the 11th. David Lim left the office when he heard the crash sound. He fell a number of stories when the tower collapsed and couldn't get back to his office ever again. The last thing he said to Sirius was "I'll be back for you, boy" They gave Sirius all the honours when found as any other person. David Lim got out alive at 3:30 pm that afternoon.

[balibeemer]

Know how you feel buddy. A similar thing happened to me a few years ago when my 5 year old Doberman succumbed to cancer. As usual with our furry quaddruped friends, the unconditional love is sorely missed. BUT, life must go on!

[not-so-fast-ed]

Sorry to hear that you lost your "Maggie", Steve.  That is one of the saddest jobs we ever have with our pets.

Ed