Gordon,
My sympathies go out to you. I have a very difficult time losing a pet. Its almost harder for me to deal with than the loss of a relative. I am facing this same situation very soon. Our black lab, Daisy, is in failing health. She will be 16 next month. My youngest ( nearing 18) cannot recall a time when we didn't have Daisy.
This dog has been an incredible survivor, much to the dismay of my wallet. At 7 months she came down with Parvo. That was UGLY! 5 days at the Vet and a big bill later..... Then at about 3 she got hit by a car. Worst injury was a broken tail which healed ok. Another Vet bill. At about 6 she got into some raw salmon a neighbor had discarded. If you don't know, the raw fatty skin of salmon is toxic to dogs! That was another 5 days in at the Vet, with accompanying bill. Lately it was a series of bladder infections that brought on urinary incontinence, much to the dismay of my carpet. Another visit and some medication have corrected this.
Now old age is stealing up on her. She sleeps most of the time. Her hearing is virtually gone, and her eyesight isn't real good. She doesn't get up and move too well, but she still gets excited and tries to run around a little when we come home. I know this is her last season with us, and we aren't looking forward to the inevitable. But she has been a great companion for a long time.
When she was young one of her favorite things was to try to get the kids feet when they would bounce on the trampoline. When she couldn't get the feet, she would settle for stealing their shoes, which she would promptly run away with. The, with help from the kids, she discovered jumping over the fence. That lead to many events scouring the neighborhood trying to figure out where she went this time. She would get bored in the yard and just set out for a walk about.
We also have 3 small dogs. One we recently inherited, and two that we had already. The oldest of these, Tilly, is 7.5lbs of overweight Chihuahua/Pug mix. She is 10, and her favorite spot to ride in the car is nestled on my shoulders behind my neck. She can look out the windows that way and bark viciously at any other dog that has the audacity to also be going for a ride or a walk. She is now showing signs of age as well, with some recently diagnosed arthritis in her hips and knees. Medication seems to be helping.
Anyway, Ive gone on far longer than I intended to. Im sorry for your loss.
Gary
Topic: Had to put down my dog last night. (Read 1490 times)