Pets, you know they are part of the family

[MarkEkberg]

Originally Posted by OMCUSNR

Mark,

Did you ever find a new pup or settle on a name?

OMC

I am looking at back surgury about the same time the pups will be ready to go. I am thinking of still getting him.

Names are down to Squirt, Mr. Peabody, and Sherrif.

[anniejrt]

when my Jack russell terrier got sick in March 2003, we spent about $3,000 in a week to save her. I didn't know that her sickess was almost always fatal until 5 days into the ordeal. I had to try to save her bc of my love for her. I still miss her terrible.
Fast forward to Nov. My husband rescued a German Shepard that is a nutcase. he has required 3 surgeries bc he has eaten crap(due to severe seperation anxiety) and it tore up his innards. Lots and lots of moolah. any more issues with him-he is taking a one way trip to the vet. no questions, I won't have a problem putting him to sleep. differences are how attached you are to the pet, your monetary resourses and what's going on. this dog is on Prozac, we tried Xanax-he is causing the problems himself bc he's a nutcase(I'm being polite in just saying he's a nutcase

[milo55]

I love all my dogs dearly, my wife would say more than I love her. In my opinon it would come to the quality of life that my friend would have after exhausting all the medical alternatives. If all the suffering would only be to help me and not my friend I would have to call it. As a matter of fact, this is the same way I would approach the situation if my friend were human.

[arisley]

Originally Posted by eagleeye

I have had my "Abby" for 7 years. I am as about attached to her as a man can be to a dog. My kids love her. I have pictures with the kids and Abby the day we brought them home from the hospital. I would do anything to defend or protect her. However, if she was suffering greatly, I would let the natural cycle take its course. Everyone's thoughts will be different on this subject, but I don't believe in using a lot of resources to prolong the life, or perhaps the suffering, of an animal whose natural life expectantcy is relatively short when compared to our own.

Right there with you, if it can be fixed it will be fixed, I have seen dogs live healthy happy three legged lives. My Uncle did not move any furniture in his house for three years so his dog that went blind knew where it was, he was a happy dog. However, if the dog was injured or sick and would suffer or never heal, I would not only let nature take it's couse, but would have the dag put down. I had to do it last year with my German Shepherd Yasko, he developed brain tumors and was having siezures. Held him in my arms while he was passing and cried like a baby.

Had a new Standard Poodle named TJ, in two months, wasn't looking, he found me and said he wanted to be my dog. The breeder is friends and said he was a problem puppy and I was the first person that he would pay any attention to.

[redneckinsac]

Thougth my dog had an absessed tooth back in Aug. Took her to the vet and was told it was some type of ulcer. Had biopsi down. Vet said not cancer. Grew back in Dec. Went back to vet. Said it must have grown back. Asked about her coughing. Took chest xray. Found tumors in her lung. Took the old girl to a cancer specialist. Come to find out the ulcer was a raging cancer, had gotten into blood and caused tumor in lung. (misdiagnosis by vet. Could have cought earlier. Malpractice?) Anyway, 4 radiation treatments on the tumor in the tissue in her head and $5k later, she's doing better. She's 11 and have had her longer than my 2 daughter. When I found out what the bill was going to be, I asked myself "would I be questioning the money if it was one of my daughters?" No. Plus didn't want to have to explain Brownie passing on to my girls. As long as she is not in pain and not suffering, I will do my best to keep her around as long as possible.

[Larry S.]

