posted on May 27, 2006 12:44:21 PM
A lot of people, like me have had pets their whole lives. How & why do we become so much more attached to one pet in particular?
Of all the dogs I have owned, (or owned me), Radar has been the most special of all of them to me. When we brought him home that first time, I carried him in the palm of my hand and he snuggled up to me like I had been carrying him this way of years. When his food bowl was placed on the floor he quickly homed in on it, hence his name “Radar”. Instinctively it seems he knew to do his business in the grass when let outside or if he couldn’t get out in time found the papers placed in the corner to do his business. He would irritate my wife by just looking at her when she told him to get down off the sofa, if I told him to get down he would obey immediately.
As he got older, he learned that the sound of my keys jangling meant I was headed out the door, he would run to the door waiting for me to open it. If I told him no he would turn and run back to my chair & jump up in the seat. If I didn’t say anything he would run along side of me to the truck & jump in when I opened the door. When I got into the truck he would immediately jump up on the back of the seat, draping his body behind my neck and the rear window so he could see out the side window as we drove along. He didn’t fidget or squirm around, he was content to be where he was and would (and did) ride this way for hours. When I was out mowing on the riding mower, he had to ride along too, sitting on my left thigh held in place by my left arm.
Yesterday morning, about 4 am, he woke me needing out. I got up and walked outside with him. As he was walking around looking for that perfect spot, his rear legs collapsed and he fell over on his side. He stood up but it happened several more times. I walked over & picked him up thinking, like me he was still half-asleep and brought him back inside. Mid morning, I’m still drinking coffee, Radar is under my desk asleep next to my feet. I got up to get a refill and he jumps up to walk along with me as he usually did. When I got to the coffeepot, I noticed he was having trouble walking and was stumbling. Thinking one of his toenails was too long or had broken or he had cut his foot, I picked him up and checked for obvious injuries. Finding no injuries, I figured his arthritis was acting up and carried him back to his “spot” under the desk next to my feet.
An hour or so later, I get up to start washing dishes & run he vacuum, and notice Radar hadn’t moved from under the desk. I walked back to the desk & heard him snoring. When I started the vacuum, he came out from under the desk but was still having trouble walking. Well that’s enough. Off we go to the vets. While waiting for her in the exam room, I’m holding Radar in my arms and he goes back to sleep and soon is snoring again. Now this really has me worried, he has never acted this way before at the vets.
The vet comes in and I explain what has been happening and place him on the examination table and she starts checking him out. At this point Radar is really listless (very unusual for him). After her exam she tells me it appears he has suffered some neurological event, most likely a brain tumor or stroke that has caused serious nerve damage in three of his legs and chances of recovery is very slim.
Radar was put to sleep while in my arms, yesterday afternoon. I buried him next to his daughter Storm and his big buddy Duster my Great Dane. He was almost 14 years old. I can still feel him on the floor next to my feet. Dam there will never be another dog like him, I have never hurt this much over the death of any of our other dogs.
Radar sleep in peace..........I'll never forget you.
"“More Iraqis think things are going well in Iraq than Americans do. I guess they don’t get the New York Times over there.”—Jay Leno".
posted on May 27, 2006 12:52:38 PM
Oh, bear, I'm so very sorry to hear this! You have me in tears. I'm sure almost all of us here can relate to what you're feeling. Nothing I can say will make you feel better so I'll just say my thoughts are with you.
posted on May 27, 2006 01:19:42 PM Bear, you and your family have my sympathy.
It took a long time to get over putting Chris down. (I guess I still haven't, this brought it back- but remembering her is a good thing....) Jasmine and I were with her, telling her how great she was, what a good dog she was.... when we brought her back home Mark had already dug her grave and we had our own little "service".
It's been 6 1/2 years, I still haven't been able to bring myself to "replace" her....yet. I have to admit, puppies sure are looking adorable lately.
posted on May 27, 2006 01:35:12 PM
Bear...my heart goes out to you. I know what you are feeling. It's been a year since my two Yorkies passed and I still hear them.
So many have told me to go out and buy another couple of Yorkies... but I just can't do it..they can't be replaced. Hang in there,you know that you gave Radar a wonderful life.
Hugs Maggie I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize
posted on May 27, 2006 03:27:53 PM
Bear, that is so sad, I know how you feel, had to put down out mini schnauzer 5 years ago and it still hurts. My wife use to burst into tears when she saw any schnauzer. She had about same thing happen to her, fell over into her water bowl could not stand. I feel for you buddy!.
