Being Dogmama Sux

[kaybee]

Dogmama, this thread helped me remember something: Years ago I lived with a partner who had a German Short-Haired Pointer, Brett. Brett was pretty sick when my partner and I broke up. Perhaps six months after the break up, I dreamed that Brett came running down the hill to me, looked in my face, and licked my hand, and then frisked away. When I took my cat in to the vet later that week, he said, "I was so sorry we had to put Brett down." I told him that my ex and I were no longer together, but thanked him for letting me know. Turns out she died the day before the night when she came to me in that dream.

Their spirits never really leave us. (((Dogmama)))

And yeah, I'm rooting for 7/07 for you, too.

Okay, that gave me chills!

KB

[Dogmama]

I don't understand why, but animal spirits seem to be so much more free than ours. My old German Shepherd, Jenny died July 14 and Kati (my German Shepherd that I just lost) was born July 17. Kati's AKC name was: Jenny's Back in Black.

When I was with her while they were giving her the final shot, (crying uncontrollably and holding her head) I knew when her spirit had left. It was the oddest thing and came over me completely unbidden. I knew that the dog I was looking at was no longer Kati. Of course, DH and I still took time, cried, covered her with her favorite blanket, etc.

DH is having a terrible time. He has never been through this and it is bringing up all of his Vietnam memories of buddies who were killed in combat and he never grieved.

[Lise]

DH is having a terrible time. He has never been through this and it is bringing up all of his Vietnam memories of buddies who were killed in combat and he never grieved.

Ah, my heart goes out to him. I hope he has somebody, maybe vet friends or even a counselor, that he could talk to.

[Bluetree]

Dogmama

My condolences on your painful loss. My own family pet is 14 years old and starting to show significant declines for the first time. Her hearing is nearly gone and she sleeps oh so much. We've been lucky in that medication, massage and a lot of TLC are helping her through right now.
I only hope that when the time comes, I show as much courage as you... to realise when enough is enough, to do the most selfless, loving act and let her go.

[emily_in_nc]

I am so sorry for your loss, Dogmama.

Like others here, we have an older pet, our beloved 14.5 year old Pepper, a wonderful, amazing, and ever-entertaining Boston Terrier. She is declining as well, just had a vet appt. this week for tests to figure out if she has diabetes, cushings, kidney failure, or something else entirely. I have been playing telephone tag with the vet since yesterday to get her results, and now have to wait until Monday morning since we were never able to connect. It's just so hard when they get old. I have also had to put down a dog a few years ago - our Lhasa Apso, Columbus, who made it to 15.5 years of age. It is such a difficult thing to have to do, even when it is time.

You never stop missing them, but time does help.

Wishing you peace and healing,

Emily

[HipGnosis6]

My condolences....

I don't know what i'll do when I lose my precious kitties. They're no spring chickens, but they're the only companions I have.

[Kitsune06]

I know... it's so hard knowing that I can't keep my kitties with me... DGF is allergic, so XDH and his gf keep them... I guess they're doing well, and they're happy, but when I visit, they don't remember me. ...and Tsuki pulled me through a very depressing time in my life. I wish there was some way to make dgf unallergic.

[Trek420]

It's true what they say "the only thing wrong with dogs is they don't last long enough"

Trek~reformed cat person now owned by a mutt

[Bad JuJu]

Just reading this now. I'm so very sorry for you and your dh, Dogmama. But as someone else said, it sounds like it was the right thing to do. Still, I know that doesn't make the grieving any easier. Thinking peaceful thoughts for you. (((hugs)))

[DDH]

Dogmomma, I'm so sorry for you and your DH's loss. As many others we two had to put both of our GS dogs down many years ago. One had osteomalitis in his back and eventually could not move his back legs. The other had a stroke or something and things went hair wire with him. The first one my DH was on a hunting trip and was not here for but the second he took in himself and stayed. He came home a mess and was that way for days. It is so very hard to lose them. Reading your post brought back all that all over again. You go on without them, but you never forget their love and the love you have for them. It has been 7 years and we still talk about those two. They were around before we had our DS and a little while after and they were like our children. We have moved on and have two more dogs but they will never be like those two and we don't expect them to be. We love these two also, but I don't think we have ever gotten as close to these two. Not that we don't love them, we do, it's just different ya know.

My heart goes out to you both!!

[SalsaMTB]

Dogmama,

I'm so sorry for your loss. As pet owners, we know that is something we may face in the future, but it doesn't make it any easier. I can't imagine how it will be if/when that time comes for one of my dogs. I'm sure you made the right decision though and your dog is in a better place. It will get easier with time.

With your husband, it's probably good that he is able to finally grieve the losses he had in his past. When I recently lost my grandfather, it helped me to finally grieve the losses of other family members that I wasn't able to at the time. It was extremely hard time, but after I got through it, it helped tremendously.

My thoughts are with you and your dh.

Jenn

[Denise223]

Dear (((((((Dogmama & Hubby)))))))

I looked on the web for "Rainbow's Bridge", and I found this site.....

http://rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm

Wishing you peace, comfort & Love,

Denise

[Dogmama]

I know I'll have another dog but I don't want to rush into anything. I love GSD's, but DH is saying "Don't we want something a little...smaller?" NO! (I reply in my huffy-est voice!) "I only feel safe with a GSD." Truth told, my darling Kati has been mostly deaf & partially blind for several years & wasn't really much of a watch dog. But, just the presence of a German Shepherd is good - even if their muzzle is totally white.

We would walk past little dogs who would be lunging at their leashes barking like crazy - Kati didn't have a clue they were there unless she smelled them. She would just placidly keep walking. In her younger years, she would have been "open for business" on ANY dog that threatened her. Especially the snack-sized ones.

We had this happen repeatedly with a lady in the neighborhood. She would always say, "Oh, these little guys were bitten by a German Shepherd and they always react like this." Meanwhile, Kati is just limping along - no idea these creatures exist. I would tell this woman (repeatedly!) "Lady - as you can see, this old dog is mostly deaf & blind. She has no idea your dogs exist." But, alas, next time we would meet - same thing. Sheesh!

[mtkitchn]

I'm just reading this, dogmama. Very, very sorry to hear of your loss.

[latelatebloomer]

Dogmama, nothing else to say but, been there, & tears & hugs from me.