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Post by saintpaddy on Jun 15, 2013 8:07:12 GMT
Eventually I had to admit I was in denial regarding our old dog. The old girl was at the terminal stage of her life so on Thursday we had her put to sleep. We had a sedative administered so that she would not be aware of her final moments. Then while fast asleep she had her final injection,
I know there are many who simply do not understand the bond between dog at it's master/mistress, but it is fierce. Their passing tears you apart.
Now for the first time in almost 50 years there is only myself and my good wife in the house. I say we are too old to consider having another dog although my wife is less convinced. Now we have to restructure our lives and get ourselves sorted.
Virtually all our married life we have had dogs, all living to a ripe old age. One had cancer at twelve and was operated on and lived to over 17 years. This old girl was 17 years and five month's old. We had her from five and a half weeks.
We had the most beautiful Border Collie bitch for 13 years and lost her to cancer 5 years ago. That was hard to bear.
Do you really want to read all this??? An old geezer sat at his computer sniveling?
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Post by Rags on Jun 15, 2013 8:12:19 GMT
Sorry you lost your dog mate. I dread the day I have to do this for our dog.
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Post by Batts on Jun 15, 2013 8:25:50 GMT
Sorry to hear Paddy. I'm a recent convert to dogs, having had cats all my life, and it came as a real surprise to me, the bond that I developed with Lambert. I dread the day.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2013 8:32:16 GMT
I know exactly how you feel, Paddy. I've seen it happen to two of our dogs over the years; too ill to have any quality of life and having to make the hard decision to save them any further distress. Knowing that you were doing what was best for the dog still doesn't mitigate the loss.
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Post by ivangolac on Jun 15, 2013 8:35:26 GMT
Jesus, we're three weeks from getting our first little family puppy.....thanks for that!
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Post by spot51 on Jun 15, 2013 9:10:35 GMT
The original Spot dropped dead in our garden but we had to have Ben and Patch put down; dreadful days but a duty for any dog owner. The day after Patch went we found Rosie and Rover and put a deposit down. The month we had to wait until they were old enough to leave their mum seemed like an age.
Not sure we'll be getting more puppies after these - certainly nothing as lively as cockers. But providing I'm still able to look after a dog I'm determined to get another - possibly a smaller dog, possibly a rescue dog. The Dogs Trust and the RSPCA have lots of dogs looking for good homes.....
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Post by melrose on Jun 15, 2013 9:14:52 GMT
Your not too old to have another dog - even a new puppy. Most dogs do keep you young, with the walks etc. There's always the middle aged pooch option from the shelter as well, if you are feeling unduly pessimistic.
I know its sad to loose a family member, but, after a suitable period, a new dog in a good home will be a good thing for all concerned..
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Post by THE BEAST on Jun 15, 2013 9:53:01 GMT
sorry to hear that Paddy, I've always had dogs and I can't imagine not having any, although they are Dependent and you have to look after them and arrange Your life around them the house always feels very empty without them being there.
I had put one down when he went mental, tried to bite my child's face off after years of being Manageable, He was a rescue dog and we didn't have kids when we got him so I guess that was down to us And it was better than having a nibbled child. You know, even with that being the case, I can still see him and his last minutes in my mind, They are family and it's weird but true.
As others have said to you already, you will get back on the horse, just go for a different type of dog that doesn't need so much exercise and they will fit in around you and still be there for you. I've had lots of different kinds of dogs and they all have their own character and plusses and minuses, even the mental ones I loved to bits, sorry again for your loss.
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Post by Mandochris on Jun 15, 2013 9:57:15 GMT
Sorry to hear that Paddy. I have also had to do that. One got run over and the other had cancer in the spine at 10. I have so far gone without since. But I know the pain.
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Post by dorsetsaint on Jun 15, 2013 17:26:01 GMT
Sorry to hear that Paddy. I've had dogs all my life so I understand how you feel and you have my sympathy. Your thoughts on having another dog will crystalize as time goes by and your reluctance at the moment is only natural. I would echo what Melrose said though in that you're not too old to have a dog. However, if you feel that you don't want the hassle of a new pup then have a think about a rescue greyhound. Despite their racing career and natural hunting instincts they do not need loads of exercise and they are the most gentle and laid back of creatures with a lovely nature. It's a win/win situation - you get a new dog and the dog gets love, home and a life.
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Post by saintpaddy on Jun 15, 2013 18:17:03 GMT
Jesus, we're three weeks from getting our first little family puppy.....thanks for that! You will soon realise what a treasure it is to have a dog in your family. Enjoy.
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Post by Furry Frank The Combat Wombat on Jun 15, 2013 20:21:33 GMT
Sorry to hear that Paddy, I've never had a dog but we had to have our cat put down last year and it was a wrench even if he was a bit mental.. (he went out fighting despite the cancer, though, and bit the vet as she put him down.)
We were glad in the end that we'd just got a kitten, even though she is now the one with epilespy FFS.
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Post by channonite on Jun 16, 2013 7:37:16 GMT
Sorry to hear this Paddy. We don't have a dog, but we do 'dogsit' our son and daughter-in-law's Tibetan Terrier on a pretty frequent basis. In fact she is coming to stay with us overnight tonight. It means an early night and early morning, but she is great fun. She was a rescue dog, but only very young. She was on the verge of being put down in Ireland, but the Dogs Home in Bath brought a load of them over here and managed to find homes for them all.
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Post by Furry Frank The Combat Wombat on Jun 16, 2013 8:27:22 GMT
Sorry to hear this Paddy. We don't have a dog, but we do 'dogsit' our son and daughter-in-law's Tibetan Terrier on a pretty frequent basis. In fact she is coming to stay with us overnight tonight. It means an early night and early morning, but she is great fun. She was a rescue dog, but only very young. She was on the verge of being put down in Ireland, but the Dogs Home in Bath brought a load of them over here and managed to find homes for them all. My Aunt used to breed Tibetan Terriers.. funny things, when they were standing still I couldn't tell which end was which!
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Post by jickster on Jun 16, 2013 18:38:40 GMT
Yeah, sorry to hear that Paddy. You say that people might be confused by the bond between dog and master, but I know exactly what you mean and all the dogs that have been part of our family through my life have been just that- part of the family, and when they pass on it is just the same as losing any member of your family. I'm sure you can find a place for another dog in your life, the rescue route might be a good path for you.
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