Oh, MB friends,

I come to you with a sad heart tonite. I had to put my dog down last nite. Her name was Spuds and she was a 14yo mutt of questionable breeding. For those of you who don't know me, I am an animal lover, and I go to dog shows for fun, and in all those years, I never could figure out what kind of dog Spuds was. She was all white with a black eye and a black ear, and her hair was long enough to shed but short enough to not blow a coat like a collie would in spring. She had sort of a Lab-like head, but her facial features were too delicate--so maybe a Spaniel?? Her legs were delicate too, like a Setter--so maybe an English Setter? Oh, who knows!

We got Spuds when she was 9 mo. old and my D was 9 mo. old--so we unofficially had their birthdays on the same day. They literally grew up together. When my D was that diaper-toddler age, Spuds would go outside with her in the front yard and play with the kids. We called her Gramma even way back then, because she was so patient and liked kids so much. She would guard them and if they started to wander toward the road, she would stand in the way and bark her "you better get out here" bark. We lived on a rather secluded block, so when the occasional car would drive by she would stay on our property and run with them, barking as if to say, "I chased YOU away!"

Here in Colorado, we had a house that was near the train tracks, and twice a day the Amtrack would go by. Once again, she would bark at the trains until they went by as if to say, "HA, ha! I chased a train away!" In our neighborhood, she was the dog that all the kids could play with, pull her ears, grab her tail, and lay on. See loved the kids and they loved her.

In our next house, we had a bigger yard and more kids in the neighborhood--I think this was doggie heaven for Spuds. She would lay in the front yard and watch all the neighborhood kids ride bikes and play with each other. When everyone came in the backyard, she would join in the fun. She LOVED the swingset and would run alongside the swings and bark happily. YAY!

Our next house was rather rural, and we had a HUGE fenced backyard--half an acre at least. We had fruit trees and birds and squirrels and kids and SlipNSlides and it was great for her. She would be outside almost all day, and in case of rain or too much heat, she had a big doghouse built under the staircase. She loved that yard, and eventually the squirrels go to know her and would tease her mercilessly. They would go out into the middle of the phone wires and flick their tails and make that squirrely noise. She LOVED that because she'd chase them back and forth across the wire, barking her dainty little bark. That neighborhood had tons of other dogs, and she had quite a collection of friends.

We were living in that rural house when my exH had a BIG, ENORMOUS A and left the state and everything to live with his OW. Yep, he left me and the kids with no job and no money, and abandoned our family business, and everything. Luckily the kids had our Spuds to be there for them. She usually spent the night with them, laying on their beds just hanging out. What a good, loyal dog.

After my exH realized that life with the OW and her four kids wasn't so peachy, and after the business was bankrupt and couldn't bankroll his A any longer, he moved back home and bought a house without telling me. He said he wanted to move to get away from the bad memories of the house, etc. Yeah, I wanted to save our M so I moved with him, and we moved into our last house. This house was a show house--I think more for his ego than anything. We couldn't really afford it, and it was based all on promises that we'd figure it out somehow and "didn't I trust him"? Anyway, Spuds was getting older by then, but she was still lively--just more mellow. We had a pool and another big yard, so Spuds played baseball with my kids and their teams...swam in the pool in the summer...and laid by the fireplace in the winter. We had a cat by then, whom she TOLERATED but who was way too selfish for her. We had long latenight walks and she sniffed everything and everyone!

We were living in our show home when my exH cheated yet again and decided that he would rather be free to pursue his cybersex than be a dedicated H and father. It was also in this show home that I learned what verbal abuse is, and that we were left for the last time--once again with no job, no money, and a huge mortgage. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" />

So we were alone, and yet not alone. Our Spuds was with us and would sleep with the kids and sometimes we would all "camp out" in sleeping bags in the family room. Right before my exH left, he spent $400 and bought a purebred Maltese (Wolfie) and then split--so we had Spuds, Wolfie, and our cat. Spuds was really getting older by then, but she was like any older person. She still enjoyed being with us, and she enjoyed laying in the sunshine and watching the world go by. She tolerated the cat and actually kind of enjoyed the new puppy. He brought some years of playing and joy to her life, and like a true Gramma, she taught him how to behave.

Wolfie was my constant companion, but Spuds watched the kids and loved the kids. When we had to move from the show home and into our own townhouse, when the divorce was final, Spuds moved with us one last time. She was old and mostly laid around in the living room, but she enjoyed her walks in the park and she barked at the other dogs around. She was losing her sight and her hearing, but for a long time, I think she basically felt okay and just enjoyed being old.

Just recently, the kids and I started to notice a sharp decline, though. She was getting thinner and thinner, and would not eat unless we fed it to her. She had trouble getting up the stair to go outside. She was walking slower and slower and slower on her walks and didn't seem like she wanted to go out. I don't think she was in pain, but her quality of life seemed to be declining.