**************
Some minds are like concrete,
thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
[ edited by irked on May 27, 2006 03:28 PM ]
posted on May 27, 2006 04:06:01 PM
So sorry to hear of your loss Bear.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
People put their hand on the bible, and swear to uphold the constitution. They do not put their hand on the constitution, and swear to uphold the bible.
posted on May 27, 2006 04:12:16 PM
I've been there many times Bear and it's always hard. God bless your old pal. You did the right thing.
____________________________________________
Now We Know... Uninformed People Elect Uninformed Presidents
posted on May 27, 2006 07:08:44 PMMy wife use to burst into tears when she saw any schnauzer. She had about same thing happen to her, fell over into her water bowl could not stand.
posted on May 27, 2006 07:16:26 PM
..... "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"
posted on May 27, 2006 07:36:55 PM
Bear, your loss has brought my own back to surface and I am crying with you tonight. I loved those dogs like they were my babies. I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize
posted on May 27, 2006 08:59:16 PM
It won't go away bear. I mourn for lost horses, dogs, hell even sheep and barn cats who've been part of our lives around here. But you'll find a place in your heart to put him, where he'll stay with you forever.
____________________________________________
Now We Know... Uninformed People Elect Uninformed Presidents
posted on May 27, 2006 10:26:08 PM
Sorry To hear of your your Buddy's misfortune!
I know exactly where your coming from!
All my life I've been a hunter and have had many working dogs.
They come and they go, and I didn't think much of it.
This past winter I had to put one of my best workers/hunters ever, to sleep. Was a hard thing to do, much harder than any of the others. Even though I hadn't worked him in a while now he still meant a lot to me. I've pretty much given up on hunting now that I'm getting older. He was 16.
When I started to loose interest in hunting I decided to by a dog for a pet, something I never considered before.
I bought this little guy
he's 3 years old now.
I never thought I could get so attached to an animal as I've become to him. He's to me as your Radar was to you,he has become my shadow. The thing that really bothers me is, just the other night I was playing with him and a tear came to my eye.
The dumbest Damn thing,I got thinking of how short their lives are and what was I going to do when he's gone!
[ edited by dadofstickboy on May 27, 2006 10:27 PM ]
posted on May 28, 2006 04:31:46 AM
After reading these posts here,I think one thing is universal.If you have ever owned a pet,you realize the love they give you is UNCONDITIONAL.Something humans are unfortunately capable of giving.
So when you lose a pet,that unconditional love is a VERY tough thing to lose-sorry for your loss bear
Just want to say how sorry I am IN CASE YOU didnt understand my expression. I had a siameze cat for 17 years who was more human to me than most people I ever knew. Reading your post I am reminded how we take their affection and companionship for granted, until they're gone from us. I still look at some pictures of her every once in awhile and reflect how much I miss her. I was overwhelmed at you post. Especially how it came up so suddenly and without warning to you. (I also had another feline that died in my arms on the way to the emergency, so despite what anybody is trying to make of it at your loss & expense, I do know the tremendous punch of losing something so dear to one and the impact of being unable to even prepare or steady yourself to what has just happened in such a swift amount of time. It hurts, I know,, ...and I cant believe some 'things' that masquerade as human beings on this board would be as debased as they are to make an issue of it for their own sick amusement.
Thought I'd mention that. ~dbl
edit to add: I cant hardly wait for the rippage into memorial day honors for the living veterans! Fun! Fun! Fun!.. for the mal de mares!
/
posted on May 29, 2006 11:50:01 AM
I've been kind of avoiding this thread because it brings back memories of losing many pets over the years. It's too painfull for me to even think about them and as it is now I don't have a pet because I don't wanna go through that again. I feel your pain, Dude. Sometimes the pain never goes away but you can ease the pain a little by thinking that he's in a better place, running free in Doggy Heaven and eating cheeseburgers for every meal.
posted on May 29, 2006 12:57:06 PM
Isn't it just the worst, Pi? To have these little creatures show us such devotion and humour is beyond words. For a human to affect us in the same way is rare, isn't it? Like Maggie said, getting another pet is difficult when you know what's going to happen. I feel for you too, Pi.
posted on June 26, 2006 03:08:08 PM
Today is 30 days since my buddy departed. In his honor and to make him "part" of me, this is what I have done:
Even before Radar left, I had been thinking of getting a tattoo but never got around to it. "“More Iraqis think things are going well in Iraq than Americans do. I guess they don’t get the New York Times over there.”—Jay Leno".
posted on June 26, 2006 03:53:58 PM
Awwww. Bear, you are still hurting huh. I must have cried for 6 months straight.
I swear it hurt more than would ever have dreamed possible.
I don't think a tattoo would look good on me though.
Bear, you and your family have my sympathy.
