The big guy is calling.

[RatzoRC]

Sorry to bring the site down, but my dog has to be put down tonight.
I'm home alone, waiting for the 9:00 hour to take him tonight.
We have been through a lot together. House, kids, renovations, parties, and so on.
He is a Bullmastiff, 10 years old, believe it or not, he answers to "Stupid".
Thats not his name, but it's what we call him.
The biggest dope on the planet, but we love him very much.
I was on the phone with the vet, and had to stop talking twice cause the tears were welling up, and I couldn't talk.
This is hard. I can't find the words. Every way that I try to say it, it comes down to, I'm taking my friend to be killed.
He's still strong as an ox, but he's confused. He doesn't seem to know who I am half the time and looks like he might go off the deep end.
Also started going to the bathroom all over the house, which is something that he's NEVER done before.
I have to do this before my kids come back, when the renovation is done.
Damn man! I feel like a poop heel.

 

[Revo Rancher]

Very, very sorry to hear about this.

It's hard, I know. I put down my 16 year old Springer 2 months ago. She was in about the same place, blind, deaf, disoriented half the time, peeing and pooping in the house, yet, some days, she looked and acted normal. Hard time, but I actually felt relieved as I knew she was in a better place, chasing ducks in that big pond in the sky.

Take care.

 

[robriguez]

Hey man, I can completely relate to the pain. I've had to go through losing 5 of my pets over the years. First cat got out was hit by a car like 3 seconds after making it out the front door. Second drank some tained rainwater/antifreeze and died. (buried in parents back yard--hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life.) Third became extremely depressed after loosing his sister and wouldnt eat. (burried next to his sister, second hardest thing I've ever had to do) He had kidney problems to begin with and the vet couldnt reverse the damage. Next was my dog of 17 years. She was a Toy Fox Terrier that by the end was blind in one eye, only had 2 teeth, "went" wherever she was in the house, could barley walk, had some infection the vet couldnt cure for soem reason and finally my father and I had to take her to be put down. Last was my German Sheppard. More of an outside dog which "I" feel caused the hip dysplaisia to be much worse had he been allowed to stay inside (parents wouldnt allow it). Now, while "Stupid" was not his real name either it was the only name he answered to. Ask Ed, The dog was a dumb as a box of rocks, but the most playful loving animal I have ever known.

This all happened over the course of 5 years but after going through losing 5 of my closest buddies I just have not been able to bring myself to get any more pets. I kinda feel like I would be ruining their memory if I did that.

If hes suffering and starting to feel the affects of the old age then its the right thing to do. If hes stood by your side through so much then you have to be strong for him now and help him not suffer any more.

Hang in there bro.

 

[retarded pilot]

really sorry to hear about your dog & the decision you HAVE to make ...

different point of view on this though, when i read this to my wife ...she quickly started saying NO NO NO ....she is of the the beleif that your kids would want to be involved with this & be able to say goodbye.

she says this had happened twice in her young life where her dad made the choice you face & had a family dog put down and resents his choice to do it alone to "save her feelings" & yes it would hurt a lot to be there for them but she wishes she had had the chance

anyway sorry to hear about your loss, keep your head up. your making the right choice for him

 

[NCNitro]

Hey buddy, that sucks, I have been there myself, actually twice. But I won't let them suffer, or prolong there pain or suffering to make me feel better. When I had to take my last dog Tasha to be put to sleep, I was a complete wreck! She was the absolute best dog I had ever owned, she went everywhere with me for 11 years. She was a Rottweiler Sheppard mix, and was my best friend in the world, and I still miss her tremendously. But I know I did what was best for her, she had cancer that I had had a tumor removed from her leg, but it came back within a year, and she was suffering, so I did one of the hardest things I could ever do. But I sat and held her in my arms, comforting her as she went off to sleep. If you need a bud to talk to, give me a buzz, you have my numbers. I don'ty know if you have ever read this before, but I thought I would post it anyway...

A Dog's Prayer

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside... for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements... and I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth... though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land... for you are my god... and I am your devoted worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the Great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest...and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

--Beth Norman Harris

 

[TacRacing]

I am so sorry Ratzo.

Take care man...

adrian

 

[HeartBreak]

I'm truely sorry to hear that, Ratzo.

