posted on September 1, 2000 03:43:03 PM new
I had to make the hardest decision that a pet owner has to make today. Tomorrow morning I will be with my Ladybug when she will be given her eternal rest. I will miss her so much. She was a shelter dog and I really have been blessed to have her love and companionship. She is eleven and has bladder cancer. Her quality of life, what little would be left, would not be good, it would be filled with either pain or painkillers. As much as I want her around, I can't let her suffer. Please add a prayer for Lady tonight, and if you're considering getting a dog, please rescue one from your local shelter.
posted on September 1, 2000 04:03:21 PM new
My dog is on his last leg too. He has heart problems and is on medication. I would have to do the same thing if I were in your position. It is much better than suffering. Perhaps after all of this has passed you can get another dog to love. Its sounds as though you were a great dog mommy. I will say a prayer for your dog...I'm really sorry.
posted on September 1, 2000 04:14:53 PM new
pook47:
I had to make this decision a few years ago.
It is very very hard but your doing the best thing you can for the poor baby.
She was blessed to have you to love and care for her.
I'll tuck you both in my prayers tonite.
posted on September 1, 2000 04:23:59 PM new
EPITAPH TO A DOG
NEAR this spot
Are deposited the Remains
of one
Who possessed Beauty
Without Vanity,
Strength without Insolence,
Courage without Ferocity,
And all the Virtues of Man
Without his Vices.
This Praise, which would be unmeaning flattery
If inscribed over Human Ashes,
Is but a just tribute to the Memory of
"Boatswain," a Dog
Who was born at Newfoundland,
May, 1803,
And died at Newstead Abbey
Nov. 18, 1808.
When some proud son of man returns to earth,
Unknown to glory, but upheld by birth,
The sculptor's art exhausts the pomp of woe,
And storied urns record who rests below.
When all is done, upon the tomb is seen,
Not what he was, but what he should have been.
But the poor dog, in life the firmest friend,
The first to welcome, foremost to defend,
Whose honest heart is still his master's own,
Who labors, fights, lives, breathes for him alone,
Unhonored falls, unnoticed all his worth,
Denied in heaven the soul he held on earth-
While man, vain insect! hopes to be forgiven,
And claims himself a sole exclusive heaven.
Oh man! thou feeble tenant of an hour,
Debased by slavery, or corrupt by power-
Who knows thee well must quit thee with disgust,
Degraded mass of animated dust!
Thy love is lust, thy friendship all a cheat,
Thy smiles hypocrisy, thy words deceit!
By nature vile, ennobled but by name,
Each kindred brute might bid thee blush for shame.
Ye, who perchance behold this simple urn,
Pass on-it honors none you wish to mourn.
To mark a friend's remains these stones arise;
I never knew but one-and here he lies.
posted on September 1, 2000 04:55:20 PM new
You have my sympathies. We have lost dogs and cats both, and it is tough. How brave you are to make that hard choice to do what is best for your pet, even though it is breaking your heart.
My sympathies to you at this sorrowful moment. Rest assured that you are doing a wonderful thing by being an advocate for your beloved Lady. There is no love like dog love, and I’m sure that your life is richer for having Lady in it.
Good advice about the adoption - we actually rescued a sweetie today... “Sadie”, a Chihuahua/Terrier mix, 12 weeks old. Hopefully, in the future, you will once again find that “special one” to bring you joy.
posted on September 1, 2000 06:17:00 PM new
I went through this with Violet, a shelter dog with a history of serious abuse (e.g. missing teeth, half an ear gone). She was a Border Collie and 7 when I got her. Smartest, most loveable dog I've ever known.
She made it to 12. First she went deaf, then blind, then incontinent, then (surprise) she got a little addled and finally didn't recognize anybody and started to snap at not only us, but invisible monsters in the air. She was obviously both psychologically miserable and in some considerable pain from arthritis, and peed herself every time she fell asleep. Even so she was always obedient (old habits die hard) and I kept her clean and well-groomed.
I finally made the Big Decision and took her down to the vet to be euthanized. While we were waiting a woman on one side asked me why I'd brought my dog in, and I told her. "How could you DO that?!?" she yelled at me. "She's obviously perfectly fine!!". Uh, no, she's behaving herself because she's got more dignity than you'll ever have, Lady. I gave her a couple cat treats (always had a weakness for kitty food), the doc slipped the IV in and we said goodbye, and she just drifted off (and peed me one more time).
I hope I go as easily and well-loved as Violet did Our animals depend on us to make all the tough decisions, including when to let go. It's the least we can do for all that devotion. You did the right thing.
[ edited by HartCottageQuilts on Sep 1, 2000 06:17 PM ]
posted on September 1, 2000 07:50:06 PM new
Pook, this is one of the most difficult things to do. It is a grave responsibility, yet so little in comparison with all one has received. My heart goes out to you.
Serendipity & Peace...
posted on September 1, 2000 08:48:07 PM new
O Ladybug, did Peter fit a halo to your little head?
And did he fluff a pillow for your
little bed?
Tell me the angels understand,
That a little dog in a stange, new land
Needs some gentle hands to hold,
And tender arms that will enfold.
Please, dear Saints in shining white,
Hold Ladybug close, in your arms, tonite.
You have my deepest sympathy, and profound understanding.
posted on September 1, 2000 09:20:39 PM new
I'm so very sorry. I have gone though this so many times. It never is easy but it's the ultimate in love and caring that you can give. I miss all of them, they each have a special place in my heart. We will meet again at the Rainbow Bridge.
posted on September 1, 2000 11:20:25 PM newCorrdogg What an adorable pup -
Pook47 I think all pet owners and lovers know what a tough and noble decision you've made. Ladybug is lucky that your willing to ease her pain even when it causes you great pain. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
posted on September 2, 2000 12:46:36 AM newpook 47: I so feel for you . All that makes them suffer so , is so hard for us to bear . Hopefully , you will feel that you did something loving for Ladybug right to the end ; as your dear pet friend I'm sure has felt for you .
