Au revoir to an old trooper

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MikeBrough -> Au revoir to an old trooper (7/11/2012 8:06:30 PM)
Totally off topic but I had to share with someone. We've just had our poodle of 12 years put down - old, arthritic, blind and deaf (and that's just me). It was me that had to act the hard man and do the dirty deed. Took him into the vet this afternoon, held his paw and stroked his head as he slipped away. Kept a stiff upper lip as I told the family he was gone. I hate being the dad all the time. Why can't I be the 12 year old sometimes and just sit in the corner and bawl my eyes out?

Josh -> RE: Au revoir to an old trooper (7/11/2012 9:53:10 PM)
A dog is a man's best companion. I vividly remember the day I had to put asleep my old dog, damn that was one of the most painful experiences in my life! And it was messy too because the vet couldn't find the artery to put the needle in...' I've shed a tear or two twice the last fifteen years, one was when my father died, the other when my dog died. Yeah it's a sad, sometimes I wonder, if there's a heaven for people surely there must be a heaven for dogs too? Give it a few weeks, and maybe then consider getting yourself a new puppy because nothing will give you more joy than seeing new life where the old one has gone. Sure you will remember the old one fondly, but the puppy will put once again a big smile on your face.

Lützow -> RE: Au revoir to an old trooper (7/11/2012 10:07:27 PM)
I feel with you. Had to put down several pets at vet during the past 20 years and dogs hurt more than everything else. [:(] Best way to come over this is acquiring a puppy.

ilovestrategy -> RE: Au revoir to an old trooper (7/11/2012 11:02:53 PM)
Agreed with the puppy. Putting down an old dog is hard. Real hard.

vonRocko -> RE: Au revoir to an old trooper (7/11/2012 11:31:24 PM)
I'm sorry MikeBrough. It is losing a family member. I know it is hard when they die, but please consider another one. There are so many unwanted and abused dogs and cats that need a home with a decent owner. Good Luck!

MrRoadrunner -> RE: Au revoir to an old trooper (7/12/2012 12:18:29 AM)
Mike Brough, Sorry for your loss. We have five boxes (of our loved ones) that rest on our mantle. Dogs seem to live such a short life because they give their all, all the time. I've cried over more of my dogs who passed then over the humans. One special Scottie got flowers on the day of her death for a whole year. Her death hit me hard. She was only five years old. My wife said the dog got more flowers than she did. I told her that she was still alive and did not need the flowers. My wife and I got into rescue and foster/adopt dogs that really need a family. We have two Scotties and one Katrina dog who is part Beagle and part Shepard. We will never be in a home without a dog or two or three. RR

Titanwarrior89 -> RE: Au revoir to an old trooper (7/12/2012 4:19:52 AM)
Sorry to hear about your family's your loss. I hate puting them asleep. I feel for you. I bawled like a baby. I still miss him.....he is on the mantle in a box.[:(]

MikeBrough -> RE: Au revoir to an old trooper (7/12/2012 6:58:39 AM)
Thanks for all the replies. I didn't think I was alone - a few quiet tears and a glass or 3 of whisky last night. We're getting his ashes back next week and I think we'll scatter them somewhere along his favourite walk. Funnily enough. I think the first intimation that his time was near was during one of those walks. He stopped at the bottom of the (big) hill and dug his paws in - basically asking whether we expected an old man like him to climb that bugger! And, yes, the family are starting to talk about a new puppy sometime after our vacation.

gabeeg -> RE: Au revoir to an old trooper (7/12/2012 8:02:19 AM)
You have my heartfelt sympathies Mike. I feel your pain, I had to put down my two dogs last year within a couple months of each other. Going through the process of putting your best friend down is one of the hardest things I ever had to do. They let you know when it is time though. "I hate being the dad all the time. Why can't I be the 12 year old sometimes and just sit in the corner and bawl my eyes out?" ...ain't that the truth! I agree...get a puppy. Took me almost a year to convince the wife (I think she got sick of me talking about the old dogs and my whining) but it was great to have a dog again...you wont miss your dog any less...but nothing beats the love of a new companion to get your spirits up again.

rhondabrwn -> RE: Au revoir to an old trooper (7/14/2012 1:47:29 AM)
I've got two 19 year old Rat Terriers, the male is really deteriorating (testicular cancer, diabetes etc) but both still active and happy. However, in anticipation of losing them in the near future, I acquired two new puppies a couple of years ago so I would still have companions when my Rat Terrier pals finally slip away. I feel for you :( But I do recommend getting a puppy BEFORE you lose your faithful companion. It will help so much with the grief.