About 4 years ago, I had to put down a 17 year old cat. He was loosing weight (kidneys failing), and he wasn't even eating half the time. Given that he was a sealpoint siamese (like the kind you see on TV alot.. grey with the black face), he was more like a fat ol' tabby... Best disposition I've ever seen in a cat... I miss that ol' fuzzball. Only cat I knew that'd play fetch.

It really sucks to lose a pet, especially when they mean as much to you as they do. My dog, when she goes, it's going to be especially difficult. The little idiot (yes, that's what I call her... and she responds to it) means the world to me.

Hopefully you'll be able to find a critter that will help ease the pain (because no one will ever take ol' Stupid's place).

 

[beason]

sorry about your loss rat. we took a dog to the animal shelter once because it was to big and hyper for our small apartment. right befor we left they told us they were going to put it down because it was part pittbull. me and my fiance both teared up. i can't emagine having to do that after 10 years. our prayers are with you my friend.

 

[jon2]

Man I am sorry to hear this. I have yet yo have a pet that long but it sounds like losing a family member. He will be in a place with no pain and have nothing but places to run and play.

I will pray for you and your friend.

Jon

 

[4u2nv]

Man I'm sorry to hear about this. Losing a pet is hard as hell. I lab died last May and burying it was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I feel your pain bro. Give me a jingle if ya wanna talk or something. Ya know the number man. Take care!!

 

[RatzoRC]

Thanks for all your support guy's.
He just ate a perkins cheeseburger, open face turkey sandwich, fries, and mashed potato's with gravy.

Retarded, I didn't want to bring the kids because of there ages. I understand what your wife is saying, But 2-6 is too young to understand or try to figure death out.
My older son knows it's going to happen but not when.
He doesn't want to be a part of it.

Time to go now.
I'll be back later.
Wish me strength!

 

[sweetdiesel]

Sorry to hear about your pal Ratzo, I had to put our last dog down and there's nothing easy about it. I cried like a baby at the vets office and all the way home. No shame in that. I'm sure you gave him a good life and he's thankful for your care.

 

[SpitFireV12RR]

Sorry man...I was 4 when we put my boxer down...hardest days of my life and I dread the day we'll have to put my black lab down.

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside... for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements... and I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth... though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land... for you are my god... and I am your devoted worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the Great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest...and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

--Beth Norman Harris

That is just overpowering...

 

[jetmechG550]

Hope things well Ratzo. I'm sorry to hear about this. I hate to see dogs suffer, we had to put one of our labs down a couple years ago, she was only two but she just wasn't right. Suffered from seizures and four different vets couldn't figure out why or anything to control them. From all the initial bills and then med costs it got to be a littl too much, then when my daughter was born we figured on two things, not wanting her to see her dog going through that and two we never knew if she would have some sort of problem and slip off the deep end. She used to walk around a do some funny things that kinda worried me, I think there was some brain damage there from the initial seizure.

BTW, wasn't that the dog's name from the "Jerk" with Steve Martin?

 

[ImBroken]

Really sorry to hear Rob... I too have been through it, and it just plain stinks.. I know what your goin through, but watching a friend suffer would be worse..

 

[Vincemaxx119]

I'm sorry to hear Ratzo, but you are doing what's best, you have to think of it that way. Take care.

 

[daakeung]

sorry to hear, must be really tough losing one of your closest companions. It's for the best and hope you are strong

 

[itsme]

Ratzo bro sorry to hear about your dog, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Cheer up RATOE!

 

[RatzoRC]

BTW, wasn't that the dog's name from the "Jerk" with Steve Martin?

The edited version the dogs name was stupid. The unedited version, it was shithead.

Well.....it is done.
Doctor said he was also suffering from severe arthritis in his front legs, but we knew that.
I thought that I would have everything under control, and be strong.
I was wrong.
I called a good friend on the way home that helped me through it.
My wife is very upset, but we will get passed this.
Thanks for all your concern guy's.

Thank you very much.

 

[nitro_freak1]

sorry to hear about that bro.... its gonna be a tuff time with out the dog, just be strong. Things will all come together. just think .. it will be up with the rest of the anumal's playing, eating an sleeping. with no worries at all