And then last night she had a seizure...or actually I think she had a stroke. Afterward her back legs wouldn't work and she seemed like she didn't know where she was. She bit her tongue and was sort of drooling--and what can I say? I knew it was time to let her go. God, it sucks! She was a very good dog, and we had her for her entire life, so I know she had a good doggie life. I didn't want her to suffer, so I took her to the vet's and put her to sleep. She went right to sleep, in my arms, and it was very peaceful for her, but obviously sad for me.

I'm bumming.


CJ

<img border="0" alt="[Teary]" title="" src="graemlins/teary.gif" />
((((((((((((((((((((((((((CJ)))))))))))))))))))))

Im so sorry, Im crying because I know exactly how you feel.

Dawn

((((((((((CJ))))))))))

I know how it feels. I had to choose to let a dog go when she was just about that same age. Just weeks shy of her 14th birthday.

Didn't want to see her go. But I knew she was being released from her frailties.

Have you read "Dog Heave" by Cynthia Rylant, I think, or "The Rainbow Bridge"? They are children's books but deal with the issue of losing a pet.

"Dog Heaven" talks about all the wonderful things dogs get to do in dog heaven. And "The Rainbow Bridge" talks about how the dogs who get to heaven before their masters have new people friends there who the provide comfort to while the people await the arrival of their beloved pets and the people provide comfort to the animals till the arrival of their beloved humans. A really nice idea.

Much love and sympathy to you tonight. And for the next weeks and months.

FaithfulWife, my heart goes out to you - you and your Family on the loss of your beloved 'Spuds'.
How well I know the heartache and grief of what you had to do.
May the Lord bless you and keep you as well as comfort you in this time of sorrow and loss.
Sincerely,
TDL (Harold)
PS - You can put a Permanent Online Living Memorial of your doggie here:
www.in-memory-of-pets.org
Both our beloved doggies are there, "Toby Ray" & "Lottie Girl"
God bless you.

Dear friends,

Thank you for your thoughtful replies. Yeah, it was a wierd day today without her. I keep imagining I'll come right around the corner and see her. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" />

But, on the plus side, the kids and I had a wonderful little talk/cry about what her doggie heaven would be like. We figured there will be children there and a yard with a tree and squirrels that tease her. We also thought that she'd probably meet up with Gramma E and Aunt S, who altho they were my exH's relatives, were very close to me and actually to Spuds. We used to sneak her into the home to visit Gramma E and Aunt S, and when they came to our house for Passover and stuff, they loved her and she loved them. She's probably quite happy to see them again, actually! Plus, they aren't frail or old anymore either.

Wolfie seems out of sorts too. He keeps looking for her and acting sort of pouty--like he has no one to play with.

The kids and I have decided to do a memory book of her or a shadow box or a memorial--something we can have in our home to remind us, you know.

Well, thanks again for your warm thoughts and hugs.


CJ

On a very realistic note, keep an eye on Wolfie. We had a cat who left once. And our other cat became truly depressed. So, take good care of your other doggie baby. (We ended up getting our remaining cat a 'new sister' - the ensuing hissing took about 2-3 weeks. After that, they decided to coexist and, soon, they were friends. It was interesting to see a depressed cat. The symptoms looked just like the ones for a human. Lethargy, lack of interest, and weight gain were the most obvious.

I am so sorry for you loss. I know it is hard to do. I put my 16 year old dog to sleep in December(I still wonder if she would have gotten better). It sounds like your dog had the same thing that mine did. I called it a stroke. It started about 5:30 one morning, and she was all over the floor fighting to get up. I sat on the floor with her and rubbing her to keep her calm until about 8:30 when the vet got there.

At one point she was fighting it so hard, I just prayed that she would be peaceful, and it was so weird, immediately she quit fighting and was peaceful. After she got peacefull, I got my breakfast and was sitting with her eating it and she raised up sniffing and acted like she wanted to eat so I got her some sandwich ham and she even ate.

I still think about her and miss her a lot. The memories will always be.

My Dearest Wild West Gal,

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{CJ}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

What a wonderful heartfelt tribute to a life long friend! I feel for you, I know how rough it was when we had to let Maggie go, and only a year later let Sam go. I really believe that next to a mother's love, a pets love is the most sincere.

And we all know that Spuds will be missed.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{CJ}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

I'm so sorry for your loss. We sent our nearly 11 year old Rottie to the rainbow bridge two weeks ago and we're mourning here as well.

Cerberus went downhill fast, so we were pretty sure what the outcome would be. We had a family conference with our 6 year old explaining that Cerberus was very sick and had to go to the vet. We told him that Cerb may die. Asked if he wanted to go with us to the vet or stay home. He opted to go. When we got the bad news, we let DS say goodbye, then go watch cartoons while the injection was given. (I didn't think he needed the reality of watching the euthanasia.) We went home later, and I asked him if he understood that Cerb was in doggy heaven now. He said yes. We told him all about what doggy heaven was like. No pain, places to run, and he's always happy. He said he understood. Then he waited for a moment and said, "So when can we go get him back?"