Long story,
It was one week ago today we put my Wife's Lhasa Apso down. Never thought I'd get so attached to a little mutt but I did. A year and two months ago he got very sick. He was diagnosed with lymphoma and we were given the choice of a very large bill to try to pull him through, with a life expectancy of 1 to no more than two years, or put him down. We chose to give him a chance to live a while longer. Initial treatment made big improvement. Then he went into a chemo sequence. He seemed to be getting along well. In late spring he started itching badly and as the summer went on the itch got worse and worse. Between the itch and chemo he was going bald. He itched so bad he would cry, yes he cried. The vet couldn't figure out what the itch was and by Fall he gave us and estimate of $800 to $1100 to do a special test to isolate the itch. Cosmo was now also having side affects from the chemo and we chose to pull him off all medications and see what would happen. The chemo effects went away but the itch just got worse. We went to another vet and described the itch and all symptoms. She diagnosed it as Walking Dandruff and started treatment immediately. Within three days the itching began to subside. By late Fall he was looking like nothing had happened, hair was back and he was begging to play fetch every night. The cancer did not return. But in the last couple months he would have days when he didn't seem to be feeling well. A week and a half ago he showed signs of being sick. Within three days he was so sick he couldn't walk. Diagnosis, severe diabetes with possible liver infection. Estimate for treatment and possible survival as a diabetic, $3000-$4000. We had spent near $5000 for the cancer treatment, and would do it again. I was ready to give him a chance but wife said this was more than was wise to spend when he would still be a diabetic with limited lifespan. We went home and I dug a grave in the greenhouse, garden was frozen, while my wife arranged to have him put to sleep.

In conclusion: I've had many dogs in my life and it hurt when each one passed on. But this dog became special to me and I was willing to try anything to give him a chance at continuing his life to at least his normal lifespan. Foolish it may have been but I'd do it again for a dog so special.

[ButcherGY54]

My wife and I do not have kids so ours dogs are it for us. Our dog Caliber was diagnosed with nasal cancer Oct. 2005. They gave her 3 months to live with no treatment. With treatment 9 months to 1 year. We went all out and was worth every penny($20K). She had a good life up to the day she passed in my arms in her own backyard, 12/27/06 3:15AM. She was 11 years old and still a puppy at heart. We still miss her dearly.

David

[Kanman]

This past November I lost my best friend, the runt of the litter and the best hunting dog you could ever hope to own. My German Shorthair was 15 in human years.

I had left her with family to baby sit while I went out of town for a month, as I had done a million times before.

While I was away she was attacked (we think she had a seizure) by two other dogs. $1500 in vet bills later she had a permanent limp (done bird hunting forever) but still as playful and happy as a puppy. Months later, lets just say for simplicity sake that she was attacked again; just different circumstances, but this time she had lost too much blood and it didn't seem fair to put her through that pain again. She was put to sleep.

I am as rough and tough as any guy you'll ever meet, but I cant even think about losing my old dog with out shedding a tear. I lost family that I didn't give half a crap about compared to my dog. This sucks, and I feel like I will never get over losing her.


These words don't really help much. Just make me feel worse, but maybe they will help somebody else. Who ever this gal is she knows a dogs heart.

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 footsteps 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.

by Beth Norman Harris.

[Motrack]

Ive been reading this and decided to tell my story...........


I lost my wife a few years ago after a 3 year battle with cancer. We had no children but always had a dog or two around and for what was to be her last birthday I got her a male yorkie puppy.

Best money I ever spent!! We named him Gizmo and he made even her worst days a little better. He became her protector, buddie, playmate, and endless source of laughs until the end.

Cant go into great detail cause its just too hard to tell this story but in the end she went peacefuly and with a smile as her buddie Gizmo licked her hand while lieing next to her.

I have pictures and memories but Gizmo is the only living link I have to her and I truly believe I would not have survived her loss with out him. He goes most places with me and has never met a stranger.

I tend to be overprotective of him and he is spoiled but I also will spend my last dollar to give him a long, happy, healthy life.

He was great therapy for Kelli in her struggle with illness and acceptance of death and hes great therapy for me as I struggle to move forword.

I guess in short........ nothing is too good for my little dog.

Rob

[07HEMI4ME]

My Jack Russell Terrier (SAMI) is 14.5 years old, and has been diagnosed with lymphoma, that was about two months ago, at that time the Dr. guessed she would have about 2-3 months left. She is still around but her nodes are getting bigger and I know it will not be too much longer.

She still gets excited about meal time, treats and her walks, so I do not want to put her down yet, she has just started to scratch at her neck where the lymph nodes are and when she does she will moan a little but it is not long.

She has been a GREAT dog the Best I have ever had, heck she has been with us longer than my youngest son (13). I am not looking forward to THAT day even though I know it is approaching.