Below is a memoriam to one of my dear family pets who required the same wrenching , but merciful , decision . For any who care to share , if not too painful .
" Bill, our cowdog ( heeler mix )
Would jump off creekbanks, chasing sticks.
He'd run the bulls off , chase the truck ,
Fall in the ditch and spread the muck
All through the house , and neighbours' farms ;
Then fall into our daughter's arms
And both would fall asleep.
The fretful child and gangly pup
Were sparring pals , whilst growing up ;
But like the contours of a chair
They wrapped around each other's air
And made a place to sit.
In later years he was well known ;
And with personna all his own
He'd pant , and yodel ; strut his stuff
And mark the tires , belch , fart , ..enough!
Then lick "himself " to death !
Yet when we moved into the town
So joyfully did he lay down
And roll in pleasure on the lawn
And get to sleep indoors past Dawn !
He embraced the golden years.
Blind in one eye , his hearing shot ,
Sign language was the way we got
His ailing hips , heart , lungs and knee ,
Down the garden steps , to pee .
He told us ...make the call.
He rallied round , that final day ,
I swear he heard the family say
We love you , now " go get 'em up "
He jumped on in , just like the pup
We'd known him once to be.
He licked the vet , relaxed his jaws ,
And laid his head between his paws
While I was wondering " when to cry ? "
" Who'll be the first to say goodbye ? "
He smiled the Sign of Peace.
posted on September 2, 2000 10:03:22 AM new
Thank you all so much, your support has helped in diffucult time. I love the image of Ladybug with a halo. We got to visit with her for an hour before the vet gave her the shot. She got tummy rubs, her butt scratched and best yet, chocolate kisses. The look on her face as she got real chocolate was priceless, she had a look of pure enjoyment and bliss. She went to heaven with chocolate breath and with great peace and dignity. She will be remembered with great love. We took all her leftover food to the shelter, plus made a donation in her name. Corrdogg, good luck with your new friend. Bless you and beautiful Sadie and I hope you have many wonderful years together.
posted on September 2, 2000 03:13:58 PM new
Pook47
I am so sorry for your loss. This thread has made me cry. I had to put my lovely lacy (cat) to sleep a few months back and it was the hardest thing i ever had to do. I know how hard that is and we all know you made that decision out of love. You are a very warm and caring person. It takes special people to love their pets like that. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow and hopefully when this gets better for you you will find another special baby to love and care for.
posted on September 2, 2000 07:30:44 PM new
OH MY GOD!!! uglimouse, I am literally sobbing!!!!
Pook47 - I am so sorry for you and your family. I just don't know what else to say.
I posted this link several months ago. It's to a site called "The Virtual Pet Cemetery." You can go there and post your memories of Ladybug, even upload a photo to go with your tribute. It will be preserved for others to read and see, or for you to return to when the mood strikes you. It's a very sincere site. Here's the url:
http://www.mycemetery.com/my/pet_menu.html
posted on September 2, 2000 08:20:23 PM new
"She went to heaven with chocolate breath and with great peace and dignity"
That is a beautiful thing you just said. And Im so sad this happened, but then, Im so glad that you were what your love thought you were....her friend to the end.
I've read this thread and I kept wanting to post. I was afraid to say anything that would hurt. I still miss my once in a lifetime dog. It hurts less all the time tho. You spoke of giving chocolate. What a wonderful thing!!!! Finally to taste chocolate Not many people would have thought of that!
Mine was a Great Dane, his last meal was the choicest roast I could buy. He used to be able to eat turkey leftovers in 1 minute flat, but that roast....he couldnt eat it all. That's when I KNEW I was right to put him down.
I miss him still, but I smile still remembering him. Best damn dog I ever had in my life.
posted on September 2, 2000 08:33:34 PM new
Everytime I read that passage about the chocolate breath, I tear up again. Now, there is a man, with white robes, getting chocolate kisses all over His face from a chocolatey tongue
posted on September 2, 2000 11:31:36 PM new
The tears are at the corners of my eyes as I type...We all know you are doing the right thing, but that fact does NOT make it easier.
I often think back to my best "huntin buddy" and HIS dog....Cubby would get SO upset if we didn't take him hunting (he seemed to KNOW the time of year), that when he was 14 we had to LIFT him into the pickup. His last season he was deaf and had lost his sniffer...15 men spent 3 hours trying to find him in a slough...and we ALL loved that dog to the bottom of our souls...most of us had hunted with Cubby for at LEAST 10 years....that was the last time Cubby hunted.
I share your sorrow pook....my thoughts and prayers are with you!!!
Keith
I assume full responsibility for my actions, except
the ones that are someone else's fault.
posted on September 10, 2000 02:45:08 PM new
pook47 - Just wanted you to know that I was thinking about this thread, and I hope you and yours are OK. (Well, as OK as can be expected anyway.)
posted on September 10, 2000 04:14:45 PM new
Thank you, shellsputer. We're doing okay, but it's tough coming through the door each evening and not getting greeted with a happy dog. The image of Ladybug with a halo and St. Peter with a chocolate covered face has helped me through many difficult moments. I really appreciate all the kind thoughts and support during this time.
Our animals depend on us to make all the tough decisions, including when to let go. It's the least we can do for all that devotion. You did the right thing.