Laughter and tears, the essence of family life.

Well here's a big giant bear hug coming your way...and I'd even give you a licken's, but I doubt that would be as fun as those from Spuds.

I still miss my Cody, who's been gone now for some 16 months. He was an Alaskan Malamute mix I think...and he had a very special attachment to my oldest daughter.

We used to hike all the time, and I shall never orget how he'd bound through the woods. I do miss him, he's burried down at the end of of the "little meadow".

Hug your kids tight...tell them you love them...and you can all remember Spuds together. There is a good thing in all of this, albeit perhaps hard to see. It is a way for kids to learn (and adults too) about the fragility of life, to appreciate everday, and to learn how to mourn and let go when someone dies. Sadly we all shall.

Again, another big bear hug to you and your kids....

FW,

If this helps, my Native American friends believe that animals that we were loyal to (and you certainly were) become our spirit-guides in this world and never really leave our sides.

CJ, you were true-blue. I hope time brings you some peace and I send a hug,

jo

{{{{{{{{CJ,}}}}}}}}}}
I'm adding my tears and hugs to you. I know how this feels.

Just 6 weeks or so ago, I had to let a dear, sweet companion doggy go to the Rainbow Bridge. You may remember......I posted about it. I was there to hold her when she was born (in my shed), and I held her as she left, too.

Our furry friends are the epitamy of what true friends should be. They accept us exactly as we are, and never try to make us over in another image.........but, this part of our relationship with them is never easy.

Prayers for only good memories and happiness whenever you think of her.

Your sister,
Lupo

{{{{{{{{{Dobie & CJ}}}}}}}}}} to you both. May God bless you and your Families.
Sincerely,
Harold (TDL)

((((( <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> )))))))

Thoughts and prayers your way.

A Tribute to a Dog

A Faithful dog will lay with you
and laugh with you or cry.
He'll gladly starve with you
Nor ever reason why.

And when you're feeling out of sorts
Somehow he'll understand.
He'll watch you with his shining eyes
And try to lick your hand.

His blind implicit faith in you
is matched by his great love.
The kind that all of us should have
In the master up above.

When everything is said and done
I guess isn't it odd?
For when you spell dog backwards
you will get the name of God.

Widdle Anderson

Oh CJ , dear lady, I am so sorry for your families loss.

When I was going through my divorce our cockers, Rusty and Molly were failing do to their age like your dog. They each needed to be put to sleep and the time frame was 17 months apart. Whew!

At that time I didn't own a home, was renting and had no backyard to call my own. I chose to each dog cremated. They are right here with me in urns (and spirit). When this ol' gal kicks the bucket Rusty and Molly are going to join me in my coffin.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"> my Native American friends believe that animals that we were loyal to (and you certainly were) become our spirit-guides in this world and never really leave our sides.
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I don't doubt that a bit!

My heart goes out to you and your kids CJ!

((((((((((HUGS))))))))))

Gayle

I'm so sorry for your loss.
I have this poem hanging up in remembrence of my pets.
http://rainbowsbridge.com/htm

Jill

Here's a hug to you to make you feel a little better. There is nothing like the unconditional love of a pet. Especially one who has been with you through the ups and downs that you and your kids have experienced. May time and memories ease your loss.

Take care and God bless!
K

Big hugs to you. I am so sorry for your loss. I know the pain you and your family must be feeling.

On 01-01-2003, we had to send our beloved male kitty to the Rainbow Bridge. He was diagnosed with lymphosarcoma and took a turn for the worse in about 2 weeks.

The pain is always tucked in a little corner of your heart, but knowing how much you loved them and knowing how much they loved you will bring a smile to your face in the darkest of times.

Please remember they are always right there beside you, as they were in life, they are after death. You gave this doggie a WONDERFUL life here on earth. The love you gave her will spill over to the Rainbow Bridge, too. :-)

Just remember, you said so long, not goodbye.

Take care.

(((((((((((((((((CJ))))))))))))))))))))

I am so sorry. I have a Maltese that is like my third child. I love her to death. Before her.... several years, I also had a "mutt" that I loved more than anything. At 16 his time came and I too had to put him to sleep. I will never forget the look in his eyes as he stared at me while they gave him his injection. He, too, died in my arms.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh....I am so sorry for what you're feeling right now. Rest assured that your baby is no longer in pain or suffering.

We're here for you.

Sarah

I'm so sorry CJ. It is never easy. I had to let a Ducky kitty go during a really rough time in my life. A friend sent me this ... www.petloss.org