[buck350]

When I was growing up on this small farm we used to have beagles and bassett hounds. Those dogs would eat anything they could catch. It was all bellies full of mice at baling time. All of those dogs seemed to live long and healthy lives without ever seeing a veterinarian. Now the last four dogs that I have had all were taken to the vet each year for the recommended shots. All four died from some sort of cancer. All were eight years old or younger. They were three dobermans and a german shorthaired. The last dog I had was that german shortharied. I lost her on 12-13-2006 and there's not a day goes by I don't think about her. After reading some of the posts from you gentlemen about your feelings toward your dogs I guess I'm not so weird after all. I will probably get another dog someday, and I know many will disagree with me but ,other than emergencies, no dog of mine will see another vet. to get their annual dose of poison.
Best, Buck

[barnbuilder]

Two years ago Christmas my stepkids gave me a Bernese Mountain Dog. I wanted one since I was a teenager. My wife and kids had never had a dog and it was a big step for them. Last spring Annie, the dog, ate 6 rocks that had to be removed at the cost of $1500. Three months later she ate a 4" corncob, which I threw out in the woods, it too was removed and another $1000 was removed from my wallet. Last Sunday I got out of bed to get ready for church. Went to feed Annie and she didn't come up to eat. I knew what it was, yes she ate 2 rocks again. Tuesday I picked her up at the vet, left them $1200 and we went home. I ordered a muzzle for her because if I didn't she is going to kill herself ingesting things that will not pass. And my wallet can't take the pain.

But what do you do? Tell your kids you had to put her down because you can't afford to keep paying bills for a dumbarse dog that doesn't know what she can't eat? If anyone has any suggestions let me know. And Yes they all love her as much as I do. Thay call everyday from college to check on her.

Greg and Annie

[IA712]

Buck350 - I hear what you're saying. I had a friend who turned me onto a book which I now swear by. He had an Alaskan Husky that was diagnosed with cancer and given 2-3 months to live. He found this book and changed what he fed his dog, and added a few supplements and the dog lived another 4 years.
The book is called 'The Nature of Animal Healing" by Dr. Goldstein. I challenge anyone to read the chapter in that book on dog food and vaccinations (commercial) and then wonder why our pets don't live past 10-15.
He makes several good points, that is why we give our pets Titer tests to determine what vaccinations and when.
One of our MinPins has severe allergies, we were having to give him shots once a week to 'desensatize' his immune system. Vet told us this would surely shorten his life, as it would be hard on his internal organs. When we started following the food guidelines in that book, we haven't had to give him a shot in 7 years.

[FloridaEd]

We don't have any children. We do and have had small lap-rats. We have built new wings on animal hospitals treating our various animals. It's a sad commentary on the human condition, but our pets have always had better health care than most of the humans in the world.... but it's my money and my dog(s).

Like 67% of other pet owners, our lap-rats sleep with us. Their job is to wake up Daddy (we talk to them like they're our children, which is subject to argument) in case of danger. They don't have to protect us.. I have a shotgun for that.

Our situation is a bit unique, so I doubt you can realistically judge most folks by us. We'd spend a LOT of money to save the lives of our dogs.

Some friends of ours were be-rating us one day for a huge bill for one of our dogs who had diabetes. Tough. I like my dogs more than most people and I take care of them.

Ain't I just like an old flatulater?

Florida Ed

[07HEMI4ME]

Originally Posted by 07HEMI4ME

My Jack Russell Terrier (SAMI) is 14.5 years old, and has been diagnosed with lymphoma, that was about two months ago, at that time the Dr. guessed she would have about 2-3 months left. She is still around but her nodes are getting bigger and I know it will not be too much longer.

She still gets excited about meal time, treats and her walks, so I do not want to put her down yet, she has just started to scratch at her neck where the lymph nodes are and when she does she will moan a little but it is not long.

She has been a GREAT dog the Best I have ever had, heck she has been with us longer than my youngest son (13). I am not looking forward to THAT day even though I know it is approaching.

So much for this post..

We had to put Sami down last night, very heart wrenching for the whole family. I/we miss her already, I did not sleep much at all last night.