Why does life have to be so tough sometimes?

[Monkey Wrench]

Reading this brought back many memories, Tom. It's tough to do, no matter what, but it's especially tough to put down a healthy dog.

When my wife and I got married, I had a black lab mix named Kashmir (after the Zepplin song) and she was the absolute best dog I had ever owned. She moved with me from Columbus, to Cincinnati, back to Columbus and then finally back to Cincinnati. She was very, very protective of me and it took some time for Kashmir to get used to my wife.

After my son was born, Kashmir stepped up her aggression level a bit, but still never really lashed out. Vet told me the "mix" part was chow and that they can be aggressive dogs. Sure, we'd have to lock her up in the basement when company came over, but otherwise she seemed fine.

One night I went to the KISS concert with my buddy. Got home and the wife tells me Kashmir bit Noah pretty hard. Ended up having to put her down the next morning.

Got into work, went to my office, closed the door and sobbed until my eyes hurt. I felt like absolute poop and still do, even to this day! I think about Kashmir quite a bit; I miss her. Didn't make it even three hours at work and just had to leave. Went to the county shelter and adopted Heidi, our English Foxhound. About two years ago a friend at work was moving and she had to give up her lab, Ali. She's now a member of our family as well.

Tom, I don't envy you one bit and I know before too long, I'm going to have to make that decision about Ali. She's approaching 13 and her hips are getting arthritic. Thankfully, animal medicine has made great strides, so when it gets unbearable for her, I'm sure we can get her on something, but I know that begins a slippery slope.

I feel your pain, brother, I surely do.

 

[aj200415]

hey dale, i understand completly....My cat to reciently got in bad shape....he gets sick, wont eat/drink, can't use litterbox, and cannot move becuase of pain....we to were deciding this....well he is doing pretty good now, so we will have to c.....I'm there for ya man, my cat is 12, and it is like a best friend....i love this cat, and i cannot let it go....

 

[digger]

Got me thinking about my little dog too.

Never got another, but we have talked about it.
Had a little border collie that almost got hit in front of the house several years ago. A beautiful dog. Smart as hell. Got him in the truck, and he laid his head on my lap. Thought real hard about keeping him.

But, ya could tell he been taken good care of. Real well groomed.
We rode around for almost 2 hrs asking everyone in the neighborhood. Even went to the nearest vet and asked them. Finally decided to take him to the animal shelter. Checked every day to see if the owner had picked him up. They did.
I was sorta disappointed. But I know someone really loved that dog.

Tom, check out the shelter. You'll be saving another animal from being put down.

Damn, guys... I want another dog. Not really home enough to give one a good home though.

 

[Rolex]

I'm on the 6th floor of an apartment complex now, so I couldn't deal with another dog right now. I stop to pet every dog I see, and volunteer at the shelter just so I can get some puppy hugs on a regular basis.
It's me that's now getting old and sick, and I wouldn't want to have a beloved dog making the decision when to have ME put to sleep. It's pretty tough on them.

 

[HeartBreak]

I too have been through what alot of you have been through, more than once...

I had a cat that was a buddy to me since I was 9. He lived to be about 15 years old, before his kidneys started to fail him. He was the best cat I'd ever known. 100 pounds of attitude in a 12 pound bag. He's the only cat I've ever seen slap a doberman twice on the face with both paws at the same time, then once on the rear as the dog walked away. And live. I still get a little teary when I think of him.

The next critter was more my moms' dog than mine, altho she was a family dog. If you've ever seen the Austin Powers movie, that dog was my moms' mini-me, all except the color of the eyes. She lived 12 years, almost to the day, when lymphoma reared its' ugly head. Sometimes I still hear her barking at the mailman.

I dread the day when I have to say goodbye to my dog. I'll miss her when shes' gone. Until then, she gets treats every day, and gets to sleep where she wants (which usually means I get pushed off the side of the bed). I hope it's not for a long time. But, I know it's inevitable.

You just have to stay strong, even though you miss your buddy, and carry on. It's what they would have wanted you to do. Eventually, you'll find a new friend; not to replace, but to enjoy life with, and experience new memories.

 

[Burgers8]

That must be a tough decision. Life can stink real bad some times.

My aunts, uncles cousins and just about every one in my family is allergic to cats. i really want one. there so cute and fuzzy. lol