The track will be a bit different this season...
we put Chief down this morning...
It was about the most difficult decision we've ever had to make, and it's taking a bite out of the family for sure.
With his age (11 yrs), he's had a number of small health problems creeping up on him. Teeth that were badly deteriorated, arthritis in both his hips, lumps & bumps galore and an unmistakable "air" about him. None of that was a real big issue, but he started losing weight a while ago. Just under 10 lbs since late September. About a month ago he started losing control of his bladder pretty regularly. If he was in the house for more than 3-4 hours, or overnight, he peed... Then earlier this week he began throwing up constantly. Everything he ate, he threw up. He ate stuff just to throw it back up. He was still pooping so we figured he'd get over it. 2 days ago he ate a pretty big chunk of our living room carpet. Enough to ruin it and piss me off, but it needed replacing anyhow.
Well, last night, he ate almost his entire bed. We took him to the vet this morning where x-rays showed a massive wad of material in his stomach. It was huge. Like soccer ball huge.. In this was also a coin, a Christmas ornament hook and some other metal.
This wasn't something he would pass or be able to throw back up like he had done so many times in the past. The options were very limited. Surgery or put him down.
After spending about 2 1/2 hours weighing options and trying to figure out what was right, we came to the tough decision that he should be put down. Jennifer and I both cried our way through it, but stayed with him and fed him way too many treats before he went under.
As I type this, my head is still pounding from crying all damned day over that goofy dog. The whole scenario is still surreal. It just sucks being a grown up some days...
And in the end, despite my continual promises to make a wallet out of them, I let ole fat boy keep his ears. LOL... sigh... :wah:
kids & dogs... kids & dogs... :wah: :wah: :wah:
(https://www.ccsforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbr600rr.com%2Ftemp%2Fchief.jpg&hash=532041dac3764ce6fe95ffb13fdfd03e665e9a20)
Reminds me of when we had to put our cat, Erte' down. He had diabetes and we found out only after his organs began to fail.
People may not think its a big deal if they don't have animals, but they become family. I'm so sorry for your loss.
My condolences, I've been there Jeff and no matter how old you get it doesn't get any easier.
I'm very sorry for your loss.
Thanks guys... It's funny, as much of a pain in the ass as he could be he was just a complete mainstay of the house and our family . 11 years...
my condolences jeff. only saw him for a few minutes the day i was there. but he was a friendly fella. I had an australian sheprd growing up that was the coolest dog ever. it sucks for sure, but what's best is just best. my condolences non-the-less
im sorry for the loss Jeff
pets are like family
I'm so sorry. No dog ever took T1 at Gingerman like the Chiefster lookin for a spot to drop a steamer! Putting dogs to sleep is one of the hardest things to do. They are like our kids. Having a place like this to get it out helped me back then.
Godspeed Chief.
:wah:
Brian's right, pets are family.
I'm very sorry Jeff....
Thanks guys...
As I sit here scratching the heads of my two loving dogs, my heart goes out to you Jeff. What a heartbreaking decision to have to make. I don't know what the hell I'll do when that day comes at my house. :wah:
Meaning absolutely no disrespect and saying this only as a way of trying to help, they put down perfectly good dogs by the dozen at the shelter every day. Your new best friend is just waiting to meet you, and he doesn't have much longer to wait....
LOL... no disrespect taken.. Chief, believe it or not, was a shelter puppy. We got him, purebred basset, from a shelter at 10 months of age because his owner couldn't deal with him chewing up the furniture (like what the hell do you think a puppy does?!?). At that time, the wife was home with the kids all day, so it worked.
The biggest thing that caught us was the bark. It was loud enough to shake the walls and we fell in love with it and everything else that came with him...
Too soon to think of getting another dog, but perhaps someday... For now Jazzy just gets spoiled with the extra affection. She'll need it too, having lost the old man of the house.
Sorry to hear this Jeff.
Sorry to hear about Chief....
Been there, done that many times. You would think a person would get used to it, but you never do. But the tears of sorrow you shed are tiny in comparison to the years of love that animal gave to you.
Dawn
That sucks... Sorry to hear it.
My condolences. My dogs are like children to me. I cant imagine how dificult it must have been. I hope I never have to make a decision like that any time soon!!!!
Sorry to hear this news Jeff. Been there with cats and dogs and it never gets easier. The little critters sure get into your heart don't they?
DAMN the hardest thing to do after losing a 4 legged family member is to convert the agonizing of the loss to a memory of the good times- and the humorous times( at some point you will,some)- When i went to the all night vet to put Sierra down,hate those words, i went in told lady at desk i needed to put her to sleep , then i saw a bunch of oreos and snacks- i asked her if i could have some for my dog, she said chocolate isnt good for dogs... :err:... My Family has and does own various dog training boarding,hidden fencing businesses here in nj, I feel your pain Jeff- the only dogs that outlive us are the last ones - so we pay a big price for the love of them- they easily pay it back- one more doggy note- I am not the sharpest tool in any shed when it comes to understanding the people i come in contact with but dogs and cats(and the treatment of them by people, tells me all i need to know- alexa is big hearted,K3 and now i know more about you- sorry for your loss-john
Hey Jeff, I'm very sorry to hear about your family's loss.
Our 10-year old lab (also named Chief!) is starting to show signs of his age and I've been dreading the idea of life without him.
Remember the good times...
It's tough when you lose a good one, and IMHO, not much less difficult even when you lose a PITA, vet-bill gobbling rescue dog like my Irish Setter who died a few years ago. Who, by the way, had as sweet a disposition as the best of them. Good or "difficult", I think the more work and effort you put into them the more you feel the loss. And yet, the work and effort are often well worth it.
Sorry...
definitely worth the pain in the ass. LOL...
Heading out bowling now with the kids. Thanks for the comments & support everyone.
That is really hard losing a pet who is so much a part of your family!
My world partially revolves around my dogs. Having 2 pitbulls is definitely "high maintenance" There are definitely times I would consider them to be a PITA, but I would be devastated if I lost one of my dogs as you and your family are. My condolences to you and your family Jeff.