jwilkerson -> RE: Au revoir to an old trooper (7/14/2012 2:47:22 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: rhondabrwn But I do recommend getting a puppy BEFORE you lose your faithful companion. It will help so much with the grief. It also helps the puppy have a chance to LEARN from more experienced pack member.

parusski -> RE: Au revoir to an old trooper (7/14/2012 5:15:22 AM)
In 2010 our sweet Pomeranian, Angel, who had been with us since 1997, developed a serious heart problem. One morning Angel was doing her usual barking, licking and begging, trying to keep me home that day. I came back 7 hours later to find her gasping for air, and unable to recognize normal words. The vet said the ONLY thing to do was put her out of that panicked misery we saw. Angel licked my hand as the doctor injected the medicine. Within 5 seconds she was at peace. I was 44 and I cried like a little girl, as did my wife, two sons and daughter. The loss was more massive than we ever anticipated, for we had never had a dog.

Brigz -> RE: Au revoir to an old trooper (7/14/2012 8:34:45 AM)
Very sorry to hear about your loss. I've been through this too and it is indeed one of the most difficult things to do. This is a real tear-jerker, but it's beautiful. [image]local://upfiles/5427/92D992107015419385EB74778E8C97BC.jpg[/image]

Chickenboy -> RE: Au revoir to an old trooper (7/14/2012 3:36:43 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: MikeBrough Totally off topic but I had to share with someone. We've just had our poodle of 12 years put down - old, arthritic, blind and deaf (and that's just me). It was me that had to act the hard man and do the dirty deed. Took him into the vet this afternoon, held his paw and stroked his head as he slipped away. Kept a stiff upper lip as I told the family he was gone. I hate being the dad all the time. Why can't I be the 12 year old sometimes and just sit in the corner and bawl my eyes out? Sorry to hear about your loss, Mike. You did the right thing for you and your family. A dad's job is never done, is it?

Empire101 -> RE: Au revoir to an old trooper (7/14/2012 3:39:34 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Chickenboy quote: ORIGINAL: MikeBrough Totally off topic but I had to share with someone. We've just had our poodle of 12 years put down - old, arthritic, blind and deaf (and that's just me). It was me that had to act the hard man and do the dirty deed. Took him into the vet this afternoon, held his paw and stroked his head as he slipped away. Kept a stiff upper lip as I told the family he was gone. I hate being the dad all the time. Why can't I be the 12 year old sometimes and just sit in the corner and bawl my eyes out? Sorry to hear about your loss, Mike. You did the right thing for you and your family. A dad's job is never done, is it? I would like to add my sentiments to Chickenboys post.

Chickenboy -> RE: Au revoir to an old trooper (7/14/2012 3:40:47 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: MikeBrough And, yes, the family are starting to talk about a new puppy sometime after our vacation. Aye-the puppy is a good idea when you and your family are ready for it. Grieve as you must first-you'll know when the time is right. My personal (and professional-I'm a veterinarian) opinion is to wait for a bit before getting another dog. This will help ensure that the next addition to your family is its own entity rather than a 'replacement' for that which cannot be replaced.

MikeBrough -> RE: Au revoir to an old trooper (7/14/2012 6:17:29 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Chickenboy My personal (and professional-I'm a veterinarian) opinion is to wait for a bit before getting another dog. This will help ensure that the next addition to your family is its own entity rather than a 'replacement' for that which cannot be replaced. I like the sound of that - makes sense to me. We have a fortnight's holiday coming up in 2 weeks. I don't think the family will wait much after that before we go looking. Thanks to everyone for their kind thoughts.

Ketza -> RE: Au revoir to an old trooper (7/14/2012 9:01:32 PM)
Recently we had to put down our cat Livingston who was 22 years old. When we first got the little guy from a shelter he had Distemper (sp) and was close to death. The vet gave him a few days to live but by some miracle he survived. My wife and I got him when we first moved in together and he was there during many life changes including marriage, selling of my business, 4 moves and of course the birth of our children. When we first got him I was playing the first edition of Civilization on a 286. We certainly miss him but know that 22 years was a very long life and he had some good ones!

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